Grengam turns confined water into a Russian weapon

The Swedish force entered waters where a much larger Russian galley fleet controlled the maneuver space. Although frigates normally possessed formidable firepower against galleys, confinement allowed the Russians to surround, board, and capture all four. Russian and Swedish accounts disagree sharply over Russian casualties and whether a Swedish ship of the line entered the action. The uncontested result is nevertheless a major Swedish material loss caused by fighting on terms suited to the opponent.