The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1890-05-25
I v.

Tho destruction OF the Danish feet by Nelson
In the harbor Of Copenhagen is to this day
severely reprobated by French historians. and
that the English court at all events did not
share the citation OF the English people at the
achievement is indicated by the fact which
ranked in Nelson's memory. that no medals
were given for this exploit 1t is difficult to see
however. how England could have been shielded
from the storm which at that Juncture threat
ened her from the Baltic except by the sudden
and decisive blow which Nelson delivered. The
three northern powers. Russia. Sweden. and
Denmark, had formed league Of armed neu-
trality. and their united naval forces were. 1t
was well known, to be marshalled in the inter-
est OF France and against Great Britain. Not
only were the Danes themselves contem-
plating aggressive movements. but they were
not In the least surprised by Nelson's
attack. Nelson. indeed. had wished to
surprise them. and on his arrival at Var
mouth ould have started at once for Copen-
hagen. but when he was suffered to set sail
March II, 1901 as second in command under
Sir Hyde Parker with ilfteon Caftcrward increas-
ed to Gig hteenl ships Of the line. the Danes had
warning OF EnGIand's intention and ample
time to prepare for their defence. AS mat
ter OF fact, the defences fthe harbor Of Copen-
hagen had boon made extremely formidable.
Eighteen Vessels, comprising luIkS and FULL
rugged ships were moored in a line about
mile and half In length. fanked on the north
by two artificial islands called the Trekroner
batteries, mounting sixty-cight heavy guns.
There were also batteries on the shore. and
the entrance 10 tho harbor and docks was pro-
tected by chain Tho assault on these de-
fences was intrusted TO Nelson, by whom all
the lighting was done, Admiral Parker remain
ing at u distance. The battle lasted five hours.
AT one time the English seemed hopeessly
crippled and Parker siGnalled Nelson to with
draw. Then 1t was that Nelson. turning his
Dlind ego Oh It, said that he could not read the
signal and continued the action. After ALL
however Nelson must be said to have won this
battle by ieint, for he was the first to send
nag OF truce. and had the Danish Crown Prince
paid no heed to his threat to burn tho floating
batteries (which had been capturedJ and gone
on firing, the English ships would probably
have had to withdraw or been sunk tits said,
indeed, that had the flag of truce been refused
1000 boarders We're ready in boats to push for
tho Crown battery. but 1t Is by no means likely |
that many OF them would havo reached 1t alive. |
Nelson himself considered Copenhagen tho |
most difficult achievement, the hardest-fouRht |
battle, the most glorious result that ever |
graced the naval annals Of our country" and |
he deemed himself very grudgingly rewarded |
by being raised merely q step in the peeraRe |
from Baron to NiscOunt. when for single and |
unimportant victory lat Cape St Vim
cent? Jervis had been made an Earl. Nell
son. too was to win an earldom. though the |
prize was to fall not 10 himself, but to his insig-
niflcant and not especially exemplary brother.