Capture of the Vsevolod

26 August 1808, Off Baltic Port (Paldiski), Estonia

British victory; Vsevolod captured and burned

A Russian fleet of nine ships of the line under Admiral Pyotr Khanykov met the combined Swedish fleet and two British ships of the line, Implacable and Centaur, off Hanko, and turned away for the shelter of Baltic Port. The British ships, much better sailers than the Swedes, chased it, and Implacable caught the straggling Vsevolod and pounded her into surrender before Khanykov sent ships back to help her and she was towed away. Vsevolod ran aground at the harbour mouth, where Centaur came alongside, lashed the two ships together and took her by boarding under the eyes of the Russian fleet. She was too firmly aground to get off, and was burned. The Russian fleet was blockaded in Baltic Port until the winter.

Map

• Khanykov runs for Baltic Port 25–26 August 1808

• Implacable and Centaur give chase 25–26 August 1808