A small squadron, consisting of the _Hecla, Valorous_, and _Odin_, under
Captain Hall, was sent in to engage the batteries of Bomarsund on the
21st of June. This they did in the most spirited manner, receiving a
hot fire in return both from the forts and from riflemen posted in the
neighbourhood, rifle bullets and shot and shell falling thickly on
board. The British bluejackets were, however, far better pleased to
have a few shot sent among them, than to be doomed to play at long
bowls, with all the firing on their side, as was sometimes the case
during the war.
The casualties were very slight. After engaging for three hours, and
setting some buildings on fire, the ships drew out of action.
It was clearly perceived that the fleet alone could not take the place.
Bomarsund, indeed, might well be considered the Sebastopol of the
Baltic, its evident object being to overawe the neighbouring kingdoms of
Sweden and Denmark. Its destruction, therefore, was of the greatest
importance. The allied fleet lay at anchor at Ledsund, about eighteen
miles from Bomarsund, anxiously waiting for the arrival of the French
troops promised for the service.
It was not, however, till the end of July that the first division
reached Ledsund, brought in British ships-of-war. They were under the
command of General Baraguay D'Hilliers. On the 5th of August the siege
artillery arrived, and on the 8th more troops and marines were landed.
The fortifications of Bomarsund lie on the eastern point of the largest
of the Aland Islands. The principal fortress commands a semicircular
bay on the south, with intricate passages leading to it. At the
northern side of the fort the land rises considerably; and the defence
on that part consisted of three round towers, one on the highest ground
to the west, a second in the centre, and a third to the east. On the
8th of August, 11,000 men were landed on the north side of the island,
in the short space of three hours, after the _Amphion_, _Phlegethon_,
and _Edinburgh_ had blown a fort to atoms, and cleared the ground with
their fire. The army then marched across the island, and encamped
against the western fort. The English and French marines, with some
seamen, were landed.
Batteries were immediately thrown up round the fortress, while thirteen
ships of the allied fleet attacked from the sea. The towers were taken
in succession; and the large circular fort, mounting nearly 100 guns,
surrendered, with a garrison of 2000 men, soon after the effect of the
fire from the ships had been felt. The effect of the shot on the fort
is thus described by an eye-witness:--
"Three or four shots set the big stones visibly clattering, as I could
mark by a pocket-telescope. One block then fell out, then another, then
a third, fourth, etcetera; and these were followed by an avalanche of
loose rubbish, just as you see a load of gravel pour out from the end of
a cart when the back-board is removed." From this it was argued that
the fortifications of Sebastopol would be as easily knocked to pieces;
but experience showed that there was a vast difference in the two works.
Bomarsund was somewhat of contract work. The sea towers of Sebastopol
were as strong as hewn stone scientifically put together could make
them.
The navy lost only one man killed and one wounded. A number of brave
and dashing acts were performed by naval men during the operations of
the fleet in the Baltic, to which it is impossible to refer in detail.
Amongst the many gallant acts performed by seamen on this occasion one
may specially be mentioned. During the first attack upon the batteries
at Bomarsund, a live shell fell on the deck of the _Hecla_ with its fuse
still burning. Had it remained there and been permitted to explode,
great damage to the ship and loss of life must have occurred.
Lieutenant Charles D. Lucas seeing this, with the greatest presence of
mind and coolness, and regardless of the risk he incurred of being blown
to pieces, took up the shell, carried it to the side and dropped it
overboard.