1808	Anglo-Swedish and Russian Fleets	16

swept along the Centaur's starboard side, the guns of which, as the Sewolod's bow successively pressed against the muzzles, discharged their contents with destructive effect. As soon as the bowsprit, in its course astern, had reached the Centaur's mizen rigging, it was there lashed, by the joint exertions of Captain Webley, first Lieutenant Paul Lawless, and Mr. Edward Strode, the master, and under a very heavy fire from the Russian musketry, which wounded, among others, Lieutenant Lawless severely. The two ships being in six fathoms' water, Sir Samuel had hopes that he should have been able to tow off the Sewolod while lashed to her; but the Sewolod had previously let go an anchor, which held her fast. Much valour was here displayed on both sides, and each ship tried in vain to board the other. At 8 h. 30 m. p.m. the Implacable arrived up, and anchored at the distance of about 300 yards from her consort ; and in another 10 minutes, after affording a proof of courage and perseverance highly creditable to her officers and crew, the Sewolod hauled down her colours.

The Centaur had three seamen and marines killed, her first lieutenant (already named), boatswain (Mr. Morton), and 25 seamen and marines wounded. The Sewolod, whose original complement was 600 men, but to whom the Russian admiral had sent 100 sailors and soldiers to supply the place of those killed or wounded in her action with the Implacable, had 180 killed, wounded, or missing, in her action with the Centaur ; making the total loss of the Russian ship, in killed, wounded, and missing, 303, and the total killed and wounded of the two British ships 62.

Both the Centaur and Sewolod took the ground soon after the latter's surrender. This being observed by the Russian admiral, two ships of his fleet were detached to attempt to recover the Sewolod and capture the Centaur ; but, owing to the prompt exertions of the Implacable, the Centaur was soon hove into deep water, and the Russian ships returned to their anchorage. No efforts on the part of the British being able to get the prize afloat, the Sewolod, in the course of the ensuing night, after the prisoners and the wounded had all been removed, was set fire to and destroyed.

On the 30th, while still blockading the port of Rogerswick, the Anglo-Swedish fleet was joined by Vice-admiral Sir James Saumarez, with the Victory, Mars, Goliath, and Africa. In the mean time the Russian admiral, well aware of the enterprising character of the British, was employing himself in mooring his fleet and fortifying his position. The ships were secured by cables to the shore, and strong batteries were erected at Baltic-Port and at the island of East Raga, the latter of which completely commands the entrance to the harbour.

An attempt to burn the Russian fleet was intended to be made ; and the 18-gun ship-sloop Erebus and 14-gun cutter

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