ALAXD THE BALTIC IN 1854. 185 



Xortike, was another, and the two effectually guarded 

 the entrance. The guns of Xortike also swept the 

 rear of the main work, and ranged partially over the 

 country beyond the ridge. The main work defended 

 the harbour, and was flanked by the south or Tsee 

 tower. The main road from Castelholm, which passed 

 to the right of the Tsee fort, was only partially com- 

 manded by it, and some broken rugged ground around 

 it afforded ready cover for an approach. This was 

 the weak point of the land defence, but it would soon 

 have been strengthened by the completion of an im- 

 mense pile of fortified buildings, which were to carry 

 on the line towards the sea. The plan was faulty 

 too, in respect that, though the fire of the forts could 

 be well and scientifically combined against an attack 

 by sea, it could not, from their detached position and 

 want of outworks, be concentrated on any one point 

 on the land side, and that therefore the forts were 

 exposed to be taken in detail Such was the position. 

 The works themselves were novelties in European 

 fortification, and demand a particular description, 

 which may, perhaps, be better given here than here- 

 after. The round towers were similar in construc- 

 tion, and differed little in size. With their red 

 granite fronts and fine smooth masonry, they pre- 

 sented a formidable appearance of solidity ; but as 

 usual with things Eussian, the outward semblance 

 was a sham. The granite was only two feet thick, 

 the rest all rubble and brick. The dimensions of 



