The Russians anchored where shore protection and stable gunnery forced Sweden to attack on unfavorable terms. Strong winds made Swedish fire less effective, but weather was an inadequate excuse because Prince Charles could have waited or used his numbers differently. Sweden needed its twenty-two ships to concentrate against heavier Russian vessels, including 100-gun first rates, rather than attack piecemeal through conditions chosen by the defender. One Swedish ship of the line was captured, one destroyed, and five heavily damaged, cutting the usable force to roughly fifteen. Russian bases could reinforce and repair more quickly, so a badly chosen assault magnified the strategic cost of every Swedish loss.
Chapter · 3:11:26-3:17:29
Anchored Russian defenses defeat superior Swedish numbers at Reval
Twenty-two Swedish ships attacked ten Russians in a protected anchorage, but poor timing and formation squandered Sweden's numerical advantage.