The Press. — 1854-07-01 (London, England)

CHAR. RAPIER."_ .  The Porcupine steamer, Lieutenant-Commander Jackson, has proceeded up the Gulf of Finland as far as the island of Storamiolo, whence the position of the enemy's ships in Helsingfors has been ascertained with tolerable accuracy. One of the principal entrances to the harbour of Helsingfors is through Gustaf Sound. Across this narrow passage, which is protected on its western side by the powerful fort of Gustafsvard, a Russian three-decker is moored head and stern. Inside the islands of Bak Holmen and Kungs Holmen, which form a breakwater to the harbour, several of the enemy's line-of battle ships are at anchor, under shelter of the various batteries of which Fort Sveaborg is composed. At M ioloroad, m a south-easterly direction from Sveaborg, and about two miles distant from it, there is a good anchorage. Here, it is said, a position may be taken whence the English fleet may throw shell over the islands of Bak Holmen and Kungs Holmen into the ships of the enemy, without being materially damaged either by the shot from the batteries afloat or ashore. Further accounts have been received of the disaster at Gamla (old) Karleby, which appears to have been owing to a surprise. Gerais. Karleby is a considerable distance inland, and the boats of the Vulture and Odin were sent up the river. No opposition was made to their advance, and they proceeded with a flag of truce flying, until they were hailed from a small island placed in about the middle of the stream. Here they were given to understand by the Russians that their further progress would be opposed. Not heeding the threat, which they did not believe that the Russians had any power to enforce, they hauled down the flag of truce, and commenced sounding, advancing at the same time higher up the stream. While thus occupied, and in mistaken security, they were suddenly assailed by a storm of balls and bullets and shells, which, at one murderous discharge, killed Lieut. Carrington and Mr. Montague, and wounded at the same time eleven seamen. Lieutenant West, of the Vulture, who commanded the party, was compelled to commence a retreat, which for nearly an hour exposed the survivors to a pelting fire from the Russian horse artillery and riflemen. The Vulture's paddle-boat, in charge of Mr. Murphy, mate, got aground, was struck by a shell and capsized, and Mr. Murphy and 27 men were left with her. The ships were five miles distance from the scene, and could not send reinforcements until much too late to retrieve the disaster.  The Dauntless steam ship, which had been engaged for ten weeks upon a most trying service in advance of the squadron, in reconnoitring the Russian fleet, taking soundings, &c., has returned to England to repair considerable damages sustained by her machinery. Cruising frequently within from a mile and a half to two miles of the batteries of Sveaborg, the Russian officers and soldiers could be clearly seen at their guns when the officers of the Dauntless were quietly taking the soundings and sketches of the batteries, ships, dockyard, town, &c., some of which make a perfect panorama of the entire forts, town, and coast, along which she has sailed.  The Moniteur announces that orders have been sent to the commanders of the allied squadron in the White Sea to establish, from the Ist of August next, an effective blockade of the Russian ports in those waters. This blockade has been deferred till that period in order to give time to the commercial interest to finish the operations which it might have commenced in good faith before the declaration of war.  Rear-Admiral Sir James Stirling, commanding the squadron on the East Indian station, left Singapore for China in his flag ship the Barracouta, immediately on the arrival of the English mail of March