The importance of securing the outlet to the Sea of Azov had long been
seen; and on the 22nd of May an expedition sailed from Balaclava, under
the joint command of Sir George Brown and General D'Autemarre, for the
purpose of capturing the fortresses of Kertch and Yenikale, which
command its entrance. They had under them 15,000 troops and five
batteries of artillery. Admirals Lyons and Bruat accompanied the
expedition. While the troops were landed some miles to the south of
Kertch, the squadron proceeded on to attack it in front; but, before
they arrived, the Russians, believing that they could not defend the
place, evacuated it, as did most of the inhabitants. Yenikale was
deserted in the same manner, and the armies and fleets achieved a
bloodless victory, while the smaller steamers of the squadron were sent
off up the Sea of Azov in chase of the Russian men-of-war.
A light squadron of English and French vessels was placed under the
command of Captain Lyons of the _Miranda_, with directions to capture
and destroy all the ships, magazines, and stores of provisions belonging
to the enemy. The larger quantity of provisions for the Russian army in
the Crimea had hitherto been conveyed across the Sea of Azov. In a few
days the _Miranda_ and her consorts destroyed four months' rations for
100,000 men, and not less than 300 Russian vessels.
This work was ably done, and individuals often even thus had
opportunities of exhibiting their gallantry. Arriving off Genitchi on
29th May 1855, with his little squadron, Captain Lyons sent Commander
Craufurd with a flag of truce, to demand the surrender of a number of
vessels which were seen, as well as government stores. This demand
being refused, the squadron opened fire on the town, while the boats
under the command of Lieutenant Mackenzie pulled in, and set fire to
seventy-three vessels and some corn-stores on shore. The wind shifting,
there seemed a probability that the more distant vessels and stores
might escape.
As the enemy had had time to make preparations, another expedition would
be, it was evident, more dangerous than the first. As, however, the
vessels were in a favourable position for supplying the Russian armies
in the Crimea, and their destruction was of the greatest importance,
Captain Lyons despatched the boats, commanded and officered as before.
Seeing that there would be great risk in landing a party in presence of
a superior force out of gunshot of the ships, Lieutenant Cecil Buckley,
_Miranda_, Lieutenant Hugh Burgoyne, _Swallow_, and Mr J. Roberts,
gunner of the _Ardent_, volunteered to land alone and fire the stores.
While these three gallant officers proceeded on their dangerous
undertaking, Lieutenant Mackenzie pushed on under a fire of four
field-guns and musketry, and destroyed the remaining vessels, the ships
resuming their fire on the town. The shore party succeeded in reaching
the stores, to which they effectually set fire. On their retreat to
their boat, they were, however, very nearly cut off by a body of
Cossacks who charged down on them, but they got safe on board. Though
several shots struck the boats, only one man was slightly wounded.