British Battles of the Crimean Wars, 1854–1856

John Grehan, Martin Mace

• Publisher: Pen & Sword Military
• Year: 2014
• Print ISBN: 9781781593301
• eBook ISBN: 9781473831858
• Topic: History
• Subtopic: 19th Century History
• Index: History

The Crimean War was the most destructive armed conflict of the Victorian era. It is remembered for the unreasoning courage of the Charge of the Light Brigade, for the precise volleys of the Thin Red Line and the impossible assaults upon Sevastopol's Redan. It also demonstrated the inefficiency and ineffectiveness of the British military system based on privilege and purchase.Poor organisation at staff level and weak leadership from the Commander-in-Chief with a lack of appreciation of the conditions the troops would experience in the Crimea resulted in the needless death of thousands of soldiers. The Royal Navy, by comparison, was highly effective and successfully undertook its operations in the Baltic, the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov.The relative performance of the two branches of Britain's armed forces is reflected in the despatches sent back to the UK by therespective commanders. The comparative wealth of detail provided by Admirals Napier, Dundas and Lyons contrast sharply with the limited, though frequent, communications from Generals Raglan, Codrington and Simpson.The despatches of all these commanding officers are presented in this compilation just as they were when first published in the 1850s. They tell of the great battles of the Alma, Balaklava and Inkerman, of the continuing struggle against Sevastopol and the naval operations which cut the Russian communications and ensured an eventual, if costly, victory. They can be read, just as they were when revealed to the general public more than 150 years ago.

CHAPTER 1

THE BALTIC CAMPAIGN 1854

Admiralty, June 2, 1854.

DESPATCHES have been received at this Office from Vice-Admiral Sir Charles Napier, K.C.B, Commander-in-Chief of Her Majesty’s ships and vessels in the Baltic, of which the following are copies:

No 96.
Her Majesty’s Ship Duke of Wellington,
off Hango Head, May 20, 1854.

SIR,

I BEG to enclose a letter from Captain Yelverton, of the Arrogant, giving an account of a smart operation he performed at Ekness, 12 miles in the interior of the country. Great credit is due to him for his perseverance in threading up so narrow and intricate a navigation; and it will show the enemy they are not safe even in their country towns.

Captain Yelverton very properly abstained from damaging the town.

He speaks very highly of the gallantry of Captain Hall, of the Hecla (who I am sorry to say is slightly wounded), as also of Lieutenant Haggard, first of the Arrogant, and Lieutenant Crew Read, the senior lieutenant of the Hecla, which gallant officer has received a severe wound, which I fear has endangered the sight of his eye. All the officers and men behaved as British seamen and marines were wont to.

I have, &c.

(Signed) CHAS. NAPIER,
Vice-Admiral and Commander-in-Chief.

The Secretary of the Admiralty.
Her Majesty’s Ship Arrogant,
SIR, Skagaedslenden, May 20, 1854.

I HAVE the honour to inform you that I came into the inner passage yesterday, in company with the Hecla, for the purpose of examining the channel.

At three in the afternoon, just as I was about to anchor a little beyond Teverminne, a strong force of the enemy’s troops opened their fire upon both ships from behind an extensive sand-bank; the effect, however, of a few broadsides from Hecla and this ship soon dispersed them.

No one, I am glad to be able to say, was hurt in either vessel.

I did nothing to provoke this attack on the part of the enemy.

I ascertained from a pilot who lives here that three large Russian loaded merchant ships were at Ekness, eight miles to the northward. I lost no time in proceeding there early this morning; but did not expect to find the enemy so well prepared to receive me. Owing to the Hecla’s light draught of water she led the way; a task not easy to perform in a narrow and intricate passage, exposed as she was to the first of the enemy’s fire.

In addition to a field battery of five guns (two of which I dismounted) and one mortar, they had erected a strong battery which they supplied very efficiently; Captain Hall succeeded in dismounting and bringing off three of the guns. The engagement lasted longer than I expected, as they returned to their guns twice in the midst of our fire, and were only compelled to leave them when their guns were destroyed by our shot.

On reaching the anchorage of Ekness, I found that two of the merchantmen were aground, but Captain Hall brought out one under the fire of a battery, which my draught of water would not allow me to near sufficiently to completely destroy. I most carefully avoided firing one shot in or near the town of Ekness, directing the whole of the fire of the guns exclusively to the batteries and troops attacking us, which consisted, in addition to the brigade of Horse Artillery, of a considerable body of cavalry and infantry, moving abreast of the ship as she advanced.

I cannot give sufficient credit to Captain Hall for the assistance he rendered me on this, as on all occasions, since he has been under my orders; the admirable way in which he went in and brought out his prize, under a galling fire from the enemy, deserves the greatest praise.

I beg also to call to your favourable notice Lieut. H.V. Haggard, senior lieutenant of this ship, whose most zealous services at all times were particularly displayed on this occasion, and also that of the whole of the officers, seamen, and marines of Her Majesty’s ship under my command.

I regret to say that I had one man killed, and five wounded. I must not omit to mention how very highly Captain Hall speaks of Lieutenant Crew Read, First Lieutenant of the Hecla, for the support he had from him, throughout the engagement) until he was unfortunately wounded and carried below), as also from the officers, seamen, and marines, of Her Majesty’s ship under his command.

I beg leave to enclose herewith a list of casualties on board the Hecla and Arrogant, in the engagement.

I have, &c.

(Signed) H.R. YELVERTON,
Captain.

Admiralty, June 29, 1854.

DESPATCHES, of which the following are copies or extracts, have been received from Vice-Admiral Sir Charles Napier, K.C.B., Commander-in-Chief of Her Majesty’s Ships and Vessels in the Baltic:-

ENCLOSING Admiral Plumridge’s Report of his proceedings in the Gulf of Bothnia.

No. 151.
Duke of Wellington, Baro Sound,
June 18, 1854.

SIR,

I BEG leave to enclose Admiral Plumridge’s Report of his proceedings in the Gulf of Bothnia, from the 5th May to the 10th June, by which their Lordships will observe that he has destroyed forty-six vessels, afloat and on the stocks, amounting to 11,000 tons; from 40,000 to 50,000 barrels of pitch and tar; 60,000 square yards of rough pitch; a great number of stacks of timber, spars, plank, and deals, sails, rope, and various kinds of naval Stores, to the amount of from 3 to £400,000, without the loss of a man. Admiral Plumridge has had to contend with innumerable rocks and shoals, incorrectly laid down in the charts, and met the ice up to the 30th May; nevertheless, though several of his squadron have touched the ground, I am happy to say they have received no damage that he is not able to repair with his own means.

2. The Rear-Admiral, their Lordships will observe, speaks in the highest terms of the captains, officers, seamen, and marines, and particularly of Lieutenant B.P. Priest, the first lieutenant of the Leopard, an old and deserving officer, and of Lieutenant Hammet, his flag lieutenant.

I have, &c.

CHAS. NAPIER, Vice-Admiral and
Commander-in-Chief.

The Secretary of the Admiralty.
Enclosure No. 1, in Sir Charles Napier’s Letter,

No. 151.
Her Majesty’s ship Leopard, at Sea,
10th June, 1854 – lat. 64° 1’ N;
long. 22° 41’ E At noon.

SIR,

IN obedience to your orders of 5th May, 1854, I proceeded with the squadron under my command to examine, as far as practicable, the Island of Aland, but not being able to procure a pilot, I found the hazard too great to proceed further in the execution of that duty; the reports of Captains Buckle and Giffard, numbered 1 and 2, will more fully inform you of the result and termination, for the present, of that service.

From thence I proceeded up the Gulf of Bothnia, and I have now the honour herewith to transmit letters and papers, numbered from 3 to 6, giving a detailed account of the squadron’s proceedings up to the date hereof.

The summary of the large amount of mischief done to the enemy by the boats, as per margin, and the paper lettered A.

Boats of Leopard employed at Brahestad, Uleaborg, and Tornea.

1st Gig-

Lieutenant B.P. Priest.

Mr. Terence H. Wall, assistant-surgeon.

Mr. James Ray, passed clerk.

1st Cutter-

Lieutenant L.U. Hammet.

Mr. Richard Harington, midshipman.

Galley-

Lieutenant William Graham.

Mr. H. St. L. Palliser, naval cadet.

Barge-

Lieutenant G.W.E. Lloyd.

Mr. Arthur Salwey, mate.

1st Launch-

Mr. Henry G. Payne, mate.

Lieutenant E.D. Thelwall, R.M.A.

Pinnace-

Mr. James Laurence, second master.

Mr. W.D.M. Dalbin, naval cadet....

Table of contents

• Front Cover
• Title Page
• Copyright Page
• Contents
• Introduction
• List of Images
• List of Maps
• Chapter 1 The Baltic Campaign of 1854
• Chapter 2 Preliminary Operations in the Black Sea and the Crimea, the Battle of the Alma
• Chapter 3 Balaklava and the Opening of the Siege of Sevastopol
• Chapter 4 The Battle of Inkerman
• Chapter 5 Sevastopol, the First Winter
• Chapter 6 The Second Bombardment of Sevastopol
• Chapter 7 Further Operations in the Black Sea and Kertch
• Chapter 8 The Baltic Campaign 1855
• Chapter 9 The Kertch Expedition
• Chapter 10 The Assaults upon the Redan
• Chapter 11 Continuing Operations against Sevastopol and the Battle of Tcheraya
• Chapter 12 The Fall of Sevastopol
• Chapter 13 Final Operations in the Crimea and the Black Sea
• Chapter 14 The End of the War