Star.
London, England, 1808-09-21 00:00:00

FROM LAST NIGHT'S cAitTTE.

-ADMiIiALTY•OPFICE, SEPTEMBER 20.
Cory of a i.etto from Viee.Adtniral Sir Janie, Sanmarez, K. B.
C Nrr tn.lader In Chief of his Majesty'sßhips and Vessels in the-
bai.tc, to the Hon. W. W. Pole. -

Victory, off Rogerriviet, Aunst
Sir—You will please to inform the Lords Commis-
sionims of the Admiralty,of my arriving off Oro yester-
day eveninrf, pursuant to my intOntion s to effect a j unc.
lion with the Swedish fleet, which I had received an
account from Rear-Admiral Nauckhoff was block.

tided by the Russian fleet, consisting of thirteen sail
of line-of-battle ships, besides frigates. It was not
before this morning that I was informed by the Com-
mander of the Swedish frigate Champan, that the
Rear-Admiral Nauckhoff, after being jo►ned by Sir
Samuel Hood in the Centaur, and Implacable, had
sailed from Oro Road on the 25th, in pursuit of the
Russian fleet ; and on The day following had succeed-
ed in capturing and destroying the R.ussian line-of-
battle ship Sewolod, off Rogerswick, and in which
port the remainder of the enemy's ships had been
compelled to shelter themselves. I immediately made
sail for Rogerswick, where I arrived this afternoon,
and had the satisfaction to find the Swedish fleet, with

tie Centaur and Implacable at anchor, watching the
Russian force in the harbour.
1 inclose to you, for their Lordships' information,
the duplicate of a letter which I have had the pleasure
to receive from Rear-Admiral Sir Samuel Hood, de-

tailing the account of his proceedings with his Majes-*
rty,s ships under his orders, and the squadron of his
Swedish lvlajesty, under Rear-Admiral NauckhofF,
land <<f the meritorious conduct of Captain Martin, of
the Implacable, in bringing the enemy's sternmost
ship to action, and whica struck her, colours to the
`lmplacable,
but was afterwards rescued by the ap-
proach of the enemy's Whole force, which had oblig-
ed Sir Samuel Hood to recal her. I also inclose a

copy of a letter from Captain Martin to the Rear-
Admiral, in which he gives due credit to Lieutenant
Baldwin and Mr. Moore, the Master, and the other
officers and men of the Implacable.
The Russian Admiral having sent a frigate to take
the disabled ship in tow, she was again attacked by
the Implacable, and the Centaur laying her on board
in the most gallant manner ; and by the exertions of
Captain Webley and Lieutenant Lawless, and Mr.
Strode, Master of the Centaur, her bowsprit was
lashed to that ship, and there was every prospect of
her being got off; but she having unfortunately
grounded, rendered it impossible, and she was set on
fire, after the prisoners and wounded men were taken
from her.

Too much praise cannot be bestowed on Rear- 1
Admiral Sir Samuel Hood, for the gallantry he dis-
played with the two ships under his orders in his pur-
suit of the enemy's fleet, when the bad sailing of the
squadron of his Majesty's ally prevented their coming
up with them, and bringing on a general action.—
The brave and highly meritorious exertions of Cap-
tain Martin and Captain Webley, with the Officers
and men under their orders, entitled them to the
highest commendation in my power to bestow, and
excited the amazement and admiration of the gallant
Swedes who witnessed their heroic bravery and per-
,severance. _ _ _

The present position of the Russian fleet within the
batteries at the entrance of the harbour, leave but
slender hopes of their being attacked with any pro-
bability of success. Admiral Nauckhoff has requested
a body of land-forces to be sent from Finland; with a
view of taking possession of the island of East Raga,
which would effectually command the harbour; but
as the enemy have been occupied in placing it in the
best state of defence, it is very doubtful it a_ descent
upon the island could be effected. I be to assure
their Lordships, that every endeavour will be prac-
tised with the force under my orders, jointly with the
Swedish squadron, that can tend to the further de-
feat of the enemy.
I propose to detach a small squadron, under the
orders of Captain Martin, towards Cronstadt ; and I
shall order the Africa to repair to her station off the
Malmo Channel, calling off Carlscrona for the con-
voy appointed to sail from that port for England.*
I am, Sir, &c. (Signed) JAMES SAUMAREZ.
Cenr.ur, off Rogerswick, August 27.
Sir—lt is with pleasure I acquaint you the Russian
squadron, under the command of vice-Admiral Ha-
nickhoff, after being chased thirty-four hours by his
Swedish Majesty's squadron, under Rear-Admiral.
Nauckhoff, accompanied by this ship and the Impla-
cable, under my orders, have been forced to take
shelter in the port of Rogerswick, with the loss of
one ship of 74 guns. I shall have great satisfaction
in detailing to you the services of the Captains, Offi-
cers, seamen and marines under my command ; and
have also to state, that in no instance have I seen
more energy displayed than that by his Swedish Ma.
jesty's squadron, which, although from the inferiority
of their sailing they were prevented from getting into
action, Rear-Admiral Nauckhoff and the Captains
under his command, from their perseverance and ju-
dicious conduct, were enabled to give confidence to
his Majesty's ships ; and could we have forced the
enemy to a general action, the whole of their squa-
dron must have fallen to the superior bravery of the,
united force of our respective Sovereigns, in so just
and honourable a cause.
My letter of the '2sth will have acquainted you of
the Russian squadron having appeared off Oro Road
en the 23d. The arrangements for quitting that
anchorage after his Swedish Majesty's ships from
Jungfar Sound had joined Rear Admiral Nauckhoff,
were completed on the evening of the 24th. Early
the next morning the whole force put to sea ; soon
after the Russian fleet was discovered off Hango
the wind at N.E. Not a moment was lost in giving
pursuit, and every sail pri.ssed by his Pswedish Majes-
ty's squadron. From the superior sailing of the Cen-
taur and Implacable, they were soon in advance :
that at the close ofihe evening the enemy were not far
off, and noticed in the greatest disorder, apparently
to avoid a general battle. In the morning of the Wel,
about five o'clock, the Implacable was abled to
bring the leewardmost of the enemy's line 'U. battle
ships to close action, in a most brave and gallant
manner ; and so decided and judicious wi.s this ma-
neuvre executed, that the Russian Admiral, who,
bore up with the whole of his force, could not prevent
that marked superiority of discipline and seamanship
being eminently distinguished, Although the enemy's
ship fought with the greatest bravery, she was silenced
in about twenty minutes; and only the near approach

or the enemy's whole fleet could have prevewei Ler
then falling, her colours and pendant bcinghoth o
but I was obliged to make the signal for tli Irtpla-
cable to close me. Captain Martin's letter, stating
the brave and gallant conduct of Lieutenant Bald-
'win, his other officers and men, I sent hi re a'ith ;
, and it would be needless for me to add more to von
on their meritorious conduct. If words of miae could
enhance the merit of this brave, wir.hy, and excellent
officer, Captain Martin, I could do it with the utmost
heartfelt gratification ; and the high esteem I have
for him as an officer and a friend, no halt...age. can
sufficiently express.
The Russian Admiral having sent a frimce to tow
the disabled ship, again hauled his wind, and the Im•
placable being :-cady tx., make sail, I immetilately gave
chace, and sooa obliged the frigate to cast eiTher tow,
when the Russian Admiral again under the ne-
cesity to support her by several ci his line of battle
ships bearing down ; and I had evert- prApect of this
bringing on a general action, to avoid r.:.ich he avail.
ed himself of a favourable slant of wind, and entered

the port of Rogersv, ick.
The line of battle ship engaged by the Implacable
having fill 211 to leeward, grounded on a shoal just at
the entrance claw port : there being then some swell,
I had a hope she must have bcca destroyed ; but the
wind moderating towards tile evening, she appeared
to ride at her anchor, and exertions made to repair

her damage. At sunset, finding the swell abated, and
boats sent from the Russian fleet to tow her into port,
I directed Captain Wcbley to stand in and endeavour
to cut her off : this was executed in a manner that

must ever reflect the highest honour on Captain Web-
ley, the officers, and ship's company of the Centaur,
for their valour and perseverance in the support of
my orders. The boats had made a considerable pro-
gress, and the enemy's ship was just entering the port
when we had the good fortune to lay her on board ;
her bowsprit taking the Centaur's fore rigging, she
swept along with her bow grazing the muzzles of our
guns, which was the only signal for their discharge,
and the enemy's bows were drove in by this raking
fire ; when the bowsprit came to the mizen rigging,
I ordered it to be lashed : this was performed in a
most steady manner by the exertions of Capt. Web-
ley, Lieut. Lawless, Mr. Strode the Master, and other
brave men, under a very heavy fire from the enemy's
musketry, by which, I am sorry to add, Lieutenant
Lawless is severely wounded. The ship being in six
fathoms water, I had a hope I should have been able
to havt towed her out in that position, but an anchor
had been let go from her unknown to us, which made
it impossible to effect it. At this period much va-
lour was displayed on both sides, and several attempts
made to board by her bowsprit ; but nothing could
withstand the cool and determined fire of the marines
under. Captain Bayley and the other officers, as well
as the fire from our stern chase guns, and in less than
half an hour she was obliged to surrender. On this
occasion, I again received the greatest aid from Cap.
min Martin, who anchored his ship in a position to
heave the Centaur off, after she and the prize had
grounded, which was fortunately effected at the mo-
ment two of the enemy's ships were seen under sail
standing towards us, but retreated as they saw the
ships extricated from this difficulty.
The prize proved to be the Sewolod, of 74 guns,
Captain Roodneff ; she had so much water in her,
and being fast on shore, after taking out the prisoners
and wounded men, I was obliged to give orders for
her being burnt ; which service was completely ef-
fected under the direction of Lieutenant Bidduiph, of
this ship, by seven o'clock in the morning.
I cannot speak too highly of the brave and gallant
conduct of Captain Webley, and every officer and man
under his command ; and I beg leave to recommend
to you;for the notice of the Lords Commissioners of
the Admiralty, Lieutenant Lawless, for his exertions
and gallant conduct, and who has severely suffered
on this occasion ; and I also must*beg leave to re-
commend Lieutenant William ease, the Senior Offi-
cer of this ship.
Herewith you will receive a list of the killed and
wounded on board this ship and the Implacable, and
from every information that it was possible to collect,
that of the enemy's ship captured. I have the ho.
nour to be, &c. (Signed) SAM. HoOD.
P. S. I . send herewith a list of the Swedish and
Russian squadrons.
His Majesty's ship Implacable, off Packerort
Light Howse, Aug. 26, 1809.
Sin—The action. this morning between the Impla-
cable and the rear ship of the Russian line, was so
immediately under your own observation, that it
would be superfluous to trouble you with any state-
ment upon that point ; but in transmitting a list of
killed and wounded, I trust I may be allowed the op-
portunity to express ply thankfulness to the Officers
and ship's company of the Implacable, fortheir eager
and active exertions to close with the enemy, and the
truly noble and splendid conduct which they displayed
during the engagement ; but it is my duty to acknow-
ledge, in a more particular manner, the great assist-
ance I derived from Mr. Baldwin, the hrst Lieute-
nant, and Mr. Moore, the Master ; and if the fact of
our opponent being completely silenced, and his co-
lours, (both ensign and pendant) down, when the
approach of the whole Russian fleet occasioned your
recalling me, can tend to make the affair worthy of
being distinguished by any mark of approval from the
Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, it is impos-
sible their patronage can be bestowed upon a more
thoroughly deserving officer than Mr. Baldwin.
(Signed) T. B. MARTINI.
To Sir Samuel Hood, K B. Kc:ar-Admiral
of the White, ice. &c. &c.
A return of the men and Wounded on board Ilk. Majesty's
ship Centaur, August 26.
Killed—P. Jackson, landman; 11. Brass, private of marines;
J. I-iwksford, ditto.

WOUNDTD.

Officers—Mr. P. Lav,-Ic4q, l'int I .itutenaot, severely; Mr.
Morton, boatswain, badly n the thigh and breast.
Petty Officer—J. Robinson (1) yeoman of the sheets, slightly
on the back awl r-rat.

.—..... .
Seamen—T. Moxt,7, quarter-gunner, badly in the belly; I.
11.icalen, kaptain of the forecastle, severely on the leg; J. Daniels,
ordinary, severely on the arms R. Strangrarn, ditto, severely on
the arm and breast ; J. Kenny, titto, slightly on the face andarm;
T. M'Dettale, 'ditto, severely • A. Honey, ditto, slightly on the
thigh; J. Conway, ditto, badly on the head ;J. 'Jerks, ditto,
slightly cn tha kg; O'Britn, ditto, slightly on the hand ;T.
But, lartintan, slightly; M. Citatory, ditto, slightly on the kg ;
R. Vt,'llliams, (Lite. si:ghtly tin the thigh; I. Hudson, ditto, slightly
on the neck ; E. Pletcher, ditto; slightly on the buttock; J. Smith,
ditto, slightly on the hand.
Marines—J. Shores, private, badly on the aria; W. istiKess
ditto, badly or. both thighs; J. Gumbleton, din% dingo-
rously ; S. Leach, dittoooverely on the leg )..B...Giloert.
. [lora over.

M

ghtl •; J) hl'Acsnal.! o, slightly of tbe leg; . Ga,n ,r,
& to, sghtly on the head; W. M'Cormick, ditto, slightly on the
b.:14.-1 utak-3 killed and 47 wounded
(Signed) W. H. Weimer, Captain.
A at of Men killed and wounded on board his Majesty's ship