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Kinburn Fort, and the Spit of Otchakoff - the Expeditionary Fleet in the Ice, 1856. Crimean War, Black Sea: '...soldiers and sailors shooting and skating, carrying hay on shore...French ships all housed in...A small channel was then open, which prevents an attack from Otchakoff...every rope is like an iron bar, our decks and ships are one mass of ice, and boiling water is obliged to be poured on them to let anything go. As to telling how many fingers you have...an impossibility. Our meat has even to be sawed up...The fort is now well secured against surprise; the men have received their new clothing, with plenty of provisions; the Commodore has no fear of the Russians getting hold of it again. The French have three floating batteries, two steamers, three gun-boats, and a hospital ship; and are in good spirits. We have a steam-frigate and paddle-steamer between Kinburn and Odessa.'. From "Illustrated London News", 1856.