THE PASSAGE OF THE DARDANELLES.

Bush Advocate, Volume XXI, Issue 288, 9 June 1909, Page 5

THE PASSAGE OF THE DARDANELLES.

■■■ . ■.' ' * — ' ' On February 19,' 1807, the British fleet, 'commanded by Admiral Sir John Duckworth, succeeded in^foreing a way through, the Dardanelles,, and joined the squadron under Admiral Louis. About' 9.30 in the morning, - the ships, after having passed the Turkish forts under a •brisk fire without replying, came abreast of the batteries of Kelidil Baihar and Sultanie Ivalessi, which guard the narrowest parts of the Straits — only a mile and a quarter across at that point. 'They wer© greeted <by a heavy fire, but retaliated to such effect that it was not long before the forts were abandoned. Sir Sidney Smith then attacked and destroyed a small Turkish.squadron- off tfce Castle of Abydps, and Lieut. Mark Oakes, at the head ofa landing-party, drove the Turks from the fort and spiked the gunsAdmiral Duckworth, meanwhile pursued his course; and anchored off Prince's Island,: opposite to Constan- . tinople, on the 20th.' Here he detained by the Turks, whx> continued to strengthen their defences till noless than Izxaj cannon .were" 1 iff position ready to reply to the fleet. There was nothing for it ; but to draw off, and Sir John, > after making a display by sailing boldly before Constantinople all day, a,t nightfall dropped down towards the Straits, which were re-passed, but not without ' heavy lOSS. \ . . . '■ ■•■' " ' " : \ '■• .