|
In July 1714, Russian forces marched
through the south of Finland. City upon city surrendered to the victorious
army. The Swedes distinctively felt the impending threat. The Russians
strove to reach the Gulf of Bothnia and to that end, 15,000 soldiers
embarked 99 galleys and semi-galleys and advanced to the Abo (Turku)
fortress. Swedish troops tried to hold them back and sent out a squadron
under the command of Rear Admiral Niels Ehrenscheld. (The squadron
comprised 10 vessels - the flagship "Elephant", the boats "Flundra",
"Mortan" and "Simpan", the galleys "Ern",
"Trana", "Grippen", "Laksen", "Gedeen"
and "Valfisch" - with a total crew of 941.) They believed Tsar
Peter was dragging his ships by land and were instructed to hold back and
destroy the Russian fleet. Peter I seized the opportunity that this calm
offered and attacked the enemy. The Swedish vessels could not manoeuvre
effectively and were all boarded and captured.
|
