Page:The reign of George VI - 1763.djvu/152

This decisive blow, which at once disabled the enemy from appearing at sea during the war, was a thunderbolt to Peter, who was then with his army, over-running Denmark, which had rebelled against him. However, rather to make a parade of power, than in hopes of retrieving the misfortune, he gave orders that the loss should be instantly repaired; and all endeavours seemed to be directed to raising his navy, but it was in vain: the Duke of Grafton following his blow, sailed to Petersburg; he bombarded the city three days, to the utter ruin of every thing but the fortifications: and by a bold and well conducted attempt, he landed three thousand men to attack the fort that defended the bason; it was carried in a moment; and this glorious expedition ended with burning the whole Russian fleet of twenty sail, after a defence,indeed