British Baltic Fleet 1726

Introduction

The Baltic fleet, under Vice-Admiral Sir Charles Wager (R.) and Rear-Admiral Sir George Walton (B.), consisted of twenty ships of the line, a twenty-gun ship, two fireships, and a hospital ship. It quitted the Nore on April 17th, and, proceeding to Copenhagen and Stockholm, obtained the co-operation of Denmark and the friendly support of Sweden. A Danish squadron, under Rear-Admiral Bille, joined Sir Charles in May, and, with him, proceeded to the Gulf of Finland. The Russians had, in and about Cronstadt, a considerable force under the General-Admiral Apraxine, Vice-Admiral Thomas Gordon, and a rear-admiral said to have been an Englishman : but, although they were much inclined to issue forth and defy the allies, Gordon succeeded in dissuading them from this suicidal course; and eventually the ships were laid up. Wager displayed throughout great tact and diplomatic ability. In the autumn he, like Jennings, returned to England, anchoring off the Gunfleet on November 1st.