On the 1st of June a gallant adventure similar to the last narrated was
not so successful. The _Odin_ and _Vulture_, two steamers belonging to
Admiral Plumridge's division in the Gulf of Bothnia, employed in
destroying the shipping and marine stores in various places along the
coast, had arrived in the neighbourhood of Old Carleby.
At seven p.m., two paddle-box boats, two pinnaces, four cutters, and one
gig,--nine boats in all,--containing 180 officers and men, carrying six
twenty-four-pounder howitzers and two twelve-pounders, were sent away
under the command of Lieutenant Wise, of the _Vulture_, who was
accompanied by Lieutenants Madden and Burton, Marine Artillery, and by
Dr Duncan.
After a long pull, the boats anchored near some store-houses at the
mouth of a narrow creek, when, with a flag of truce, Lieutenant Wise
went on shore and communicated with the authorities.
On his return, the flag of truce was withdrawn, and some of the boats
went ahead to sound, the others following closely. A narrow creek
appearing, leading to the town, Lieutenant Carrington, in one of the
boats, was ordered up it to explore. On passing some buildings some
soldiers were seen, and the boat was on the point of returning to report
the circumstance, when a wall was thrown down, and a volley of musketry
was poured on her, which killed Lieutenant Carrington, Mr Montague,
mate, and Mr Athorpe, midshipman, and wounded Lieutenant Lewis, R.M.,
and Mr McGrath, midshipman, and fourteen men. The boat, which was much
injured, was taken in tow, and carried out to the _Odin_. The other
boats immediately opened fire, the gunner of the _Vulture_ firing no
less than twenty-seven times before he fell, badly wounded.
One of the _Vulture's_ boats, with Mr Morphy, mate, and twenty-five
seamen, was disabled, and, drifting on shore, was captured by the enemy.
In another of her boats one marine was killed and six were wounded. By
this time the enemy had brought five field-pieces into action; the
remaining boats, therefore, pulled off out of range, having lost
altogether fifty-two killed, wounded, and missing, in this most
unfortunate though gallant affair.
No fault was found with the way in which the expedition was commanded,
while both officers and men behaved with the most perfect intrepidity
and coolness.
Most of the crew of the missing boat escaped with their lives, and were
made prisoners.