1808.
State of Affairs in Sweden.--Alarm of the King.--Sir James
selected to command the Baltic Fleet.--Correspondence with Lord
Mulgrave.--Sir John Moore's Expedition.--Arrives at
Gothenburg.--Capture and Destruction of a Danish
seventy-four.--Sir John Moore goes to Stockholm.--Is arrested,
and escapes.--Expedition returns to England.--Disposition of
the Fleet.--Sir James proceeds to Carlscrona.--Rescue of
Romana's Army.--Sir James proceeds to the Gulf of
Finland.--Capture and Destruction of the Russian seventy-four,
Sewolod.--The combined Swedish and English Fleet off Baltic
Port.--Reconnoitres the Russian Fleet in the harbour, and
determines to attack them.--Prevented by change of
winds.--Proceeding off Baltic Port.--Letter to the Emperor of
Russia.--Fleet returns to Carlscrona.
The success of Buonaparte in Austria and Prussia, by which he was
enabled to force Denmark to join him against Great Britain, and which,
in the preceding year, led to the capture of Copenhagen and to the
possession of the Danish fleet, had now induced Russia to accede to
the proposal of declaring England to be in a state of blockade: Sweden
alone remained faithful. The preparations for invasion which were
making at St. Petersburg having alarmed King Gustavus Adolphus, the
most earnest solicitations were made for a large naval and military
force to be sent from England for its protection. A fleet was
accordingly ordered on that important service, and Sir James Saumarez
was selected as the commander-in-chief best qualified to undertake it.
The Victory, which had been thoroughly repaired after the battle of
Trafalgar, was commissioned at Chatham early in March, by Captain
Philip Dumaresq, for Sir James's flag, which was soon after hoisted:
Rear-admirals Sir Samuel Hood, R.G. Keats, M. Dixon, and A. Bertie,
were placed under his command. The fleet consisted of sixteen ships of
the line; and, including frigates, sloops, and gun-vessels, the number
amounted to sixty-two sail.
Admiralty, February 20th, 1808.
DEAR SIR,
I am in daily expectation of receiving accurate intelligence of
the present state of the naval arsenal at Cronstadt. In the
event of this information being as satisfactory as I have
reason to hope, it is my intention to send a squadron into the
Baltic, consisting of not less than twelve or thirteen sail of
the line. If your health should be such as to admit of your
taking the command of this fleet, I know of no arrangement
which I can make that would be so satisfactory to myself, as to
intrust the important service of attempting to destroy the
Russian fleet, and of affording protection to his Majesty's
firm and faithful ally, the King of Sweden, to your direction.
It will not be necessary that you should come immediately to
England, (in the event of your undertaking the command,) as
all the necessary preparations may be forwarded beforehand; and
your coming immediately over might tend to excite a premature
suspicion of the object we have in view. I have not yet opened
this project to any officer, but those on whom I have fixed my
views to assist you, are Rear-admirals Sir Samuel Hood and
Keats, who, besides their great professional merits, have the
additional advantage of being well acquainted with the Baltic.
I have the honour to be,
With great truth and regard,
My dear sir,
Your very faithful and obedient servant,
MULGRAVE.
Guernsey, 27th February 1808.
MY LORD,
I have had the honour to receive your lordship's private and
secret letter of the 20th instant, and I feel most deeply
impressed with the very obliging manner in which your lordship
has been pleased to offer me the command of the squadron
proposed to be sent to the Baltic. Although it is with great
diffidence that I undertake a trust of so high and great
importance, having ever made it the principle of my life to go
upon any service where my exertions for my king and country
would be deemed most useful, I cannot for a moment hesitate to
comply with the commands of your lordship, and I shall hold
myself in readiness to proceed from this station whenever
called upon; requesting your lordship will have the goodness to
allow me sufficient time to make such arrangements as may be
required in London, previous to my going upon the proposed
service. The two officers selected to co-operate with me, are
possessed of the highest merit; and, of all others, those I
should have been happy to apply for, had they not been
previously appointed. I shall be obliged to your lordship to
mention the ship intended for my flag, as also such further
information as may be judged necessary for me to know, with the
probable time that I may be required to go to London; all which
shall be held by me in the strictest confidence.
I have the honour to be,
With the highest regard,
My dear lord,
Your faithful and most obedient servant,
JAMES SAUMAREZ.
The ships composing this force proceeded to Gothenburg (the general
rendezvous) as they were ready to sail. The Victory arrived in April,
and was followed by an expedition consisting of 10,000 troops,
commanded by the gallant Sir John Moore, who arrived on the 17th of
May.
In the mean time, the body of French and Spanish troops, which, as
part of the army of Marshal Bernadotte, had marched to the shores of
the Belt, were obliged to halt, in consequence of the interposition of
the English fleet; and the Danish 74, Prince Christian Frederick, was
taken and destroyed, after a gallant resistance, by the Stately, 64,
Captain George Parker, and the Nassau, 64, Captain R. Campbell. On the
other hand, the Russians, who had laid siege to Sweaborg, in the Gulf
of Finland, which was justly called the Gibraltar of the North, had
induced the governor, Admiral Count Cronsted, to sign a capitulation,
that, if not relieved by the 6th of May, which was next to an
impossibility, the fortress was to be delivered up, and as a
compensation he was to receive an estate of great value in Russia. The
reason which has been assigned for this act of treachery was, that,
having refused to meet the English fleet under Lord Nelson, he had
been superseded in command of the fleet at Carlscrona, and removed to
Sweaborg, as a kind of banishment.
This unfortunate event paralyzed the plans of the King of Sweden; and
Sir John Moore was sent for to Stockholm. As the King of Sweden would
not give permission to land any of the troops which were on board the
transports at Gothenburg, excepting a part of the cavalry, their
detention was irksome; and the Admiral waited with much anxiety for
the return of the General, when he heard of his having been arrested,
or, at least, detained by order of the king at Stockholm. In a few
days, however, Sir John made his appearance on board the Victory; when
it was found that his Swedish Majesty had made several absurd
propositions to him, such as an attack on Copenhagen and upon
Cronstadt, for which his force was inadequate, especially since the
arrival at the former place of several regiments of French and Spanish
troops, and at the latter of the flotilla taken at Sweaborg. As Sir
John declined to undertake these expeditions, he was ordered to
remain at Stockholm until he had received instructions from England
respecting the disposition of his troops. Thus circumstanced, Sir John
begged permission to send his aide-de-camp, Col. Graham, (now Lord
Lynedoch,) to the Admiral with despatches; which being granted, he
changed coats with the aide-de-camp, proceeded to Gothenburg himself,
leaving the colonel in his stead, and arrived safely on board the
Victory, to the great joy of Sir James, who was no less alarmed for
Sir John's safety, than puzzled as to what measures would be most
advisable to effect his release from unwarrantable confinement.
The following extract of a letter from Sir James to his brother,
written from Gothenburg, will afford the best account that can be
given of the state of affairs at the time he arrived there:
14th May 1808.
I fear you will be disappointed at the little information I can
give you; it will, however, be satisfactory to know that none
of the enemy's troops have, as yet, been enabled to cross the
Sound, or get a footing on any part of Sweden. The Danes have
about 30,000 troops in the island of Zealand; and at Funen and
Holstein there are about 30,000 French, Spaniards, and Dutch:
but the Sound and Belts are so closely watched, that it will be
very difficult for any number of vessels to escape our
different cruisers stationed to intercept them.
The Swedish troops on the frontiers of Norway, under the orders
of General Armfeldt, have had several skirmishes with the
Danes, which have in general proved very favourable to the
former; but nothing of importance has yet taken place, owing to
the roads being almost impassable from the depth of snow and
ice, which, even at this advanced season, cover them. Last
Wednesday, accounts were received from Stockholm, of the
surrender of Sweaborg! It was the more unexpected from the
garrison having withstood two assaults, in which the Russians
are said to have lost a great number of men. This event decides
the fate of Finland. Sweaborg was considered a fortress of
great importance.
The following extract, on the subject of Sir John Moore's detention
and escape, shows the state of affairs up to his departure from
Gothenburg on the 1st of July:
Victory, 30th June 1808.
You will have been surprised at the length of time we have been
detained here, and particularly so when I inform you that the
troops are returning to England, owing principally to this
government not choosing to accede to the terms upon which it
was proposed they should be employed in this country. It is
truly to be lamented that so much delay should have taken
place, and so much time lost, when their services might have
been so well employed elsewhere. Between ourselves, much
irritability has been shown by the King of Sweden in the
different conferences Sir John Moore has had with him. Finding
Sir John earnest in his intentions to return to England, he
sent one of his officers to signify to him, he was not to leave
Stockholm till his pleasure, which, of course, was considered
as putting him under an arrest, a most unprecedented measure,
and an outrage certainly offered to a friendly nation. Sir
John, however, took a favourable opportunity to get away from
Stockholm, and arrived here last evening.
I trust and hope this will not lead to a rupture between the
two countries; but so unwarrantable and violent a proceeding
cannot easily be settled. I own to you, I never formed any
expectation that the troops would be of essential service in
this country. They were too few in number to act separately;
and it would not have been right to commit them with the
Swedish army, at the will and disposal of the monarch.
Sir James writes thus to his son; Sir John Moore's expedition being
still at Gothenburg.
Victory, Gothenburg, 23rd May 1808.
I trust that we shall be enabled to defend Sweden during the
summer; but, when winter sets in, we shall be compelled to
withdraw our ships from the Baltic: this will expose the
country to the attack of the enemy from Zealand and the ports
on the south of the Baltic. The Swedes are a brave and upright
people; they are faithful to their prince, and are very averse
to any change in their government, and still more so to French
principles. I have been twice on shore; but being near ten
miles from Gothenburg, makes it inconvenient: it is a place of
great trade; at this time, at least twelve hundred sail of
vessels of different nations are in the port.
The above is a sufficient proof of the good opinion Sir James had
formed of the Swedish character, and which, he often said, he never
had occasion to alter.
Sir James was now placed in one of the most anxious and arduous
situations which it was possible to imagine. He had to protect the
commerce of both nations in a dangerous and intricate navigation, with
which his ships were but little acquainted, opposed on every side by
Russians, Prussians, French, Danes, and Norwegians. It was requisite
that his forces should be most judiciously disposed; and great tact
and firmness were indispensable to conduct affairs under the existing
circumstances. His conduct on this, as well as on every former
occasion, was such as to deserve and obtain the high approbation of
the government, and the people of both Great Britain and Sweden. The
first letter Sir James received from Gustavus Adolphus was written in
French, of which the following is an exact copy:
Chateau de Stockholm, le 6 Mai 1808.
MONSIEUR L'AMIRAL,
J'ai ordonne a mon aide-de-camp general de la marine, le
Vice-amiral Baron de Rayalin de se rendre en Sconie, pour se
concerter avec vous sur les operations des flottes Swedoise et
Anglaise contre l'ennemi commun. Il est indispensable de
deployer la plus grande activite et energie proportionnees au
danger; le Baron Rayalin vous montrera un plan a cet effet, que
j'ai arrete, et dont communication a ete faite au Ministre de
sa Majeste Britannique, resident aupres de moi, qui'il a du
vous envoyer. Je suis persuade que vous saisirez avec plaisir
cette occasion pour remplir a ce que l'honneur et le devoir
vous prescrivent. Et sur ce je prie Dieu qu'il vous ait,
Monsieur l'Amiral, en sa sainte et digne garde; etant votre
bien affectionne,
GUSTAF ADOLPH.
A l'Amiral commandant les forces navales de sa
Majeste Britannique, dans le Sund.
Baron Rayalin having, with this letter, transmitted his _expose_ of the
situation of the Swedes since the capture of Sweaborg and the recapture
of Gothland, states that the Russians and Swedes had each eleven sail of
the line: it was agreed that the Swedish fleet should be reinforced by
two ships, the Centaur of 74 guns, Rear-admiral Sir Samuel Hood, and the
Implacable 74, Captain Byam Martin, and take a position at Hango-udde, a
small, ill-fortified harbour at the north-west point of Finland, round
which the Russian flotilla must pass to attack Abo and Aland; and that
the English commander-in-chief should employ the rest of his fleet in
blockading the enemy's coast from the Gulf of Finland to Norway,
including the coasts of Prussia, Pomerania, Denmark, the Belt, and
Sound, for the protection of commerce and the defence of the kingdom of
Sweden.
These matters being arranged, Sir James left Gothenburg on the 2nd of
July, in the Victory; and, passing through the Great Belt, visited the
different stations where ships were to be placed. Having taken
possession of the small island of Sproe, he proceeded to Carlscrona, the
principal naval arsenal of Sweden, and arrived there on the 10th July.
The ensuing extract of a letter from Sir James to a friend, on leaving
Gothenburg, will be read with interest, as it will throw some light on
the important and difficult line of conduct he had to pursue on this
occasion.
Victory, off Gothenburg, 2nd July 1808.
You will, I am persuaded, feel much concern at the untoward
circumstances that have occurred, and the impossibility that
must now exist of the troops being of any service in this
country. Every arrangement is made for their sailing the moment
the wind will enable the transports to get out of the harbour;
and I shall proceed at the same time for the entrance of the
Sound, off Helsinburg, which is the station whence I can most
easily communicate with the different detachments, and at the
same time receive the despatches from England.
The only part for me to act in the present state of things, is
to uphold the honour of the country, and, as far as lies in my
power, keep up the friendly intercourse that has hitherto been
maintained with our only ally.
In what light the business will be taken up at home it is
impossible for me to say. It is certain that a most flagrant
outrage has been offered by the King of Sweden in the detention
of Sir John Moore; and how far his Majesty can justify himself
in the eye of our government for so great an insult to an
officer of Sir John's rank, entrusted with the command of an
army, ordered from England for the defence of Sweden, and who
went to Stockholm to confer in a confidential manner on the
measures to be adopted for putting the orders he had received
into execution, is at present difficult to conceive.
He had doubtless, in his own opinion, good grounds for having
taken so strong a measure, but which scarcely can be admitted
when the whole transactions that may have led to it are known
to our government. This misunderstanding is the more to be
lamented at this time, that unanimity with our ally was the
only point on which we could form our expectations of success;
besides the advantage that the enemy may take of it, and the
ridicule they will of course throw upon it.
Sir John Moore has been embarked with me since his return,
besides General Hope. The former takes his passage on board the
Audacious, which convoys the transports to Yarmouth.
During the months of June and July, Sir James had much correspondence
with the ex-King and Queen of France, the Duchess d'Angouleme, and his
old friend the Duc d'Havre. Some difficulty attended their transport
to England; the Euryalus only being allowed to proceed on that
service, and the suite of his majesty, and the royal family amounting
to above a hundred persons. The correspondence, however, does not
possess sufficient interest to dwell further on it; suffice it to say,
that Sir James gave them all the assistance and accommodation in his
power, and that they had left Carlscrona before the Victory arrived.
About this time Admiral Cederstroem, who had vanquished the Russians at
Gothland, was called to Stockholm, and Rear Admiral Nauckhoff was
appointed in his stead, with whom Sir James exchanged letters of
congratulation. The King had gone to Aland; and, as no more was said
about the affair of Sir John Moore, things went on smoothly: Baron
Rayalin accompanied the King, and Mons. Gullenstolpe acted as
adjutant-general of the marine.
The Swedish fleet now consisted of eleven sail of the line and five
frigates, which were reinforced by the Centaur and Implacable; and
proceeded to the station before agreed on.
Towards the end of July, Sir James was aware of the refractory conduct
of the Spanish troops, under the Marquis of Romana, in the island of
Funen, where they had been arrested in their progress to Zealand by
the appearance of the English fleet. Rear Admiral Keats was ordered to
communicate, if possible, with Romana, who was known to be disaffected
since the news had reached him of the revolution of affairs in Spain,
and to offer every assistance to rescue the troops under his command.
It was a great satisfaction to Sir James, that, on the arrival of the
next packet, he found he had anticipated the desire of government,
from whom he received instructions to the same intent, after Sir
Richard had been detached.
The address and tact which Rear-admiral Keats displayed on this
occasion is well known. As soon as he had succeeded in rescuing the
Marquis of Romana, by seizing on the vessels at Nyborg, and
transporting his troops to the defenceless island of Langeland, he
despatched a vessel to Sir James, who immediately sailed from
Carlscrona, leaving behind Captain Hope, who went home in consequence
of the illness and subsequent demise of his wife, Lady Jemima, and
made all sail for the Belt. On this occasion Sir James gave a proof of
the decision of his character, which could not but make a deep
impression on all who were present.
The Victory, about sun-set, had doubled Dars Head, forming with the
opposite point in Zealand the entrance of the Great Belt from the
eastward. The wind was fresh and directly adverse, when Mr. Squire,
master of the fleet, acquainted the Admiral that the ship must anchor
for the night, as he could no longer take charge as pilot. Sir James,
who had examined the chart, and could see no great risk in working as
far as Femeren, where the channel became narrow and the soundings more
regular, demanded his reason; which being unsatisfactory, he sent for
Mr. Nelson, the master, and Mr. Webb, the north-sea pilot, but neither
would undertake the charge, or give any satisfactory reason. Sir James
immediately ordered the one master into the starboard, and the other
into the larboard main channels, to see that the lead was correctly
hove; and having directed the Cruiser brig, then in company, to keep
right a-head, he kept the ship under sail till midnight, when she had
worked up tack by tack to Femeren, a distance of six leagues. He was
thus enabled to reach Sir Richard Keats's division on the following
day in time to concert measures for the removal of Romana's army to
Gothenburg.
The conduct of these inferior officers could only arise from a desire
to make themselves appear of importance, especially in the absence of
the captain of the fleet; and their messmates could not but rejoice at
their failure, as it brought them sooner to the scene of action.
On the 14th of August, when the Victory arrived off the battery near
the centre of Langeland, an officer was despatched to the
head-quarters of the Marquis, who embarked on board that ship on the
following morning, and before night the whole of his troops were
afloat; the Marquis was then removed to the Superb, and the convoy
proceeded to Gothenburg, under the orders of Sir Richard Keats. It was
much to be regretted that the fine regiment of Asturias could not be
rescued; but, having reached Copenhagen, they were disarmed by the
Danes and French the moment the intelligence of Romana's rescue was
known.
The following extract of a letter from Sir James to his brother gives
an interesting account of the rescue of Romana's army:
Victory, off Langeland, 21st August 1808.
I returned to the Belt from Carlscrona, in consequence of
information from Admiral Keats, which reached me on the 6th,
that an overture had been made by a Spanish officer for their
troops to be withdrawn from these islands. The following day
the Musquito joined me from the Admiralty, with directions upon
that subject, and to make trial if any thing could be done;
fortunately, duplicates were sent to Admiral Keats, which he
received in the Belt.
On the 14th, having been detained by contrary winds, I received
accounts from Admiral Keats, that they had been withdrawn from
the island of Funen, and landed on Langeland. I joined last
Thursday, and the same evening an express reached me by the
Mosquito, with the information that the Russian fleet from
Cronstadt had sailed, and had been seen off Hango Udde, the
station occupied by the Swedish squadron; these last having
gone within the small islands to complete with water. Judge of
my anxiety, particularly having detached those ships to join
them, under Sir S. Hood, who received the advice at Carlscrona,
in the Centaur, and was on the point of sailing to join the
other two ships, who had proceeded some days before. I trust
they will find their way to join the Swedes in safety; but it
is an anxious moment.
I am proceeding with this ship and the Mars to endeavour to
fall in with them; all the other ships here have the Spanish
troops embarked on board them, and on board several small
vessels taken at Nyborg. It certainly is of the greatest
importance to have succeeded in withdrawing so large a portion
of the Spanish army, upwards of 9,000. About 4,000 are left in
Zealand and Jutland.
I hope it will not have led to any disaster. I have guarded
against any to the utmost of my power, but we cannot answer for
events; and in the course of my service I have never
experienced greater anxiety than since I have been on this
station: first, with regard to the expedition and the business
of Sir John Moore, which for a time paralysed all the naval
operations, and certainly might have been attended with the
worst consequences. We must however hope for the best, and
trust all will turn to good.
Added to the despatches acknowledging this letter, was the following
private note from Lord Mulgrave:
Admiralty, August 25th, 1808.
MY DEAR SIR JAMES,
I cannot let despatches go from the Admiralty without conveying
to you my hearty congratulations on the important event of the
deliverance of so large a body of the Spanish troops.
Rear-admiral Keats has conducted this service with admirable
talent, zeal, and judgment. We have a report here that the
Russian fleet has put to sea; and are in anxious hope that they
may have fallen in your way. The enemy's fate and the public
interests cannot be in better hands than yours.
I am, dear Sir James, with great truth,
Yours very sincerely,
MULGRAVE.
This service being completed, Sir James hastened back to the Baltic,
and, arriving off Carlscrona, received additional intelligence of the
position of the Russian fleet. Taking along with him the Mars,
Goliath, and Africa, Salsette, Rose, and Ariel, he proceeded to the
northward; and, passing between Gothland and Sweden, made for the Gulf
of Finland, expecting to fall in with the Centaur and Implacable at
certain places of rendezvous. He was not a little disappointed at not
finding them, even at Hango Udd. On the 30th of August he fell in
with the Swedish frigate Camilla, Captain Troile, who came on board,
and gave him the first information of the action which had taken place
between the two fleets; it appeared that the Sewolod, a Russian
seventy-four, which had been disabled by the Implacable, had been
taken and burned by that ship and the Centaur, and that the Russian
fleet had been pursued into Rogerwick, (or Port Baltic,) where they
might be successfully attacked.
This joyful news was communicated to the squadron, and every ship was
instantly cleared for action. The signals were successively made to
bear up, let out reefs, and make more sail. The pilot at the same time
informed the Admiral that he had been often in Rogerwick, which is a
bay in the south side of the Gulf of Finland, formed by the islands of
East and West Roge and the main, and that he could easily take the
fleet in.
At two o'clock, the Swedish fleet,[5] consisting of ten sail of the
line and three frigates, together with the Centaur and Implacable,
were seen at anchor off Rogerwick; a plan of which is given, showing
the position of both fleets. The general signal was made to prepare
for battle; but the Centaur telegraphed that "you must anchor in
thirty-five fathoms," in reply to the Admiral's signal to weigh: this
having been repeated, the signals were made to anchor, furl sails, &c.
[5] See Appendix, for a list of the English, Swedish, and
Russian ships.
[Illustration: Harbour of Rogerwick, showing the positions of
the English, Swedish, and Russian fleets.]
Sir Samuel Hood, the Swedish Admiral and captain of the fleet, now
came on board; what occurred at this consultation is only known to
themselves. Subsequently, Sir James went on board the Rose; but it was
then too late to reconnoitre the enemy. Next day (31st August) was
spent also in consultation; and on the 1st of September the Victory
and Goliath got under weigh, and stood in to the entrance of the
harbour; and, having silenced a battery on the west side with one
broadside, the Admiral had, for the first time, a good view of the
position of the enemy's fleet, and was convinced that they might have
been attacked. He immediately made known his determination to attack
them on the following day, and orders were accordingly issued to that
effect; the Author was sent on board the Swedish Admiral's ship, not
only with these orders, but to remain on board to explain signals, and
assist in bringing the Swedish fleet into action. Captain Martin, of
the Implacable, was appointed acting captain of the fleet, and Captain
Pipon succeeded him.
In the mean time, the Russians sent on board an officer with a flag of
truce, on pretence of treating for exchange of prisoners: when he came
on board the Victory, he addressed Capt. Dumaresq in the French
language, saying that he did not understand English. Soon after
which, the Author, happening to come on deck, recognised in this
officer Mr. Skripeetzen, his old shipmate on board the Penelope; where
he had been two years a signal midshipman; and, before that, as many
on board the Leviathan. Of course he could speak and understand
English perfectly, and he had actually his signal-book in his pocket.
This discovery afforded no small amusement. It was now evident that he
came on board to make _useful observations_, and his object was
completely obtained. The officers took him below, and showed him the
ship clear for action, each deck having a thousand extra shot added to
the usual number; on some of which the sailors had been exercising
their wit by writing in chalk, "Post-paid"; "Free, George
Canning";[6]--jokes which Mr. Skripeetzen did not seem to relish; and
he quitted the ship evidently confused and mortified.
[6] The lamented Mr. Canning was then secretary of state for
foreign affairs; and it was a seaman of the Victory of the same
name that _franked_ the shot: sailors having an idea that to
stop a letter post-paid, or franked, is _death by the law_.
The hopes of the Admiral and his officers were now raised to the
highest pitch; every preparation had been made, and the dawn of day of
the 2nd September was waited for with anxious expectation. The wind,
which in the evening had been favourable for the enterprise,
unfortunately veered to the southward before day-break; and, as it
was directly against going in, an attack was impossible. As this
hard-hearted gale continued for eight days, all hopes of being able to
attack the enemy vanished.
The enemy in the mean time moored his ships in a compact line, with
booms moored outside; and, having marched six thousand troops from
Revel, threw up strong batteries on each side, so that his position
was soon rendered impregnable.
Sir James now sent, by a flag of truce, the following letter to the
Emperor Alexander:
His Britannic Majesty's ship Victory, off Baltic Port,
17th September 1808.
SIRE,
Your imperial Majesty is probably uninformed of the events that
have recently taken place in the southern parts of Europe.
Spain has succeeded in rescuing herself from the usurpation and
tyranny of the ruler of France. Portugal has also extricated
herself from the baneful hands of the enemy of all independent
states; the whole of the French forces in that country having
been compelled to surrender to the British army under Sir
Arthur Wellesley. It is to be hoped that those events will
induce the powers of the Continent to unite with Great Britain
to restore that peace so highly to be desired for the welfare
of mankind.
Knowing it to be the object most at heart of my gracious
sovereign, and that of his Majesty's ally, the King of Sweden,
should your imperial Majesty be impressed with the same
sentiments, nothing will afford me greater happiness than to
have the honour of imparting them to my government, and to
desist from further hostile operations, upon condition that
your Majesty will give orders to your forces to desist from
hostilities against England and her ally, and to withdraw your
forces from Swedish Finland.
I have the honour to be,
With the most profound respect,
Your imperial Majesty's
Most devoted and most obedient humble servant,
JAMES SAUMAREZ,
Vice-admiral and commander-in-chief of his
Britannic Majesty's ships in the Baltic.
To his imperial Majesty the Emperor of all the Russias.
This appeal to his imperial Majesty unfortunately did not reach St.
Petersburg until the day after the Emperor Alexander had left it, on
his journey to meet Buonaparte at Erfurth; and, in consequence, Sir
James received the following answer from the Russian Admiral
Tchitchagoff, the minister of the Marine:
St. Petersburg, 12/27 Sept. 1808.
MONSIEUR,
La lettre que votre excellence a adresse a sa Majeste
l'Empereur m'est parvenu a mon retour a St. Petersburg
conjointement a celle que m'a ecrit Monsieur Thornton. Sa
Majeste n'etant plus dans sa capitale depuis quelque jours, je
me suis empresse de la lui expedier.
Pendant mon sejour au Port Baltique, ayant appris que votre
excellence desiroit savoir si l'echange de nos equipages pris
sur le vaisseau Le Sewolod, contre des sujets de sa Majeste
Britannique ou Swedoise pourroit avoir lieu, je suis bien-aise
de lui annoncer que des ordres ont ete donnes au general en
chef commandant en Finlande de rendre un nombre egal, et rang
pour rang, des sujets de sa Majeste Swedoise contre les
prisonniers Russes faits dans le dernier combat.
En priant votre excellence de vouloir bien transmettre la
ci-jointe au ministre de sa Majeste Britannique, Monsieur
Thornton, je dois la prevenir que je n'ai point recu les
gazettes que ce dernier m'avoit annonces dans sa lettre.
Je saisis avec empressement cette occasion pour assurer votre
excellence de la consideration la plus distinguee avec laquelle
j'ai l'honneur d'etre, De votre excellence,
Tres humble et tres obeissant serviteur,
P. DE TCHITCHAGOFF.
A son Ex. Mon. le Vice-amiral Saumarez.
The letters addressed to Mr. Thornton, being to the same effect, need
not be given. The exchange of prisoners took place at a subsequent
period.
A negociation now ensued between the Russian and British
commanders-in-chief, for permission that the blockaded fleet should
return to St. Petersburg unmolested, on condition that a part should
be given up by the former. In answer to this proposition, his Swedish
Majesty requiring that the whole should be given up, and Sir James's
demand being for both the three-deckers and half the remainder, the
negociation was broken off, and fire-ships were fitted out as the only
chance of destroying them.[7] In the mean time, the Thunder and
another bomb-ship, covered by the Goliath and Salsette, continued to
throw shells into the fortress, and on one occasion a magazine was
blown up; but the fleet was too far within the harbour for the shells
to reach them, or to prevent their extending a barricade of booms to
prevent the approach of fire-ships. The Erebus and a brig having
however been prepared, an attempt was made on the 20th September; but
failed, owing to the rise of the moon before the vessels could
approach.
[7] The Erebus sloop and Baltic, besides a brig, were converted
into fire-ships.
The following is an extract from a letter written by Sir James to his
brother:
Victory, off Port Baltic, 31st August 1808.
I have been disappointed in the expectations I so ardently
formed when I wrote you last Monday. We arrived off Hango Udd,
expecting all night to fall in with the Russian fleet; but at
daylight a Swedish frigate joined, with the information that
the Swedish squadron, with the Centaur and Implacable, had
sailed on the 25th in pursuit of them, and chased them into
this harbour; the Centaur and Implacable had cut off their rear
ship, which was set on fire after her crew had been taken out.
I anchored at two yesterday afternoon, and had the satisfaction
to find Sir S. Hood with the Swedish squadron at anchor,
watching the enemy's squadron in the harbour, who have been
occupied in fortifying themselves in the best manner; and I
fear nothing can be attempted with any prospect of success,
_from what I am informed_.
I most sincerely lament not to have been in time to join our
ally, as most probably not a Russian would have escaped. My
great consolation is, that not a moment has been lost; and,
when it is considered that I was off here in only eight days
from the time I left the Belt, it will appear almost
surprising, particularly with the north winds we experienced.
Sir S. Hood and Captain Martin are beheld by the Swedes with
adoration for their heroic attack on the enemy's ship; had the
Swedes sailed as well as the Russians, not one would have
escaped.
It was after this letter had been despatched that Sir James
reconnoitred the enemy in the Victory; and, consequently, determined
on an attack.
On the 23rd of September, Captain Bathurst, of the Salsette, and
Captain Trolle, of the Camilla, being sent to ascertain the position
of the Russian fleet, reported that they were so completely
barricaded, that any further attempt with fire-ships would be
fruitless; Sir James ordered the Erebus and Baltic to be restored to
their former condition, the brig having been burnt in the attempt.
In addition to the scurvy, which made its appearance in the Swedish
fleet early in the month of July, the crews were now attacked with a
malignant epidemic, which daily became more fatal; those who had been
affected by scurvy, being predisposed to catch the infection of the
fever, were invariably carried off. A Swedish ship of the line and two
frigates had been loaded with the sick from the different ships, and
sent to Carlscrona. As the month of September advanced, it was
evident that the Swedish fleet could not keep longer at sea; and that,
if a reinforcement did not arrive from England, the blockade must soon
be raised. Lemon-juice, sugar, &c. as well as medical assistance, was
sent to the Swedes, but too late to have the desired effect.
Sir James, having anchored the Swedish ships farther out, persevered
as long as it was possible, and the fleets rode out two heavy gales of
wind in that exposed situation; while the Russian ships lay moored,
with yards and topmasts struck, in the position given as second in the
diagram (page 116).
The Swedish army in Finland had fought with great bravery, but were at
length overpowered by numbers; Abo, the capital of Finland, was in the
end taken, and that valuable country for ever lost to Sweden. The
King, and subsequently the remains of his army, retreated to
Stockholm, and the campaign terminated decidedly in favour of Russia.
After what has been stated, it will not excite surprise that Sir James
should have had some anxiety about the opinion of the public, as will
be seen by the following short extract, dated 26th September, &c.
I am anxious to hear what will be said of the occurrences here,
although I am conscious of having acted for the good of my
country to the utmost in my power; and I trust the whole of my
conduct since my first coming upon the station will be
entirely approved of by government: it is very possible there
may be those who will be disposed to find fault, however
unjustly.
It will be seen hereafter, that this apprehension was not ill-founded.
Before the arrival of the Victory and squadron off Rogerwick, Sir
Samuel Hood had despatched his first lieutenant with the intelligence
of the capture and destruction of the Russian seventy-four, Sewolod,
and of the position of the Russian fleet. This officer was, of course,
the bearer of many letters, which described the enemy's ships to be in
a situation easily to be attacked, when the commander-in-chief should
arrive. The expectations of the nation, from the known prowess of Sir
James Saumarez, were therefore raised to the highest pitch. When the
information subsequently reached England that he had not attacked
them, it is not to be wondered at that blame should be attached to him
by the public, who could not be aware of the existence of those
circumstances which frustrated his intentions; and so long did this
impression last, that it was only in 1834 that the Author explained
the causes to his late Majesty, who had always been impressed with the
idea that it was Sir James, and not the Swedish Admiral and Sir Samuel
Hood, that objected to the attack; though certainly the very reverse
was the fact. There can be no doubt that, if Sir James had been
authorised to take command of the Swedish fleet, he would, even
against the opinion of Sir Samuel, have attacked the enemy's fleet on
the 31st of August; and, as the wind changed on the following morning,
he would have been able to carry off all his prizes without any
difficulty. We have ever since lamented that the attempt, as planned
by Sir James, was not promptly made.
The official description of the action with the Russian fleet will be
found in the Appendix; as also Sir James's correspondence with his
Swedish Majesty on the subject.
As it was hoped that some shift of wind would enable us to attack the
enemy, we remained in a state of anxiety for three weeks. In the
interim, intelligence was received of the success of the British arms
in Spain, and of the expulsion of the French from Portugal. Sir James,
in consequence of this information, and of the opinions before
mentioned, and seeing that the enemy could neither be attacked nor
blockaded any longer, weighed anchor on the 30th of September, and in
company with the Swedes proceeded to Carlscrona, where he arrived on
the 9th of October.