THE FLEET BEFORE CRONSTADT.

Lyttelton Times, Volume V, Issue 319, 21 November 1855, Page 8

THE FLEET BEFORE CRONSTADT.

Off Crosstadt, July 9. —On the 3rd a Russian soldier, a corporal in one of the picked regiments of the Guards, deserted to the flagship. He is a very fine man, and says he was driven to desert by being threatened with expulsion from his corps and severe punishment for some trivial fault, over the committing of which he.had no control. He has given most important information respecting the fortifa'cacations ofCronstadl and the distribution of the troops. He says that in the ranks of the latter amongst the latest recruits, are to be found old grey-headed men and hoys not more than sixteen. Of course it would he impolitic to make his information public ; but he says the inhabitants of St. Petersburg and Cmnstndt feel confident we shall not attack the forts, but they tremble for their blockships. The Royal Adelaide arrived with fresh vegetables, bullocks, and a quantity of biscuit, which is supplied weekly from Elsinore, hut is not so good as that made in our own yards. All the boats in the fl :et were manned and armed, and sent away in tow of the gunboats, who took them to the eastward, opposite the Russian blockships, and where they were exercised and put through their various evolutions in sight of the enemy, who, we were in great hopes, would be drawn out; but after exorcising until ten o'clock, they returned to the flees. At 8 a.m., tl c R,.val" Adelaide and I'artar parted company; the latter goes to join the blockading squadron in the Gulf of Bothnia. It consists of the Ajax, Harrier, Driver Porcupine, Firefly, Esk, Falcon, and Cuckoo. July 4.—The Cuckoo arrived at noon with despatches for the commander in chief. She brings word that along the coast between Nvslad and Christinesad the squadron has destroyed 3 large si,ips, amounting to more than 20,000 tons. The blockade of the whole coast as far up as Tornea will he declared in a few days. It would have been done before had vessels of the class required been at the admital's command.

July 5.- The French gunboaf Tounnents armed. She is alout the same size as our 0.. n, hut has only two masts, and is more heavily ringed. AI 930 a.m. the Geyser, who had been sent to take the James Watt's nlace as a lookout ship to the westward, observed some troops tiisrching alonjr ,l, e coast, and opened fire on them with sheii. They immediately threw away then arms, and heavy helmets, and fled in all* directions to the woods. At !0"30 a.m., the Frincess Alice proceeded towards Cronstadt with a najj of truce, and bearing a letter from the

commander in chief u> the Russian minister of war. She whs met by a steamer from tl, e harhour, who received the despatch, and both vessels returned. There being it fine breeze today, the French ships got under weigh, nnd proceeded to sea to exercise their great goua and returned in the evening-. Every day, Sun-' days not excepted, the enemy exercise the mortar batteries itlong the northern sea wall. Some of the mortars have an immense rau'ge. July 6. —General quarters ; and more exercise of every description: indeed, it seldom ceases with a«, nnd it will not be through the want of practice if we are not perfect very soon. In the evening the commander in chief tried the range of a S2 pounder gun, which had been slung in a peculiar manner at an angle of 45 degrees, in one of the woodboats captured a few days ago. The boat was moored across the stern of the flag ship and three or four shots fired.' The fall of the first in the water was eagerly watched for, hut it took so long a time before it fell, that it was given up, but in a few seconds exclamations of astonishment burst forth, as a small column of spray rose in the air at a distance of more than 5.000 yards, or more than three miles. The shot took exactly 31 seconds for its flight. The boat was then towed a little nearer the shore, opposite one of the new earthern batteries near the governor's house, and a couple of shots fired to ascertain if they were within lange. Both shots went a long way over the battery, which returned an ineffectual fire with mortars that would not carry the distance. These are perhaps, the first shots from an enemy that ever alighted on the island of Cronstadt. About an hour before dusk a small boat was seen creeping along the north shore towards St. Petersburg, two gunboats w«:re sent to stop it, and returned about 1 I p.m, with it in tow. It contained three fishermen, who were trying to take three or four kegs of sprats to market; after being examined and cautioned, they »vere allowed to go away; but this will show you with what vigilance the blockade is enforced—within twelve miles of the capital of the em/ire, and five of its strongest fortresses, not a boat even so large as a Thames wherry can final upon the waters within our sight, and we have complete command of all.

July 7.—The Volage ammunition .ship left ihe fleet this morning, to join admiral Baynes at Nargen. At l'3O p.m., the Merlin, having on hoard the French and English commander's in chief, proceeded to reconnoitre the south passage, and approached within 2,800 yards of the Rishank Battery, which fired several shots at them, hut all fell short; one, however, came in a good direction, about 150 yards astein of the vessel.. The guns in the Kronslot battery have been obliged to he removed, owing to the walls being in «ucli a state of decay. The admirals returned about six o'clock. While they were away, at 4 p.m., two Russian gunboats came out of the northern passage, and proceeded along shore to the westward. The Magpie and Lurk srunboats went immediately to cut ihem off from returning, and would must probably have succeeded, had not their recall been made by the flagship, and enforced by several guns. They, however, continued their course till within range of the chase, fired a single gun at each of them, and to the astonishment of everybody, turns i their heads round and came hack'to the fleet as fast as they could, and I haie no doubt yon will shortly hear a Russian account of the defeat of the gunboats; they did wrong to proceed at all when their recall" was made, and they did wrong to fire unless they intended to have gone ,on with the action. Captains Eis-kine and Hall, of the Orion and Exmouth, were on board at the time. The Russian boats quieiiy proceeded into harbour ; the decks ol both were crowded with people, some in uniform, others in plain clothes ; most likely they were excursionists, who came out to gel a nearer view of the fleet.

Theatrical Intkulighnck.—The following prograimneoian evening's theatrical performance in ilie camp befoie Sevastopol is curious as showing tlie character ol the French soldiers and iheir eagerness to seize on every opportunity, of passing their time gaily and happily ; —' Imperial Tlieatre of Inkeriii;iiin, Su-iday, May 20.— The amateur peilbnnersof the 2iul Zouaves wiil give the following spectacle:—l. l Le iial (lv Sauvage,' lolie vaudeville in three acts, hy MM. Coignad. 2. Comic interlude. 3. ' Les Fureura de rainour,' a burlesque tragedy in one act. 4. Comic interlude, unig hy an English sevgeani. As the performance will he long, the curtain wiil rise at half-past seven precisely."