Several
German newspapers published tidings from Constantinople dated 26 March dealing
with the fact that the Porte seemed to have received reliable information that
the Russians not only landed at Sizopolis (as became public known due to
Russian tidings) but that their fleet also attacked other ports more southwards
at the Black Sea coast. There they destroyed the defence works and vessels or
captured the latter. This information caused the hasty efforts at
Constantinople for fitting out the fleet and 23 March were 4 ships of the line,
2 frigates, 3 corvettes, 3 brigs and 18 fire ships and gunboats departed
towards the Bosporus. How ever lacking enough competent officers and
experienced sailors the value of this fleet was doubted and what her real goal
was.
