Vol. IV.— No. 87.] 
Saturday, August 26, 1854. 
[Gratis. 
THE FIELD^OF WAR. 
OUR WOODEN WALLS. 
THE BALTIC FLEET. 
THE CAPTURE OF BOMARSUND. 
( From tht London G turtle of Tutidag Night L ) 
OFFICIAL DESPATCHES.— Admiralty, August 21. 
Despatches, of which the following are copies, have been 
received from Vice-Admiral Sir Charles Napier, K.C.B., 
Commander-in-Chief of her Majesty's ships and vessels in the 
Baltic : — 
CAPTURE OF TWO TOWERS AT BOMARSUND 
No. 854. ' Bulldog, off Bomarsund, Aug. 16, 1854. 
Sir, — 1. At four o'clock in the morning of the 13th inst. 
the French battery, of four 16-pounders and four mortars, 
opened a splendid fire on the western tower, which commands 
the fortress of Bomarsund and the anchorage ; a white flag 
was displayed in the afternoon, which led to nothing ; but 
on the morning of the 14tli the tower was surprised by the 
Chasseurs. General Jones's battery of 32-pounders was 
finished in the night, and ready to open ; but, not being 
wanted, was turned against the eastern tower, and on the 
morning of the 15th he opened 
his fire. The battery was manned 
by seamen and marine artillery 
from the Edinburgh, Hogue, Ajax, 
and Blenheim, under the direction 
of Captain Ramsay, of the Hogue, 
assisted by Commander Preedy, 
Lieutenant Somerset, of the Duke 
of Wellington, and the officers 
named in the margin ;* their fire 
was beautiful. 
2. At six p.m. one side was 
knocked in, and the tower sur- 
rendered. 
In the attack on the western 
tower the Chasseurs, with Minid 
rifles, were employed so success- 
fully, that it was difficult for the 
enemy to load their guns. In the 
attack on the eastern tower we 
had no Chasseurs, and they were 
enabled to load their guns with 
more facility. 
3. Our loss has been trifling, 
one man killed and one wounded ; 
but I have to lament the death of 
the Hon. Lieut. Cameron Wrot- 
tesley, R.E., who was mortally 
wounded by a cannon ball, and 
died in twenty minutes after he 
had been Bent to the Belleisle. 
4. The enemy had six men 
killed, seven wounded, and 125 
were taken prisoners. I have sent 
the latter to the Termagant. 
5. The loss of the French at 
the western tower was also trifling. 
6. Both batteries were admir- 
ably constructed and admirably 
fought, which accounts for the 
small loss. General Jones speaks 
in high terms of the conduct of 
the seamen and marine artillery, 
and the precision of their fire. 
7. During the time the opera- 
tions were going on, General Ba- 
raguay d’Hilliera was employed in 
establishing his breaching bat- 
teries against the great fortress, 
and the French and English 
steamers Asmodde, Phlegethon, 
Darien, Arrogant, Amphion, Va- 
lorous, Driver, Bulldog, and Hecla, 
supported by Trident (bearing 
the flag of Rear-Admiral Penau), 
Duperr^, Edinburgh, and Ajax, 
kept up a well-directed fire from 
their shell guns, and very much 
damaged the fortress ; whilst Cap- 
tain the Hon. F. T. Pelham, of the 
Blenheim, kept up a beautiful fire 
from a ten-inch gun, landed in 
the battery we had driven the 
enemy out of a few days before. 
His position was one of great dan- 
ger, but the battery was put in 
good order by Captain 
intricacy of tho navigation, will prevent ships approaching 
tho main fortress so near as could bo wished ; but when tho 
batteries are established, acting in the rear of tho fort, and 
supported by the shell guns in front, it cannot hold out 
more than a few hours. 
9. I have put off to the last moment the departure of tho 
mail, but I shall send an extra courier tho moment the fort 
surrenders. 
10. Tho western tower was fired either by accident or de- 
sign, I do not know which, and blow up at 11 a.m. yesterday. 
11. I am sorry to add that Lieutenant Cowell, Royal En- 
gineers, aide-de-camp to Brigadier-General Jones, was unfor- 
tunately wounded in the leg by the accidental discharge of 
his pistol. He is now on board the Belleisle, doing well, but 
the loss of his services is much to be regretted. — I have, &c., 
(Signed) Coas. NAPiEn, 
Vice-Admiral and Commander-in-Chief. 
The Secretary of the Admiralty. 
P.S. — A return of the whole of the force landed, and of 
casualties, will be forwarded by tho next opportunity, 
together with an inventory of stores and list of prisoners. 
SURRENDER OF BOMARSUND. 
No. 355. Bulldog, off Bomarsund, August 16, 1854. 
Sir, — In continuation of my despatch of this date, I beg 
you will inform their lordships that, after seuding away the 
such 
THE CAPTURE OF BOMARSUND. 
6.— Edinburgh, 60 . 
6. — Sphynx, English Stecmcr. 
! Captnred Mud Fort. 
1-i. — ' Termagant. 
16.— French Two-Decker. 
16. — French Screw Frigate. 
17. — Amphion. English Frigate. 
18. — Russian Fort, mounting between seventy and eighty guns. 
19. — Martello Towers, about twenty guns, and commanding great 
fortress. 
21. — Penelope, on shore. 
22. — Hecla. j Assisting to get her off, with little Pigmy and boats 
23. — Gladiator. ( of the squadron. 
Among the vessels in the right corner of the Plan ore the Bulldog, two French I.iners, and Merchant Ships. 
3. After I had lauded I waa joined by tho Fronch admiral 
and the Commaudor-in-Chief of tho army ; tho prisoner* 
(about 2,000 I bolievo) wore marched out and ombarkod in 
steamers, and prooeedod to Ledsund, to Commodore tha 
Hon. Frederick Groy, who will conduct thorn to the Down* 
to await further orders. 
4. I beg to congratulate their lordships on the fall of this 
important fortress, which will bo followed by the submission 
of tho Garden of Islands, with so small a loss ; and I au» 
happy to say the greatest cordiality has subsisted botwoen 
tho Fronch general and ndmiral and myself, os well u 
between tho soldiers and sailors of tho two nations. 
5. As soon as I can collect a list of the stores captured, it 
shall bo forwarded to their lordships, and a commissary has 
been named for that purpoBo. 
6. This despatch will bo delivered by my flag-lieutenant 
(Lieutenant John de Courcoy Agnow), whom I beg to roconx* 
mend to their lordships for promotion. — I havo, &c., 
(Signed) Charles Napiku, 
Vico- Admiral and Commander-in-Chief. 
To the Secretary of tho Admiralty. 
Bulldog, off Bomarsund, August 11, 1854. 
Sir, — I am sorry to inform their lordships that tho roue- 
lope, in going through between Presto and Tofto to watch the 
passage, unfortunately ran ashoro on an uuknown rock off 
Bomarsund. Tho onomy soon dis- 
covered lior position, and opened 
fire u|>ou her. Tho Gladiator and 
tho Pigmy, who wore at tho other 
end of tho passage, immediately 
came to her assistance, and the 
French Admiral sent boats from 
the Trident and Duperrd. The 
boats of Rear-Admiral Chads' 
squadron wore unfortunately on 
shore, and their crows engaged 
in the operations of dragging up 
guns to Goneral Jones's batteries. 
2. Tho Hecla (Captain W. H. 
Hall) had just arrivod with Rear- 
Admiral Plumridge, and I sent 
her down also to render assistance. 
Captain Hall, with his usual skill 
and activity, assisted by tho Gla- 
diator, immediately took hold of 
tho Peuolopo, and endeavoured to 
tow her off, but she was im- 
movable. 
3. Seeing tho onomy had got 
her rango, and were frequently 
hulling her, as well as the Hecla, 
I sent Admiral Plumridge down 
with orders if sho could not be 
moved, to throw the guns over- 
board, and otherwise lighten her, 
which ho did, and she fortunately 
floated. I hope their lordships 
will seo that, under the circum- 
stances, I was justified in ordering 
her guns to be thrown overboard. 
The enemy had got her range a* 
well ua that of the other ships, 
and wore throwing shell and red- 
hot Bhot ; the shell foil short, but 
tho red-hot shot frequently hulled 
her. 
4. Iam very much obliged to 
Rear-Admiral Plumridge, and he 
speaks most highly of the great 
exertions and cool conduct of Cap- 
tains Hall, Caffin, and Broke, and 
of all tho officers and ships' com- 
panies (not forgetting Lieutenant 
James Hunt, of the Pigmy), under 
very trying circumstances. 
5. I am happy to say the loss 
has not been great, neither was 
the damage sustained very serious. 
I have the honour to bo, sir, your 
very obedient, humble servant, 
Cn arm's Napier, 
Vice-Admiral and Com.-in-Chief. 
7. — Ti-ansport. 
8. — Penelope, English Steamer. 
9. — Reine llortense, French Steamer and 
Empcror'a Yacht 
10. — Valorous, English Steamer. 
11. — French Steamer. 
12. — Stromboli, English Steamer. 
13. — Vulture. 
Pe J ha m? that the ,™ en were we H covered, and he had no loss. 1 mail, the fortress opened a heavy fire on Captain Pclham’B 
8. I he general s breaching batteries will be ready by to- battery, which had annoyed them much, and which he main- 
morrow, and they shall be well supported by the ships of .... 
the line of both nations and the steamers. The narrowness 
of the ground on which the general has established his breach- 
ing battery very much circumscribes the Space ; the greatest 
caution will be necessary to prevent firing on his troops, and 
The little 8 pace in the anchorage before Bomarsund, and the 
• H.M.S. Blenheim.— Lieut. F. A. Close; J. J. BaU, Master; L. Wildman, 
Actin'- * 1 - -* 
Acting Mate; Lieut. T. L. Ward; David' Orr, ' Acting' Mate; P. b! 
Nolleth, Brevet Major. R.M.; William Sanders, First Lieut., B.M.; 
H. Wade. Assistant Surgeon 
av A l U rn' n L- Saver. Captain, R.M.; Thomas Bent, First Lieut., 
L - C. Robinson. Mate. 
k H i° gn Dw Ch Y 1 £ s Smith - Mat °: M. Singer, Lieut., R.M.; Captain 
nL o r ^ C ', RM , : A . R Bradford, Surgeon. 
a T ;'™. bo '8 h -~} lc »'' G. F. Burgess; Captain Delacombe, B.M.; 
A. Tait, Lieut., R.M ; E. J. Giles, Passed Clerk. 
tained all yesterday and to-day; and it is wonderful how he 
and his men escaped. He had with him Lieutenant Cloae 
and Mr. Wildman, mate, of whom he speaks highly. Seeing 
his position, I immediately ordered the ships and steamers 
Edinburgh, Ajax, Arrogant, Amphion, Valorous, Sphynx, and 
Driver, who were within range with their ten-inch guns, as 
well as the French mortars on shore, which had been playing 
on them some time, to give them a shot and shell every five 
minutes ; and their fire was bo well directed that the enemy 
held out a flag of truce. 
2. I sent Captain Hall (of the Bulldog) on shore, who waa 
shortly joined by Admiral Parseval’s aide-de-camp, and two 
of General Baraguay d’Hilliere’ staff, and the troops in tho 
fortress agreed to lay down their arms and march out. 
LETTER FROM A CORRESPON- 
DENT. 
Admiral Sir C. Napier’s des- 
patches will give tho details of the 
fall of Bomarsund, to which I add 
a rough sketch, showing the posi- 
tion of tho ships, Ac. When the 
Penelope was aground, the boats 
from the Termagant soon boarded 
her to assist her off. Sho was going to join Admiral Plumridge, 
but keeping too close to tho right shore, stuck on a mud bank 
opposite tlie largest fortress of 72 guns. The barge’s crew of 
Termagant were among those who distinguished themselves 
in rendering aid. I hear that one of the officers in that boat, 
Mr. Alfred Marescaux, had a narrow escape or two. The 
third shot at Penelope cut a man near him in two, the some 
shot bounded into a boat alongside and killed u Frenchman. 
Another shot knocked over four hands on the quarter-deck, 
one of whom had bobbed, and thus lost his head ; and 
the next man waa cut in two, while Mr. M. was struck by a 
splinter, but not hurt. Iu twenty minutes thirty shot hulled 
the Penelope, hut she was got off safe amid tremendous 
cheering A red-hot shot Btruck within two feet ot her 
magazine. Had the shot not have been arrested, Penelope 
would have been blown up with all hands. 
