First attack on Bomarsund

21 June 1854, Bomarsund, Åland Islands

Inconclusive

Captain William Hall took three paddle steamers in to shell the new Russian fortress at Bomarsund in the Åland Islands, without orders. The forts were barely damaged, but during the action a live shell landed on Hecla's deck with its fuse burning and her mate, Charles Lucas, picked it up and threw it overboard. He was the first man to be awarded the Victoria Cross.

Bomarsund garrison

No ships engaged

Forts, batteries and aircraft	Strength	Outcome
Bomarsund fortress A great horseshoe-shaped casemated fort with outlying towers, still unfinished. Taken by an Anglo-French force in August.	Not recorded	Barely damaged

Forts, batteries and aircraft

Strength

Outcome

Bomarsund fortress

A great horseshoe-shaped casemated fort with outlying towers, still unfinished. Taken by an Anglo-French force in August.

Not recorded

Barely damaged

Royal Navy

3 ships, none lost

Ship	Type	Outcome
HMS Hecla Captain Hall's ship; Charles Lucas won the first Victoria Cross	Steamer	Survived
HMS Odin	Steamer	Survived
HMS Valorous	Steamer	Survived

Fleet Ledger

First attack on Bomarsund

Bomarsund garrison

Royal Navy

Map