The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1855-07-24 00:00:00

OPERATIONS IN THE BALTIC.

The following are extracts from the correspondence
of the Times, dated off Cronstadt, July 4th :---

The Cuckoo arrived at noon with despatches for the Com-
mander-in-Chief. She brings word that along the coast
between Nystadt and Christianstadt the squadron had de-
stroyed 63 large ships, amounting to more than 20,000 tons.
The blockade of the whole coast as far up as Tornea, will be
declared in a few days. It would have been done before had
vessels of the class required been at the Admiral's command.
Jury sth.—At 9.30 a.m., the Geyser, which had been sent
to take the James Watt's place as a look-out ship to the west-
ward, observed some troops marching along the coast, and
opened fire upon them with shell; they immediately threw away
their fire-arms and heavy helmets, and fled in all directions to
the woods. At 10.30 a.m. the Princess Alice proceeded
towards Cronstadt with a flag of truce, and bearing a letter
from the Commander-in-Chief to the Russian Minister-of-
War. She was met by a steamer from the harbour, who
received the despatch, and both vessels returned. Every day,
Sundays not excepted, the enemy exercise the mortar batte-
ries along the northern sea wall. Some of the mortars have
an immense range.
THE FIRST SHOT AT CRONSTADT.

6th.—ln the evening the Commander-in-Chief tried the
range of a 32-pounder gun, which had been slung in a peculiar
manner, at an angle of 46 degrees, in one of the wood boats
captured a few days ago. The boat was moored across the
stern of the flag-ship, and three or four shots fired; the fall
of the first in the water was eagerly watched for, but it
took so long a time before it fell that it was given up ; but
in a few seconds exclamations of astonishment burst forth
as a small column of spray rose in the air at a distance
of more than 5,000 yards, or over three miles ; the shot took
exactly thirty-one seconds for its flight. The boat was then
towed a little nearer the shore, opposite one of the new earthen
batteries, near the Governor's house, and a couple of shots
fired, to ascertain if they were within range. Both shots
went a long way over the battery, which immediately returned
an ineffectual fire with mortars that would not carry the dis-
tance. These are, perhaps, the first shots from an enemy that
ever alighted on the island of Cronstadt. An hour before
dusk a small boat was seen creeping along the north shore
towards St. Petersburg; two gun-boats were sent to stop it,
and returned about 11 p.m. with it in tow. It contained
three fishermen, who were trying to take three or four kegs of
sprats to market; after being examined and cautioned they
were allowed to go; but this will show you with what vigilance
the blocade is enforced. Within twelve miles of the capital of
the empire, and five of its strongest fortress, not a boat even
so large as a Thames wherry can float upon the waters within
our sight, and we have complete command of all.
7th.—At half-past one, p.m. the Merlin, having on board the
French and English commanders-in-chief, proceeded to recon-
noitre the south passage, and approached within 2,800 yards of
the Risbank battery, which fired several shots at them, but
all fell short ; one, however, came in a good direction—about
150 yards astern of the vessel. The guns in the Kronslot
Battery have been obliged to be emoved, owing to the walls
being in such a state of del" The admirals returned
about six o'clock. While they were away, at four
p.m. two Russian gun-boats came out of the northern
passage and proceeded along the shore to the west-
ward. The Magpie and Lark gunboats went immediately to
cut them off from returning, and would most probably have
succeeded, had their recal not been made by the flagship, and
enforced by several guns. They, however, continued their
course until within range of the chase, fired a single gun each
at them, and, to the astonishment of everybody, turned their
heads round and came back to the fleet as fast as they could,
and I have no doubt you will shortly hear a Russian account
of a defeat of the gunboats ; they did wrong to proceed at all
when their recal was made and they 4id wrong to fire Aug.
they intended to go on with the action. Captains Erskine
and Hall, of the Orion and Exmouth, were on board at the
time. The Russian boats quietly proceeded into harbour.
The decks of both were crowded with people, some in uniform
and others in plain clothes; most likely they were excur-
sionists, who came out to get a nearer view of the fleet.