The Battle of Copenhagen

dmiral Lord Nelson’s “hardest fought battle”, against the Danish Fleet and capital city.

War: Napoleonic Wars.Date: 2nd April 1801.The Battle of Copenhagen: Nelson's British Fleet sails up the Royal Channel to attack the DanishFleet and the Trekroner Citadel. The 3 British ships aground are to the right: Bellona, Russell andAgamemnonPlace: Off the coast of Copenhagen, the capital of Denmark.Combatants: A British Fleet against the Danish Fleet.Admirals: Admiral Sir Hyde Parker and Vice Admiral Lord Nelson against the Danish Crown Prince.Winner: The British Fleet.

The Battle of Copenhagen: The British Fleet under Lord Nelsonsails up the Royal Channel attacking the Danish FleetThe Fleets:The British Fleet

: Nelson’s Division: His Majesty’s Ships Elephant (Flagship: Captain Foley: 74

guns), Russell (Captain Cumming: 74 guns), Bellona (Captain Thompson: 74 guns), Edgar (CaptainMurray: 74 guns), Ganges (Captain Freemantle: 74 guns), Monarch (Captain Moss: 74 guns),Defiance (Rear Admiral Graves and Captain Retalick: 74 guns), Polyphemus (Captain Lawford: 64guns), Ardent (Captain Bertie: 64 guns), Agamemnon (Captain Fancourt: 64 guns), Glatton(Captain William Bligh: 54 guns), Isis (Captain Walker: 50 guns): Frigates: La Desiree (CaptainInman: 40 guns), Amazon (Captain Riou : 38 guns), Blanche (Captain Hammond: 36 guns),Alcimene (Captain Sutton: 32 guns): Sloops: Arrow (Commander Bolton: 30 guns), Dart(Commander Devonshire: 30 guns), Zephyr (Lt Upton: 14 guns), Otter (Lt McKinlay: 14 guns).

His Majesty's Ship St George

Parker’s Division: His Majesty’s Ships London (Flagship: Captain Domett: 98 guns), St George

(Captain Hardy: 98 guns), Warrior (Captain Tyler: 74 guns), Defence (Captain Paulet: 74 guns),Saturn (Captain Lambert: 74 guns), Ramillies (Captain Dixon: 74 guns), Raisonable (Captain Dilkes:64 guns), Veteran (Captain Dickson: 64 guns).The Danish Fleet: Dannebroge (Captains Fischer and Braun: 80 guns), Saelland (Captain Harboe:74 guns), Infodstretten (Captain Thura: 64 guns), Holsteen (Captain Ahrenfeldt: 60 guns),Provesteenen (Captain Lassen: 56 guns), Wagrien (Captain Risbrigh: 48 guns), Jylland (CaptainBrandt: 48 guns), Charlotte Amalia (Captain Kofod: 26 guns), Gerner Radeau (Captain Willemoes:24 guns), Kronborg (Captain Hauch: 22 guns), Rendsborg (Captain Egede: 22 guns), Nyborg(Captain Rothe: 20 guns), Svaerdfisken (Captain Sommerfeldt: 20 guns), Hayen (Captain Moller: 20guns), Hjelperen (Captain Lilienskold: 20 guns), Elven (Captain Holstein: 6 guns), and Aggerhus(Captain Fasting: 15 guns).Lieutenant Willemoes of the Royal Danish Navy fightshis ship Gerner Radeau during the Battle of CopenhagenIn addition the Trekroner Fortress and numerous batteries along the coast.Ships and Armaments: Sailing warships of the 18th and 19th Century carried their mainarmaments in broadside batteries along the sides. Ships were classified according to the numberof guns carried or the number of decks carrying batteries. The size of gun on the line of battleships was up to 24 pounder, firing heavy iron balls or chain and link shot designed to wreckrigging. At the Battle of Copenhagen the British ships anchored by the moored Danish Fleet andfired broadsides at a range of a few yards.Ships manoeuvred to deliver broadsides in the most destructive manner, the greatest effect being

achieved by firing into an enemy’s stern or bow quarter, so that the shot travelled the length of

the ship wreaking havoc and destruction. The position of the Danish ships made this difficult andmost of the firing was broadside to broadside. The first discharge, loaded before action began,was always the most effective. To achieve this effect the British ships held their fire untilalongside the Danish ships.