The Press.
London, England, 1855-08-25 00:00:00

THE PRESS.

The Etna, steam•transport 188, has arrived at Balaklava
with draughts of infantry, among which are some of the
71st Highlanders.
The Victory has arrived, having on board about 5,000
Moorsom's shells.
The Daily News correspondent writes on the
11th

The renewed bombardment and attack against the
enemy's works, which are expected to take place shortly,
are still subjects of conversation. Speculation is rife as to
the nature of the intended operations. The prevailing
idea is that the assault will be preceded by a bombardment
of the chief points in the Russian line of defences, together
with a direct attack against the shipping. It seems pro-
bable that the assault will at first be mainly direited
against the Malakoff•hill, and that this will be undertaken
by our allies ; while on the left and centre a general fire
against the enemy's works will be maintained, and other
means of active co-operation adopted according to circum-
stances. It is presumed that some diversion, it' not a serious
attack, will be made by the armies occupying the plain and
neighbourhood of Tchorgoun. It is generally supposed
that the attack against the Redan will not be made until
after the Malakoff position is secured. The French say
that they are ready to open at any time, although they are
still adding to the number and strength of their batteries.
Already they possess thirty-four batteries on the right,
many of very powerful armament. There are various reports
respecting the state of our stores of shell and ammunition.
On tho one hand it is asserted that certain descriptions of
shell are exhausted, and that we must wait for fresh
supplies ; on the other hand, we hear that our magazines
are stocked with every kind of projectile that can be re-
quired for the bombardment. The daily loss from wounds,
although many are of a slight nature, is both on the part of
our allies and ourselves so great that there is every induce-
ment to commence operations as speedily as possible. The
enemy by keeping in the town and works only the strength
actually required to man the works, and providing extra-
ordinary protection for these troops, do not suffer but in a
very slight degree compared with what would be their loss
were the siege conducted under ordinary circumstances.
Their daily loss in the batteries must yet be very great,
owing to the great superiority in the weight of our metal;
and at night it is not probable that sufficient cover can be
found for the reserves which probably occupy the works for
their protection, so as to shelter them against the effects
of our fire. The enemy is said to have 120,000 men in the
camps on the north side within the distance of Mackenzie's
farm, but this number is probably much exaggerated. A
reconnaissance was made a few days since by a strong body
of our cavalry, as far as fifteen miles beyond the village of
Baidar, in a direction toward Yalta, and no troops were
met with on that route, excepting a few Cossacks, evidently
scattered for purposes of observation.

THE BOMBARDMENT OF SWEABORG.
Official accounts of the attack on Sweaborg have
been received by the British and French Govern-
ments from the respective commanders of the
fleets engaged in the affair. Admiral Dundas re-
ports as follows:—
Duke of Wellington, before Sweaborg, August IS.
After my arrival here on the Bth inst., with the squadron
under my orders, I was joined the same evening by
Rear• Admiral Penaud, in the Tourville, and on the
following day by the remainder of the French squadron,
including, in addition to the ships of the line, five
mortar•veasela and five gun-boats, with store-ships and
steam-vessels. . _

On the 7th instant the Amphion arrived from Nargen,
completing the British squadron, to the ships and vessels
named in the margin,• and the intention of hear-Admiral
Penaud and myself being to commence operations against
the fortress and arsenal of Sweaborg, no time was lost in
making the necessary preparations.
My former reports will have informed their lordships
that during the past year and in the course of the last five
months the enemy has been actively employed in
strengthening the defences of the place and completing the
sea defences by erecting batteries on every advant geous
position and commanding every practicable approach to
the harbour in this intricate navigation.

—.—
It has, therefore, formed no part of my plan to attempt
a general attack by the ships on the defences ; and the
operations contemplated by the rear•admiral and myself
were limited to such destruction of the fortress and arsenal
as could be accomplished by means of mortars.
The intricate nature of the ground, from rocks a-wash
and reefs under water, rendered it difficult to select posi•
lions for the mortar-vessels at proper range. In complet-
ing the arrangements for this purpose I have derived the
greatest advantage from the abilities of Captain Snlivan,
of her Majesty's ship Merlin, and the positions ultimately
chosen were in a curved line on either side of the Islet of
Oterhall, with space in the centre reserved for the mortar-
vessels of the French squadron, as concerted with Rear-
Admiral Penaud. _ _

The extremes of the line were limited, with reference to
the extent of the range and the distance from the heavily-
armed batteries of Bak Holmen to the eastward, and of
Store Rantan to the westward, of Sweaborg ; and a most
effective addition to the force of the allied squadrons con-
sisted in a battery of four lighter mortars established by
Admiral Penaud on an islet in advance of Oterhall.

• Duke of Wellington (bearing my flag), Exmouth (bearing
the flag of Rear• Admiral Sir Michael Seymour). Euryalus, Arro-
gant, Pembroke, Cornwallis, Cossack, Merlin, Vulture, Hastings,
Edinburgh, Amphion. Magicienne, Dragon, Belleisle, Cruiser,
Geyser, Locust, Lightning. /Bolus, Princess Alice, Volcano
(arrived on the lOth). Gun-boats—Starling, Lark. Thistle,
Redwing, Magpie, Badger, Pelter, Snap. Dapper, Weazel, Stork,
Pincher, Gleaner, Biter, Skylark, Snapper. Mortar vessels—
Rocket, Surly, Pickle. Blazer. Mastiff, Manly, Dinka, Porpoise,
Prompt, Bulbul, Carron, Redbreut, Beacon, Grappler, Havock,
Growler.

SATURDAY,

To carry these arrangements into effect, I directed
Captain Ramsay, of her Majesty's ship Earl/alus, with Cap.
tain Glasse, of the Vulture, Captain Vansittart, of the
Magicienne, and Captain Stewart, of the Dragon, to anchor
to the southward of Oterhall, and the mortar-vessels, under
the charge of Lieut. the Hon. Augustus C. Hobart, of the
Duke of Wellington, being distributed to the care of those
officers, the whole were anchored on the evening of the
7th instant in position, in readiness to warp into action,
and hawsers for that purpose were laid out before daylight.
Much assistance in towing was rendered by the officers of
the gun-boats, and great praise is due to all concerned for
their active exertions.
In the course of the same night Rear• Admiral Penaud
had commenced the establishment of his battery with sand
bags, on the rocks within Oterhall, but the active arrange-
ments could not be completed before the morning of the
9th instant.
During the whole of the previous day the royal standard
of Russia was flying upon the citadel of Gustafsvard, but
was not afterwards observed.
The success of our operations being dependent entirely
on the state of the weather and the rapidity with which
shells could be thrown, no time was lost in trying the
ranges of the mortars, which proved to be accurate, and
general firing commenced soon after seven o'clock. The
direction of this service was confided to Captain T. M.
Wemyss, of the Royal Marine Artillery, assisted by Capt,
Lawrence and Captain Schomberg. and every exertion was
used by these o cers to press the fire of the mortars
to the fullest extent which could be deemed proper.
The gun-boats, having been previously armed with
additional guns of heavy calibre, removed temporarily from
ships of the line, and the Stork and Snapper gun-boats
being armed with Lancaster guns, I availed myself of the
experience of Captain Hewlett to direct the fire of the
two latter vessels to the greatest advantage, and his atten-
tion was specially directed to the three-decked ship of the
line moored to block the passage between Gustafsvard and
Bak Holmen.
Commander Preedy, of the ship bearing my flag, was
directed to take the Starling and four other gun-boats under
his orders, and to manoeuvre and attack the batteries in
front of the mortar-vessels, towards the west extremity of
the line.
The remainder were distributed in a similar manner to
stations assigned to them, with orders to engage the bat-
teries and protect the mortar-vessels under the general
direction of Capt. Ramsay, assisted by Captains Glasse,
Vansittart, and Stewart.

On the evening of the Sth inst. I had despatched Capt.
Key, in her Majesty's ship Amphion, to proceed off Stora
Miolo, and to place himself under the orders of Captain
Wellesley, of her Majesty's ship Cornwallis; and I
instructed the latter officer to employ the Hastings and the
Ansphion, and to take advantage of any proper opportunity
to engage the enemy at the east end of the Island of
Sandhamn.

Captain Yelverton, in her Majesty's ship Arrogant, was de-
tached to the westward with the Cossack and Cruiser under
his orders, and was directed to occupy the attention of
troops which were observed to be posted on the Island of
Drumsio, and to watch the movements of small vessels
which had been noticed occasionally in creeks in that
direction.

Early in the day I observed that the detached squadrons
in both directions had opened fire upon the enemy, and
the action was general upon all points. A rapid fire of
shot and shells was kept up from the fortress for the first
few hours upon the gun-boats, and the range of the heavy
batteries extended completely beyond the mortar•vessels
but the continued motion of the gun-boats, and the able
manner in which they were conducted by the officers who
commanded them, enabled them to return the fire with
great spirit, and almost with► impunity, throughout the day.
About ten o'cock in the forenoon fires began first to be
observed in the different buildings, and a heavy explosion
took place on the Island of Vargoe, which was followed by
a second about an hour afterwards; a third, and far more
important explosion, occurred about noon on the Island
of Gustafsvard, inflicting much damage upon the defences
of the enemy, and tending greatly to slacken the fire from
the guns in that direction.
The advantage of the rapidity with which the fire from the
mortars had been directed, was apparent in the continued
fresh conflagrations, which spread extensively on the Island
of Vargoe.
The intricate nature of the reefs on which the gun-boats
had occasionally grounded, compelled me also to recal
them before sunset, and the fire of the enemy was slack.
The boats of the fleet were then ordered to be assembled
with rockets before dark, and under the direction of Capt.
Caldwell, in command of the ship bearing my flag, they
maintained a continuous fire for upwards of three hours,
which was attended with considerable success, causing fresh
fires, and adding much to the general conflagration.
At daylight on the morning of the 10th inst. the peal-
tions of several of the mortar-vessels had been advanced
within easier range, and the gunboats were again directed
to engage.
The three•decked ship, which had been moored by the
enemy to block and defend the channel between Gustaf's-
yard and Bak Ilolmen, had been withdrawn during the
night to a more secure position, but the fire from the
batteries was increased, and the engagement was renewed
with activity on both sides ; fires continued to burn with-
out intermission within the fortress, and about noon a
column of smoke, heavier and darker than any which had
yet been observed, and succeeded by bright flames, gave
signs that the shells had reached combustible materials in
the direction of the arsenal. The exact situation was at first
concealed from our view, but the flames continuing to
spread, it was soon evident that they extended beyond the
Island of Vargoe, and that many buildings on the Island of
Svartoe were already in progress of destruction.

AUG. 25, 1855.

By the judicious management of the officers of artillery,
a steady fire was kept up during the whole of the following

night. -
The rocket-boats in the evening were again assembled,
when the gun-boats were recalled, and proceeded succes-
sively in separate divisions. The first, under the direction
of Captain Seymour, of the Pembroke, made excellent
practice, at a distance of about two thousand yards from
the fortress; the second, under the direction of Capt. Cald-
well, at a later period of the night, also succeeded in adding
to the fires already burning ; but the glare of the flames
exposing the boats to the view of the enemy, they main-
tained their ground, under a smart fire of bursting shells,
with steady gallantry.
Considering the extent of injury which had now been
inflicted upon the enemy, and reflecting that few buildings
of importance remained to be destroyed on the Island of
Vargoe, and that those still standing upon Svartoe were at
the extreme extent of our range, and in positions where no
shells had yet reached them, 1 was of opinion that no pro-
portionate advantage was to be gained by continuing the
fire during another day.
l accordingly despatched Captain Seymour, of her Ma-
jesty's ship Pembroke, to communicate with Rear-Admiral
Penaud, and, with the cordiality and ready concord which
I have invariably experienced from that officer, arrange-
ments were immediately concerted, and orders given to
cease firing after daylight. Little fire, except at the rocket.
boats, had been returned by the enemy during the night,
and it ceased almost entirely on his side before daylight,
although the sea defences in general were little injured.
It remains for me to transmit now for their lordships'
information the inclosed reports of the proceedings of
Captain Wellesley, of her Majesty's ship Cornwallis, with
tut detached squadron to the eastward, on the gth instant ;
and I beg you will inform their lordships that the troop
on Druinsio having offered no resistance to the ships
under the orders of Captain Yelverton, he returned to his
former anchorage the same evening.
Inclosed are the lists of casualties which have occurred
in execution of the service which I have had the honour to
detail, and 1 am thankful to say that they have been fewer
than could possibly have been expected under the fire to
which those who were engaged were repeatedly exposed.
Some of the most severe injuries are those which unfor-
tunately occurred from explosions of the rockets in the
boats of the Heating, and Vulture.
_ . . .

Their lordships ;ill observe that I abstain entirely from
reports on the proceedings of the squadron under the com-
mand of Rear• Admiral Penaud, which will, no doubt, be
fully and ably explained to his own Government; but I
may be permitted to acknowledge my deep sense of the
valuable co-operation they have afforded, and to express
my admiration of the gallant conduct of those under his
orders, and my warmest thanks for the curdial support
which I have received.

I have much satisfaction in reporting in the most fa-
vorable manner on the conduct of the officers, seamen,
and marines under my command ; and I transmit for their
lordships' information the list of the officers and others
who were employed on the various detached services which
occurred during the operations.
My best thanks are due to Rear• Admiral Sir Michael
Seymour, who has at all times afforded me the most ready

From Commodore the Hon Frederick Pelham, Captain
of the Fleet, l have received the most valuable support,
and the energy and ability with which he has performed
the important duties of his station have tended greatly to
further the execution of the service, and demand my
warmest. thanks.

I am much indebted to Captain Ramsay, of her
Majesty's ship Eurgalua. for his active and useful exertions,
as well as to Captain Glasse, of the Vulture, arid Captain
Vansittart, of the Magicienne, and to none more than to
Captain Stewart, of her Majesty's ship Dragon, whose zeal
and ready resource attracted my particular attention.
The services allotted to Captain Wellesley, as well as
those assigned to Captains Seymour, Hewlett, and
Caldwell, were executed to my entire satisfaction ; and
my best thanks are due for the assistance rendered by
Captain Hall, of her Majesty's ship Exmouth, on several

Late on the evening of the 10th instant, her Majesty's
ship Merlin, under the command of Captain Suliven,
struck upon an unknown rock on ground, which he had
himself repeatedly examined while conducting me along
the line of the mortar-vessels.

No blame whatever can attach to this officer on the occa•
sion, and I gladly avail myself of the opportunity which is
thus afforded me of calling the especial attention of their
lordships to the unwearied activity of this valuable officer.
It is to the singular ability and zeal with which his arduous
duties have been performed that much of the success of
the operations of the fleet may be attributed ; and I trust
that I may be permitted on this occasion to recommend to
the especial notice of their lordships the services of Lieut.
R. 11. Creyke, of that ship, whose conduct has been most
favorably reported.
My especial thanks are due to the officers and men of
the Royal Marine Artillery for the mannsr in which their
important duties have been performed. The cool and
steady courage with which they continued to conduct the
duties of their stations deserves the highest praise ; and I
have much pleasure in calling their lordships' attention
to the services of Captain Wemyss, as well as to those of
Captains Lawrence and Schomberg, of that distinguished
corps.

Great praise is also due to the officers and erswc of the
mortar vessels on the occasion.

The admirable manner in which the officers in charge
of gun-boats maintained their stations under fire, and the
general activity of the crews of those vessels upon all occa-
sions, is deserving of the favorable notice of their lord-
ships; but in referring to the inclosed list of the officers
employed, I am unwilling to particularise any, when all

THE PRESS.

have been highly deserving of their lordships' favour, and
the gallant conduct of the crews has been conspicuous.
R. S. Donnas.
Admiral Penaud thus relates the share taken by
the French squadron in the attack :

On board the Tourvilk, off Sweaborg, August 11.

Monsieur le Ministre,—As I had the honour ot Inform-
ing your excellency in my letter of the 7th of this mouth,
Rear• Admiral Dundee and myself on Monday last presented
ourselves before Sweaborg, with the combined squadron,
intending to bombard that place. On the dth, at halt-past
seven in the morning, six English bomb-ketches, each
carrying one mortar, five French bomb•ketches, carrying
two mortars, and a siege battery of four mortars of twenty-
seven centimetres, which during the six hours of darkness
in the preceding nights 1 had placed on the islet of
Abraham at 2,000 metres from the place, opened their fire
against Sweaborg.
am happy to report that this operation has been per-
fectly successful; it is not a mere cannonade that the
squadrons have directed upon Sweaborg—it has been a
real bombardment, the serious results of which have sur-
passed all my expectations.
In less than three hours after we began firing bombs
we could perceive how considerable were the ravages they
were creating in the fortress. Numerous conflagrations
broke out rapidly on several points at once, and we soon
saw the flames rise above the dome of the church situated
in the northern part of the isle East Svartoe. This church
was, so to speak, the sole monument which seems to have
been entirely respected on the isles of Vargoe and Svartoe
by our projectiles. Four terrible explosions were speedily
heard; the fire had reached magazines filled with gun-
powder and munitions of war. The two last explosions
especially were formidable; they must have caused the
enemy enormous losses both in men and materiel. For
several minutes we heard the detonations of the bombs and
shells, which covered the sea-board with fragments of every
description.
The bombardment ceased this morning at half-past four;
it consequently lasted two days and two nights, during
which period Sweaborg presented one vast expanse of
flame. The fire, which still continues to rage, has nearly
devoured the whole place and consumed workshops,
magazines, barracks, various establishments belonging to
the Government, and a great quantity of the materials of
the arsenal.

The firing of our mortars and howitzers was so true that
the enemy, fearful of seeing the three•decker which had
been anchored across the pass between Sweaborg and the
island of Bak Holmen entirely burned, withdrew that
vessel into the harbour during the night.

The Russians have sustained a considerable check and
losses, the more sensible in that they have inflicted on us
only the loss of one single English seaman killed and a
few slightly wounded. The enemy's forts, nevertheless,
replied vigorously to our attack ; their fire slackened only
at the instant of the explosions 1 have mentioned ; but the
precision of our pieces of long range gave us an incontest-
able superiority over that of the Russians.
Every man in the division has done his duty with devo-
tion, ardour, and courage. The spirit of the crews has
been admirable; they have deserved well of the Emperor
and France.

I am extremely satisfied with the means of action placed
at my disposal. The bomb-ketches and gunboats rendered
immense service ; they perfectly come up to all that was
expected of these vessels. The siege battery has produced
most excellent results, and we may say that our best shots
were fired from one of the enemy's islets, on which we had
planted the French flag.
In this affair, as on all occasions, since our flags have
been united, Rear• Admiral Dundas and myself have acted
with unanimity. The example of the perfect understand-
ing that subsists between the chiefs has had the best effect
on the crews in both squadrons, who in truth formed only
one crew during the action. Everyone had but a single
object, that of vieing who should do the utmost possible
injury to the enemy, and the success obtained by a ship of
either nation was applauded by the other with the same
cries of enthusiasm as if they had been obtained by his
own flag.
There can be no doubt, Monsieur le Ministre, that the
bombardment of Sweaborg will exercise great influence on
the Russian populations, who are now aware that their
strongholds and arsenals are not completely sheltered
from the attacks of the allied navies, which can, and
henceforth may, well trust to their being able to visit with
destruction the enemy's shores, without receiving them-
selves any sensible injury.
lu sending to you a circumstantial report of this affair,
Monsieur le Ministre, I shall have the honour of addressing
to you a demand for rewards to those officers, seamen, and
mariuts that most distinguished themselves in the combat.
PENAUD.

Letters received in Hamburg from Riga state
that about four o'clock on the morning of the 10th
inst. two English steamers—a line-of battle ship and
a frigate—appeared off that port, and about an hour
later, when at a distance of 1,500 yards, they opened
a heavy fire on the coast batteries and the division of
gun-boats anchored before them. The cannonade
lasted for more than an hour, and about nine they
stood out to sea, apparently in chase of a vessel that
was sailing down the coast of Liefland. About three
in the afternoon they came in again, and renewed
their bombardment at five o'clock, which lasted till
dark, when they again proceeded to sea, and, up to
the date of the letters, had not appeared again. A
few of the guns were dismounted in the batteries ;
otherwise the cannonade does not appear to have
done much damage.
The Finland papers report that the Ru,sian loss
at Sweaborg was 40 killed and 160 wounded.

803

THE BALTIC FLEET.
(From our Own Correspondent.)
Div last hasty note was written tolyAolll GEwNh'enAug. 15.
we
were
ou the eve of a bombardment, of the far-famed
Sweaborg ; and various were the opinions expressed
as to the result. It is most gratifying to me to be
able to tell you that the most sanguine amongst us
could not have anticipated the great success we
have had, with comparatively tew casualties. A few
hours after the mail had started, the French squadron
made their appearance, and we were soon made to
understand the cause of their delay, by finding that
they had brought over from Nargeu five thousand
bags of sand ; and the moment night set in away
they went, and worked so vigorously that in the
morning friends and enemies must have both been
astonished to see a sand battery thrown up consider-
ably inshore of us, mounting four mortars. This
was the morning of the Nth. During the whole of
that day we were employed placing our vessels so as
to be prepared for our grand attack on the Uth at
daylight. The plan of proceeding was as follows
The mortar-boats (English and French), twenty-one
in number, were moored with two anchors, the in-
shore of which was laid down during the night at
about 3,100 yards from the fortress, the outer at
4,000 yards, so as to admit of their approaching or
retreating, by hauling on either cable, as circum-
stances might require. The gun-boats, in divisions
of three and four each, were placed in their rear,
ready to rush through and draw the fire from the
mortar-vessels, as it was properly considered most
essential to protect as much as possible these floating
magazines, each having on board ten thousand pounds
of powder and between three and four hundred shells.
On the extreme right ( supposing oneself to be facing
Sweaborg), at. a distance of four or five miles, were
placed the Cornwallis, Hastings, and Amphion, who
were ordered to draw off the fire of the enemy from
that quarter; on the extreme left, two miles distant,
Arrogant, Cossack, and Cruiser had similar orders.
In the rear of mortar and gun boats lay Magicienne,
Vulture, Euryalus, Dragon, and Geyser, who had to
give general assistance to the smaller vessels, to
supply boats and medical aid to the wounded, &c.
During the middle of the night preceding the 9th
the mortar.boats were silently hauled into a range of
3,300 yards of the fortress and town of Sweaborg,
and everything was ready. When the day was suffi-
ciently dawned the enemy either did not or would
not remark the change of our position, but remained
perfectly passive, with the immense royal standard
of Russia flying disdainfully on the higl est point of
the fortifications. At twenty five minutes past seven
o'clock the signal was made, "Engage the enemy,"
and away went a thirteen-inch shell from the left of
our line. The judgment of the distance was admir-
able, for it landed almost at the foot of the flagstaff
on which the royal standard was flying. This good
example was immediately followed by the whole line
of mortar-boats and the French batteries. The gun-
boats darted to the front, and opened a fire of shell,
which, if not as effective as the mortars, must rather
have astonished the garrison. However, they at
once opened a brisk fire, and shot and shell fell
thick and fast round us. Everybody predicted hot
work; but, from some unaccountable reason, the
Russian fire became, after two hours, slacker and
worse directed. This of course encout aged the
allies; and the fire was maintained on our side, with
the greatest vigour and accuracy, until half-past
eleven, when we were for the moment paralysed by
witnessing one of the most awful and terrible explo-
sions perhaps ever seen by any man amongst us. It
seemed as if the whole island—or at least one end
of it—was thrown violently into the air. Volume
after volume of smoke, intermingled with shell, shot,
and rafters, and some say guns were thrown violently
an immense height—the sea all round bubbled and
hissed like a cauldron—guns rolled from their posi-
tions into the water. For full five minutes the
frightful eruption went on ; and one could not help
shuddering to think of the awful loss of life that
every moment must have been caused. The standard
of Russia disappeared, and, as far as we could see,
the greatest confusion prevailed. As soon as we had
recovered from the first burst of astonishment, three
hearty cheers were given by the allies, and shot and
shell were poured in to keep the steam up. For two
hours the Russians never fired a shot.. The fire
spread rapidly, and it was evident that unless some
stop could be put to its ravages by the garrison,
the whole place would be in flames. At three o'clock
the Russians began to fire again pretty warmly. It
was a beautiful sight to see our gun-boats wheeling
and turning, like swallows, firing as they turned, and
apparently dodging the shot. They appeared to
bear a charmed life, for, though shell burst all round
them, and some on their decks, hardly anyone was
hurt. They did their duty nobly; and it is to be
hoped that the small Mum of casualties will no

804

deteriorate their services. One thing should be
clearly understood—that, had not these vessels
to a great extent drawn the fire off the mortar-
boats, some frightful accident would have happened.
In the meantime our vessels on the right and left
were warmly engaged with the earthworks. Broad•
side after broadside was fired in rapid succession ;
two batteries were silenced ; and, having gained
ti.eir object—viz., to draw the enemy's attention, and
part of his energies, from our main attack—they
hauled off, with a loss of sixteen wounded. As even-
ing came on the fires on shore increased ; and, as
our mortars were getting very warm, we slackened
the fire to an occasional shell, and the light squadron
hauled off for the night. When it was quite dark
the conflagration inshore was terrific. The Russians
perhaps thought we were going to leave them alone ;
but they were grievously mistaken, for at eleven
o'clock a shower of rockets was thrown into the
already blazing town by the boats of the squadron,
who, favored by the darkness, had approached to
within 1,500 yards of the place. They made some
vain efforts to drive them off with shell and other
missiles, but. it was of no avail—it was impossible to
hit them, and they gave it up. Under these dis-
charges the fires increased, and to a looker on it
appeared that the whole place was in flames. At
daylight the Russians were very savage, and opened
a very hot fire upon us. The gun-boats dashed in
and blazed away, and the mortars kept up a famous
fire, until the forts got somewhat milder ; after which
they settled down into the steady fire of the day
previous. The principal fire to-day was directed
against the dockyard, arsenal, and public store-
liouses ; and in two or three hours the whole were
on fire. Bright flames rose to the sky at noon-
day, and frequent explosions varied the scene. The
enemy's fire became weaker and weaker, and it was
evident that he was much demoralised by the constant
harassing he was undergoing. I doubt much whe-
ther they had any quantity of ammunition loft, as the
amount of powder destroyed must have been enor-
mous. The line-of-baffle ship that lay in the mouth
of the harbour was much damaged, and had to be
uddenly removed to save her from utter destruction.
Orders ware received at five o'clock to continue the
fring throughout the night. The rocket-boats were
again sent in, and a grander sight it is impos-
sible to conceive than was formed by, in the first
place, the conflagration in Sweaborg, now nearly a
mile long and more in width; in the second place,
by the hundreds of rockets rushing like meteors into
the middle of the Ore; and, lastly, the shells hissing
through the air, the small blue light of their fuses
marking their course. At half-past three in the
morning (the rocket-tubes by that time being much
the worse for wear, three having burst, and several
others being damaged) the signal was made to leave
the bombardment.
And thus ended this affair, which terminated so
gloriously for the allies. Hango is nobly avenged.
And I trust that we have shown our barbarous
enemies that such actions as they were guilty of there
are not to be allowed to pass unavenged, and that we
are able to make them feel the weight of our power
in spite of their fortifications and infernal machines.
By-the-way, we picked up some of these things, which
exactly resembled those we found at Cronstadt, and
appear t.) be even more ridiculously inefficient.
During the last few hours of the bombardment the
enemy was entirely silent, and the royal standard of
Russia had entirely disappeared. It is supposed,
from what can be gathered, from deserters, that pro•
perty worth between two and three million pounds
sterling has been destroyed.
The squadron are all back here. Our casualties
amount to between twenty and thirty wounded,
several through accidents in rocket-boats.

(From another Correspondent.)

OFF SWEABORO, Aug. 11.
I HINTED in my last letter to you that we were to
start for Sweaborg. I will now give you an account
of what we have oeen doing since. Last Monday,
the oth, we weighed, and started from Revel. It was
a splendid morning. We were followed by about
fifty steamers—a very grand sight. In the afternoon,
we sighted Sweaborg and Helsingfors in the distance.
With three blockading ships, we anchored at about
5,000 yards from Sweaborg and Helsingfors. We led
the way through a channel that had never been pene-
trated before, and one which the Russians thought
would never have been attempted, and therefore bad
not defended the approach or obstructed the passage.
It was truly wonderful to see this large ship handled
in such a beautiful manner. There were rocks and
shoals about two hundred yards on either side of us,
but our master handled her more like a yacht than
anything else, and sometimes turned her on little
more than her length. We despatched boats from
every ship at tea in the evening, with rockets as
signals in case of danger, and the crews armed to the
teeth, It was a dark night, and they sounded within