Bomarsund, Åland
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Bomarsund is a nineteenth century fortress in Sund on the Åland Islands in the Baltic Sea. It was built in 1832 by Russia but destroyed twenty two years later in 1854 in Crimean War by a British-French fleet.
In 1854 three hundred Finnish grenadiers defending the fortress were captured and taken to a prison in Lewes, United Kingdom. They were later allowed to return to Finland, and they returned with a song telling about their battle and imprisonment, called the War of Åland (Finnish: Oolannin sota).
In the Treaty of Paris 1856, the entire Åland Islands were demilitarized, which is a status that has been preserved until this day.
[edit] Victoria Cross recipients
The battle resulted in the first ever Victoria Cross being awarded to Charles Davis Lucas, a twenty year old Irish Mate who later rose to the position of Rear-Admiral.
Other VC recipients for action in the Baltic Sea:
- John Bythesea - 1854; Åland Islands
- William Johnstone - 1854; Åland Islands
- George Ingouville - 1855; Fort of Viborg
- George Dare Dowell - 1855; Fort of Viborg
[edit] Trivia
- A coal mine in Northumberland was named after the battle, the village still carries the name Bomarsund.
- In 2007 Orlando Gough's opera The Finnish Prisoner which tells about the events of 1854 had its premier performance in Lewes.
[edit] External links
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