Ruotsinsalmi (Svensksund)

Svensksund battle

The Svensksund battle, between the Swedish and the Russian navies, took place July 9-10, 1790, at Svensksund (Rochensalm in Russian, Ruotsinsalmi in Finnish). This is located in the narrow straits of the south Finland archipelago.

The Russian navy, commanded by Prince Nassau, had 14,000 men and 1200 guns on 32 larger and 200 minor ships. The Swedish navy was commanded by the king, assisted by colonel lieutenant Carl Olof Cronstedt. It had 12,500 men and 1000 guns on about 200 larger and minor ships.

This time, the Russian navy was defeated. The Russian side lost 9,500 men (mostly prisoners) and 50-60 ships (sunk or captured). The Swedes lost 6-700 men (killed) and 6 ships.

Some time after that, Sweden (having exhausted its forces) made a peace treaty with Russia where neither side lost any possessions. The Swedish objectives had failed. Despite one naval victory, the result was status quo, and a peace that lasted for nearly 20 more years. The Swedish king was assassinated in 1792 by disappointed noblemen.