The Sun.
London, England, 1854-12-06 00:00:00

btrb Nbition.

SUN OFFICE, Six o'clock.

THE NAVAL EXPEDITION

AGAINST THE

RUSSIANS IN THE PACIFIC.

ADMIRALTY DESPATCHES.

The following additional details respecting the
late naval engagement in the Pacific have been
forwarded to us from the Admiralty
H.M.S. Pique,
Lat. 46° 2' W., long. 179° 32' W.
19th Sept., 1854.
Sir,—l have the honour to inform you that on
Thursday, August 31st, Rear-Admiral Febvrier,
Des Pointes decided upon carrying into execution
the plan of attack against the outer defences of the
harbour of Petropaulovski, as had been arranged
between him and the late Commander-in-Chief,
whose untimely death on the preceding day had
stopped the movement of the ships.
The weather being calm, it was determined that
the three frigates should be placed in position by
the steamers, The Virago was therefore lashed
between the Pique and the Forte, while the Presi-
dent was taken in tow astern. In this manner the
ships proceeded towards the batteries, and were
dropped in succession into the best positions that
could be reached, for the tide inshore was found
rather stronger than was anticipated.
The three batteries forming the outer defences
of the entrance of Petropaulovski were, a five-gun
battery on the extremity of the peninsula forming
the harbour ; an admirably constructed fascine
battery of 11 heavy guns, placed at the water's
edge on the opposite shore ; and a three-gun bat-
tery at some distance further out on the same side.
As this battery, from its raking position, was ex-
pected to give much annoy ante, the President's
marines, under Captain Parker, R.M., had been
placed on board the Virago, and were landed to
take possession of the battery immediately after the
ships had been anchored. Although greatly im-
peded by the almost impenetrable brushwood, the
marines and some seamen, both French and Eng-
lish, who were sent to their support, soon reached
the battery, which they found deserted. The guns
were rendered unserviceable, and the party re-em-
barked under the cover of the Virago. In per-
forming this service this vessel became exposed to
a heavy fire from the Russian frigate in the inner
harbour, which did her some damage.
The battery at the extremity of the peninsula
being most exposed to the fire of the ships was
soon silenced, and as it was directly in a line with
the town and frigates in the harbour, much damage
must have been occasioned by the shot which
Passed over this battery.
A breeze springing up in the afternoon enabled
the Forte and President, the two outer ships, to
take up fresh positions somewhat nearer the low
battery.
The guns of all the ships were now directed upon
this battery, and from the Forte especially a rapid
ricochet fire was maintained, until at length the
battery ceased firing, although the enemy were not
driven from their guns.
The ships now ceased firing, and were moved
out of range for the night, the Virago taking the
Forte in tow, and the President and Pique hauling
off by kedges.
Although all the ships received shot in their
hulls and rigging, the Forte alone suffered any loss
in men. An unfortunate shot passed across her
quarter-deck, killing one man and wounding several
others.
11. In the interval between this first attack and
the subsequent operations on the 4th of September,
several consultations were held between the French
rear-admiral and the captains of the two squadrons.
12. Some information having been obtained dur-
ing this interval as to the position of the batteries
not visible from the ships, and also as to the inte-
rior of the town and the strength of the garrison,
it was considered that an attack upen the north
end of the town by a landing party would probably
meet with success, and lead to important results.
13. With a view to occupying the enemy's atten-
tion as much as possible, it was determined to
adopt a simultaneous attack on a battery of five
guns placed on the low part of the peninsula, and
likewise on a round fort at its northern extremity,
at which place the marines and seamen were to
land and endeavour to get possession of the bat-
teries and the heights surrounding the town.
14. Owing to the largo number of men required
for the landing party the guns of both frigates
could not be manned, and the President's guns
being lighter than the Pique's, and, therefore, re-
quiring fewer men to work them, I went on board
the ship, taking with me the remainder of the
Pique's ship's company.
15. On the morning of September 4, the landing
Party, consisting of about 350 men from each
squadron, besides officers, was placed on board the
Virago,
thewhich vessel then lashed alongside the
Forte,
the boats for the disembarkation being placed
on opposite side, and the President being
taken in tow astern.
16. The
batteries commenced firing as soon as
the ships
came within range, and did considerable
damage
especil-lly to "ot•ue masts and yards of the frigates, but
the Forte's. A shot struck the Vi-
rago's deck, but, fortunately, it glanced upwards,
otherwise the havoc on her crowded deck might
have proved serious. -
17. The President having been anchored about
GOO yards from the Saddle Battery on the centre
of the ; Peninsula, opened a heavy afire upon it,
notwithstanding which, the enemy continued work-
ing their guns with the greatest determination,
retiring occasionally under shelter of the sloping
platform on which the guns were placed, and re-
turning again to their guns as soon as the fire from
the ship slackened in the least ; however, at length
the battery was silenced.
18. In the meantime, the Forte had been placed
ePPosite the round fort or gorge battery, which she
EedilY silenced, and thus enabled the marines and
seamen to be landed from the Virago.
19. For an account of the occurrences on shore
I
must refer to the enclosed letter from Captain
Burridge.
20. The Forte, Virago, and Obligado brig
covered the re-embarkation of the landing party,
the fire from the brig was very effective in check-
ing the advance of the enemy.
21. As soon as
the
embarkation had been effected,
all the ships moved out to their anchorage in the
bay.

22. Although this attack proved unsuccessful, I
trust that the gallantry displayed by Captain la
Grandeire of the Eurydice, and Captain sßurridge,
'and the officers and men wider their command, ;yin
be appreciated.

23. The marines and seamen on the right gal-
lantly gained the ridge of the hill, in spite of the
steepness of the ascent, and in the face of a heavy
fire. But, unfortunately, the dense brushwood in
Which many of the enemy were secreted stopped
any further advance in that direction, and on the
left the gorge was found so strongly defended;
not merely by musketry, but likewise by guns
and field pieces, that it could not be forced from
that quarter!; besides which, we have, since leav-
ing the harbour, received information from the
Prisoners taken on board the Sitka, which leads us
to believe that the numerical strength and compo-
sition of the troops forming the garrison, were far
superior to what we had been led to suppose.

24. Before closing this letter, I cannot refrain
from bearing my tribute to the conduct of Captain
Burridge and Corn. Marshall, from whom I have
received the most cordial assistance throughout
the operations at Petropaulovski. The coolness of
the former officer during the retreat, and the em-
barkation of the landing party was the theme of
general admiration, and Commander Marshall has
been_. unwearied iu his exertions in turning the
ships mad covering the lan.cling Parties his Tose,