The Express.
London, England, 1855-08-21 00:00:00

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LONDON, TUESDAY EVENING, AUGUST 21, 1855.
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a third, and far more important explosion, occurred
about noon on the Island of Oustativard, inflicting
much damage upon the defences of the enemy, and
tending greatly to slacken the tire 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 ex-
tensively on the Island of Vargon.
The intricate nature of the reefs on which the
gun-boats had oocasionally grounded compelled me
also to recall them before snout, 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 Captain Caldwell,
in command of the ship bearing my flag, they main-
tained 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 instant,
the positions of several of the mortar vessels had
been advanced within easier range, and the gun-
boats wen atggaiin directed to engage.
The three.decked ship, which had been moored by
the enemy to block and defend the eheneel between
Cluatallaward sod Bak-Hotmen, had been withdrawn
during the night to a more secure position, bat the
fire from the batteries was increased, and the en-
gagement was renewed with activity on both sides.
Fires continued to burn without intermission within
he 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 con-
tinuing to spread, it was soon evident that they
extended beyond the Island of Vargon, and that
many buildings on the Island of Svarto were already
in peugnae of destruction.
y 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 aseem
bled, when the gunboats were recalled, and proceeded
successively in separate divisions. The first, under
the direction of Captain Seymour, of the Pembroke,
made excellent practice, at a distance of about 2,000
yards from the fortress: the second, under the direc-
tion of Captain Caldwell, at a later period of the
night, succeeded also in adding to the fires already
burning; but the glare of the flames exposing the
boats to the view of the enemy, they maintained their
ground, under a smart fire of bursting shells, with
steady gay.
Considelrlaningtr the extent of injury which had now
been inflicted upon the enemy, and reflecting that
few buildings of importance remained to be de-
stroyed on the Island of Vargon, and that those still
standing upon Svarto were at the extreme extent of
our range, and in positions where no shells had yet
reached them, I was of opinion that no proportionate
advantage was to be gained by continuing the fire
during another day.
I accordingly despatched Captain Seymour, of her
Majesty's ship Pembroke, to communicate with Rear-
Admiral Pinned, and with the cordiality and ready
concord which I have invariably experienced from
that officer, arrangements were immediately con-
certed, and orders given to cease firing after daylight.
Little fire, except at the rocket boats, bad been re-
turned by the enemy during the night, and it ceased
almost entirely on his aide before daylight, although,
the sea defences in general were little injured.
It remains for me to transmit now for their lord-
ships' information the enclosed reports of the pro-
ceedings of Captain Wellesley, of her Majesty's ship
Cornwallis, with the detached squadron to the east-
ward, on the 9th iost.; and I beg you will inform
their lordships that the troops on DrOMISiO having
offered no resistance to the ships under the orders of
Captain Yelverton, he returned to his former anchor-
age the same evening.
Enclosed are the lists of casualties which have
occurred in execution of the service which I have had
the honour to detail; and I 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 severs injuries are those which unfortunately
occurred from explosions of the rockets in the boats
of the Hastings and Vulture.
Their lordships will observe that I abstain en-
tirely from reports on the proceedings of the squa-
dron under the command of Rear-Admiral Pdnaud,
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-opera-
tion they have afforded, and to express my admira-
tion of the gallant conduct of those under his orders,
and my warmest thanks for the cordial support
which I have received.

to particularise any, when all have been highly de-
serving of their lordships' favour; and the gallant
conduct of the crews has been conspicuous.
I have, &0.,
(84ined) IL S. DUNDAS,
Rear-Admiral and Commander-in-Chief.
The Secretary of the Admiralty.

Her Majesty's sbip Cornwallis, off !hors Miolo,
Aut 9 1855.
Sir,—l have the honourgus to, acquaint you that, in
impala°, with your memorandum of the Bth inst.,
OS observing the mortar vessels open fire this morn-
ing, I immediately weighed in her Majesty's ship
under my (*mound, in oompuy with the Hastings
and Amphion, and p to attack the forts at
the southeast end of /Madinat'.
Our attack was more particularly directed against
the battery on the south eastern entrance, and another
on Storholoa, but, on arriving within long range, a
general fire was opened from the whole of the
batteries on the south side of Sandhamn.
A very brisk and extremely well-directed fire was
kept up from the ships, which did considerable &-
Image to one of the batteries on Sandhamn and one
Gomm of the guns were silenced for a short period,
but no permanent effect was produced.
At 10.50, therefore, considering that the object
contemplated in your memorandum had been at-
tained, I made signal to discontinue the engagement,
and anchored the ships in the positions they left this
morning.
I deem it mi duty to represent to you the effective
00-operation I received from Captains Cain and Key,
as well s@ the steadiness and activity of the officers
and crews of the ships engaged.
I beg to enclose a list of casualties —I have, &a,
(Signed) Groans WELLESLEY, Captain.
Rear-Admiral the Hon. R. 8. Dundee, C. 8.,
. .

Casualties on board her Majesty's ship Anaphion, while
esgaging the batteries to the outward of 8 weaborg.—
Augut 9 1836.—Wounded : Mr. Charles Sharpie, assist-
ant•paymuter, severely ; Jobe Breather, leading summit,
severely ; Joba Markham, , slightly.
(Signed) J. E. Svc , Surgeon.
List of wounded es board her Majesty's ship Cornwallis,
before Sweaborg, on the ft th August, 11365.—Mr. Frederick
Bowen, mate, slightly; Jobs °shores. Ist class boy,
severely ; Edward Peters, quartermaster ; William Brady,
ordinary seaman, slightly ; John Coady, tad clue boy,
severely ; Rosen Kitchener, guesses mats ; Jolla McGuire,
marl's, severely ; Jobe Azworthy, carpenter's crew ;
Thomas Hodge,
gaed) ea r uster's crew ; Edward Farrell, leading
ait•MY. (Si
Azzze. AZNITIOIIO, M.D., Bergson, R.N.

Her Majesty's ship Cornwallis, off Btora Miele,
August 10, 185.5.
Bir,—l have the honour to inform you, that in fur-
ther promo:Judea of your orders of the Bth instant, I
despatched last night after dark, under the direction
of Lieutenant Tattoall, miller of the Cornwallis, the
barges and pinnaces of this ship, Hastings, and Am-
phion, each armed with rockets, to endeavour with
them, if possible, to set fire to a frigate moored head
and stern in Knog's Sound.
Moored as she was down under the land with only
her lower masts in she was quite invisible, but the
boats maintained a very well directed fire in her di-
rection, which, although not effecting the object of
setting her oo fire, drew the attention of the enemy,
whose batteries, as well u t►e frigate, opened fire on
the boats, without, I am happy to say, any casualty
to them.

I regret, however, to add that in the pinnace of
the Hastings two men were wounded, one severely,
by the rocket burecieg in the tube.
I beg to enclose a list of the officers employed on
this occasion, and to express to you bow much pleased
I was with the manner in which Lieutenant Tett-
nail carried out my orders, and of the zeal and
activity of the other officers and men employed.—l
have, &c., (Signed)
GEORGE (1. WELLESLEY, Captain.

I have much satisfaction in reporting in the most
favourable manner on the conduct of the officers. sea-
men, and marines under my command ; and i trans-
mit, for their lordships' information, the lists of the
officers and others who were employed on the va-
rious 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 assistance.
From Commodore the Hon. Frederick Pelham,
Captain of the Fleet, I have received the most valu-
able same, and the energy and ability with which
be 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
Mejesty's ship Euryalus, for his active and useful
exertions, as well as to Captain Glove, of the Vul-
ture, and Captain Vanaittart, of the Magicienne, and
to none more than to Captain Stewart, of her Ma-
jesty'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 ren-
dered by Coptain Hall, of her Majesty's ship Ex-
mouth, on several occasions.
Late on the evening of the 10th inst. ber Majesty's
ship Merlin, under the command of Captain Su-
liven, struck upon an unknown rock on ground,which
be had himself repeatedly examined while conducting
me along the line of the mortar vessels.
No blame whatever can attach to this officer on the
occasion, and I gladly avail myself of the opportu-
nity which is thus afforded me of calling the espe-
cial 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 opera-
tions of the fleet may be attributed; and I trust that
I may be permitted on this occasion to recommend to
the especial notion of their lordships the services of
Lieut. R. B. Creyke, of that ship, whose conduct has
been most favourably reported.
My especial thanks are doe to the officers and men
of the Royal Marine Artillery for the manner in
which their important duties have been performed.
The cool and steady courage with which they con-
doned to conduct the duties of their stations deserves
the bighut praise ; and I have much pleasure
in calling their lordships' attention to the beryline of
Captain Wimps, as well es to those of Captains
Lawrence and Sohomberg, of that distinguished
corps.
Great proles is also due to the officers and crews
of the mortar vowels, on the occasion.
The admirable manner in which the officers in
charge of gun-boats maintained their stations under
fire, and as gruel activity of the mews of those
meals upon all erosions is deserving of the favoura-
ble notice of their lordships; but in referring to the
enclosed list of the onion employed, I am unwilling