Conflict: | Battle of the Nargö |
Partof: | Anglo-Russian War (1807–1812) as part of Napoleonic Wars |
Place: | Near Naissaar, Russian Empire (Modern day Estonia) |
Result: | British victory |
Combatant2: | |
Commander1: | Walter Bathurst |
Units1: | Salsette |
Units2: | Opyt |
Strength1: | 400 men |
Strength2: | 53 men |
Casualties1: | Unknown |
Casualties2: | 2 killed 11 wounded |
Battle of the Nargö (text=Битва у Наргена) was one of the few direct clashes during the Russian-British War.
The Russian sailing and rowing boat was launched in 1806. It was made of wood and held about 14- and 12-pounder guns. It had a crew of 53.
The British frigate, which was much better armed and had a crew of 400 people, fought against the Russian cruiser.
Speedboat Opyt had taken part in the siege of Sveaborg, in 1808, and it and the corvette patrolled the vicinity of Gangut, when they met a large number of Swedish ships, they avoided the battle, but Sharlotta was lost and Commander Nevelsky needed to find her.
On June 11, near the Estonian coast, the Experience team saw a ship without distinguishing signs. Nevelsky thought it was Sharlotta and headed for her, but it turned out to be an English frigate. The Russians realized the mistake and began to retreat under hail. Nevelsky wanted to break the ship aground, just not to give up. However, the ship had already been heavily damaged and it began to defend itself.
The battle lasted four hours and only after part of the team was seriously wounded, Nevelsky lost consciousness from blood loss, then the ship surrendered, but did not lower the flag. British commander admired the bravery of the Russians and refused to take a sword from the commander of the Russian boat, instead, as a sign of respect, he let them go back to Russia. The Russians lost 2 killed and 11 wounded in this battle.[1]