The Sun.
London, England, 1854-06-30 00:00:00

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SUN OFFICE, Seven o'Clock.

7 OFFICIAL DESPATCHES'

FROM

SIR CHARLES NAPIER.

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ADMIRALTY, JUNE 29.
- Despatches, of which the following are copies or extracts,
have been received from Vice-Admiral Sir Charles Napier,
-K.C.8., Commander-in-Chief of her Majesty's ships and
vessels in the Baltic :

Enclosing Admiral Plumridge's Report of his proceedings
in the Gulf of Bothnia.

::. .24T0. 151.

Duke of Wellington, Baro Sound,
t : June 18, 1854.
Sir,—l beg leave to enclose Admiral Plumridge's report
of his proceedings in the Gulf of Bothnia, from the sth
May to the 10th June, by which their Lordships will ob-
i 7- Serve that he has destroyed forty-six vessels, afloat and on
the stocks, amounting to 11,000 tons ; from 40,000 to
50,000 barrels of pitch and tar ; 60,000 square yards of
rough pitch ; a great number of stacks of timber, spars,
plank, and deals, sails, rope, and various kinds of naval
sto;res, to the amount of from 3 to 4100,0004, without the
loss of a man. Admiral Plunaridge has had to contend
with innumerable rocks and shoals, incorrectly laid down
in the charts, and met the ice up to the 30th May ; never-
theless, though several of his squadron have touched the
ground, I am happy to soy they have received no damage
~ that he is not able to repair with his own means.
2. The Rear-Admiral, their lordships will observe,
speaks in the highest terms of the captains, officers, sea-
men, and marines, and particularly of Lieutenant B. P.
Priest, the first lieutenant of the Leopard, an old and de-
serving officer, and of Lieutenant Hammet, his flag lieu-
tenant.—l have,4c„
CHAS. NAPIER,
Vice-Admiral and Commander-in-Chief.

Enclosure No.l, in Sir Charles Napier's Letter, No. 151.
" Her Majesty's ship Leopard, at Sea,
10th June, 1854—lat. 64° 1' N ;
long. 22° 41' E. At noon.
Sir,—ln obedience to your orders of sth May, 1854,
I proceeded with the squadron under my command to ex-
amine, as far as practicable, the Island of Aland, but not
being able to procure a pilot, I found the hazard too great to
proceed further in the execution of that duty; the reports
of Captains Buckle and Giffard, numbered 1 and 2, will
more fully inform you of the result and termination, for
the present, of that service.
From thence I proceeded up the Gulf of Bothnia, and I
have now the honour herewith to transmit letters and
papers, numbered from 3 to 6, giving a detailed account
Of the squadron's proceedings up to the date hereof.
The summary of the large amount of mischief done to
the enemy by the boats, as per margin, and a paper let-
tered A.
Boats of Leopard employed at Brahestad, Uleaborg, and
Tornea.
let Gig—Lieutenant B. P. Priest ; Mr. Terence H. Wall,
assistant-surgeon• ; Mr. James Ray, passed clerk.
let Cutter—Lieutenant L. U. Hammett Mr. Richard
Harington, midshipman.
Galley—Lieutenant William Graham; Mr. H. St. L.
Palliser, naval cadet.
. Barge—Lieutenant G. W. E. Lloyd ; Mr. Arthur Sal-
way, mate.
Ist Launch—Mr. Henry G. Payne, mate ; Lieutenant
E. D. Thelwall, R.M.A.
Pinnace—Mr. James Laurence, second master ; Mr. W.
D. M. Dalbin, navel cadet.
al Gig—Mr. J. G. O'Connell, master's assistant.
2d. Cutter—Mr. Augustus Jacob, naval cadet.
Valorous' Boats at Uleaborg and Tomes,.
Ist Launch—Lieutenant C. B. C. Dent; Lieutenant W.
S. Davis, R.M.A.
Pinnace—Mr. R. F. Broadrick, mate.
Ist Cutter—Mr. M. A. S. Hare, midshipman.
-Ist Gig—Mr. J. R. Trefusis, naval cadet ; Mr. W. Ray
(M.D.) assistant-surgeon.
2d Gig—Mr. J. Bailey, cadet.

Vulture's Boats, at Brahestad and Uleaborg.
lit Launch—Lieut. C. Wise ; Mr. N. J. Morphy, mate.
Barge—Mr. C. F. Hill, mate ; Mr. Chapman, master's.
assistant.

Cutter—Mr. C. P. Fortescue, midshipman.
Gig—Mr. J. V. D. Butler, navel cadet; Mr. George
Duncan, assistant-surgeon.
Odin's Boats at Brahestad and Uleaborg.
lst Launch—Lieut. W. Mould ; Mr. C. F. Montague,
mate ; Lieut. A. 0. Lewis, R.M.A.
Pinnace—Lieut. Carrington; Mr. Long, acting second
master.

Barge—Lieut. J. H. B. Fellowes.
Cutter—Mr. Henry Althorpe, midshipman.
Ist Gig—Mr. C. Rice, naval cadet.
' 2d Gig—Mr. H. Salmond, naval cadet ; Mr. J. C. Ha-
milton, assistant-surgeon.
From the hindrances the squadron have encountered in
this service, it has spread over a greater space of time than
lat first contemplated ; the intricacies of the ice, naviga-
tion, innumerable rocks, shoals, and the imperfect state of
the charts as to the soundings on the Russian side of the
Gulf, together with the difficulties we experienced in dis-
entangling the squadron, up to the 30th May, from the
floes and fields of ice (of which we saw the last this morn-
ing), could not be surmounted in less time, or with less
vigilance, by the officers in command, and that of the cap-
tain of my flag-ship, together with the constant perse-
verance and zeal evinced by Mr. George B. F. Swain, the
master of the Leopard ; which ship I may here observe, to
the credit of these two officers, has !Aid ,the squadron from
leaving•the Aland Islands.

I fee-1
it incumbent on me to notice how sensibly I feel
the zealous co-operation of Captains Buckle, Giffard,
Glasse, and Scott, as well as the good arrangements of their
ships' boats for service.
The letters from No. 3 to 6, show the names of the seve-
ral lieutenants and boats commanded by Lieutenant B. P.
Priest, of this ship, and seconded by my flag-lieutenant,
L. U. Hammet. To them and the other officers, those
subordinate, the seamen, marines, and their lieutenants
(Davis, Lewis, and. Thelwall), my thanks are fully due.
Any credit that may arise from such extensive damage
having been executed, will, I trust, pardon me for thus
bringing to your special notice the name of that steady,
old, and deserving officer, Lieutenant B. Priest, who held
the boat command from Brahestad to Uleaborg and Tornea.
I cannot refrain from again reverting to the ability and
exertions of Captain George Giffard, feeling as I do that
it is my duty to take this opportunity of bringing some of
his merits before you.—l have, &c.
(Signed) HANWAY PLUMRIDGE, Rear-Admiral.
Return of Enemy's Property destroyed at Brahestad, Illea.-
borg, and on the Kemi River, near Tornea, between the
30th May and Bth Juno, 1854.
Hsr Majesty's ship Leopard, June 9.
Burnt afloat and on shore, and totally destroyed :
Brahestad, May 30.
1 brig, 250 tons, under repair and empty.
1 barque, 450 tons, just launched and empty.
1 topsail schooner, 140 tons,
2F. and A. schooners, 60 to 80 tons, in ballast,
5 sloops, 60 to 80 tons,
4 large vessels, building, 300 to 509 tons.
Naval Stores destroyed :

About 23,00 barrels of pitch, tai., and oil.
A. large quantity of timber, spars, plank, and materials
for ship Ibuilding.
Three building yards, with workshops and storehouses.

Off tileaborg, June 1.
3 Fchooners, 60 to 170 tons, 1 empty and 2 laden with
tar, but burnt ; they sank in the gale of 2d June.
5 barques, 300 to 400 tons, building and nearly corn
plete.

June 1 and 2, 1854.
8 schooners, 50 to 150 toes, hauled up on share and pur
posely damaged.

Scuttled and purposely sunk :-
2 brigs, GOO tons, partially laden with tar.
1 brig, 400 tons, partially laden with tar.
1 brig, 350 tons, partially laden with tar.
1 cutter, 100 tons, contents not ascertained.
1 schooner, 150 tons, contents not ascertained.
1 brig, 300 tons, just launched and empty.
Ukovaryakka, June 1 and 2, 1854.
1 vessel, ready for launching, 201 feet long, about 1,203
tons.

1 vessel, in frame, not measured.
1 barque, 600 tons, empty, but scuttled.
Killonerusit, June 1 and 2, 1854.
1 schooner, 100 tons° laden with tar, purposely scuttled.
1 schooner, 70 tons, hauled up and fresh caulked.
3 schooners, 80 to 100 tons, empty.
Naval Stores destroyed :
Meaborg, June 1. and 2, 1854.
From 40 to 50,000 barrels of tar and pitch.
,000
a square yards of rough pitch.
A. vst number of stacks of timber, spars, planks,
doals, Ate.
A large number of storehouses, containing sails, rope,
and all kinds of stores.
Numerous workshops, with forges.
Several building yards, and a great extent of wharfage.
r-umi River, near Tornea, June 8, 1854.
1 schooner, of about 80 tons, empty.
80 stacks of timber.
destroyer and, at the lowest
damage to the extent of--
Being a total of46hav_sessanelfrserdeedt
estmate, the enemy
At
üßireaabheostrya
....
............... .
........ 36500.0000e)
3.5,000
Kemi River

.2380,000

(Signed) GEO. GIFFARD, Captain,

Sub-Enclosure No. 1, in Enclosure No. 1, in Sir Charles
Napier's Letter No. 151.
May 15, 1854.
Her Majesty's ship Valorous, at Sea,
Sir,—T have the honour to report to you that in conse-
quence of thick foggy weather, I did not reach Grissel-
hamn until noon of the 6th instant.
On landing to communicate, I found that the com-
mandant was absent at Stockholm, but the officer in com-
mand, Captain Billhery, very obligingly afforded me all the
information in his power through the interpretation
of Captain Fahnelyelm, the director of the electric tele-
graph, which was to be in operation in about a week.
No pelota for the Aland Islands could be obtained, and I
believe they are not permitted to serve in our ships of
war. The commandant observed that he believed there
were not more than 1,000 troops at Bomarsund, and that
300 of them had lately beau relieved by 500 from Russia ,
he did not appear to know anything about the gun-boats.
The only information I could obtain relative to the Aland
Islands was, that the inhabitants appeared to be well dis-
posed towards the English, and that they had declined
taking up arms to oppose ns. He was anxious to know
whether their Post-boat, Eckero, would be intercepted by
na, 1 replied it would not, unless it contained military
de'spatches to or from the Russian Government, but that
I-ebnsidered it advisable that a passport should be obtained
from the ClumMarlder-in-Chief, to 1)e produced when
boarded by cinizere.
2. I proceeded next morning in the direction of Wardo
Island and Bomarsund, but in the afternoon found myself
nsar some shoals, with ice on some of the patches ;
ameba antborod to hound, and a fog coAy oun on

which prevented my moving until noon on the fol-
lowing day. On standing to the southward, on the Bth
inst., towards Wardo Island, I observed a barque running
to the southward among the islands, and on my steering to
cut her off, she bore up. I therefore stood in cautously,
and finding a good channel close to some rocks and :mall
islands, I proceeded in, anchoring in 15 fathoms, with
Vulture in company, within a mile of the barque, in a
good harbour formed by the Island of Saggo and numerous
others. On sending the boats, the barque was found to be
aground and deserted, in a small cove. Aussian colours and.
a paper found on board proved her to be the Princess ofUlea-
borg, of 346 tons, with a cargo of salt (part having been
landed), from St. 'nes, bound to Abo. Observing a boat
pulling away from her, I sent a gig which brought
her back, with the master, mate, and three men, the
ship's papers, and their private effects. I have sent her
to Faro, with a prize crew of eleven men from the Valorous
and Vulture, in charge of the second master of this ship.
consisting of half a dozen cottages, was de-
The village,
warted, with the exception of an old woman. I left a paper
in the largest house, on which I caused the master of the
captured vessel to state that the English would not molest
them, or touch their property, but would pay for anything
they had to dispose of, and this was likewise explained to
the woman. We also found a cutter of about 35 tons, de-
serted and empty, called the Alfred, which the master of
the Princess said was a revenue vessel. The barque having
been got afloat and brought out during the night, I started
the following afternoon with the Vulture, towing the
barque, and the cutter not being worth removing I di-
rected her to be burnt.

3. While casting the anchor, three or four cables'
length froni where we had been lying, the ship touched
on a sunken rock. _ _

4. The prize parted company in the evening, and I
proceeded with the Vulture in the direction of Bomar-
sund. The master of the Princess stated that he had been
three weeks at Marsund, and that the Russians had 500
troops there and 1500 at different parts among the islands,
but principally at Bomarsund. Some, he said, were in
the vicinity of the spot at which we had captured his
vessel, and several watch-fires which were kept up during
the night on the adjoining hills, which are rocky and
covered with pine-trees, supported the assertion, though
we saw none.

Next morning, the Vulture in company, I pro-
ceedBd in the direction of Bomarsund, but found
the channels very intricate between the innume-
rable small islands and rocks, which did not cor-
respond with any of the charts, and which appear to be
far from correct. Having no pilot, I proceeded cautiously
by the eye and lead, the water being perfectly smooth.
About two p.m. I observed a part of the works of Bomar-
sund, which proved to be two casemated batteries, one
of which appeared to have double loop holes below, and
both with embrasures on the summit, with chimneys ap-
pearing between them, a sketch of which, as I observed it
to be from our mastheads, was taken by Mr. Broadrick,
mate, is enclosed herewith ' • the distance was about 5 miles
from Bomarsund. I was led there by observing the mast-
heads of several vessels over the land. In standing cau-
tiously towards them the ship touched the ground
once, but I succeeded in anchoring, in company
with the Vulture, about a mile from the vessels.
We made out six or seven, and I sent in seven
boats from the two ships ; they found them de-
serted, six being small schooners, and the other was a
brigantine—all empty and scarcely of any value. The
boats brought out the brigantine and two schooners ; the
latter had the appearance of being fitted for gun-boats, I
therefore burnt them. The others were apparently un-
seaworthy, except the brigantine ; but as she was very
badly found, and not fit for a voyaorerge to E
lengland, and be-
longing apparently to the po peop of the place,
whose good-will I consider it advisable to gain, I left her
untouched. The lights of Bomarsund 'were visible above
the trees of the adjoining island from the masthead; and,
with the assistance of a glass, the sketch was accurately
made.
We started next morning without meeting with any op-
position, only a few of the people of the village being seen
at a distance. The channels between the innumerable
rocks and islands are intricate, and so different from the
positions on the charts, that I considered it unsafe to pro-
ceed further south than Wardo without a pilot, nor could
I find the channel track by which I entered; fortunately,
the water was very smooth and clear, and the rocks bold,
so that I could steer through them by the eye and lead,
which generally indicated the approach to shoal water.
5. On the 12th instant I met the Odin, and received the
rendezvous from her, since which I have been drawn away
to the N.W. by'chasing several vessels which proved to be
Swedes and Norwegians.—l have, &c.,_
(Signed) C. H. BUCKLE, Captain.
Rear-Admiral J. H. Plurnridge.

Sub-Inclosure
_No. 2, in Enclosure No. 1, in Sir Charles
Napier's Letter No. 151.
Her Majesty's ship Leopard,
off Uleo.bOrg June 1, 1854.

Sir,—l have the honour to forward the enclosed report,
from Lieutenant Benjamin P. Priest (senior lieutenant of
this ship), of the operations of the boats of the squadron
under his command, sent into Brahestad harbour on the
30th ultimo ; and have great pleasure in reporting he
very good conduct of every officer and man employed ;
the boats having been away up wards of seven hours, im-
mediately after clearing the ice in which the squadron
had been blocked up for the previous twenty-four hours.

Lieutenant Priest deserves credit for the able manner
he conducted the operations, and I beg leave to bring his
services under your notice.—l have, &c.
GEORGE GIFFARD, Captain.
Rear-Admiral J. Hanway Plumridge. ,

Her Majesty's ship Leopard, off Brahestad,
May 30, 1854.
_ _. .

Sir,—ln obedience to yourorders, I this afternoon pro-
ceeded with detachments of boats from Her Majesty's
steam-frigates, Leopard, Vulture, and Odin, into the har-
bour of Brahestad, where I%damaged enemy's property as
follows :
BURNT ON SHORE AND TOTALLY DESTROYED, VIZ. :

fourlorge vessels, building and nearly complete on the
stocks, the largest being abdut 500 tons burden and pierced
for six guns.
Three detached stores of timber, fit for building ships
of large scantling.
Two detached storehouses, containing some thousand
barrels of pitch, tar, and oil, a large number of them
marked with the Imperial crown.
Burnt afloat and totally destroyed.

1 barque just launched, not masted, about 450 tons
burden.
1 brig under repair.
1 topsail schooner.
2 fore and aft schooners.
5 sloops.
All in ballast.

As the inhabitants yielded immediately to our force, I
was very careful not to damage the private houses ; at the
same time I satisfied myself, by personal inspection, that
there was no contraband of war within those storehouses,
which were situated in the immediate vicinity of and in-
side the town, which I aid not destroy.
Two large stores, on the outskirts of the town, were found
to contain flour ; these were not destroyed, as I had reason
for supposing it to be private property.
All the officers placed under my orders vied with me in
preventing unnecessary alarm to the inhabitants ; and I
feel it to be my duty to report the alacrity, great steadi-
ness, and good conduct shown by all the officers and sea-
men employed on this service. .
It is almost superfluous to add that the royal marines
under Lieutenant Thelwall, R.M.A., showed their admi-
rable discipline.—l have, &c.,
(Signed) BENJ. P. PRIEST,
Senior and Gunnery Lieut.
Captain Gifford, H.M.S. Leopard.