Sveaborg had received no additional government financial support since 1791, leaving poor equipment and supplies by 1808. Many cannon were obsolete and lacked the range to answer the Russian artillery. The island works existed, but the planned landward defences had never been built. The commander also had 2,000 civilians inside the fortress. Some of his relatives favoured transferring Finland to Russia, and his dislike of the king raised questions about his loyalties alongside these practical difficulties. Gibraltar's regular improvements provide a comparison with the maintenance that Sveaborg had lacked.
Notable Point · 1:06:13-1:09:07
Why Sveaborg's reputation exceeded its readiness
Obsolete artillery and unfinished defences left Sveaborg unable to match its reputation as a Baltic stronghold.