CHARLES NEPIER

Admiral of Portuguese and English fleets Nepir distinguished in many battles, but in the history of unsuccessful campaign entered the fleet, which he commanded in the Baltic Sea.

Nepir Sir Charles was the eldest son of Captain Lord Charles Nepira. He was born March 6, 1786 about Falkirka, County Sterling in Scotland. Among his ancestors was the famous mathematician John Neper. Marine services boy began Nov. 1, 1799 Volunteer at the sloop Martin, cruise in the North Sea. Seaman has served on various vessels in November 1802 became michmanom, 30 Nov. , 1805 - Lieutenant. March 30, 1806, he participated in the capture of 80-gun ship "Marengo", and 40-gun frigate "Bele-Pul. The following year, during a cruise in the West Indies by 98-gun ship "Prince George", Nepir served as commander brig "Pultusk and participated in the capture of several merchant ships, standing at the north-eastern tip of Puerto Rico under the protection of two shore batteries. In August 1808 he was sent to the brig "Rekruit. At the brig Nepir struggled in September with a 22-cannon French Corvette "Dilizhant and drew him to flight. In the battle lieutenant was wounded and enemy corvette lost the mast.

In February 1809 Nepir residents participated in the hand in Martinique. In April, with Admiral Kochrenom he had three French battleship over two days, eventually a 74-gun ship was captured. During the battle Nepir tried to stay close to the enemy and shoot him rigging. As a reward for courage Kochren appointed his lieutenant commanding a prize. Admiralty approved the appointment.

In summer 1810 Nepir returned to escort to England until 1811 did not go to sea. Period Coast service has not been without cases: in the years 1810-1811 sailor was a volunteer in the British infantry unit in Portugal participated in the battle and was again wounded. He then was assigned to the 32-gun frigate Thames. July 21, 1811, together with the brig "Sefalyus" Nepir suppressed the resistance of 11 gunboats and 13-gun feluki, guarding the entrance to the Porto del Infeni in Italy, scattered squad shooters at the coastal hills and mastered by military courts, 14 escort merchant ships. 1 Nov, 1811 with rowing ships frigates "Thames" and "Imperyuz" Nepir dropped 250 62 th Regiment, who went around the harbor Palinuro in the rear, and anchored on the shore. The next morning Nepira frigate "Thames" destroyed 10 gunboats, and the battery took 22 felukami with precious cargo. In subsequent years, commanding the frigate, he has repeatedly distinguished landing and seizure of ships.

Later, in North America Nepir participated in the expedition against Alexandria (a suburb of Washington).

Photo — «Charles Nepier»

Head of the expedition Captain Gordon praised the work of his. Frigate Nepira naletevshego flurry of lost bushprita mast and all, but after 12 hours of heavy work was ready for battle. In a subsequent siege of Baltimore Nepir successfully commanded a group of ships in a river Potapsko Protocols. For services to the Potomac River and in the Baltimore sailor was awarded the Order of Bath.

From 1815 to 1829 Nepir remained on the bank, then was in a separate swimming for 42-gun frigate "Galatea. " Later, a sailor went to Portugal - where he waited for fame and money for the victory in the fight that erupted between the aspirants to the throne. In 1831 he supported the Azores, the party of Princess Maria da Gloria (and later the Portuguese Queen Maria II). In 1833 he succeeded Admiral Sartoriusa. As commander of the Portuguese fleet loyalist Don Pedro Portugal, he destroyed the fleet of Don Miguel, claim Portuguese throne, at the Cape of San Vicente 5 Jul. , 1833. The following year, he commanded Marine forces in the defense of Lisbon miguelistov. During this Nepiru awarded the title of Count of San Vincent and awarded the Grand Cross of the Tower and Sword.

Nepir returned to the British fleet in 1836. Some time was the second in command of the Syrian expedition of 1840-1844 years, took part in the occupation of Beirut and Aqrah (October-November 1840). On the shores of Syria, and with St. Anne seaman once again distinguished, but it is reproached for the fact that all the glory, he attributed to himself.

In the years 1847-1848 Nepir commanded the fleet in the English Channel and on his return placed in The Times a number of letters. In them he attacked British Maritime Authority. Later, he issued his letter relating to the case law of the sea, in the book "The Fleet, its past and present" in letters found many practical and fundamental thoughts.

In February 1854 Sir Charles Nepira appointed commander of the fleet on the Baltic Sea. Against the Russian Baltic Fleet British armed its fleet, the most powerful since the Napoleonic wars. Half of the fleet were steam vessels. In England, believed that nobody better Nepira will not be able to use those forces. In March, for roads Spithedskom met a large fleet, which went to the Baltic Sea: 10 screw and linear 7 sailing ships, 15 frigates and 17 screw parohodofregatov with 2344 guns and 22,000 men crew. March 7, admiral received instructions and made a fleet.

Upon arrival in Denmark Nepir to learn about the beginning of the war. He sent for the exploration of steamships, which found that the Gulf of Finland to Gelsingforsa free from ice and Russian ships were not found.

Photo — «Charles Nepier»

March 31, the British came to the Baltic. Without good maps the Gulf of Finland, Nepir until the end of the month stood at the Stockholm skerry and April 23, moved to Gangutu. The British had soundings from Bomarzunda and Sveaborg. Only May 30, a French squadron of Vice-Admiral Parseval-Deschênes of the screw 1, 8 of sailing ships, steamers 7, 7 sailing frigates and smaller vessels with 8 guns 1308 and 8300 people entered the Gulf of Finland, and June 1 in Barezunde met with the British.

The main objective was Nepira Vyborg. Before leaving the sea officer promised that he would not draw weapons against peaceful shores and shipping. But from the very beginning of English fleet is engaged in an attack on the peaceful city and the seizure of property. May 6, 2 English steamer away from Libava stood there merchant ships. May 18, 3 of the English steamboat wharf burned and looted shops of unprotected Finnish town Bragestada. The same fate befell Uleaborg and peaceful settlements. In the same place where the allies have resisted, they have failed. For example, on May 7, Ekneza batteries and battery May 10, Ganges-Udda successfully repelled the attack superior forces of the enemy. May 26, two companies of Finnish shooters otbili losses to the British landing, which they tried to plant in the town of Gamla, Karlebyu.

Of course, such activity could not recoup the cost of the expedition. However Nepir not resolved to go to Vyborg, which was originally prescribed. Obviously, it′s fear of shoals and reefs, which have caused the deaths of the Navy Gustavus III in 1790. Admiral went to Kronstadt. June 14, the Federal squadron (15 screw and 4 sailing battleship, 14 screw frigate and ships) came to the Red Jam, and was not risking to attack the fortress. June 23, Nepir took the main force to cape Porkkala-Udd, leaving few ships to monitor the Russian fleet. This observation did not prevent the entry of Russian ships in the sea.

The English press wrote that the officer was trying to enticed out of the Russian fleet to the fortifications. At the meeting of parliament in August were read out excerpts from a letter Nepira, in which he claimed: "I could not take anything with that strong fleet, as well as any attack on Kronstadt and Sveaborg would correct the deaths. " Opinion Nepira confirmed Admiral Chads observed with granite lighthouse-building, too strong for naval artillery. Yes, and the Baltic Fleet ships as floating batteries were strong addition to the shore batteries. At anchor, they did not yield steam.

It is clear that the expedition had not been prepared. Nevertheless, both the Government and public opinion demanded the invasion into the territory of Russia, which paid the costs.

Photo — «Charles Nepier»

Nepir and Parseval-Deschênes elected objective forces.

For half a century, which belonged to Russia Aland Islands, they did not strengthen. The construction of the fortress Bomarzunda began after 1829, but was built only a defensive barracks and three towers, comprising about one-fifth of the planned buildings. Under the command of Colonel Bodisko was less than 2000 people, while the fortifications were armed with small caliber guns. Nepir invited to take this unfinished castle. The British Admiralty approves the plan, France provided a corpus of 13 thousand people.

On 9 July, the Federal fleet moved to the Aland Islands and blocked their July 19, arrived with the French Court of troops. July 26, the Allies landed landing (south of 11 thousand and 3 thousand - to divert attention - North Bomarzunda). Two days later, started the installation siege guns and shelling the fortress from the sea and land, until August 4, when the Allies took Bomarzund. Undermining fortifications, they left the Aland Islands. August 28, troops sent to France. Behind them is gradually disappearing ships. Attack Sveaborg did not take place. October 1, the main force, limited to the blockade, returned to base.

First Lord of the Admiralty James Graham on his return to England Nepira removed him from the post commander, and pointed to the admiral as the perpetrator of the failure, accusing him of having to evade bold admiralty orders. Nepira ridicule in the press, but when he demanded an investigation of his actions, he was refused on the grounds that publication of the documents could bring harm to Her Majesty′s Navy. Public opinion in England has approved the replacement of Admiral Richard Nepira Dondasom. But Dondasu not achieved great success. Neither the blockade of Kronstadt, nor the bombing Sveaborg or attempt to land in Vyborg not have allies big laurels. The failure of the Union Navy in the campaign in 1855 indicated that the case not only in Nepire. Nevertheless, he no longer trusted the command of the sea.

Justifying, Nepir in June 1855 began publishing a series of letters. In Parliament, he talked about the preparation of the fleet and guide them to the first Lord of the Admiralty, Sir James Graham, that in turn negatively characterized the activity Nepira, affirming that nothing that is not dismissed from service. In 1855 and Grehemu had to leave his post.

Sir Charles died Nepir November 6, 1860 about Kateringtona (Hampshire). After he left a few books on the fighting, in which participated. However, still the flagship went down in history largely unsuccessful campaign in the Baltic Sea.