After it became clear that the negotiations on the Aland Islands would not be completed peacefully and information appeared about the agreements of the former allies with Sweden, Petersburg decided to resume hostilities. Sweden needed to be forced to make peace, and for this it was necessary to transfer the hostilities to Swedish territory itself. The sailing fleet (by the end of May 1719 there were 23 battleships, 6 frigates, 6 shnav and several other ships, with a personnel of 10, 7 thousand people, with 1672 guns) they decided to relocate closer to the shores of Sweden - to the Aland islands. The sailing fleet was supposed to conduct reconnaissance and cover the actions of the rowing fleet. The rowing fleet was based in Abo and Petersburg, having 132 galleys and more than 100 island boats in its composition, received the task of landing troops in the areas of the cities of Gavle and Norrkoping. The Russian landing was to go to Stockholm from the north and south, destroying military and industrial facilities along the way.
It should be noted that rowing ships for transporting troops and landing troops were called island boats, they were adapted to skerry conditions, had increased maneuverability. The boats had one sail, were armed with one cannon mounted on the bow, and carried up to 50 people. The ship was of a purely Russian design, was manufactured by soldiers, at first in the regiments of P. I. Ostrovsky and F. S. Tolbukhin, who stood on Kotlin, from where they got their name.
The rowing fleet included more than 20 thousand troops, including the Preobrazhensky and Semyonovsky guards regiments. In total, Russia kept in Finland, Ingria, Estland and Livonia: 2 guards, 5 grenadier, 35 infantry regiments (totaling 62, 4 thousand people); 33 dragoon regiments (43, 8 thousand people).
In addition, Peter wanted to have an informational impact on the Swedish population - a manifesto was printed in Swedish and German, which was supposed to be distributed among local residents. It explained the reasons for the war, Russia offered peace. It was reported that the deceased Swedish king Karl wanted to make peace, but the current Swedish government wants to continue the war. The blame for the war disasters was attributed to the Swedish government. The Swedes were offered to influence their government in order to conclude peace as soon as possible. Osterman took several hundred copies of the manifesto to Sweden. Russian diplomats in Western Europe were also informed about this document. They were supposed to have a corresponding impact on public opinion.
The Swedish side was negotiating with the British, hoping for the support of Britain and other Western European countries in the fight against Russia. The army that fought in Norway was withdrawn back to Sweden - the main forces (24 thousand soldiers) were concentrated near Stockholm, small formations were stationed in the south - in Skane, and near the border with Finland. The Swedish fleet was in a deplorable state - most of the ships needed major repairs. But despite this, the Swedes still underestimated the increased power of the Russian naval fleet. The most efficient ships (5 battleships and 1 frigate) were sent to the Kattegat Strait.
The British, on the contrary, expressed great concern about the strengthening of the Russian fleet. British envoy to St. Petersburg J. Jefferys, reporting to London information about the Russian fleet, asked the government to recall the British craftsmen from the Russian shipyards in order to harm the shipbuilding of Russia. Jefferies believed that if this measure was not taken, England would "have to repent." Peter “openly expressed to the public that his Navy and the Navy of Great Britain are two of the best in the world; if now he puts his fleet above the fleets of France and Holland, why not assume that in a few years he will recognize his fleet as equal to ours or even better than ours? " In his opinion, ships were already being built in Russia as well as in Western Europe. Peter took all possible measures to develop marine science and turn his subjects into real sailors.
The first victory of the Russian naval fleet - Ezel battle (May 24 (June 4) 1719)
In May 1719, an event occurred that confirmed the correctness of the words of the English envoy. Considering the fact that the negotiations were sluggish, Russia was waiting for the Swedish plenipotentiaries in Aland, moreover, the Swedish government imposed a ban on trade with Russia in April 1719, the Revel squadron was ordered to search the island of Öland. Three battleships, three frigates and a pink under the command of Captain-Commander J. von Hoft (Vangoft) set out on the campaign. During the raid, 13 Swedish merchant ships were arrested. One of the captured Swedish skippers informed the Russian command about the departure of a convoy of merchant ships guarded by Swedish warships from Pillau to Stockholm.
Admiral Apraksin gave the order to a squadron of 4 52-gun battleships and 18-gun shnyava (Portsmouth, Devonshire, Yagudiil, Raphael and Natalia shnyava, two more ships of the line were delayed - Uriel and "Varakhail"), under the command of the captain of the second rank Naum Akimovich Senyavin, go out in search of an enemy detachment. The Swedish detachment under the command of Captain-Commander Wrangel left Stockholm on May 19. It consisted of 4 ships, including one battleship and one frigate (later one ship separated from the detachment).
At dawn on May 24 (June 4) at 3 am, the two troops met west of Ezel Island. The Swedish commander Wrangel, assessing the situation, and realizing that the alignment of forces was clearly not in favor of his detachment, turned the ships to the northwest. The Russian ships in the vanguard: the flagship Portsmouth under the command of Senyavin and the Devonshire captain of the 3rd rank Konon Zotov, without waiting for the approach of the entire squadron, began pursuit. They took the leeward side and quickly overtook the Swedes. At 5 o'clock in the morning a warning salvo was fired, the Swedes raised their flags. With the support of Devonshire, Portsmouth decisively entered the battle with the Swedish flagship, the 52-gun Wachmeister, trying to cut it off from the frigate and brigantine. The artillery firefight lasted from 5 to 9 o'clock in the morning. The Swedes, including the 32-gun frigate Karlskrona-Vapen and the 12-gun brigantine Berngardus, tried to shoot down the mast and rigging on the Portsmouth so that they could break away from the Russian ships. Partially the enemy succeeded, but "Portsmouth" with several grapeshot volleys forced the Swedish frigate and brigantine to lower the flags. The Swedish flagship tried to leave.
At this time, the battleships "Raphael" (Captain Delap) "Yagudiil" (Captain Shapizo) and the shnyava "Natalia" approached. Senyavin left to guard the captured Swedish ships Devonshire and Natalia, and sent the Raphael and Yagudiel in pursuit. Quickly patching up the damage, he also joined the pursuers. At twelve o'clock in the afternoon the Russian ships caught up with the Wachmeister and the battle resumed. Raphael tried to attack the enemy first. But, having typed too much speed, he slipped past. The Yagudiel initially boarded, but then changed course and opened fire. He was joined by Raphael and later Portsmouth. The Swedish commander Wrangel was seriously wounded, and Trolle, who replaced him, continued the battle. The Swedish ship lost all masts, was badly damaged and lowered the flag at about 3 pm.
As a result, a battleship, a frigate, a brigantine, 387 prisoners were captured. The Swedes lost 50 people killed and 14 wounded. Russian ships lost 9 people killed and 9 wounded. The battle showed good training of the Russian command staff, sailors and artillerymen. Peter called this battle "a good initiative of the fleet." In honor of the Ezel battle, a commemorative medal was knocked out.
"The battleship Wachmeister fights against the Russian squadron in 1719". Painting by Ludwig Richard.
Hike to the Swedish coast
At the same time, the last preparations were under way for the march to the Swedish coast. On June 26-28 (July 7-9), the General Council passed, which set specific tasks for the sailing and rowing fleets. The sailing fleet was moved to the Aland Islands, and he received the task of covering the landing. The rowing fleet had to first conduct reconnaissance of the passages in the skerries. Then to land troops at Gavle, to divert enemy forces and at Stockholm. The landing party was ordered that if the Swedish capital is not well fortified, attack it. The sailing fleet allocated two squadrons from its composition. The first was to follow the Swedish ships in Karlskrona. The second is to observe the Swedish Navy in Stockholm.
The adjustments to the plan were made after the exploration. The Russian command learned that the Swedes had joined their naval forces. 19 Swedish ships of the line blocked the skerry passes at the Vaxholm fortress on their way to Stockholm. The Russian command concluded that the Swedes took up a defensive position, because if the ships were in good condition, the Swedish command could well enter the battle with such a powerful fleet, with experienced crews. Therefore, the naval fleet received the task of approaching the skerry passages and maneuvering in full view of the enemy, challenging the Swedes to battle. If the Swedish ships do not come out for a decisive battle, it means that the galley fleet has received complete freedom for its actions.
At the end of June, the galley and sailing fleets joined up at the Gangut Peninsula and headed for the Lemland Island (Aland Archipelago). A temporary fleet base was set up on the island, and its strengthening began. On July 9 (20), another military council was held, which confirmed the previous decision - to go to the Swedish side. The commander of the galley fleet, Apraksin, Peter gave instructions: in it he ordered the destruction of military, industrial facilities, but not to touch the local population and churches.
Aggravation of the foreign policy situation. At the end of June 1719, a British squadron under the command of Admiral D. Norris arrived in the Sound - the strait between the island of Zealand (Denmark) and the Scandinavian Peninsula (Sweden). The British squadron had 14 ships: including two 80-gun, two 70-gun, three 60-gun, three 50-gun, one 40-gun.
Peter sent a detachment of ships to clarify the intentions of the British on July 7 (18). Admiral Norris was given a message from the king. He reported that Russia would not interfere with trade communications in the Baltic, but on the condition that there would be no military contraband in favor of Sweden on the ships. In addition, the British were informed that if their ships appeared at the Russian fleet and lands without appropriate warning, the Russian side would take military measures. Norris, in a letter dated July 11 (22)), said that the British squadron had arrived "to provide patronage to our merchants and to approve agreement with the allies …". The answer was ambiguous. Russia did not interfere with free trade, there was no need to protect British merchant ships with such a powerful squadron. It was not clear who London's ally was - neither Sweden nor Russia were at war with Great Britain.
In reality, the British squadron came to the aid of Sweden. London informed Stockholm that it was ready to help Sweden at sea. Norris received a secret instruction, which ordered to connect with the Swedish Navy and take measures to destroy the Russian fleet.
The appearance of the British fleet did not change the plans of the Russian command. On July 11 (22), the Russian galley fleet landed on Kapellskar Island, which was located on the Stockholm fairway from the sea to the mainland. On July 12 (23), a detachment of Major General P. Lassi, consisting of 21 galleys and 12 island boats with 3,500 troops, was sent for reconnaissance and landing operations north of Stockholm. On July 13 (24), the main forces of the galley fleet moved to the southeast. On July 15 (26), a small reconnaissance detachment was landed ashore. On July 19 (30), Apraksin's fleet bypassed the Dalare fortress. On the islands of Orno and Ute, copper smelting and iron works were destroyed. Then the fleet moved on. On the way, the landing parties were separated from the main forces, which were sent to the mainland. Russian troops operated only 25-30 km from the capital of Sweden. On July 24, the fleet reached Nechipeng, and on July 30, Norköping. In their vicinity, metallurgical enterprises were burned down. The few Swedish detachments did not offer resistance; when the Russian forces approached, they scattered. So, at Norrkoping, 12 Swedish squadrons retreated, while they themselves burned 27 merchant ships and the city. The Russians captured large quantities of metal and 300 guns of various calibers. In early August, Apraksin received an order from Peter to go to Stockholm in order to create a threat to the Swedish capital. On the way, Apraksin's forces joined up with Levashov's brigade, which was cruising off the Aland Islands.
Apraksin suggested leaving the ships about 30 km from Stockholm and going to the city by land. But the military council decided that this was too risky a plan. The galleys, which remained under the protection of insignificant forces, could be attacked by the enemy fleet. It was decided to conduct reconnaissance to learn more about the sea and land routes and fortifications that defended Stockholm. For this, engineers and experienced naval officers were sent to Apraksin. The reconnaissance found out that there are three skerries leading to Stockholm: the narrow Strait of Steksund (in some places no more than 30 m wide with a depth of 2 m), north of the Dalare fortress; two passages northeast of about. Kapellskher and southeast of the Korsø lighthouse, they connected at the Vaxholm fortress (it was located 20 km northeast of the Swedish capital).
On August 13 (24), Apraksin's forces approached Stekzund. Detachments of three battalions each were landed on both banks under the command of I. Baryatinsky and S. Strekalov. On the left bank, Baryatinsky's detachment came across a Swedish detachment, consisting of two infantry regiments and one dragoon regiment. These forces were part of the corps of Prince F. of Hesse-Kassel, which defended the Swedish capital. After an hour and a half battle, the Swedes broke down and fled. The onset of darkness saved them from pursuit. The next day, reconnaissance discovered significant forces of the Swedes and the fact that the fairway was blocked by flooded ships. Therefore, we decided to explore the fairway from Kapellskar Island to Vaxholm. A detachment of ships under the command of Zmaevich and Dupre was sent for reconnaissance. Zmaevich removed the plan from the Vaxholm fortress and found that the way was closed by the enemy squadron - 5 battleships and 5 pram. In addition, the fairway was blocked with iron chains. After that, the Russian galley fleet returned to the island of Lemland.
The detachment of Peter Petrovich Lassi also operated successfully north of Stockholm. Lassie was originally from Ireland and entered the Russian service in 1700. He walked along the northern channel along the coast. He landed troops at Esthammare, Eregrund, where metallurgical enterprises were destroyed. On July 20 (31), 1719, near Capel (about 7-8 km from the city of Forsmark), a Russian 1,400 landing detachment defeated an equal number of Swedish forces, which were protected by serifs. The Swedes could not withstand the Russian attack and retreated. 3 cannons were captured.
July 25 (August 5) Lassi landed 2,400 troops to destroy the Lesta Brook iron-smelting enterprise. The path was closed to them by a Swedish detachment - in the vanguard, the Swedes had 300 regular infantry and 500 militias, and behind them 1, 6 thousand people. Threatening the Swedes from the front, Lassi forced the enemy's forward units to retreat to the main forces. Then he pinned down the Swedish detachment from the front and sent out detachments to outflank them. The attack from the front and flanks forced the enemy to flee. 7 guns were captured. After that, Lassi devastated the outskirts of the town of Gavle. The city itself was not attacked - there were 3 thousand army of generals Armfeld and Hamilton, plus about 1 thousand militias. Having completed the assigned task and, without becoming involved in battle with the superior forces of the enemy, Lassi led his squad to Lemland.
The campaign of the Russian galley fleet was very successful. Sweden was shocked. The Russians ruled over vast areas, just like at home. Great damage was inflicted on Swedish industry, especially metallurgical enterprises. Exploration of the vicinity of Stockholm was carried out.
In July 1719, the Russian envoy Osterman was received by the Swedish queen Ulrika Eleanor and demanded an explanation. Osterman said that this is only intelligence, which was carried out due to the slowness of the Swedish side during the negotiations, besides, the countries are still at war. The Swedish side presented its new demands to the ambassador. They were drawn up with the help of British diplomats and were provocative in nature. Stockholm demanded the return of not only Finland, but all of Estonia and Livonia. In fact, under the influence of the British, the negotiations were finally thwarted. The Swedish government now pinned all its hopes on the British fleet, which was supposed to defeat the Russian Navy and save Sweden from the invasion of the "men".
On August 21 (September 1), the Russian fleet left Aland, the ships returned to Revel, and the galleys to Abo. The Russian command took into account the lessons of the 1719 galley campaign and decided by 1720 to strengthen the rowing fleet so that it could land 30 thousand troops in Sweden. By the campaign of 1720, they ordered to build 10 galleys, 10 skerboats, several dozen island boats.
Preparations for the 1720 campaign took place in a difficult diplomatic atmosphere. London was clearly moving towards an armed conflict with Russia, intending to support the practically defeated Sweden and neutralize the growing power of St. Petersburg on the Baltic Sea. The British gave the Swedish government a written promise to support the British fleet. Stockholm ceded Bremen and Verdun to Hanover (in fact to the English king) in September 1719, which the deceased Swedish king Charles did not want to give. British diplomacy has developed a stormy work to create a buffer on Russia's path to Western Europe. Denmark, Poland, Saxony, Prussia were supposed to be the "buffer". London convinced the royal courts of Europe that Russia was a threat to Europe. On August 16 (27), Norris' British squadron joined the Swedish naval forces near Bornholm Island. Norris was ordered to destroy the Russian fleet.
Russia did not succumb to military and political pressure and stubbornly prepared for a new campaign. Colin Island and Reval were further fortified. The harbors were fenced off with booms, new batteries were installed, and fortifications were built. So, just to protect the harbor of Revel, 300 guns were installed. Observation posts were set up along the coast. The galley fleet was ready to repel a possible enemy landing.
