_Russian Defensive Torpedo Operations._--The Russian defensive torpedo operations were very extensive, their principal harbours in the Baltic, as well as those in the Black Sea, were carefully defended by electro-contact mines of the latest type; so also they protected their numerous bridges across the Danube, double and sometimes treble rows of such mines being moored on either side, and in addition they also placed several mines in the Danube, on the chance of destroying the Turkish Danube flotilla. _Destruction of Turkish Gunboat "Suna" by a Russian Submarine Mine._--The only instance that occurred during this war of a vessel being sunk by a stationary submarine mine was that of the Turkish gunboat _Suna_, at Soulina, in October, 1877, on the occasion of the unsuccessful attack on that place made by the combined Russian and Roumanian flotilla. About 6 A.M. on the morning of the attack, a "loftcha" containing two of the enemy's electro-contact mines, fitted for laying down, was captured by the Turks, from which it was evident that the Russians had been employed during the night in torpedoing the reach immediately above the Turkish defences. However, not heeding this very practical warning, the Pacha in command of the Soulina squadron ordered the _Kartal_ (a paddle-wheel tug vessel) and the _Suna_ (an old wooden gunboat) to reconnoitre up the river; they accordingly started, the _Kartal_ leading the way. At 8.5 A.M., about fifteen minutes after the two vessels had left their moorings, an explosion was heard, and almost at the same instant the unfortunate gunboat _Suna_ was observed to go down head foremost, her masts only remaining above water. The _Kartal_, which at the time of the catastrophe was some distance in advance, at once turned back to the assistance of her consort, and managed to save a number of the gunboat's crew, this work having to be performed under a galling fire from the allied flotilla. Owing to this day being the "Feast of Bairam," the unfortunate gunboat was dressed with masthead flags, thus four Turkish ensigns fell into the hands of the enemy, the Pacha refusing permission for any attempt to be made to save them. The reason that the _Kartal_ escaped the fate of her consort was due to her only drawing some 5 feet of water, while the _Suna_ drew at least 8 feet. The gunboat struck the mine that sunk her on her port bow, the effect of the explosion being to completely smash in that side of her bow, dismount her foremost guns, and carry away her foremast just above the deck (the mast remained standing, though inclined forward); the second lieutenant of the _Suna_, who was at the time of the explosion standing on her fore bridge, was thrown off and killed, and some twelve of the crew were killed and wounded. To complete the destruction of the _Suna_, another torpedo was exploded under her port quarter by the Russians. The torpedo that was used on this occasion is detailed at page 68.