70

THE RUSSIAN FLEET

last, an Irish papist, always commanded apart withhis division, and perpetrated innumerable devasta-tions. During the continuance of the fleet atRodhamn, a detachment of sailors and part of thearmy that stayed behind were employed in fortifyingthe entrance into the haven ; and the 2 prahms, withthe bomb-ketches, were directed to post themselvesthere, whilst several boats and pinnaces were set tofind out other channels, whereby the fleet mightretreat in case of necessity. On the 18th of Augustthe Tsar sent to recall the galleys, and then returnedon the 20th in the night; the next day, after takingleave of his officers in a friendly manner, thankingthem for their good services, and recommendingobservance to Rear-Admiral Sievers’ orders, hestruck his flag and went on board the galleys inorder to go back to Kronslot. Immediately Rear-Admiral Sievers with the fleet under his commandsailed out by another channel, having in companyseveral merchant ships of different nations, takeneither in the Swedish harbours or on their coasts,and arrived on the 24th at Revel. Captain Villeboismeanwhile with two snows made the best of his wayto Danzig. On the 25th came in the New Kronslotwith advice ; whereupon a consultation was held,and the two flags with the Kronslot Squadronweighing stood out and anchored under the Isle ofNargen, in readiness to sail, if the British fleet, nowdaily expected, should come in sight. Cruisers werelikewise kept constantly out to watch their approach,and fire beacons, affixed on all the points of land,

1708 ; Major-General, 1712 ; Lieut.-General, 1720 - Field-Marshal, 1736. ‘He signalised himself in the war by hismany descents on the Swedish coast.’ Served under theEmpresses Ann and Elizabeth, and died 1731 (Did. Nat.

Biog., vol. xxxi.). The name is often spelled Lascy by Conti-nental writers.