File:Ball-shot, which struck the fore-yard of the 'Agamemnon' ILN-1854-1111-0032.jpg

While the Agamemnon and Sanspareil were attacking Sebastopol.

Bombardment of Sebastopol. Illustration for The Illustrated London News, 11 November 1854.

BOMBARDMENT OF SEBASTOPOL., ATTACK OF FORTS CONSTANTINE AND ALEXANDER BY THE ENGLISH SQUADRON. Off the Crimea, Oct. 23. As the eyes of the world at the present moment are directed to the Crimea, and as the great question of Sebastopol being invincible is still in doubt, while our people at home are anxiously inquiring when the long-looked for object will be accomplished, -a few remarks as regards the state of affairs may not be without interest. On Tuesday, 17th, the trenches being ready, at 6.30 a roar of cannon commenced. whioh was kept up without a moment's cessation during the day. It had been decided on the night previous, that the fleet should act in concert, and make an attack on Forts Constantine and Alexander. The sun shone most gloriously, and one quite enjoyed tho cheerful morning, as the mist rolled away before a warm run. The morning was spent by the ships in the combined fleet in clearing for action, and stowing everything below; while some were busy in arranging shot, sanding the decks, getting all useless spare out of the way, and preparing for a warm struggle with the frowning forts. At 10.50 the Agamemnon weighed, and the English Squadron followed her in the following orderː

Sanspareil. Albion towed by Firebrand. Queen towed by Vesuvius. Britarnia towed by Furious. Trafalgar towed by Retribution. London towed by Niger. Vengeance towed by Highflyer. Rodney towed by Spiteful. Bellerophon towed by Cyclops. Arethusa towed by Triton.

With Samson, Tribune, Terrible, Sphinx, Lynx, and Spitfire as look out ships. The French weighed a little earlier, and proceeded towards the South Forts. At 1.10 the batteries opened fire on the French, which was quickly returned, but the shot appeared to fall short. At 1.30 the Agnamemnon began to draw close to the land, and opened fire from her large pivot gun on the "Wasp" Fort. to try the range, which the Fort instantly replied to; and in a few minutes more, a large mud battery-Fort Constantine and Fort Alexander opened their guns, as the ship drew into her station. She appeared to suffer fearfully at this time. At two o'clock the Agamemnon anchored head and stern in quarter less five fathoms, 750 yards off, and opened her port broadside on Fort Constantine. At 2.5 the Sanspareil and London anchored astern, and opened on the new batteries, on the cliff by the Telegraph Station and "Wasp" Fort; and at 2.20 the Albion anchored and engaged the " Wasp" At 2.32 the action became general. The Britannia was some way out in 15 fathoms of water, and 2300 yards off, opening fire. At 3.20 the Albion was seen to haul off, being on fire, and having suffered