The Express.
London, England, 1855-07-24 00:00:00

DESTRUCTION OF THE FLOATING BRIDGE
AT GENITCHI STRAITS.

Admiralty, July 23.
Despatches, of which the following are copies,
have been received at the Admiralty from Rear-
Admiral Sir Edmund Lyons, Bart., G.C.8., Comman-
der-in-Chief of her Majesty's ships and vessels in
the Black Sea.

Royal Albert, off Sebastopol, July 10.
Sir,—Their lordships will have great pleasure in
learning that Commander Osborn, of the Vesuvius,
mentions in favourable terms a letter he had received
from Lieutenant W. N. W. Hewett, the Commander
of the Beagle, reporting the destruction of the float-
ing bridge in the Straits of GenitchL
I have now the honour to enclose a copy of
that letter, and to draw their lordships' attention to
the excellent arrangements made by Lieutenant
Hewett, as well as to the gallant and able way in
which his orders were executed by Mr. Martin
Tracey, Midshipman of the Vesuvius, Mr. John
Hayles, Acting Gunner of the Beagle, and the boats'
erewe, one of whom, Joseph Trewavu, ordinary sea-
man, lent from the Agamemnon, was wounded, and
h particularly mentioned as having cut the hawsers,
—1 am, &c.,

(Signed) EDMUND LYONS,
Rear-Admiral and Commander-in-C.
To the Secretary of the Admiralty, London.

Beagle, off the town Ghenitebssk. July 4.
Sir,-1 have the honour to inform you that on my
arrival off this place I immediately proceeded to
mi-
nutely examine the communication between the town
sod Arabat Spit, and, on so doing, found it to be b
means of a ferry of two large fiats and hawsers, which
I determined to destroy if possible.
Accordingly, on the forenoon of yesterday I des-
patched my gig, under Mr. John Hayles, toting
gunner of this ship, and paddle-box boat, under Mr.
Martin Tracey, midshipman, of the Vesuvius.
I have much pleasure in reporting that they sue-
needed entirely in destroying it by cutting the haw-
sets and casting the boats adrift, which was done
under a very heavy fire of musketry at about 80
yards, the troops completely lining the beach, and
the adjacent houses being filled with riflemen.
Great credit is due to Mr. Heydes for his activity
and zeal in destroying the same, and to Mr. Martin
Tracey for the effectual fire he kept up in covering
his retreat, the firing from the ship and paddle-box
boat at the same time causing great confusien and
loos amongst the enemy as they retired from their
exposed position.
Mr. Hayles speaks in the higheat terms of the
boat's crew, especially, of Joseph Trewavim, ordinary'
seaman, lent from the Agamemnon, who out the
hawsers.
I enclose a list of casualties, which, I sm happy to
say, is very small, although the gig and paddle-box
boat were riddled with musket balls.—l have, &a,
(Signed) W. N. W. HEWETT,
Lieutenant Commanding.
To Commander S. Osborne, Senior Meer
of her Majesty's ship Vestries.

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PROCZEDINOB IN THE GULF OF FINLAND.
ADMIRALTY. Jun' 73,1866.
Despatch'', of which the following ars copies, have
been received at the Admiralty from Rear-Admiral
the Honourable R. B. Dundee, Commander in-Chief
of her Majesty's ships and Temae in the Baltic.
Dal's of Wellington, at Napa, Jay 17_, MM.
Bir,--I transmit herewith, to be lad Nan TAY
Lords Commismioners of the Adndralty, , report of

proceedings during the past week from Captain Yak.
verton, who rejoined me yesterday at this anchorage
in her Majesty's ship Arrogant, and who, with the
Magioienne and Ruby gunboats in company, visited
the south coast of the Gulf of Finland, and attacked
some military poets of the enemy at Kounda Bay and
in the River Portsoiki.
Returning afterwards to his former station in tim
Bay of Viborg, he proceeded with boats towards the
town, and engaged with a superior force of the enemy
defended by batteries.
I request you will express to their lordships my
approbation of the conduct of this enterprising officer
' upta all occasions; and I would beg to recommend to
their favourable notice the conduct of Captain Vansit•
tart, of the Magicenne, and of Lieutenant Haggard,
of the Arrogant, and Lieutenant Dowell, of the Royal
Marine Artillery, and the excellent behaviour of all
the officers and men.

Captain Yelverton has spoken favourably SAO of
the conduct of Mr. Hale, mate, in command of the
Roby.
I regret much to have to report the loss of Mr.
Story, midshipman, of the Arrogant, with nine others
wounded in'the boats of the two ships, of whom one
is since dead.—l have, &c.,
(Signed) R. S. DUNDAS.
To the Secretary of the Admiralty.

Her bfajostyh ship Arrogant, off Viborg, July 14.
Sir —I have the honour to acquaint you with my
proceedings during the week.
The Magicienne rejoined me on Wednesday, and I
proceeded direct to Kounda Bay, on the south coast.
where I had reason to think that troops were concen-
trated. It turned out to be a large Cossack encamp-
ment, on a most commanding position, from which I
dislodged them, with shell and rockets from the Ruby
and ship's boats: Some opposition was made to our
landing, and shots fired from behind hedges, &c.;
but I succeeded in examining the place, which I did
not injure, as it only contained private property.
The following morning I anchored at the mouth
of the river Portsoiki, and, landing on its right hank,
destroyed a Cossack barrack and stables, driving the
soldiers into the country. I then came on here.
Having anchored the ships as close as I could to
the Island of Stralsund, I proceeded in the Ruby,
accompaaied by Captain Vansittart, of the Magi-
cienne, and Captain Lowder, KM., of this ship, the
latter officer having under his command a strong
detachment of marines • wo towed with us the boats
of this ship, under the command of Lieutenants
Haggard and Wooloombe, and those of the Ma.
gicienne under the command of Lieutenants King
and Loady.
Having opened the bay called Trangsund, we saw
a Russian man-of-war steamer with two large gun-
boats in tow, not far off. This most novel and unex-
pected eight of a Russian man-of-war for once clear of
a stone wall, and to all appearance inclined to give
us a fair and honest fight, created the greatest enthu-
siasm amongst the men and officers.
I directed Mr. Hale, commanding the Ruby, to
open fire on her at once, but she very soon retired
out of range, having, I think, received some damage.
We had now reached the entrance of the sound;
Viborg was in sight, ands fair prospect of attacking
three large gunboats, lying with another steamer
under an island about one mile off. We wero here
brought up by a bares-, imp:ding the passage of the
gunboat and launcher.
At this moment a masked battery on the left bank,
not more than 330 yards off, opened on us a heavy
fire of musketry, round, and grape; this was instantly
returned and kept in check by a rapid and well
directed fire from the Ruby and all the boats. The
enemy's steamer and gunboats then came from under
the island, and also opened fire on us.
As it was impossible to get the Ruby through the
barrier I returned towards Stralsund, the enemy's
riflemen following us along the banks, but driven
from their positions u fast as they took them by the
fire from the Ruby and boats.

Au explosion tool[ place in one of the Arroganes
cutters, which swamped the boat ; the men were
sated, but I regret to say that Mr. Story, the midship.
men in oommund of her, was killed.

In endeavouring to save the orew, the boat drifted
close to the battery, and would have fallen into the
bands of the enemy, had not Lieutenant tiaggard, of
this ship, and Lieutenant Dowell, R.M.A., of the
Magicienne, in thu Ruby's gig, with a volunteer
crew, towed her out under a very heavy fire.
I cannot sufficiently praise the conduct of all the
officers and men who were engaged in this affair,
where their cool and determined courage enabled
them to handle moat severely, and keep in check for
upwards of one hour, the enemy far superior in num-
ber, with the advantage of local knowledge and a
good position.
I beg to enclose a list of the cunaltiee, and also a
list of the officers in the boat.—l have, &o.
(Signed) it. R. YELVERTON:Captain.
Rear-Admiral the Hon. R. S. Dundee, &o.

List of CamsMee in the °Metro and Men of her Majesty's ship
Arrogant, while engaged 41 the boats with the enemy, elf Viborg, on
the evening of the 13th of J : Mr. George E. Storey,
midshipman. tt minded • George Hitches, manner's mate, danger-
ously (vino dead) ; Edward Cokman, coxswain of Cutter, danger.
misty; William West, private ILM., severely; 11. B. Woullcombe.
lieutenant, slightly; George Ingorville, captain of mast, slightly ;
Harts Paid, ordinary, slightly; William Cowell, private 8.M.,
st*fitly.—ittigned) Jose CiALL4OBZI4 M.D., burgeon. Approved
(*nod) H. it. YeLvaltrox, Captain.
List of the OMeers and Boats belonging to her Majesty's ships
Arrogant and Magleenne, engaged with the enemy, In toe Viborg
Channel, on the 13th of July, I.M.—Arrogant—Lionch a Lieutenant
Henry V. Haggard, Mr. Reed. T. Clark, mate; Lieutenant Pensonby
B. Holmes, WM.; Mr. George 0. eidlal H. Greaser. Barge : Lieu.
tenant Henry B. Woolloombe, Hon. James Fitzumurice, acting
mate. Pionace: Mr. Clayton Mitchell, toklabipmen. first Cutter:
Mr. Algernon J. Kont.gu, midshipman. Second Cutter: Mr. Usurps
E. storey, midshipman (killed). Magicierme—riesace: Lieutenant
Henry b. King.
List of the Men Wounded belonging to her Majesty's ship Magid.
erne, on the 13th of July, Itis3.—Victor Hemmen, ordivary, gun-shot
Kure, through the right leg; James Cunday, stoker, gun.
shot wound, alight, net the Mad ; John }li.hop, oontuaion of loft
ankle from spinter.—Roue Curies, M.D., Sargon, (dignsd)
R. VAXSIITART. Captain.