2-913-746 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Surrender of the Tower of Prasto, Bomarsund, 1854. Scene from the Crimean War: '...surrender of the Commandant of the fort to the French and English forces. On the left of the plateau are two companies of French infantry, with their colours and two field-pieces; a third field-piece in the gateway. The garrison is drawn up in front of the tower; they wore helmets and long grey coats, black cross belts, and carried long bright-barrelled muskets. In the centre, the French Commandant is in the act of receiving the sword of the Russian Colonel...The Tower of Prasto, one of three forming the outworks to the great fortress of Bomarsund, stood on the north-east angle of the island of that name. It mounted twenty guns...on the morning of the 16th [September] it was bombarded at long range, for nearly three hours, by a squadron of English and French steamers, under Rear-Admiral Plumridge...'. From "Illustrated London News", 1854.