Swedish officers could see the bridge from their ships and had guns capable of destroying it from the water. The commanding officer instead approached by launch and was badly wounded by Russian pickets. His successor brought the squadron into a narrow strait within musket range, exposing the vessels to infantry fire from both sides. After further unsuccessful efforts to reach the bridge, two sloops attempted to attack thirteen Russian transport vessels but withdrew when they found gunboats escorting them. The Swedish squadron retired without destroying the bridge, having lost six killed and nineteen wounded. Avoiding unnecessary exposure would have conserved troops and ships for operations whose rewards justified greater risk.
Notable Point · 2:18:56-2:25:02
Piteå and the cost of ignoring naval range
A Swedish attempt to destroy a bridge at Piteå became a lesson in avoiding needless exposure when shipboard guns could strike from safety.