The Sun.
London, England, 1854-08-02 00:00:00

LETTER FROM THE BALTIC FLEET.

BARD SOUND, July 18.— One of the grandest spectacles
ever witnessed in this or past ages is that afforded at the
present moment by the allied fleets under Admiral Sir
Charles Napier and Admiral Parseval-Deschenes, at anchor
in Baro Sound.

A description of this Sound has so frequently appeared
in your columns that it would be superfluous'for me to say
more, save that it is protected by a huge circular break-
water, formed by nature of a chain of rocky islands. Upon
one of these is erected the now famous Renskar Lighthouse,

and from the summit is distinctly discerned thi3 Russian
fleet at Helsingfors. Two small specks upon the ocean
point out the Euryalus and Cruiser (English men-of-war)
blockading the Russian arsenal, and bidding defiance to
their fleet. On the 17th inst. the following peen-of-war
were at anchor in Baro Sound :

EsaLis}r.

Duke of Wellington, with
the flag
Edinburgh
Neptune
St. George
Royal George
Omar
Cressy
James Watt
St. Jean d'Acre
Cumberland
Imperiuse
BeMist° (hospital-ship)
Nile
Princess Royal
Prince Regent

Monarch
Blenheim
Hogue
Ajax
Lightning
Basilisk
Amphion
Penelope
Pigmy
Alban
Otter
Magicienne
Gorgon
Cuckoo
Dragon.

FRENCH.
Inflexible, with the flag Austerlitz (screw)
Duguesclin Le Tage
Hercule Darien
Trident Phlegethon
Dupere Souffleur
Breslau Algeriue (hospital-ship)
Jemappes • Lucifer

The Bulldog is gone to meet the men-of-war expected
from England and France with troops, and to tow them,
if needed.

The Euryalus and Cruiser are off Helsingfors.
The Amphion had been blockading Revel.
The Driver is between Hango Ort and Dager Ort.
The Majestic is gone on a cruise.
The Basilisk is anchored just outside, off the Bellerophon
rock, as a buoy.
The men-of-war in Bare Sound are anchored in three
divisions, with Duke, Neptune, and Edinburgh, all flag-
ships, at the head of the three lines, the French admiral
forming the fourth.

In relation to the efficiency:and high state of discipline
of the fleets there are not two opinions. The captains all
concur in saying that, with the exception of a few veteran
Coast-guardsmen, they are well manned, and "ready, aye
ready," for any service that the
,brave and discreet Sir
Charlei may ask of them.
The men are kept regularly at exercise, and while at one
moment you observe all hands aloft in their evolutions of
furling and unreefing sails, lowering topmasts, topgallant-
masts, yards, &c., in an instant the signal is run up by the
Duke of Wellington, " Man and arm boats," and twenty
minutes have barely elapsed when 180 boats, fully armed,
and equipped with every requisite for attack, are pulling
away towards an island, with Admiral Chads at their
head, blazing forth in sham attacks upon forts and bat-
teries that have been rapidly raised by the engineers at-
tached to the fleet.

All this monceuvring takes place within sight of the Rus-
sians, and the telegraph on the heights is continually ob-
served making signals to Helsingfors.

There has been an uninterrupted succession of fine wea-
ther here since the return of the fleet from the Cronstadt
demonstration, and in the calm of the evening it is a splen-
did sight to observe Bare Sound dotted with every deno-
mination of boat, from the huge pinnace to the tiny dingy,
rowing on the glassy water from ship to ship, or landing on
some of the entangled islands to collect wood, water, &c.
Helsingfors and Cronstadt are impregnable, and cannot
be approached unless with the sacrifice of six or eight line-
of-battle ships. The people of England should be emphati-
cally impressed with this fact, and the question then arises
is the conquest of either of these places worth the slaughter
of 6,000 men? Between the islands on which the batteries
of Sweaborg are built a single ship alone can pass, and from
the casemates directed upon this point are the muzzles of
340 guns of large calibre.
A. powerful army landing and encircling Helsingfors is
considered the only feasible plan of operation, and when
Bomarsund has fallen, as it will do in a few days, our hopes
are directed to Sweden for assistance by land. When Sir
C. Napier menaced Cronstadt every man in the fleet saw the
madness of attempting to force a passage unless aided by
land forces to distract the enemy.
The Duke and St. Jean d'Acre are called the crack ships,
the latter the ship par excellence. To her stern clings the
little Esmeralda with the greatest tenacity; she is now
christened " the Little Acre." The Arrogant and Hecla
are the lions ; Neptune is the smart ship ; and Imperieuse
the handsome one.
The cholera, lam happy to say, is fast disappearing. The
Austerlitz at one period had 150 cases on board. The
Majestic went to sea to recruit
the disease the healdthoafste is, that
the crew. A
very singular feature regardingthe
screw ships only have been attacked by
the epidemic, the
sailing vessels enjoying perfect immunity. Diluted sul-
phuric acid and camphor mixture is a favourite remedy.
The better ventilation of the engine-rooms becomes a se.
rious consideration, and should enforce itself upon the at-
tention of scientific men. To keep engineers and stokers
in an atmosphere the temperature of which is 123 deg is
nothing but a lingering process of parboiling, and how
they stand it so well passes comprehension.
On the 17th, at night, the Nicolai, hired steam trans-

--/

[PRICE SD.

port, arrived with the mails, oxen, etc., from Dantzic.
She left again the following morning with the overland
mail.

' On the 13th, the Sparrowhawk, a handsome little cutter,
joined the fleet in Baro Sound, laden with wine, from
Portsmouth, Air. Galt, the owner, being on board.
On the 17th the Otter left for Paroe. The Amphiou
returned from a cruise.

On the night of the 17th the signal was made, " Prepare
for sea," and all was expectation ; the large cutters, pin-
naces, etc., were got on board, anchors hove short, and all
preparation made. The capture of the Aland Islands and
their retention by our troops was supposed to be the object.
At 1 p.m. on the 18th order to " Weigh," and, the wind
being fair, each ship stood out of the Sound under canvas,
the Duke bringing up the rear. The Imperieuse was the
only vessel left behind. At sea they again formed in four
lines, the admirals leading, and a majestic sight it was to
see them with all sail crowded on, and fires banked, run-
ning before the wind, and steering westward. Repeating
ships stood on each side of the line. Thus we proceeded
the whole of that night under sail.

On the 19th inst. the fleet exercised in furling sails. At
4 p.m. a thick mist enveloped the fleet, and the order im-
mediately followed to " Let go anchor." Our position
was now mi!lway between the Uto Lighthouse and Bogs-
karen Beacon, in 30 fathoms.

July 20.—Remained at anchor ; fires banked. The
Lightning, with Capt. Sullivan and surveying officers on
board, was despatched early to buoy off the channel to Led
Sound, the Dauntless receiving stores 'and invalids for
England. The Lightning returned at 8 p.m.
July 21, 10 a.m.—Signal to weigh. The Duke got first
awly, and two divisions were then formed, headed by Sir
Charles Napier and Admiral Chads. At I p.m. the French
line-of-battle-ships, Bin number, followed in 2 columns,
with their 6 steam-ships on their port quarter. At 5 p.m.
the English division with sails and steam increased speed,
rounded the Lagskaren Lighthouse, and ran up'to their]
anchorage before dark in Led Sound. Here they found
Admiral Plumridge's paddle-wheel steamers Leopard, Odin,
and Valorous. The French fleet came up at night with
very little wind, sighted the Revolving Light off the
Swedish coast, and the following morning, headed by the
Arrogant and Penelope, they stood in a single line, and,
after threading the numerous rocks and islands, ran up to
their anchorage at 12. The Pigmy and Otter were moored
outside as buoys. The French ships are in fine order, and
as they let go anchor and furled sails, it was the admiration
of the whole fleet. It, is discovered, however, that in the
process of furling they omit to take in two reefs, thus
making their evolutions appear very rapid.
July 22 —The following ships were this morning ordered
to Bomarsund :—namely, the Edinburgh (Admiral Chads),
Blenheim, Hogue, Ajax, Amphion, Leopard, Odin, and
Valorous. The Lightning was ordered to show the way.
At 11 a.m. the gallant Hecla came in sight. The Admiral
made signal, " I congratulate Lieutenant Lucas on pro-
motion." At 2 p.m. the Kangaroo arrived from England
in seven days and a half. The City of Norwich, also from
Portsmouth, with stores and provisions. At 3 p.m. the
Driver made her number. At 5 p.m. the Tyne arrived,
in tow of the Gorgon. Heavy guns had been heard for
some time in the direction of Bomarsund, and at 7 p.m. a
dense volume of smoke rose high in the air, leading us tc
expect that a partial bombardment had taken place. At
10 p.m. the Lightning returned, informing the admiral
that as soon as our block ships had made their appearance
the enemy opened fire from a mud battery recently formed
to the south-west of the other forts. They then continued
for some time throwing shot and shell, but every one falling
short. Admiral Chads coolly dropped his anchor without
the range of their guns, but just in the position that our
10-inch guns will do execution. The forts soon became
tired of their bad practice, and we have not yet returned
a single shot. The fire observed from this sound was from
a vessel burnt by one of our small steamers, the Zephyr.
July 23. —The church pennant hoisted on all the ships.
The French vessels are peculiarly interesting on the Sun-
day, for at their peak they run up a white pennant with
the symbolical red cross in the centre, and at intervals is
heard pealing forth the most plaintive music and chants
until the performance of worship has concluded. Her
Majesty's ship Desperate in sight, and four large French
frigates coming in to the anchorage.
2 p.m.—The Lightning is just signalled to take on board
all the masters of the ships and officers of Royal Engineers.
and proceed at once to Bomarsund to make observations
and take the necessary bearings and distances in this cir-
cuitous channel of 18 miles.

Last night the Duperre, French line-of-battle ship, in
tow of a screw steamer, got ashore. Boats from the whole
fleet went to her assistance, and in one hour she floated,
and proceeded on this morning to Bomarsund.
LED SOUND, SOUTH OF THE ALAND ISLANDS,
July 25. -This anchorage, which is sheltered from every
wind by the islands on the south-west and by themainland to
the north, is well adapted for a fleet. It is about 9 miles in
circumference, with an average depth of 12 fathoms. On
the land side, termed the parish of Lemland, the shore is
flat, but in the distance there are well wooded undulations,
and an appearance of fertility about the soil. Many dwell-
ings are scattered about, and a large ship of at least 800
tons on the stocks and near completion offers a tempting
bait to the whole fleet. Blackcock abound on the islands,
and fish are numerous.

July 23.—The Lightning surveying vessel received on
board masters of each ship in the squadron and the officers
of the Royal Engineers. The Aigle French screw steam-
ship was also ordered by the French Admiral to take on
board their navigation officers, and any others who were
desirous of becoming acquainted with the channel to Bo-
marsund and the soundings between this extraordinary
group of islands. Captain Sullivan piloted the French
vessel, and his ship, the Lightning, followed. In our
course we encountered no obstacles, although at times the
ships passed within 30 yards of the shore. The lead was
kept continually going, and the depth varied from 5 to 30
fathoms. A few miles from Bomarsund the Alban was
surveying, and near to her the Valorous, fast aground
upon a rock. Between the islands we observed the masts
of the Leopard, Odin, and Hecla, which had been detached
to cut off all communication. Along the shore were ham-
lets, farmhouses painted red, and mills, and, as the ves-
sels glided by, the inmates 'peeped forth with curiosity
and timidity. At 5 p.m. we ran through a narrow chan-
nel, 100 yards only in width, and came at once upon
Admiral Chads' squadron in Lumpar Bay, before the
forts of Bomarsund. The chief battery is erected on the
shore, in the shape of a curve, in order to sweep the
whole bay. It is built of granite in two tiers, with 54
embrasures in each, thus being enabled to mount 103
guns, but at present they have only 92 mounted. It has
a bomb proof roofing, and, to add to their security, a
layer of four feet of sand rests upon this. On the rising
ground immediately behind this are two round towers, and
another at the extreme east, in each of which we counted
16 guns. A mud battery, rapidly thrown up, still further
to the east, completes their defence. Russian soldiers were
lounging about on the shore, and officers were going to and
fro ou horseback without the slighest appearance of con-
cern at the proximity of our English and French men-of-
war, eight of which were moored within two miles and a
half of them. Many were the speculations regarding the
vulnerability of these fortifications ; but it was at once
determined that the operation of shelling them would be
futile, the opinion being that a land attack by the troops
now on their passage, with the broadsides of the men-
of-war at I,ood yards, would soon complete their de-
struction.

We returned about 6 p.m. to the fleet, and on our pas-
sage took on board one of the lieutenants of her Majesty's
steamer Valorous, who was on his way to the Admiral; to
report very serious damage to that ship.
It appears that the Valorous, going at slow speed among
the islands, ran upon a rock, and there being a swell on at
the time, she has knocked off her forefoot and keel, and
become waterlogged ; a sail has been placed under her keel
and the last accounts are that she is afloat, but kept so with
great difficulty. The masters are all prepared to take their
ships to Bomarsund, although there are only four feet of
water to spare in many of the passages.
The Lightning returned at 10.
July 24. -An order for marines and troops to be pr •
pared to land, but it is generally the opinion that nothing
will be commenced until the troops arrive from Calais.
The Nicolai came in this morning with the mails from
Dan tzi o.

Captain Sullivan being on shore to-day has captured a
very respectable person in a green suit of clothes, with
brass buttons. He says that he is the sheriff of the parish,
and a consul. He is detained on board the Duke, and will
be sent to England.
Commodore Martin has hoisted his pennant, and has
command of five or six screw line-of-battle-ships recon-
noitring in the Gulf of Finland.
Admiral Corry is gone to England in the Dauntless.
We are all anxiety to get the troops out here to com-
mence work in earnest, and then the batteries that have
so long irritated and harassed Admiral Plumridge and the
gallant Captain Hall will find the day of retribution at
hand, when an overwhelming force of steam-ships will
destroy every vestige of their power in these islands.
I might add that the inhabitants here are essentially
Swedish in feeling, manners, and religion, and so desirous
are they to escape the yoke of Russia that a pilot from one
of the islands has voluntarily gone on board the Hecla to
navigate her.

July 25.—The Majestic is practising with shot and shell.
The Nicolai steam-transport is just ordered to receive the
mails.

The Duperre, which grounded. on Saturday night, has
received no damage, nor the little Zephyr, which was in 3
similar position. The Locust is somewhere up the Gulf of
Bothnia. Everything very quiet in the fleet to-day, like
The
the intense calm preceding the portending stfoxv•

,

9

Freeman ere deterstited to do semetHns, tiej- isj
zat ths.X.Niaßll will pelt them ontheiK. return.
Off Bomarsund the French ships have the English en*
sign at the masthead, and we fly the French colours. This
looks like action
2 p.m.—The Heck has just come in from the eastward.

TJI LONDON GAZETTE OF LAST NIGLIT.

DOWNING-STREET, JULY 29.

The Queen has been graciously pleased to give orders
for the appointment of Proby 'Thomas Cantley, Esquire,
late Lieutenant-Colonel in the Bengal Artillery, and
Director of the Ganges Canal, to be an Ordinary Membet
of the Civil Division of the Second Class, or Knights Com-
manders of the Most Honourable Order of the Bath.
WHITEHALL, JULY 31.
The Queen has been pleased to present the Reverend
William Quekett, M.A. to the Rectory of Warrington, in
the county palatine of Lancaster, and diocese of Chester,
void by the promotion of the Honourable and Reverend
Horatio Powys, D.D., to the Bishopric of Sodor and
Man.

CROWN-OFFICE, AUGUST 1.
MEMBER RETURNED TO SERVE IN THE PRESENT
PARLIAMENT.
Borough of Beverley—The Honourable Arthur Gordon,
of Argyll. House, in the county of Middlesex, in the room
of the Honourable Francis Charles Lawley, who has ac-
cepted the office of Steward of her Majesty's Manor of
Northstead.
COMMISSION SIGNED BY FIELD MARSHAL
H.R.H. THE WARDEN OF THE STANNARIES.
Royz..l Cornwall and Devon Miners Regiment of Militia
—First Lieutenant George William Culme Soltau Symons
to be Captain ; Second Lieutenant Francis Howell to be '
First Lieutenant, July 28.
COMMISSIONS SIGNED BY LORD LIEUTENANTS.
Royal Lancashire Militia—Willoughby Harcourt Carter,
Esq., late Captain of the 7th Fusiliers, to be Adjutant,
vice Captain and Adjutant Herbert Vaughan, retired,
July 1.

Royal North Lincoln Militia—Archibald Sheak Far-
quharson, Gent., to be Lieutenant, vies Graburn, pro-
moted, July 20.
Ist Regiment of the Duke of Lancaster's Own Militia—
Henry Thomas Knapman, Gent., to be Lieutenant, July 28.
Northumberland Regiment of Militia—Thomas Rae
Gibb, Gent., to be Lieutenant, vice Henry Gordon Long-
ridge, resigned.
Royal Glamorgan Light Infantry Militia—Harman
Hardy, Esq., to be second Lieutenant, July 26.

' The Lord Chancellor has appointed the following gentle-
men to be Commissioners for administering Oaths in the
High Court of Chancery :
John Mills, Brunswick-place, City-road.
Henry Sweet, Taunton. • •
Thomas Neale Doughty;. mad'. ,Q,,,,,,„e„,buildinti
Brompton. ,
BANKRUPTS.
William Makin the younger, provision dealer, Man-
chester, to surrender August 14 and September 4, at
twelve, at the Manchester District Court. Fraser, official
assignee, Manchester ; Hall and Janion, Manchester ; or
Bower and Son, Chancery-lane, London.
John Sellick, paper maker, Chapps Mills, Wiltshire,
August 14 and September 12, at eleven, at the Bristol
District Court. Acraman, official assignee, Bristol ;
Crosby, Bristol ; or Jay, Serjeaut's-inn, London.
Henry Swire and John Lockwood, manufacturers,
nipley, Aug. 15, at twelve, and Sept. 12, at eleven, at the
Leeds District Court. Hope, official assignee, Leeds ;
Rawson, George, and Wade, Bradford ; Bond and Bar-
wick, Leeds.
. . .

Joseph Smithson, corn miller, West Mills, Yorkshire,
Aug. 25, and Sept. 12, at twelve, at the Leeds District
Court. Hope, official assignee, Leeds ; Stocks, Franklin,
and Jervis, Halifax; Bond and Barwick, Leeds.
Peter Taylor, millwright, engineer, and tool-maker,
Manchester, Aug. 15 and Sept. 5, at twelve, at the Man-
chester District Court. Pott, official assignee, Manchester ;
Gartside, Manchester.

Hugh Hart, timber merchant, Hulme, Lancashire, Aug.
2'3 and Sept. 12. at twelve, at the Manchester District Court.
Fraser, official assignee, Manchester ; Blair, Manchester.
Simon Stow Hitchcock, maltster, Blackmore, Essex,
iug. 14, and Sept. 8, at twelve, at the Court of Bank-
ruptcy. Whitmore, official assignee, Basinghall-street ;
Lawrance, Plows, and Boyer, Old Jewi y.
George Howes, licensed victualler, Kingsland, Aug. 10,
at one, and Sept. 8, at half-past eleven, at the Court of
Bankruptcy. Whitmore, official assignee, Basinghall-
street ; Crouch, Gray's-inn-square.

Tho.mas Robinson, currier, liexham, August 9, at half-
past eleven, and September 13, at twelve, at the New-
castle-upon-Tyne District Court. ILker, official assignee,
Nlewcastle-upon-Tyne ; Welford, Newcastle-upou-Tyne ;
Haile, Bush, and Gaskell, Newcastle-upon-Tyne.
Henry Brownentt, merchant, Liverpool, August 11, and
September 1, at eleven, at the Liverpool District Court.
Turner, official assignee, Liverpool; Cornthwaite, London ;
Pemberton, Liverpool.
William Atherton, merchant, Liverpool, Aug. 14, and
Sept. 5, at eleven, at the Liverpool District Court. Mor-
gan, official assignee, Liverpool ; Avison and Pritt, Liver-
pool. _ _ _

Frederick Smith, miller, Standon, Herts, Aug. 14, at
two, and Sept. 7, at twelve, at the Court of Bankruptcy.
Cannan, official assignee, Aldermanbury ; J. and C. Cole,
A.delphi-terrace; E. and E. Foster, Cambridge.
Cornelius Gibbs, tailor, Thorndon, Suffolk, Aug. 14, at
half-past one, and Sept. 8, at half-past twelve, at the
Court of Bankruptcy. Whitmore, official assignee, Bas-
inghall-street ; Utton, Noble-street, Cbeapsidep.
William Matthews, builder, Paddington, August 9, at
two, and September 9, at twelve, at the Court of Bank-
ruptcy. Lee, official assignee, Moorgate-street ; Lee and
Pemberton, Lincoln's-inn-fields.

Samuel Zagury, merchant, Cullum-street, City, August
15, at one, and September 9, at one, at the Court of Bank-
ruptcy. Lee, official assignee, Moorgate-street ; Sole, Tur-
ner and Turner, Alderinaubury.
DIVIDENDS TO BE DECLARED.

Thomas Harris, West Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, chair
manufacturer—let div. of Bs., Aug. 3, and three subse-
quent Thursdays, at Stansfeld's, Basinghall-street.
Claudius Alfred Scrivener, Old Change, City, milliner
—lst. div. of 2-id., Aug. 3, and three subsequent Thurs-
days, at Stansfeld's, Basinghall-street.
Robert Frederick Cooper, Three Colt-street, Limehouse,
oilman—let div. of 65., Aug. 3, and three subsequent
Thursdays, at Stanfeld's, Basinghall-street.
William Cooke, Albert-terrace, Bow, miller-Ist div. of
6s. on new proofs, Aug. 3, and three subsequent Thurs-
days, at Stansfeld's, Basinghall-street.
Edwin Shaw, Birmingham, pocket-book maker-Ist div.
of 3s. 3d., any Thursday, at Christie's, Birmingham.
George Booth, Bishopwearmoutb, Durham, ship owner
—div. of ss. to those who have not previously received any,
and a further div. of ss. 2d., Aug. 5, and any subsequent
Saturday, at Wakley's, Newcastle-upon-Tyne.
Jesse Joyce, Bolton-le-Moors, Lancashire, bookseller—
let div. of 4s. 10d., Aug. 15, and any subsequent Tuesday,
at Pott's, Manchester.

John benbigh, Bradford, woolstapler—lst div. of 4d.
any day, at Young's Leeds. ,
James T. Wigney, Huddersfield, wine merchant-Ist
div. of any day, at Young's Leeds.
John Roebuck and Sons, Holmfirth, woollen raanufse-
turers—lst div. of 21d., any day, at Young's, Leeds.
Isaac Blackburn, Leeds, ironfound.er-Ist div. of 20s.
any day, at Young's, Leeds. ,
Thomas Broadbent, Halifax, draper-3d div. of lid.,
any day, at Young's, Leeds.
Blackburn Stiebel, Leeds, ironfounder-Ist div. of 55.,
any day, at Young's, Leeds.
Thomas B. King, York, manufacturer of paper hangings
—lst div. of 25., any day, at Young's, Leeds.
Offiey Shore, Sheffield, banker-2d div. of 55., Aug. 1,
&at Youns, Sheffield.
James*Wilson Jeffryes and John Meek, Liverpool, mar•
chants-2d div. of 2d., Aug. 3, and any subsequent Thurs-
day, at Cazenove's, Liverpool.
James Shannon. Liverpool, linendraper-Ist div. of 2s.
6d., Aug. 3, and t:ny subsequent Thursday, at Cazenove's,
Liverpool.