Battle of Rimito Kramp#Aftermath
{{Short description|1808 battle of the Finnish War}}
{{Infobox military conflict
| conflict = Battle of Rimito Kramp
| partof = the Finnish War
| image =
| image_size =
| caption =
| date = 30 June – 2 July 1808
| place = Finnish archipelago, southern end of Airisto
| coordinates =
| map_type =
| map_relief =
| map_size =
| map_caption =
| result = See aftermath
| territory =
| combatant1 = {{flagicon image|Naval Ensign of Sweden.svg|border=no|22px}} Sweden
| combatant2 = {{flagicon|Russian Empire}} Russian Empire
| commander1 = {{flagicon image|Naval Ensign of Sweden.svg|border=no|22px}} Klas Hjelmstjerna
| commander2 = File:Naval Ensign of Russia.svg Selivanov
File:Naval Ensign of Russia.svg Myakin
| strength1 = 4 galleys
15 gun sloops
4 sloops
Reinforcements:
4 galleys
| strength2 = 4 gun sloops
3 gun yawls
Reinforcements:
5 gun sloops
| casualties1 = 1 gun sloop sunk
2 gun sloops damaged
| casualties2 = 2 gun yawls damaged
}}
{{Campaignbox Finnish War}}
The Battle of Rimito Kramp was fought between Sweden and Russia during the Finnish War 1808–09.
Battle
Swedish naval unit under Hjelmstjerna was tasked with destroying the Russian coastal fleet unit that had successfully bypassed the Swedish blockade of Hanko. After learning that a small Russian gun sloop unit had moved to relatively vulnerable position at the southern end of Airisto region Hjelmstjerna made the decision to attack.Mattila (1983) p.266-268
Russian position at the small bay at Rimito Kramp was however strong with all the boats positioned so that they would create crossfire at the mouth of the bay. In addition to the Swedish problems the wind was blowing against them, though not as critical as with sailing ships it prevented Swedish ships from accurately aiming their guns.
Russians were reinforced during the night and Swedes expecting Russians to attack chose to wait as well. Later during the second day Swedish reinforcements arrived and Hjelmstjerna planned to launch his renewed attack during the night using galleys and their greater crew complements to overpower the smaller Russian vessels.
While preparing for the attack Hjelmstjerna neglected to guard the narrow passage that led from Rimito Kramp towards Turku. During the night little before planned Swedish attack the Russians fled to Turku where they were further reinforced in addition to being supported by three 24-pounder artillery batteries. Though Swedes had forced the Russians with retreat they had failed to inflict defeat to the Russian coastal forces.
Aftermath
{{multiple image
| align = right
| direction = horizontal
| width = 200
| image1 =Pukkisaari 1808.png
| alt1 =Aftermath of battle of Rimito Kramp - Battle of Pukkisaari
| image2 =Bockholmssund plaque.jpg
| alt2 =Commemorative plaque of the Battle of Bockholmssund
| footer = Map and commemorative plaque of the Battle of Bockholmssund
}}
Being disappointed to the failures at naval front Gustav IV Adolf chose to personally oversee the actions taken against Russians. He arrived on 4 July to the Hjelmstjerna's naval unit near Turku with Vice Admiral Rajalin with intent to attack against Russians as soon as possible to prevent Russian naval forces from linking up.Mattila (1983) p.268-269
Swedish forces mounted an attack (also known as Battle of Pukkisaari or Battle of Bockholmssund) against Russians towards Turku while Russians under command of Lieutenant General P.K. Konovnitsin formed line from their gun sloops and gun yawls between islands of Ruissalo and Hirvensalo ({{coord|60.412|22.137}}) under cover of the artillery batteries. Detachments or Russian infantry - sharpshooters - were deployed on the shores of islands of Ruissalo and Hirvensalo. Battle which started at 18:00 lasted until the midnight. Though Russian line had bent Swedes were unable to breach it. Battle ended without a clear winner with 11 Russian ships damaged and most of the Swedish ships damaged.
References
{{reflist}}
Bibliography
- {{cite book |last1=Mattila |first1=Tapani |title=Meri maamme turvana |trans-title=Sea protecting our country |year=1983 |publisher=K. J. Gummerus Osakeyhtiö |location=Jyväskylä |language=Finnish |isbn=951-99487-0-8 |ref=Mattila}}
- Hans Norman, Historiska media: Skärgårdsflottan
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2017}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Rimito Kramp}}
Category:Battles of the Finnish War
Category:Naval battles involving the Russian Empire
Category:Naval battles involving Sweden