An Account of the Dispute between Russia, Sweden & Denmark, and Great Britain/Chapter 3
CHAP. III.
Account of the Battle off Copenhagen.
THE beginning of this year exhibited Britain ſurrounded with enemies. With none of the maritime kingdoms of Europe, but paſſive Portugal, could ſhe hold intercourſe.—France, Spain, Holland, Ruſſia, Sweden and Denmark, prepared to aſſail her, and counted on her deſtruction. The approach of ſpring was a pauſe awfully foreboding.—⟨Happily⟩ for us the genuine ſtubborn Britiſh ſpirit directed ⟨his⟩ Majeſty’s Miniſters; they allowed no exaggerated repreſentations of our dangers to intimidate them, ⟨or⟩ incline them to crouch with baſe ſubmiſſion to perfidious enemies; but relying on the juſtice of our cauſe and the ſtrength of our arms, on the ſkill of our commanders, and the lion hearts of our ſeamen, they formed a plan, the execution of which fell to the lot ⟨of⟩ the renowned conqueror of Aboukir, that has diſſipated the ſtorm, and eſtabliſhed our ſtrength, juſtice and generoſity on a more exalted level than it ever ſtood; and has laid our enemies under the moſt ſtriking obligations of gratitude for the forbearance ſhewn to them when entirely at our mercy.—A forbearance and generosity unexampled before in the annals of wars.
Follows Sir Hyde Parker’s diſpatches, detailing theſe very important events.
Admiralty Office, April ⟨15th⟩ 1801.
Sir,
YOU will be pleaſed to acquaint the Lords Commiſſioners of the Admiralty, that ſince my letter of the 23d of March, no opportunity of wind offered for going up the Sound until the 25th, when the wind ſhifted in a moſt violent ſquall from the S. W to the N. W. and North, and blew with ſuch violence, and with ſo great a ſea, as to render it impoſſible for any ſhip to have weighed her anchor. The wind and ſea were even ſo violent as to oblige many ſhips to let go a ſecond anchor to prevent them from driving, notwithſtanding they were riding two cables an end; and, by the morning, the wind veered again. to the ſouthward of the weſt. On the 30th of laſt month, the wind having come to the northward, we paſſed into the Sound with the fleet, but not before I had aſſured myſelf of the hoſtile intentions of the Danes to oppoſe our paſſage, as the papers marked No. 1, 2, 3, and 4, will prove; after this intercourſe, there could be no doubt remaining of their determination to reſiſt.
After anchoring about five or ſix miles from the Iſland of Huin, I reconnoitred with Vice-Admiral Lord Nelſon, and Rear-Admiral Graves, the formidable line of ſhips, radeaus, pontoons, galleys, fire ſhips, and gun-boats, flanked and ſupported by very extenſive batteries on the two iſlands called the Crowns; the largeſt of which was mounted with from fifty to ſeventy pieces of cannon; theſe were again commanded by two ſhips of ſeventy Guns, and a large frigate in the Inner Road of Copenhagen, and two 64 gun ſhips, (without maſts) were moored on the Flat, on the ſtar-board ſide of the entrance into the arſenal.—The day after, the wind being ſoutherly, we again examined their poſ, and came to the reſolution of attacking them from the ſouthward.—Vice Admiral Lord Nelſon having offered his ſervices for conducting the attack, had, ſome days before we entered the Sound, shifted his flag to the Elephant; and after having examined and buoyed the outer channel of the middle ground, his Lordſhip proceeded with the twelve ſhips named in the margin, (Elephant, Defiance, Monarch, Bellona, Edgar, Ruſſell, Ganges, Glatton, Iſis, Agamemnon, Polyphemus, Ardent,) all the frigates, bombs, fire-ſhips, and all the ſmall veſſels and that evening anchored off Draco Point, to make his diſposition for the attack, and wait for the wind to the ſouthward.—It was agreed between us, that the remaining ſhips with me ſhould weigh at the ſame moment, his Lordſhip did, and menace the Crown batteries, and the four ſhips of the line that lay at the entrance of the arſenal; as alſo to cover our diſabled ships as they came out of action.
I have now the honour to incloſe a copy of Vice-Admiral Lord Nelſon’s report to me of the action on the 2d inſt. His Lordſhip has ſtated so fully the whole of his proceedings on that day, as only to leave me the opportunity to teſtify my entire acquieſcence and teſtimony of the bravery and intrepidity with which the action was ſupported throughout the line. Was it poſſible for me to add any thing to the well-earned renown of Lord Nelſon, it would be by aſſerting, that his exertions, great as they have, heretofore been, never were carried to a higher pitch of zeal for his country's ſervice. I have only to lament that the ſort of attack, confined within an intricate and narrow paſſage, excluded the ſhips particularly under my command from the opportunity of exhibiting their valour; but I can with great truth aſſert, that the ſame ſpirit and zeal animated the whole of the fleet; and I truſt that the conteſt in which we are engaged, will, on ſome future day, afford them an occaſion of ſhewing that the whole were inſpired with the same ſpirit, had the field been ſufficiently extenſive to have brought it into action It is with the deepeſt concern I mention the loſs of Captains Moſs and Riou, two very brave and gallant officers, and whoſe loſs, as I am well informed, will be ſensibly felt by the families they have left behind them; the former a wife and children, the latter, an aged mother. From the known gallantry of Sir Thomas Thomſon on former occaſions, the naval ſervice will have to regret the loſs of the future exertions of that brave officer, whoſe leg was ſhot off. For all other particulars I beg leave to refer their Lordſhips to Captain Otway, who was with Lord Nelſon in the latter part of the action, and able to anſwer any queſtions that may be thought neceſſary to put to him. A return of the killed and wounded you will receive herewith. I have the honour to be, &c,
P. S. The promotions and appointments that have ⟨taken⟩ place on this occaſion will be ſent by the next opportunity that offers; but I cannot cloſe this without acquainting their Lordſhips, that Captain Moſse being killed very early in the action, Lieutenant John Yelland continued it with great ſpirit and good conduct; I muſt, therefore, in juſtice to his merit, beg ⟨leave⟩ to recommend him to their Lordſhips favour.
No. I.
London in the Cattegate.
March 27, 1801.From the hoſtile tranſactions of the Court of Denmark ſending away his Britannic Majeſty’s Charge ⟨D'Affaires⟩, the Commander in Chief of his Majeſty’s ⟨fleet⟩ is anxious to know what the determination of the Daniſh Court is, and whether the Commanding ⟨Officer⟩ of Cronenberg Castle has received orders to fire ⟨upon⟩ the Britiſh Fleet as they paſs into the Sound, as ⟨we⟩ must deem the firing of the firſt gun a declaration ⟨of⟩ war on the part of Denmark.
(Signed)Hyde Parker.
Translation, No. II.
⟨Answer⟩. Cronberg March 28.
In anſwer to the Admiral’s honoured letter, I have ⟨to⟩ inform him, that no orders are given to fire on the ⟨Engliſh⟩ fleet; an expreſs is gone to Copenhagen, and ⟨ſhould⟩ any orders be ſent, I ſhall immediately ſend an ⟨officer⟩ on board to inform the Admiral.
(Signed)Stricker, Governor.
Translation, No. III.
In anſwer to your Excellency's Letter, which I did not receive till the following day at half paſt eight, I have the honour to inform you, that his Majeſty the King of Denmark did not ſend away the Charge d’Affaires, but that upon his own demand he obtained a paſſport.
As a ſoldier I cannot meddle with politics, but I am not at liberty to ſuffer a fleet, whoſe intention is not yet known, to approach the guns of the Caſtle which I have the honour to command.
In caſe your Excellency ſhould think proper to make any propoſals to his Majeſty the King of Denmark, ⟨I⟩ wiſh to be informed thereof before the fleet approaches nearer to the caſtle. An explicit anſwer is deſired.
(Signed)Stricker
answer.
one A. M.
SIR—In anſwer to your Excellency’s note juſt now received, the underſigned has only to reply, that, finding the intentions of the Court of Denmark to be hoſtile againſt his Britannic Majeſty, he regards the anſwer as a declaration of war, and therefore, agreeable to his inſtructions, can no longer refrain from ⟨hoſtilities⟩, however reluctant it may be to his feelings; ⟨but⟩ at the ſame time will be ready to attend to any propoſals of the Court of Denmark for reſtoring the ⟨former⟩ amity and friendſhip which had for ſo many years ſubſiſted between the two Courts.
(Signed)⟨H. Parker⟩
Lord Nelson's Letter to Sir Hyde ⟨Parker⟩
Elephant, off ⟨Copenhagen⟩
April 3, ⟨1801⟩Sir,
In obedience to your directions to report the ⟨⟩ proceedings of the ſquadron named in the margin,[1] which you did me the honour to place under my command, I beg leave to inform you, that having, by the aſſiſtance of that able officer, Capt. Riou, and the unremitting exertions of Capt Briſbane, and the Maſters of the Amazon and Cruizer in particular, buoyed the channel of the outer deep, and the poſition of the middle ground, the ſquadron paſſed in ſafety, and anchored off Draco the evening of the 1ſt; and that yeſterday morning I made the ſignal for the ſquadron to weigh, and to engage the Daniſh line, conſiſting of ſix ſail of the line, eleven floating batteries, mounting from twenty-ſix twenty four pounders, to eighteen eighteen-pounders, and one bomb ſhip, beſides ſchooner gun-veſſels. Theſe were ſupported by the Crown-Iſlands, mounting eighty-eight cannon, and four ſail of the line moored in ⟨the⟩ harbour’s mouth, and ſome batteries on the Iſland of Amak. The bomb-ſhip and ſchooner gun veſſels made their eſcape, the other ſeventeen ſail are ſunk, burnt, or taken, being the whole of the Daniſh line to the ſouthward of the Crown Iſlands, after a battle of four hours.
From the very intricate navigation, the Bellona and Ruſſel unfortunately grounded, but although not in the ſituation aſſigned them, yet ſo placed as to be of great ſervice. The Agamemnon could not weather the ſhoal of the Middle, and was obliged to anchor: But not the ſmallest blame can be attached to Capt. Fancourt; it was an event to which all the ſhips were liable. Theſe accidents prevented the extenſion of our line by the three ſhips before mentioned, who would I am confident, have ſilenced the Crown Iſlands, the two outer ſhips in the harbour’s mouth, and prevented the heavy loſs in the Defiance and Monarch, and which unhappily threw the gallant and good Capt. Riou (to whom I had given the command of the frigates and ſloops named in the margin[2], to aſſiſt in the attack of the ſhips at the harbour’s mouth,) under a very heavy fire; the conſequence has been the death of Capt Riou, and many brave officers and men in the frigates and ſloops. The bombs were directed and took their ſtations abreaſt of the Elephant, and threw ſome ſhells into the arſenal. Captain Roſe, who volunteered his ſervices to direct the gun-brigs, did every thing that was poſſible to get them forward, but the current was too ſtrong for them to be of ſervice during the action; but not the leſs merit is due to Capt Roſe, and I believe all the officers and crews of the gun-brigs, for their exertions. The boats of thoſe ſhips of the fleet, who were not ordered on the attack, afforded us every aſſistance; and the officers and men who were in them merit my warmeſt approbation—The Deſirée took her ſtation in raking the ſouthermoſt Daniſh ſhip of the line, and performed the greateſt ſervice.
The action began at five minutes paſt ten—The van, led by Capt. George Murray of the-Edgar, who ſet a noble example of intrepidity, which was as well followed up by every Captain, Officer, and man, in the ſquadron. It is my duty to you to ſtate the high and diſtinguished merit and gallantly of Rear Admiral Graves. To Capt. Foley, who permitted me the honour of hoiſting my flag in the Elephant, I feel under the greateſt obligations: His advice was neceſſary on many and important occaſions during the battle.—I beg leave to expreſs how much I feel indebted to every Captain, Officer, and Man, for their zeal, and diſtinguiſed bravery on this occaſion. The Hon. Colonel Stewart did me the favour to be on board the Elephant, and himſelf, with every officer and ſoldier under his orders, ſhared with pleaſure the toils and dangers of the day. The loſs in such a battle has naturally been very heavy:—Amongſt many other brave Officers and Men who were killed, I have with ſorrow to place the name of Captain Moſs of the Monarch, who has left a wife and ſix children to lament his loſs; and amongſt the wounded, that of Captain Sir Thomas B. Thomſon, of the Bellona.
I have the honour to be, &c.
Nelson & Bronte.Killed.
Officers 20
Seamen, Marines, and Soldiers, 234
Wounded.
Officers, 48
Seamen, Marines, and Soldiers, 573
Total killed and wounded, 875
From the London Gazette, April 21.
Admiralty-Office, April 21.
Sir,
The Hon. Lieut. Col. Stewart having volunteered his ſervices, by being the bearer of theſe diſpatches, I have accepted thereof, on a belief that it will be ⟨more⟩ expeditious than by ſea.
I have the pleaſure to tranſmit an Armiſtice ⟨concluded⟩ between the Court of Denmark and myſelf.
I mean, as ſoon as the diſabled ſhips are ⟨refitted⟩ and the worſt of the wounded moved into the ⟨Holſteen⟩ Daniſh ſhip of the line, which I have commiſſioned ⟨as⟩ an hoſpital ſhip, to proceed over the Grounds into ⟨the⟩ Baltic to put into execution the remaining part ⟨of⟩ my inſtructions.
The Iſis and Monarch being found in ſo bad a ⟨ſtate⟩ from the late action, as to render it neceſſary to ⟨ſend⟩ them to England to have their damages repaired, I ⟨ſhall⟩ ſend them home for that purpoſe with the ⟨Holſteen⟩ hoſpital-ſhip, which has the wounded and ſick ⟨on⟩ board.
The Daniſh Government on the one hand, and ⟨Admiral⟩ Sir Hyde Parker, Knight, Commander in ⟨Chief⟩ of his Britannic Majeſty’s Naval Forces in the ⟨Roads⟩ of Copenhagen on the other, being from motives ⟨of⟩ humanity, equally anxious to put a ſtop to the ⟨further⟩ effuſion of blood, and to ſave the city of ⟨Copenhagen⟩ from the diſastrous conſequences which may attend ⟨a⟩ further proſecution of hoſtilities againſt that city have mutually agreed upon a Military Armiſtice ⟨of⟩ Suspenſion of Arms
His Daniſh Majeſty having for that purpoſe ⟨appointed⟩ Major-Gen. Erneſt Frederick Walterſtorff, Chamberlain to his Daniſh Majeſty, and Colonel of a ⟨Regiment⟩, and Adjutant Gen. Hans Linholm, Captain ⟨of⟩ his Daniſh Majeſty’s Navy, his Commiſſioners for ⟨agreeing⟩ about the terms of the ſaid Armiſtice; ⟨and⟩ Admiral Sir Hyde Parker, Knight, having, with ⟨the⟩ ſame view, duly authoriſed the Right Hon. ⟨Horatio⟩ Lord Nelſon of the Nile, Knight of the Moſt ⟨Holy⟩ Order of the Bath, Duke of Bronte in Sicily, ⟨Knight⟩ of the Grand Croſs of the Order of St. Ferdinand ⟨and⟩ of Merit, and of the Imperial Order of the ⟨Creſcent⟩ Vice-Admiral in the Fleet of his Britannic Majeſty, and the Hon. William Stewart, Lieutenant-Colonel in his Britannic Majeſty’s Service, and Member of Parliament, and commanding a Detachment of his Britannic Majeſty's Forces embarked; these ſaid Commiſſioners have met this day, and having exchanged their reſpective Powers, have agreed upon the following terms:
Art. I. From the moment of the ſignature of the Armiſtice all hoſtilities ſhall immediately ceaſe between the fleet under the command of Admiral Sir Hyde Parker, and the City of Copenhagen, and all the armed ſhips and Veſſels of his Daniſh Majeſty in the road or harbour of that city, as likewiſe between the different Iſlands and Provinces of Denmark, Jutland included.
Art. II. The armed ſhips and veſſels belonging to his Daniſh Majeſty, ſhall remain in their preſent actual ſituation as to armament, equipment, and hoſtile poſition; and the treaty commonly underſtood as the Treaty of Armed Neutrality ſhall, as far as relates to the co-operation of Denmark, be ſuſpended, while the Armiſtice remains in force:
On the other ſide, the armed ſhips and veſſ under the command of Admiral Sir Hyde Parker, ſhall in no manner whatſoever moleſt the city of Copenhagen or his Danish Majeſty's armed ſhips and veſſels on the coaſts of the different Iſlands and Provinces of Denmark, Jutland included; and in order to avoid every thing which might otherwiſe create uneasineſs or jealouſy, Sir Hyde Parker ſhall not ſuffer any of the ſhips or veſſels under his command to approach within gun-ſhot of the armed ſhips or Forts of his Daniſh Majeſty’s in the Road of Copenhagen: this reſtriction ſhall not, however, extend to veſſels neceſſarily paſſing or repaſſing through the Gaſpar or King’s Channel.
Art. III. This Armiſtice is to protect the city of Copenhagen, as alſo the coaſts of Denmark, of Jutland, and Iſlands included, againſt the attack of any other naval force which his Britannic Majeſty may row or hereafter, during its remaining in force, have in theſe ſeas.
Art. IV. The fleet of Admiral Sir Hyde ⟨Parker⟩ ſhall be permitted to provide itſelf at Copenhagen and along the coaſts of the different Islands and Provinces of Denmark and Jutland included, with every thing which it may require for the health and comfort of its crews.
Art. V. Admiral Sir Hyde Parker ſhall ſend on ⟨ſhore⟩ all ſuch ſubjects of his Daniſh Majeſty as are now on board the Britiſh fleet under his command, the Daniſh Government engaging to give an ⟨acknowledgement⟩ for them, as alſo for all ſuch wounded as were permitted to be landed after the action of the 2d inſt.in order that they may be accounted for in favour ⟨of⟩ Great Britain, in the unfortunate event of the renewal of hoſtilities.
Art. VI. The coaſting trade carried on by Denmark, along all ſuch parts of her coaſt as are ⟨included⟩ in the operation of the Armiſtice, ſhall be ⟨unmoleſted⟩ by any Britiſh ſhips or veſſels whatever, and inſtructions given accordingly by Admiral Sir Hyde Parker.
Art. VII. This Armiſtice is to continue uninterrupted by the Contracting Parties for the ſpace ⟨of⟩ fourteen weeks from the ſignature hereof, at the ⟨expiration⟩ of which time it ſhall be in the power of ⟨either⟩ of the ſaid parties, to declare a ceſſation of the ſame and to recommence hoſtilities, upon giving ⟨fourteen⟩ days previous notice.
The conditions of this Armiſtice are upon all occaſions to be explained in the moſt liberal and loyal manner, ſo as to remove all ground for future diſpute and facilitate the means of bringing about the reſtoration of harmony and good underſtanding between ⟨the⟩ two Kingdoms.
(Signed)
(L. S)Nelson and Bronte.
(L. S.)William Stewart.
(L. S)Ernest Frederick Walterstorff.
(L. S.)Hans Lindholm.
In purſuance of my above-mentioned authority, I ratify this Document with my hand.
(L. S.)Frederick.
Ratified by me,
(L.S)Hyde Parker, Admiral and Commander in Chief of his Britannic Majeſty’s Fleet.
- ↑ Elephant, Defiance, Monarch, Bellona, Edgar, Ruſſel, Ganges, Glatton, Isis, Agamemnon, Polyphemus, Ardent, ſhips of the line; Amazon, Deſirée, Blanche, Alcmene, Frigates; Dart, Arrow, Cruizer, and Harpy, ſloops; Zephyr and Otter, fire-ſhips; Diſcovery, Sulphur, Hecla, Exploſion, Zebra, Terror, and Volcano, Bombs.
- ↑ Blanche, Alcmene, Dart, Arrow, Zephyr, and Otter.