our ships; and could we have forced the enemy to a general action, the whole of their squadron must have fallen to the superior bravery of the united force of our respective Sovereigns, in so just and honorable a cause.
“My letter of the 25th will have acquainted you of the Russian squadron having appeared off Oro Road op the 23d. The arrangements for quitting that anchorage, after his Swedish Majesty’s ships from Jungfur Sound had joined Rear-Admiral Nauckhoff, were completed on the evening of the 24th. Early the next morning the whole force put to sea; and soon after the Russian fleet was discovered off Hango Udd, the wind then at N.E. Not a moment was lost in giving pursuit, and every sail pressed by the Swedish squadron. From the superior sailing of the Centaur and Implacable they were soon in advance; and at the close of the evening the enemy were noticed in the greatest disorder, apparently avoiding a general battle. On the morning of the 26th, about five o’clock, the Implacable was enabled to bring the leewardmost of their line-of-battle ships to close action, in a most brave and gallant manner; and so decidedly and judiciously was the manoeuvre executed, that the Russian Admiral, who bore up with the whole of his force, could not prevent that marked superiority of discipline and seamanship being eminently distinguished. Although the enemy’s ship fought with the greatest bravery, she was silenced in about twenty minutes; and only the near approach of the whole Russian fleet could have prevented her then falling, her colours and pendant being both down; but I was obliged to make the signal for the Implacable to close with me. Captain Martin’s letter, stating the brave and gallant conduct of Lieutenant Baldwin, his other officers and men, I send herewith; and it would be needless for me to add more on their meritorious conduct. If words of mine could enhance the merit of this brave, worthy, and excellent officer, (Captain Martin) I could do it with the most heartfelt gratification; and the high esteem I have for him as an officer and a friend, no language can sufficiently express[1].
“The Russian Admiral, having sent a frigate to tow the disabled ship, again hauled his wind; and the Implacable being ready to make sail, I immediately gave chase, and soon obliged the frigate to cast off her tow, when the Russian Admiral was again under the necessity to support her, by several of his line-of-battle ships bearing down, and I had every prospect of this bringing on a general action; to avoid which he availed himself of a favorable slant of wind, and entered the port of Rogerswick.
“The line-of-battle ship engaged by the Implacable having fallen to leeward, grounded on a shoal just at the entrance of the port; there being then some swell, I had a hope she must have been destroyed: but the wind moderating towards the evening, she appeared to ride at her anchor, and exertions were made to repair her damage. At sunset, finding the swell- ↑ Captain T. Byam Martin has since been created a K.C.B., and advanced to the rank of Vice-Admiral. See Vol. I, p. 491 et seq.
