Memoirs and Correspondence of Admiral Lord de Saumarez Volume II Part 11

[Ill.u.s.tration: Harbour of Rogerwick, showing the positions of the English, Swedish, and Russian fleets.]

Sir Samuel Hood, the Swedish Admiral and captain of the fleet, now came on board; what occurred at this consultation is only known to themselves. Subsequently, Sir James went on board the Rose; but it was then too late to reconnoitre the enemy. Next day (31st August) was spent also in consultation; and on the 1st of September the Victory and Goliath got under weigh, and stood in to the entrance of the harbour; and, having silenced a battery on the west side with one broadside, the Admiral had, for the first time, a good view of the position of the enemy's fleet, and was convinced that they might have been attacked. He immediately made known his determination to attack them on the following day, and orders were accordingly issued to that effect; the Author was sent on board the Swedish Admiral's s.h.i.+p, not only with these orders, but to remain on board to explain signals, and a.s.sist in bringing the Swedish fleet into action. Captain Martin, of the Implacable, was appointed acting captain of the fleet, and Captain Pipon succeeded him.

In the mean time, the Russians sent on board an officer with a flag of truce, on pretence of treating for exchange of prisoners: when he came on board the Victory, he addressed Capt. Dumaresq in the French language, saying that he did not understand English. Soon after which, the Author, happening to come on deck, recognised in this officer Mr. Skripeetzen, his old s.h.i.+pmate on board the Penelope; where he had been two years a signal mids.h.i.+pman; and, before that, as many on board the Leviathan. Of course he could speak and understand English perfectly, and he had actually his signal-book in his pocket.

This discovery afforded no small amus.e.m.e.nt. It was now evident that he came on board to make _useful observations_, and his object was completely obtained. The officers took him below, and showed him the s.h.i.+p clear for action, each deck having a thousand extra shot added to the usual number; on some of which the sailors had been exercising their wit by writing in chalk, "Post-paid"; "Free, George Canning";[6]--jokes which Mr. Skripeetzen did not seem to relish; and he quitted the s.h.i.+p evidently confused and mortified.

[6] The lamented Mr. Canning was then secretary of state for foreign affairs; and it was a seaman of the Victory of the same name that _franked_ the shot: sailors having an idea that to stop a letter post-paid, or franked, is _death by the law_.

The hopes of the Admiral and his officers were now raised to the highest pitch; every preparation had been made, and the dawn of day of the 2nd September was waited for with anxious expectation. The wind, which in the evening had been favourable for the enterprise, unfortunately veered to the southward before day-break; and, as it was directly against going in, an attack was impossible. As this hard-hearted gale continued for eight days, all hopes of being able to attack the enemy vanished.

The enemy in the mean time moored his s.h.i.+ps in a compact line, with booms moored outside; and, having marched six thousand troops from Revel, threw up strong batteries on each side, so that his position was soon rendered impregnable.

Sir James now sent, by a flag of truce, the following letter to the Emperor Alexander:

His Britannic Majesty's s.h.i.+p Victory, off Baltic Port, 17th September 1808.

SIRE,

Your imperial Majesty is probably uninformed of the events that have recently taken place in the southern parts of Europe.

Spain has succeeded in rescuing herself from the usurpation and tyranny of the ruler of France. Portugal has also extricated herself from the baneful hands of the enemy of all independent states; the whole of the French forces in that country having been compelled to surrender to the British army under Sir Arthur Wellesley. It is to be hoped that those events will induce the powers of the Continent to unite with Great Britain to restore that peace so highly to be desired for the welfare of mankind.

Knowing it to be the object most at heart of my gracious sovereign, and that of his Majesty's ally, the King of Sweden, should your imperial Majesty be impressed with the same sentiments, nothing will afford me greater happiness than to have the honour of imparting them to my government, and to desist from further hostile operations, upon condition that your Majesty will give orders to your forces to desist from hostilities against England and her ally, and to withdraw your forces from Swedish Finland.

I have the honour to be, With the most profound respect, Your imperial Majesty's Most devoted and most obedient humble servant, JAMES SAUMAREZ, Vice-admiral and commander-in-chief of his Britannic Majesty's s.h.i.+ps in the Baltic.

To his imperial Majesty the Emperor of all the Russias.

This appeal to his imperial Majesty unfortunately did not reach St.

Petersburg until the day after the Emperor Alexander had left it, on his journey to meet Buonaparte at Erfurth; and, in consequence, Sir James received the following answer from the Russian Admiral Tchitchagoff, the minister of the Marine:

St. Petersburg, 12/27 Sept. 1808.

MONSIEUR,

La lettre que votre excellence a adresse a sa Majeste l'Empereur m'est parvenu a mon retour a St. Petersburg conjointement a celle que m'a ecrit Monsieur Thornton. Sa Majeste n'etant plus dans sa capitale depuis quelque jours, je me suis empresse de la lui expedier.

Pendant mon sejour au Port Baltique, ayant appris que votre excellence desiroit savoir si l'echange de nos equipages pris sur le vaisseau Le Sewolod, contre des sujets de sa Majeste Britannique ou Swedoise pourroit avoir lieu, je suis bien-aise de lui annoncer que des ordres ont ete donnes au general en chef commandant en Finlande de rendre un nombre egal, et rang pour rang, des sujets de sa Majeste Swedoise contre les prisonniers Russes faits dans le dernier combat.

En priant votre excellence de vouloir bien transmettre la ci-jointe au ministre de sa Majeste Britannique, Monsieur Thornton, je dois la prevenir que je n'ai point recu les gazettes que ce dernier m'avoit annonces dans sa lettre.

Je saisis avec empress.e.m.e.nt cette occasion pour a.s.surer votre excellence de la consideration la plus distinguee avec laquelle j'ai l'honneur d'etre, De votre excellence,

Tres humble et tres obeissant serviteur, P. DE TCHITCHAGOFF.

A son Ex. Mon. le Vice-amiral Saumarez.

The letters addressed to Mr. Thornton, being to the same effect, need not be given. The exchange of prisoners took place at a subsequent period.

A negociation now ensued between the Russian and British commanders-in-chief, for permission that the blockaded fleet should return to St. Petersburg unmolested, on condition that a part should be given up by the former. In answer to this proposition, his Swedish Majesty requiring that the whole should be given up, and Sir James's demand being for both the three-deckers and half the remainder, the negociation was broken off, and fire-s.h.i.+ps were fitted out as the only chance of destroying them.[7] In the mean time, the Thunder and another bomb-s.h.i.+p, covered by the Goliath and Salsette, continued to throw sh.e.l.ls into the fortress, and on one occasion a magazine was blown up; but the fleet was too far within the harbour for the sh.e.l.ls to reach them, or to prevent their extending a barricade of booms to prevent the approach of fire-s.h.i.+ps. The Erebus and a brig having however been prepared, an attempt was made on the 20th September; but failed, owing to the rise of the moon before the vessels could approach.

[7] The Erebus sloop and Baltic, besides a brig, were converted into fire-s.h.i.+ps.

The following is an extract from a letter written by Sir James to his brother:

Victory, off Port Baltic, 31st August 1808.

I have been disappointed in the expectations I so ardently formed when I wrote you last Monday. We arrived off Hango Udd, expecting all night to fall in with the Russian fleet; but at daylight a Swedish frigate joined, with the information that the Swedish squadron, with the Centaur and Implacable, had sailed on the 25th in pursuit of them, and chased them into this harbour; the Centaur and Implacable had cut off their rear s.h.i.+p, which was set on fire after her crew had been taken out.

I anch.o.r.ed at two yesterday afternoon, and had the satisfaction to find Sir S. Hood with the Swedish squadron at anchor, watching the enemy's squadron in the harbour, who have been occupied in fortifying themselves in the best manner; and I fear nothing can be attempted with any prospect of success, _from what I am informed_.

I most sincerely lament not to have been in time to join our ally, as most probably not a Russian would have escaped. My great consolation is, that not a moment has been lost; and, when it is considered that I was off here in only eight days from the time I left the Belt, it will appear almost surprising, particularly with the north winds we experienced.

Sir S. Hood and Captain Martin are beheld by the Swedes with adoration for their heroic attack on the enemy's s.h.i.+p; had the Swedes sailed as well as the Russians, not one would have escaped.

It was after this letter had been despatched that Sir James reconnoitred the enemy in the Victory; and, consequently, determined on an attack.

On the 23rd of September, Captain Bathurst, of the Salsette, and Captain Trolle, of the Camilla, being sent to ascertain the position of the Russian fleet, reported that they were so completely barricaded, that any further attempt with fire-s.h.i.+ps would be fruitless; Sir James ordered the Erebus and Baltic to be restored to their former condition, the brig having been burnt in the attempt.

In addition to the scurvy, which made its appearance in the Swedish fleet early in the month of July, the crews were now attacked with a malignant epidemic, which daily became more fatal; those who had been affected by scurvy, being predisposed to catch the infection of the fever, were invariably carried off. A Swedish s.h.i.+p of the line and two frigates had been loaded with the sick from the different s.h.i.+ps, and sent to Carlscrona. As the month of September advanced, it was evident that the Swedish fleet could not keep longer at sea; and that, if a reinforcement did not arrive from England, the blockade must soon be raised. Lemon-juice, sugar, &c. as well as medical a.s.sistance, was sent to the Swedes, but too late to have the desired effect.

Sir James, having anch.o.r.ed the Swedish s.h.i.+ps farther out, persevered as long as it was possible, and the fleets rode out two heavy gales of wind in that exposed situation; while the Russian s.h.i.+ps lay moored, with yards and topmasts struck, in the position given as second in the diagram (page 116).

The Swedish army in Finland had fought with great bravery, but were at length overpowered by numbers; bo, the capital of Finland, was in the end taken, and that valuable country for ever lost to Sweden. The King, and subsequently the remains of his army, retreated to Stockholm, and the campaign terminated decidedly in favour of Russia.

After what has been stated, it will not excite surprise that Sir James should have had some anxiety about the opinion of the public, as will be seen by the following short extract, dated 26th September, &c.

I am anxious to hear what will be said of the occurrences here, although I am conscious of having acted for the good of my country to the utmost in my power; and I trust the whole of my conduct since my first coming upon the station will be entirely approved of by government: it is very possible there may be those who will be disposed to find fault, however unjustly.

It will be seen hereafter, that this apprehension was not ill-founded.

Before the arrival of the Victory and squadron off Rogerwick, Sir Samuel Hood had despatched his first lieutenant with the intelligence of the capture and destruction of the Russian seventy-four, Sewolod, and of the position of the Russian fleet. This officer was, of course, the bearer of many letters, which described the enemy's s.h.i.+ps to be in a situation easily to be attacked, when the commander-in-chief should arrive. The expectations of the nation, from the known prowess of Sir James Saumarez, were therefore raised to the highest pitch. When the information subsequently reached England that he had not attacked them, it is not to be wondered at that blame should be attached to him by the public, who could not be aware of the existence of those circ.u.mstances which frustrated his intentions; and so long did this impression last, that it was only in 1834 that the Author explained the causes to his late Majesty, who had always been impressed with the idea that it was Sir James, and not the Swedish Admiral and Sir Samuel Hood, that objected to the attack; though certainly the very reverse was the fact. There can be no doubt that, if Sir James had been authorised to take command of the Swedish fleet, he would, even against the opinion of Sir Samuel, have attacked the enemy's fleet on the 31st of August; and, as the wind changed on the following morning, he would have been able to carry off all his prizes without any difficulty. We have ever since lamented that the attempt, as planned by Sir James, was not promptly made.

The official description of the action with the Russian fleet will be found in the Appendix; as also Sir James's correspondence with his Swedish Majesty on the subject.

As it was hoped that some s.h.i.+ft of wind would enable us to attack the enemy, we remained in a state of anxiety for three weeks. In the interim, intelligence was received of the success of the British arms in Spain, and of the expulsion of the French from Portugal. Sir James, in consequence of this information, and of the opinions before mentioned, and seeing that the enemy could neither be attacked nor blockaded any longer, weighed anchor on the 30th of September, and in company with the Swedes proceeded to Carlscrona, where he arrived on the 9th of October.

CHAPTER IX.

1808, 1809.

Sir James at Carlscrona.--Arrangements.--Author left in Sweden.--Letter from the Swedish Admiral.--Sir James leaves Carlscrona.--Arrives at Gothenburg.--Makes arrangements for the protection of the Trade.--Leaves Rear Admiral Keats in Command.--His departure from Sweden, and arrival in the Downs.--Proceeds to the Admiralty, and receives their Lords.h.i.+ps' high approbation.--Proceedings of the Fleet.--Revolution in Sweden.--Sir James reappointed to the command in the Baltic.--His correspondence with Mr.

Foster.--Official notice of the Duke of Sudermania being elected King of Sweden.--He confers upon Sir James the Grand Cross of the Order of the Sword.

On Sir James's arrival at Carlscrona, he was received with every mark of attention and respect by Admiral Puke, the governor, and other authorities. The sick, amounting to 3,000, were landed from the Swedish fleet; and their hospitals were visited and supplied, as far as possible, with medicine from the English, while they on the other hand received fresh provisions, vegetables, and water.