TAMH: Trading Ports

Centuries - 17 | 19


Copenhagen in the 19th century

(København, Denmark)

Denmark signed the Armed Neutrality treaty of 1794 (with Russia, Sweden and Prussia), defying Britain's claim of right to search all vessels at sea. A fleet sent under Admirals Nelson and Parker in 1801 attacked the Danish fleet in Copenhagen harbour. (Records of Tayside men involved, such as James Coull, are in the Mariners section). This was the occasion on which Nelson is said to have raised his telescope to his blind eye so that he might ignore a signal to break off. Fearful Denmark would side with Napoleon, Britain demanded the fleet's surrender. When this did not happen another attack followed on Copenhagen in 1807 with 3 days' bombardment. What was left of the fleet was handed over to the British. Napoleon was advancing through Jutland at this point and Denmark was forced into the continental alliance. With Napoleon's defeat, Denmark was left isolated and impoverished and forced to hand Norway over to Sweden in reparation.
Keywords:

Search for voyages to Copenhagen in the 19th century.