12

THE RUSSIAN FLEET

nonade, and sometimes bombard them ; but nevermade a bold attack, deterred with the appearance ofa fortification, of an orbicular form, that could bringfew guns to bear. Had they once pushed in,the batteries could have done little damage, and afew single-decked ships might have easily beendestroyed ; the Russians expecting no less. Oncethey brought a good fleet of men-of-war, and a con-siderable number of troops in transports, attemptingto land, but acted as if they had never been uponthe coast before. For generally all round the islandis shoal water, and uneven stony ground ; but thewater was deeper than ordinary betwixt the placeof the Swedes’ descent and the shore, taking thesoldiers up to the chin, and wetting their powderand arms ; whilst the Russians lying concealed inthe island, then all a wilderness of trees and shrubs,observed their miserable condition ; and, permittingthem to gain the shore, attacked them at this dis-advantage, and obliged them to return to their shipswith very great slaughter. Vice-Admiral Cruyscommanded in chief on the island and ColonelNieroth 1 the Swedish troops that landed. This man,a Livonian by birth, and having an estate there,after the Tsar subdued that Province, took serviceunder him, and was since made Vice-President ofthe College of War.

Another time General Lybecker 2 with a good

1 MS. ‘ Nerod.’

2 Georg Lybecker, son of Major-General Georg Henric

Lybecker, Governor of Goteborg, who was ennobled in 1650.Lybecker is celebrated for his want of success. He becameRyttmdstare (Captain of Horse) in 1682. Distinguished himselfat Klissow in 1702 and in other affairs; Major-General, 1706;Baron, 1707 ; Lieut.-General, 1710. On February 4, 1717, hewas brought before a general court-martial, and on August 13,1717, sentenced to loss of life, honour, and goods. Pardoned bythe King. Died July 4, 1718. ‘ Though courageous and efficient

in subordinate positions, he was without the weight and skill