DESTRUCTION OF THE TURKISH FLEET AT SINOPE.

Western Star, Issue 787, 27 October 1883, Page 5 (Supplement)

DESTRUCTION OF THE TURKISH FLEET AT SINOPE.

The Russian squadron went out from Sebastopol about the middle of November, steering for the Asiatic coast, and ao disposed as to intercept any Turkish ship proceeding from Con stantinople to Trebiz md or Batoum. On the 20th they captured a Turkish war steamer, and one or more Turkish merchant ships. The news of these captures reached Sinope, where a Turkish squadron lay, and its commander for a moment indulged in the notion that he would go out and fight the Russians. Better counsels, however prevailed, and he remained in port. On the 23rd the enemy’s fleet, seven sail of line and two steamers, hove in sight ten miles from Sinope ; and the next day part of this squadron looked in at the Turks, but did not attack. From the manner of their proceeding, it might be judged that the Admiral doubted whether he should attack, and that before doing so he obtained some order from Prince Menschikoff at Odessa. Such was the case. The British Consul at Samsoun, and the Turkish Admiral, sent off news of the presence of the hostile squadron to Constantinople, but it did not reach the Porte in time to prevent the calamity which followed. On the 29 ch Nachimoff had received his orders, and had rallied the whole of his squadron. On the 30th, while the Porte and the Ambassadors were consulting, Admiral Nachimoff sailed into the port of Sinope, and signalled the Ottoman squadron to surrender. The superiority of the Russian force would have justified compliance, but the Turks answered the summons by opening fire. Thereupon the Russians ranged up, and firing shot and shell, not only into the ships but into the town, soon set both on fire. The seven poor Turkish frigates and three corvettes, whose heaviest guns were only 26-pounders, were no match for the liue-of-battle ships which poured in broadside after broadside of heavy shot and Paixhan shells. Nevertheless, with unsurpassed gallantry, the Turks fought until their ships blew up under them, or burnt to the water’s edge. There was no flinching. Every commander was true to his flag, and died rather than strike. But it was not a battle; it was a butchery. The use of Paixhan shells has been condemned by one of our best naval writers, who insists that the Russians ought to have forced the Turks to surrender by using their solid shot guns. When the suu went down there remained nothing ot the Turkish fleet in the bay but the smoking wrecks and the torn and mangled limbs of the crews. Nearly 4000 men had perished. One steamer alone escaped, and fled to Constantinople. Having completed the task ot devastation, and repaired damages, the Russian fleet sailed back to Sebastopol. Prince Menschikoff, in his despatch to the Emperor, said His Majesty’s order had been “ brilliantly executed and His Majesty exulted over his “ victory” without a tinge of shame. He thanked his admirals and sailors “ on behalf of the glory and honour of Russia,” and, with his wife and children, he was present at a solemn service in the Imperial Chapel, when he ‘‘thanked the Lord of lords for the success of the victorious Russian arms, which triumphed in the sacred combat for the orthodox faith.’’—' ‘Riston/ of England .