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

THE BALTIC FLEET.

OFF CRONSTADT, August 8 to 14.—For a period
of five weeks the squadron, under the orders of
Rear-Admiral Baynes, has remained at anchor off
Tolboukin Lighthouse, in a state of comparative
inactivity, unable to effect anything else than a
strict blockade of Cronstadt, the shores in its vi-
cinity, and the demolition of some of the tele-
graph stations which form the link of communi-
cation with St. Petersburg. With the active
operations at Sweaborg, the proceedings of the
naval expedition of the two great Allied Powers
will terminate, the season being too far advanced
to attempt, with the probability of a successful
result, an attack in any other important.
quarter. Although the last few days have been
tolerably fine, the state of the weather is so un-
settled that it cannot be depended on fcr two days
successively. Nearly two manths have elapsed
since the fleet assembled off this stronghold, and
then it was soon ascertained to be unassailable for
want of such a class of vessels as could approach its
defences sufficiently close as to cause their destruc-
tion. They have been augmented two-fold sine(
the autumn of 1854, and it may readily be inferred
that during the ensuing winter Russian activity and
ingenuity will be displayed in further adding to
their strength to such a degree that, when we return
next year fully prepared and determined to raze
them to the ground, we ehall find it much more dif-
ficult to accomplish than at the present moment.
Aug. 9.—A1l the ships crossed topgallant yards.
Three Russian steamers came out of harbour on a
guise along the,south shore, evidently as a squad -
ron of observation, but keeping close under the
land. The Swinger gun-boat fired several shot and
shells at a telegraph station, but did not effectually,
destroy it. The launch of the Hogue was sent
away with a party of marines and blue jackets,
Who landed, knocked down the telegraph staff, and
set fire to the building on which it was erected, in
the space of a few minutes, without any opposition
on the part of the enemy. The gun-boat, with the
launch in tow. then hauled off to her station.
Aug. 10.—S;gnal made to go to general quarters,
with permission to fire shot and shell at targets
moored at conveni-nt distances. The Jackdaw con-
veyed a pier of officers to To b )uquin Lighthouse,
wheretheylanded, returning to thefleetin the even-
ing. A merchant vessel, the Brunswick, of Mary-
port, last from Newcastle, freighted with provisions
and wines, &c., for the officers' messes, and which
sailed on the homeward voyage yesterday, unex-
pectedly returned in the afternoon. For doing so,
the admiral severely reprimanded the master, or-
dered him to leave immediately, with an intima-
tion that he would be reported to the underwriters,
and be made to forfeit his insurance. It was
very imprudent of the master of the Brunswick to
bring his vessel hack to the fleet, with which he
had been allowed to remain for a week or ten days,
to dispose of his freight, and which realised an
ample profit.
Aug. 11 and 12.—Beyond the ordinary dail3
Tontine there is nothing to record.
Aug. 13.—The Hogue's boats and steam-tender
Swinger destroyed two more telegraph stations. Tin-
boats in the fleet were hoisted out, manned and
armed, and sent away for exercise. Having been
thoroughly inspected they formed line abreast, and
fired three rounds from their howitzers and smal!
arms. The enemy perceiving the movement quickly
sent out six gun-boats, one a very large one. The 3
were followed by five others, the whole forming
into line of battle. The Imperieuse, Centaur, and
Bulldog got up steam, shortened in cable, prepara-
tory to giving the Russians a warm reception, who,
however, deemed it prudent, as usual, to put up
their helms and return to port as fast as possible.
At 5
p.m., there being an appearance of bad
weather setting in, topgallant masts and 3ards
were sent down from aloft.
Aug. 14.—Two of the gun-boats left for the island
of Seskar at 10 a.m.' At noon a thunder storm
burst over Cronstadt, followed by heavy squalls,
the rain descending in torrents, with a .strong
south-west breeze. The present anchorage beim,
insecure, now that the winter season may la
expected to set in, the squadron, with the ex-
ception of two or three ships, who will stand ofl
and on the port, to watch the enemy's movements,
will depart and take up a position near to Seskar,
where -more shelf er is ifforded from the strong
westerly gales which prevail at this period of the
year. The barometer has fallen to 29.944, anti
there is every appearance of a prevalence of stormy
weather, wind,. and rain. 'I he temperature is cool
and bracing, Fahrenheit's thermometer in the
open air being only 64°, -wind south-west, blow-
ing very fresh. The crews in the fleet are in a
healthy state, as the following number of cases un-
der medical treatment will show, according to the
returns made to-daY:—Colossus, 34 ; Royal George,
30 ; Caesar, 29 ; Orion, 25 ; Cressy, 24 ; Majestic,
25; Hogue, 20; Blenheim, 15; Nile, 17; James
Watt, 14; Centaur, 19; Bulldog, 9; Lnperieuse, 32,
The Royal Adelaide steam transport, No. 111,
arrived at 5 p.m. from Nargen. She brought tin
gratifying intelligence of the important victory
gained by the allied squadron at Sweaborg.
The English and French Admirals returned to Nar-
gen yesterday, with the whole of the ships. As soon
as the weather moderates we proceed to Seskar to
await orders. No' further operations on a lara6e
Icale will he undertaken this year. lam informed
that the Orion and James Watt will leave for Eng-
land the latter end of next month, in charge of the
and mortar vessels, and afterwards be
sgetinnt-btomstthe Black Sea.