UNDER PETER THE GREAT 41

Upon laying up the ships, the boarding bridges of suchmighty expectation were quietly taken away, as itwas impossible they should answer the design ; soeverybody with much caution forbore to speak ofthem, to avoid giving offence. In February weresent by sledgeway to Archangel, with several Lieu-tenants under officers and seamen, Ivan Sinavin,Vitus Bering, Peter Bents, and John Deane,appointed to command and bring round four shipsof war a-building there by Peter Webby, son andsuccessor to the builder mentioned in 1711. Captain-Commodore Scheltinga went into Holland to engageofficers and seamen in his Tsarish Majesty’sservice, and forward three ships a-building there andexpected to be ready in the spring. The Slutelburgand Narva, two 60-gun ships launched in autumn,were equipped, and the latter soon after blown up inthe road at Kronslot, the powder taking fire bylightning: Captain-Commodore Vaughan and allthe men were lost, except a lieutenant and three orfour sailors. The St. Paul, Captain Bredale ; theSamson, Captain Brant; the St. Peter, CaptainEckoff; and a snow were ordered out a-cruisingupon intelligence received of some small Swedishprivateers upon the coast of the Island Osel : threewhereof they took, and, burning one because leaky,brought in the other two, occasioning great re-joicings. Three ships bought in England arrived—the London, Britannia, and Richmond.

XI. PROCEEDINGS IN 1715 .

Early this spring a Swedish squadron, consist-ing of 16 sail under the command of two flag officers,came into Revel Bay and cannonaded the ships inthe haven at the distance of random shot; the Russ