A small squadron, consisting of the _Eurydice_, twenty-six guns,
_Miranda_, fifteen, and _Brisk_, fourteen, had been sent in July 1854
into the White Sea, to destroy the Russian shipping and forts on the
coasts of Russian Lapland.
On the 23rd of July the town of Novitska was attacked and burned by the
_Miranda_ and _Brisk_.
On the 23rd of August the _Miranda_ anchored off Kola, the capital of
Russian Lapland. A flag of truce was sent on shore, demanding the
surrender of the fort, garrison, and government property. All night the
crew remained at their quarters, and no answer being returned in the
morning, the flag of truce was hauled down, and the ship, getting within
250 yards of the battery, opened a fire of grape and canister. A party
was then landed under command of Lieutenant J. Mackenzie and Mr
Manthorpe, mate, who, at the head of a party of bluejackets and marines,
rushed up, sword in hand, to dislodge the enemy from the batteries and
to capture the guns. A hot fire was opened on them from the towers of a
monastery; but they soon drove out the garrison, who took to flight, and
it, with all the government stores and buildings, was immediately set on
fire and completely consumed.
Kola lies thirty miles up a river of most difficult navigation, with a
strong current, and often so narrow that there was scarcely room for the
ship to swing. Captain Lyons also had a very uncertain knowledge of the
strength of the enemy; but nothing could check his determination, and it
was, as we have seen, rewarded with complete success. Taking into
consideration the difficulties to be encountered, this was one of the
most daring naval exploits performed in the north. The _Miranda_, at
the approach of autumn, returned to England, and from thence went out to
join the fleet in the Black Sea.