The Swedish archipelago detachment chose a narrow position through which the Russian force had to advance. Russian frigates, xebecs, floating batteries, and smaller craft attacked for about five hours but could not deploy their numerical advantage effectively. The Swedes then withdrew in order to the main force at Vyborg Bay after inflicting losses and stopping the passage. Björkösund shows how prepared coastal defense and local geography could offset disparities that were decisive in open water.
Chapter · 3:24:56-3:28:28
At Björkösund, geography defeats superior Russian numbers
Forty-two Swedish gun sloops and boats held a narrow approach against roughly eighty-one Russian vessels by forcing the larger force through a confined killing ground.