522 
THE FIELD. 
— 7 T— r week, and when funds were afforded the 
b nS woufd accommodate seventeen additional widows. 
balance-sheet showed that the receipts, including a 
v 6 Yr £592 lGs. 10(1. brought forward, amounted to 
£3360 lOd.; and the expenditure to £1,516 17s. Id., 
ff which there remained a balance of £ 1,800 7s. 9<1. 
THE TURKS AND RUSSIANS. 
{Continued from page 498.) 
The survey for the defences from lluyuk-Tchckmedji to 
Dcrkos are proceeding with due despatch. Scverul officers 
of the engineers are continually engaged, and have com- 
pleted nearly half their task. From the Sea ol M^'tnora to 
the Euxine, the projected line extends for 27 mile*. A lake 
spread out in some toasons into a vast marsh almost joins 
the sea at the western end, and precludes ^1 possibildy of 
the passage of a hostile army for several miles. The 
is four feet deep, and tho bottom soft and muddy. At the 
oilier extremity another lake is situated, which would 
equally bar an enemy’s passage, and between theso two 
there is a lino of undulating hill and valley, which, though 
destitute of any stiong natural means of defence, maybe 
mode impassable by the scionce of modern engineers and the 
bravery of well supplied troops. This is the position chosen 
to ho the Torres Vedrus of Constantinople— a dote nco foi 
ever, should the men and the valour to make it useful 
remain when western troops, have quitted the Turkish soil. 
The country is overspread with brushwood, and tho oihceis 
are obliged to raise themselves and their theodolites on 
stands. General Baraguay d’Hilliors computed t ie number 
of men necessary for tho defence at 40,000, 0 w hpm 1 5,000 
were to watch the difficult ground at either end, and 30 000 
to occupy the works in tho centre. However, those whose 
surveysoftho country give them tho means to judge with 
creatt-r accuracy declare that not less than 80 <!00 would be 
required to occupy such vast and complex defences; and if 
events were ever to necessitate u retreat on tho capital, 
euch a force would not ho wanting for its preservation. 
♦ 
THE WAR IN EUROPE. 
Letters from Constantinople of the 22nd announce that 
in the Council of War held at Varna betweeu the Generals- 
iu-Chief, it had been decided that the allied troops should 
proceed to Adrianoplo. , 
A communication from Belgrade, by telegraph, dated 
Mav 29 states that the Russians have attacked bilistria 
with 'all the disposable forces they had upon that point. 
This attack, directed simultaneously from the Danube uml 
by land, was renewed four times, und was four times repulsed 
by the besieged. Tho resistance of Silistriu continued with 
success on the 26th of May. Jt is stated that Mmsa Tosha 
has declared that he will not surrender to the Russians, and 
that when there is no more liupo of succour, and all means 
of defence are exhausted, lie will blow up the fortress, and 
loave to tho conqueror but a heap of ruins. 
Tho Tunisian Government has come to the determination 
of Bending to Constantinople un armed auxiliary corps. 
This corps will he composed of four regiments of infantry and 
two hattei ies of artillery. Each regiment will comprise 
three battalions of about 800 men. Adding the forco for 
the batteries. there will he a total of about 10,000 men, 400 
horse, and 12 pieces of cannon. 
Marshal St. Arnaud has succeeded in obtuinmg from the 
Sultan permission to place tl.e Jiashi liozouks under tho 
command of Geueral Youssuff, who will be assisted in ull 
matters relating to drill -and discipline by Colonel Magnan 
of the staff, who has been ten years in the service of tho 
Porte. It was intended to organise them without loss oi 
time into regiments, commanded by French officers and sub- 
officers, aud according to the French military law. The 
samo system has produced excellent results among the 
indigenous troops of Africa, where a native army, on whose 
valour and fidelity every reliance can bo placed, has been 
organised. The violent and ferocious spirit of those savages 
wiU soon be tamed down. General Youssuff arrived on 
the 16th at Constantinople in the Euphrates, 60 that tho 
Bushi-Bazouks were to be taken in hand immediately. 
THE WAR IN ASIA. 
Letters of tho 8 th ult. from Trobizond state that the 
destruction of tho port of Odessa produced the utmost joy 
and exultation all along the Asiatic coast — that salvos of 
artillery announced this liuppy event, and that the Turkish 
standard floats <>n the ruins of tho Russian fortresses, in- 
cluding Sukoum-kal<5, all at present in the possession of the 
Circassians. The only fortress still retained by the Russians 
on the Asiatic sea hoard is Redout- kale, and we expect daily 
to hear of its annihilation by the steam flotilla which has 
proceeded in that direction. 
Scdtaui, Mav 20.— The 17lh Lancers arrived this 
morning. Seventeen horses died on the passage. The head 
quarters of the rogiment arrived on Tuesday lust; the rest 
to-doy. Beer bus arrived in large quantities, to the great 
delight of the troops. Several fatigue parties were down 
at the little landing place beforotlio barracks, rolling out tho 
barrels with the most evident satisfaction. Wo counted ten 
steamers and twelve transport ships at anchor off Scuturl; 
they are under orders to he ready for starting at twelve hours’ 
notice, and the steamers have taken in coals for eight days, 
steaming. Nothing can be known of their destination until 
the return of Lord Raglan from Varna, for which place ho 
left the day Indore yesterday, as did also Marshal St. Arnaud 
and Riza’ Pacha, tire Grand Scraskier, in order to meet 
Omer Pacha, aud confer with him about tho measures to bo 
adopted for the coming campaign. Admirals Dundas and 
Hami-lin have also proceeded to Van*, u to attend this confer- 
ence, which will decide tho general plan of action. Admiral 
Boxer has also gone to Varua. The Sultan lias placed his 
kio qt c of Haidar Pacha, at Scutari, immediately adjacent 
to the British encampment, at the diepofal of Ilis Itoyul 
Highness the Duke of Cambridge, and on Wednesday last 
he repaired there with all his stall'. On Wednesday last his 
Rovul Highness left tho palace of Fern*, on the Bosphorus, 
preferring a residence in the more immediate vicinity of the 
troops. 
NAVAL OPERATIONS IN THE BLACK SEA 
The following despatches give an official account of the 
capture of prizes by her Majesty’s sl ip Retribution aud two 
other war steamer.' in the Black Sea: — 
“ Britannia, oil' Odessa, April 21, 1854. 
“ Sir, I beg you will acquaint the Lords Commissioners 
o nhc Admiralty that the combined squadrons left Baltsthik 
Bay on tho I7lh, and anchored off Odessa on the 20th inst. 
This morning the Retribution and Descartes rejoined, and 
I transmit copies of Captain Drummond’s reports of pro- 
ceedings since lie was detached on tho 11 th inst.; and I trust 
that the zeal, activity, and judgment displayed by Captain 
Drummond and Commander Heath will meet their Lord- 
ships’ approval. Tho Sidon, Firebrand, and Inflexible are 
still watching the coast between tho Danube and Y arna, and 
in consequence of an attempt by some Cossacks to carry oft 
the grain and forage nt Kostondji, Captain Goldsmith set it 
on fire. The forts ut Sulina mouth of the Danube have 
been dismantled, and the guns and gunboats removed to 
Ismail. The Russian army, by the latest intelligence, was 
still stationary. “ I have, &c., 
« J. W. D. Dundas, Vice-Admiral. 
“ Tho Secretory of the Admiralty.” 
« Retribution, April, 17th, 1854; rendezvous 15 miles 
cast of Fidon-isi. 
«g, r — 1 have tho honour to inform you that, in pursu- 
ance of ’your instructions, dated tho 11 th inst., I proceeded 
off Odessa, having under my orders Her Majesty s steam - 
sloop Niger, and in co-operation with me the I rench steam 
frigate Descartes. The morning ot the 13th 111 st., oft 
Capo Eon tan Light, I prevented a Danish slop Iroin enter- 
ing into Odessa, she having on board at the time contraband 
for the enemy— namely, a cargo of coals. On arriving off 
Odessa the Niger captured two merchant brigs lying at 
anchor' outside the mole ; one of them slipped, und was 
within range when the Niger captured licr. Hie crew 1 
ha\e detained on board as prisoners, subject to your further 
instructions. I made an exception in favour of some 
passengers— viz., two men, two women, and two children ; 
these I sent on shore in a small captured vessel to Odessa 
previous to my departure. The Governor of Odessa 
sent off an officer with a flag of truce to mako 
some explanations respecting tho boat of the Furious 
having been fired upon 011 a late occasion. 1 de- 
clined to receive any verbal explanation on this subject. 
Thu following day un aide-de-camp of the Governor came 
off hut again, as his communication was verbal, I declined 
accepting it. Subsequently, about four in the afternoon of 
the 14th, the officer returned with a letter from tho Governor 
to your address, which I have the honour to forward. The 
number or vessels captured and destroyed is enumerated in 
the enclosed list. Total 13; crews, 51 ; of which 23 are 
prisoners in this ship, and 28 in the Descartes. Commander 
Heath, who was detached on the 14th inst. to reconnoitre 
towards the Dnieper, observed a Russian transport in tow 
of a steam-tug ; lie chased the vessels, hut, after following 
them as fur as the first beacons at the entrance of the 
Dnieper, and into three fathoms water, he deemed it not 
advisable to detach his boats without the support of the ship. 
The transport was ut a distance of five miles, and had got 
within the entrance, and under the protection of the forts of 
Kin ho urn and Nicholaef. The former fort fired several shots 
nt tho Niger, hut at a distance of four miles. On return 
Commander Heath captured six country vessels, two with 
a full cargo of English coal on board, a third with a small 
quantity, all bound up the Dnieper to Nicholaef. I thought 
it advisable to take possession of this coal for her 
Majesty’s service, and therefore purchased it for Govern- 
ment, and supplied the several quantities, as per receipts, 
to the Retribution, Descartes, Sidon, and Niger. The price 
of coals at Odessa, as stated by the master of a British mer- 
chant ship, was £4 sterling per ton, aud the prices at Con- 
stantinople on the 6 th inst. had been quoted nearly as high. 
1 huvo the honour to enclose a letter lor the information of 
the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty on the subject, 
as the proceeds of these captures are duo to the officers and 
crews of the ships serving under my command, and the 
French frigate Descartes, as belonging to her Majesty’s ally. 
The several small vessels having been cleared, I thought 
they might he most useful at this moment for her Majesty’s 
fleet, as they are well adapted to be used as coasters tor the 
carrying of coal at Heraclia. I examined carefully the posi- 
tion off Odessa, and there appears to he nothing in the way 
of fortifications to prevent the fleet anchoring within two 
miles, or even less, from tho shore ; the total number of 
guns docs not exceed between CO and 70, and from the north 
sido a position might he taken which would eufilade the 
moles, hut no firing could take place on the moles without 
the entire destruction of the merchant ships anchored within, 
and of the storehouses situated near the water’s edge ; wilhiu 
the imperial mole were anchored three steamers (two very 
small). I also observed three skeleton vessels iri frame, ap- 
parently gun-boats ; a very large depot of coal was seen be- 
tween tho moles. I detached the Niger to examine the coast 
about Tcudra; Commander Heath stood well inside the hay, 
and found the soundings as laid down in the chart perfectly ac- 
curate ; as lie did also within the Three Fathoms Bank at tho 
entrunce of the Dnieper. As respects the enclosures contained in 
your instructions to me of the 1 1 th inst., 1 have the honour to 
inform you that her Majesty’s Consul-General quitted Odessa 
10 or 12 days previous to my arrival there on the 13lli inst. 
I could learn nothing of the two vessels alluded to in the 
enclosure from an Ionian merchant, as forwarded to you 
through her Majesty’s Ambassador at the Porte. The ex- 
portation of grain had been stopped, and all loaded vessels 
obliged to re-land their cargoes; this proved to be a deten- 
tion to merchant ships of all nations. During my stay 1 tl 
Odessa I had communication with some masters of British 
merchant ships anchored within the mole, who were all 
anxious to get away, hut complained of their consignees not 
getting them a clearance. I was also informed by tho mas- 
ter of the Mordccai that he had heard something said of a 
certain time having been allowed to them to get out, and 
added, that he lmd asked for, and had not succeeded in get- 
ting, liis clearance. There were 15 vessels with the British 
ensign and about 10 French. I was told tho latter, being 
loaded vessels, wero all detained. One British vessel and 
two Ionian? came out of Odessa on the 13th inst. It 
has been very gratifying to me tho cordial co-operation 
of tho captain of tho French frigate Descartes, and 1 hove 
been much indebted to Commander Heath, of tho Niger, 
for his examination of the Dnieper outrun co and Tcudra 
Bay, and lor his effecient assistance in enabling me to carry 
out your instructions relative to the capturing and des- 
troying the enemj’s vessels. I left my position off Odessa 
on the night of the 15th, at the expiration of sixty hours. 
At daylight observed Niger standing towards lend ; Com- 
mander Heath reported In me on rejoining that he hud 
cliused on shore, burnt, and destroyed a Russian rchoouer 
ludcti with Fait; the crew escaped on shore in their boat, 
I reached the rendezvous off Serpent Island at 5 a. m, this 
morning, with tjio Descartes, Niger, and nino prizes, to 
await further instructions. 10 a.m. — Exchanged pendants 
with Her Majesty’s ship Sidon. Reported myself at 
noon to Captain Goldsmith, senior officer. 
I have, &c., 
T. R. Dhummond, Captain. 
“ P. S. — Her Majesty's ship Sidon is taking the remainder 
of coal out of the colliers ; the receipts for entire quantity 
of coal taken on charge for tlie use of Her Majesty’s Govern- 
ment will be forwarded as soon as receipts have been fur- 
nished to me. The quantity of coal will amount to about 
215 tons, north country coul. 
“T.R. D . 
“ Vice-Admiral J. W. D. Dundas, C.B., 
Commander-in-Chief.” 
Tho following is a list of Russian vessels captured by n er 
Majesty's ships Retribution and Niger, and the French 
Imperial frigate Descartes, between the 13th and I 61 I 1 days 
of April, 1854 : — 
Tho St. Constantino brig, empty, captured by tho 
Nicer. 
The Graphonitite brig, linseed and oatmeal, captured by 
tho Niger. 
The St. Peter and Paul, brig, empty, captured by tho 
Niger. 
The St. Constantino lugger, oatmeal captured by the 
Retribution. 
The St. Nicholas, lugger, oatmeal, captured by the Retri- 
bution. — Destroyed. 
The St. Nicholas, schooner, empty, captured by the 
Niger. 
Tho St. Nicholas, lugger, empty, captured by the Niger. 
The Annee, lugger, coals, captured by the Nigor. 
The St. Sporidon, lugger, coals, captured by the Niger 
Destroyed. 
The Proco Brugcniu, lugger, coals, captured by tho 
Niger. 
The Elchina biig, salt, captured by the Descartes. 
Tho St. Nicholas, lugger, linseed, captured by the Niger. 
Discharged into tho Graphonitite; sent into Odessa, with 
passengers, women, and children. 
The Unknown, schooner, salt, chased and destroyed by 
tho Niger. 
J. R. Drummond, Captain, 
and Senior Officer present. 
Our latest intelligence from the Black Sea fleet is from 
Sebastopol, May 13th. The Commander-in Chief, Vico 
Admiral Dean;- Dundas, C.B., in the Britannia, 120, Captain 
Carter, remained there with the bulk of his fleet. 
The Admiral had detached Captain Joins, C.B., in the 
Sampson, 0, paddle, with the screw-frigate Highflyer, 21, 
Captain Graham, to Sinope 
Captain Goldsmith, in the Sidon, 22, paddle, hod taken 
with him the Fury, G, paddle, Commander Tatham, and had 
proceeded to the coast of Bulgaria. 
Firebrand, G, paddle, Captain Hyde Parker, had rejoined 
the admiral at Sebastopol, from tho coast of Circassia. 
We stated recently that Rear-Admiral Boxer had re- 
turned to Constantinople, -from Sebastopol and Varna. Ho 
remained there on tho20lh of May, his flag being hoisted un 
board tho Carndoc, despatch puddle* vessel, Lieut. Com- 
mander Derriman. 
Cyclops, puddle-transport, Master Commandor Roberts, 
had arrived at Constantinople with stoics. 
Mcgtsra, 10, screw, Commander Von Donop, had arrived 
at Constantinople, hut returned to Malta, and left that port 
again 011 tlui 23rd of May, with provisions and stores for tho 
former place. 
ROYAL PRUSSIAN WAR STEAMER SALAMANDER. 
We present our readers with a portrait of this war steanievi 
from a lithograph by Dutton, published by Mr. Foster, of 
Ponchurch-street, and kindly lent to us by John Scott Russell, 
Esq. The Salamander is one of the vessels which have been 
built aud equipped for the Prussian Government by Messrs* 
Robinsons and Russell. They are armed on a system pa- 
tented by Mr. J. S. Russell, one of the members of that 
firm ; and are said to offer considerable advantages over 
tho unsatisfactory method at present adopted in our own 
and foreign navies,— viz. that of carrying one heavy gun at 
how and stern — where, if speed is to be obtained, the lines 
must he fine, thus affording an inadequate support for tlm 
weight to be borne, and which cannot well, therefore, bo 
borne at all. The effect of this weight, in a heavy sco, 
is distressing to tho vessel, and diminishes her seaworthy 
properties. Such difficulties are obviated by Mr. Russell* 
arrangement. The sponsons ore enlarged, and the side of 
the vessel immensely strengthened at that part by an iron 
arch. On these sponsons are placed four sixty-eight 
pounder guns, two forward and two aft of tho puddle 
boxes; tho weights are thus removed from the extremities 
to tho centre, the strongest part of tho vessel, where tho 
breadth of beam is best able to curry them, and the arma- 
ment is at the same time doubled. These guns can he so 
trained fore and aft, that tlicir fire can be made to conv erge 
on any point, even within one hundred yards distance, a ' 11 
the vessel can, thus engnged end-on when necessary, organ- 
avoidable, firing her two guns without deviuting from M 
course. If engaged with two vessels at once, she can 
readily uso all four guns, simultaneously, nnd two tbir J" 
two pounders on the broadside offered additional n,pans 
attack when r< quired. The Salamander is constructed 
both ends alike, with n rudder at each end. The, rudder 
arc housed, as it were, in the cutwater, and oro ent rely be- 
low the water line. The light draft of these boats, about f 
feet nine inches, when fully equipped, adapts them to U 
service, and enu hies them to take refuge in shallow watfl " 1 
pressed by a superior force, which, it not aimed with gu'is 
equal weight, lias no alternative but to doelino the Coin j* • 
This system of armament is unfortunately eonnneu^ 
paddle stca inert* — screws not having similar . 
strength, must of course lie excluded from tin so advun o ' 
nor is it thought easy, if possible, in a breeze, to trai 1 
hoard a screw tho two heavy guns forward, or aft etiec 1 
This was apparent to us on inspecting the very bel \ 
model exhibited on Tuesday evening last, at the con _ 
zione at tho Institution of Civil Engineers, m 
George- street. 
