Operations at Souakin.

Southland Times, Issue 8064, 20 July 1885, Page 3

Operations at Souakin.

(From Mr W, G. Quick, Junr.)

H.M. Transport " Bulimba,"

Off Souakin, May Bth.

Since my laßt affairs here have been very quiet, but the railway has assumed considerable proportions. Quarantine Island has now become an important centre, upon which Messrs Lucas and Aird have built commodious offices, and the store, cooking, and bakinghouse, &c, with tbe tents of the navvies and staff, have taken up a considerable portion of the land. On the left are the workshops of the Bombay sappers and miners. The carpenters' shed would somewhat surprise a New Zealand workman ; it requires two men to plane timber, one pulls at the fore end, while the other handles the tool in the usual manner. All available ground is piled with railway material ; there are six piers around the island alone, each connected by tail with the main line, on which at present there are eight locomotives and a large number of trucks.

Oo the 29th of last month I took a trip as far as Otao. Leaving Quarantine Island shortly; after 8 a.m., the first object that attracted attention was a primitive signal hut, over which was fixed a large board, with the following inscription : — " Speed not to exceed four miles on causeway." Halfway through the camp (on the mainland) a gang of navvies were at work, sinking two large wells to supply the engines with water. Here we stop for a few minutes and pick up some " friendlies" bound for the front. Starting again, the line oontinaes on through the camp, forming a curve at Sandbag, and passing Hasheen Battery we are fairly outside, and rattling atong at from 18 to 20 miles an hour. We passed wbat had been two stacks of sleepers,. still smouldering, and seven telegraph poles destroyed by the rebels the preceding nigbt. Further on, en our left, is the Growßnest Battery — so called from its lofty tower — manned by the 17th Kative Infantry, and now we have a straight road into Handub, with a run of about biz miles.

From here the country has a different aspect, being covered with mimosa bushea and a few acacias, from three to five feet in height. It is no doubt a convenient fighting ground for the dusky tribes that are -opposed to our troops. Arriving at Handab station, what a change from the sandy plains around Souakin. On the right rises abruptly the small rocky hill of Handub, surmounted by a battery of two guns, manned by the Australians. Climbing by a zig-zag path to the summit, I obtained a magnificent view. To the south-east lay Souakin, with its crowd of shipping, from which, stretching away to the north, lost in distance, and fromHandub to the.sea, is one vast sandy plain, covered with scattered scrub. On the south-west rises the Waratab mountains, their deep gorges, barren rocky sides, and ragged outlinep, standing out with remarkable distinctness under the noonday sun. A spur from this lange terminates in a small hill a short distance to the left of the railway, and on the summit is a battery of one gun, manned by a company ef the 49th (Berkshire) foot. At the foot of the hill some troops were quarrying stone to build a blockhouse on an angle of a very strong sandbag zareeba in course of construction on the right of the line, and just beneath our feat to' the north-west lies the Außtralian camp, enclosed by a large zareeba upon the aite once occupied by the Arab village destroyed by the Hussars some time back. There are several wells, and water can be had anywhere here at a 3 feet, but it is rather brackish. A few yards from the line a large well was being dug to provide water for the engines, and although a steam donkey besides hand pumps were continually going all day, the water comes in too fast for speedy excavation. After remaining half-an-hour we start for Utao, General Hudson and staff occupying a truck loaded with rails, while I perched myself on the top of a truckI6ad of sleepers, which were rather sbaky but afforded a fine view as we rattled aloDg at full speed. Five miles further on, over a sandy plain, we come upon a second spur of the Warataba, and just under its lee the 49th Berks, were encamped in a Bareeba. On the way up we passed a train of mountain Artillery practising in the open, and the smart way their guns were unpacked and mounted deserved commendation. Leaving the camp, the vicinity of which is wild and picturesque, we rounded the spur and were at once among the mountains. The scene was really grand ; the view was limited to from one to two miles on either side, and the torrent bed here showed itself plainly. The foreground was rugged and rocky, backed by abrupt mountains from 100.0 to 1500 feet above the level of the sea. On reaching Otao the valley gradually narrows, and about eight miles further on it is merely a defile ; the mountains rising abruptly on either side. Otao is about nine miles from Handub, and is a little this side of the present point the line bas reached : there is a fair supply of water, and the country has a slightly batter appearance. After remaining a few minutes we returned to Souakin with empty truckß, and on the way encountered a sand storm, enough to shrivel one up. A large number of Royal Marines left here by the transport Australia for Eagland on the 29th tilt. Lord Wolseley arrived here on the 2nd inst., and has been inspecting the troops. On the 7th ins*., gome of our cavalry had a skirmish with the rebels near Haeheen ; this proves they are still in the mountains, although comparatively quiet A few nights ago th*y attempted to burn the railway, but failed. For the past three months we have had no lain, and last evening we experienced some heavy thunderstorms. The weather is getting warmer, the thermometer standing at 87 degrees in the shade on deck ; on shore, 90 degrees ; and that under double awnings. News came to hand this morning that the Camel Corps and Mounted Infantry had penetrated about 20 miles into the mountains from Hasheen yesterday and came suddenly upon a large party of Arabs. They captured 20 prisoners and 250 sheep, which were brought safely to camp. The rebels offered little resistance. The prisoners said the mutton was intended for Osman Digna. Numbers of the rebels are daily coming into Handub and sur rendering.

May, 27.

The late decisive measures in the British Parliament with reference to the Soudan are being rapidly carried into effect. Since the 17th met. on the departure of H.M.S. Jumua with two regiments of the Guards and the transport Deccan, with G-eneral Graham and staff, and the remaining regiment of Guardp, up to the present date nearly the whole of the British troops have left Souakin. On the 18th inst. the transport Arab sailed with the Australian contingent for Sydney, receiving hearty cheers from all as they steamed out of the harbour. Oa the following day the transport Queen sailed for Suez with Lord Wolseley and staff and a company of Marines.; on the 20th the Indian Monarch left with the Lancers ; and the United S.attfl corvette Marian, 15 guns, put in for a few days on her way to China. On the 21st the transport Italy sailed with # detachment tf hww, ftfti tbe transport

tug Gamecock (of Liverpool) steamed to the South Anchorage, 10 miles down the coast (where about 25 transports are awaiting orders). She took down a crowd of navvies, and embarked thenr on board a transport for Engltind. On the 22nd, the 20th Hussars left in tlie Persian Monarch in company with the condensing ship Calabria with sick for England ; the following day the Conway Castle and Loch Ard left — the former with the Shropshire Foot and a company of the Berkshire, and the latter with the remaining Berks. The Royal Engineers and Native Indian troops, with the Bombay Sappers and Miners, are (as far as is known here at present) to remain and garrison the town and forts. Owing to the low flat nature of the ground, and the stagnant water in the vicinity of Quarantine Island, that position has been abandoned for hospital purposes during the summer for the south point at the mouth qt the harbour. There the hospital huts, recently arrived, are being erected ; the narrow gauge >ailway connects it* with the town, and 5 inch waterpipes are being laid down to supply the camp direct from the ships. The position is the most healthy that could be chosen, the ground being very dry and open to the winds from all quarters. It is pleasant on a clear starlight night lounging on the bulwarks and enjoying the sea breeze, free from the attacks of flies, to watch the camp fires of the Indian troops on the Point, flickering in the darkness, and to hear the tom-tom with its monotonous double note. Occasionally the Royal Engineers favour us with a selection by their fife and drum band.

The S.W. monsoons have set in, and we are getting the hot wind and rains. On the 23rd inst., towards evening, we experienced a blinding sand and dust storm. It came tearing along over the plains from the south, like a vast bank of clouds, of a reddish-yellow colour. It did not last many minutes, but soon penetrated everywhere. The noise and rattling of the shrouds was rather an unusual thing; there.

Otao and Handub have be*>n evacuated, and the furthest outpost at present is the western or Hasheen batteiy. On the 24th inst. (Her Majesty's birthday), two armoured trains, with 160 men and two Gardner guns were sent out by General Greaves to reconnoitre the railway. They ran within a mile of Handub. The line was untouohed, but the rebels were in possession of the hill, and had burnt all the railway sleepers piled there. They encountered about 500 Arabs, who fired upon them as they jpassed, however, there were no casualties, but some of the rebels ivere accounted for. Transports are being dispatched daily, and at night the piers are illuminated by the electric light to enable the work to be pushed on.

The cricket season has closed. Boatsailing and swimmiag during the evenings are the only recreations indulged in, and, judging fiom the number that avail themselves of these pleasures, are highly appreciated.

Everything is fast disappearing, and in a few days Souakin will be nothing more than it was six months ago. We expect to sail next week ("June 3rd) ; where for, not known. Should we proceed to India I will continue correspondence if acceptable.