File:Boats reconnoitring the Passage to Wyborg - ILN 1855.jpg

THE BOATS OF THE "ARROGANT" AND "MAGICIENNE" off Wyborg. The transaction, represented in this sketch, took place a few weeks ago. The boats of the Arrogant and the Magicienne, with a gun boat in company, manned and armed, were sent to reconnoitre in the passage leading into Wyborg. When within 200 yards of the shore an ambuscade of Russian sharpshooters opened fire upon them which was sharply returned by our men. Finding that they were too much exposed to the Russian musketry, the boats retreated under cover of the gun-boat:. In this encounter we regret to add that four or five men were severely wounded, and, in consequence of the explosion of one of the boat' magazines, a midshipman wan thrown overboard and drowned. The mast and rigging of the boats were also very much cut up by the fire of the riflemen. Owing to the shallowness of the water, the Arrogant and Magicienne were unable to render any assistance. As regards the recent proceedings of the Baltic fleet, a letter from Nargen of the 31st ult., saysː- The Amphion has been for some time reconnoitring all the channels near Sveaborg and has found many valuable anchorages, and several points where the coasting trade between Borgo and Helsingfors, which was carried out to a considerable extent. that be entirely stopped, and some surprise is expressed that so little was attempted it this way last year by the vessels stationed in that vicinity The Admiral, to assist Captain Kay in carrying out this service, had planned the Dragon, and a French and English gun-boat under his orders, with which vessels, he proceeded very nearly to Borgo, which appears to be without any defences, and they met with no resistance whatever, except from shoals, the gun-boats having grounded several times. It is added that- A'l the gun and mortar boats are going over to Helsingfors. The town will probably be shelled; but it is not expected that the fortifications can be destroyed.