<h3>Gamla Carleby revisited</h3> <p>Accompanied by HMS <em>Porcupine</em> Dunlop visited Kokkola on 2 September, to conduct a reconnaissance in force. His object was to make the local defences show themselves, to reveal their strength, position and assets, without running any real risk. The two ships arrived off Tankar Beacon, about six miles from Kokkola. Finding the navigable channel intricate and the chart incorrect Dunlop elected to anchor his ship, using the smaller <em>Porcupine</em> to tow his five boats closer to the town. The twelve mile passage began at 08.30 hrs and occupied almost five hours, the shallow and difficult passage having to be checked by the lead all the way in. Dunlop could see no ships off the town, no gunboats, and apart from a few storehouses no property worth destroying. His intelligence suggested there were 2–3000 troops in or about the town, and as he closed in a large body of soldiers could be clearly seen, along with what he took to be three masked batteries. He went ahead with two boats and fired a few rockets in an attempt to draw their fire. Although <em>Porcupine</em> was ready to cross the bar Dunlop was convinced that she would run aground, and that Kokkola would stage another ambush, so he had her two paddle box boats prepare to join his flotilla if necessary, and stood in to engage. Around 15.00 hrs two batteries opened fire on the boats. Shells and rockets quickly drove the field artillery from their position; unwilling to risk a lightly armed ship so close to the shore Dunlop wisely sent the <em>Porcupine</em> back and pushed on with his boats. Five batteries opened an accurate fire on the flotilla, although without scoring any hits. Dunlop considered the British reply was effective, and having achieved his object retired at 18.00 hrs. The five boats engaged belonged to HMS <em>Tartar</em>. </p> <blockquote > <P>From the very large garrison and formidable defences at Gamla Carleby, where there appears to be nothing of value to protect, it would seem that the enemy has fallen into the mistake of supposing that we might wish to retaliate for his resistance last year by destroying the town, though there have been so many proofs that it is only against the government resources, shipping, &c, that we turn our attention.<a class="footnote" id="footnoteLink67" contentEditable="false" href="#footnote67">67</a> </p></blockquote> <p>The boats had been under fire for three hours, but without loss. There were no gunboats, but they had forced the batteries and troops to show themselves. Dunlop was commended by Admiral Baynes for his 'sound judgement and discretion’. He had 'fully developed the enemy’s defences, which was the object of the reconnaissance.’<a class="footnote" id="footnoteLink68" contentEditable="false" href="#footnote68">68</a> </p> <p>Dunlop remained on station in the northern Gulf, looking in to Kokkola one last time in mid October, capturing a small tar schooner as the weather worsened and the temperature fell. Soon his blockade could be left to the sea ice. Henry Otter reported that the blockade had driven up the price of tar in Sweden by over 50 per cent, while tiny fishing boats were being used to creep past the British ships. Ships that did test the cordon were usually seized, <em>Porcupine</em> alone taking fourteen. Other cruisers were similarly employed, watching and waiting until driven away by the season. By mid November the British cruisers had left the Gulf of Bothnia, never to return.<a class="footnote" id="footnoteLink69" contentEditable="false" href="#footnote69">69</a> </p>