As master of the Baltic fleet, 14 March 1854, he reconnoitered the southern parts of Åland, Hanko Bay, Baro Sund, and the anchorage of Suomenlinna, preparatory to taking the fleet to those places.
George R. R. Martin wrote a short story about the surrender of Viapori, "The Fortress", when he was a college student.
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The general responsibility for the fortification work was given to Augustin Ehrensvärd.
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Efforts to improve fortifications continued under Jacob Magnus Sprengtporten, but his tenure was cut short with disagreements with the King Gustav III.
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Augustin Ehrensvärd (1710–1772) and his gigantic fortification work on the islands off the town of Helsinki brought the district a new and unexpected importance.
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After the 'Cap' party rise to power in 1766 Ehrensvärd was relieved of his post and replaced with ardent 'Cap' supporter Christopher Falkengréen.
Count van Heiden was born in Sveaborg, later renamed Suomenlinna, son of Dutch Lodewijk (Ludwig) Sigismund Gustavus van Heiden (b.September 6, 1772, Zuidlaren-d. November 5, Tallinn), who left Netherlands in 1795 during French invasion and settled in Livonia.