Battle of Zealand Point

The Danish ship of the line Prins Christian Frederik was stationed in Kristiansand, Norway from August 7, 1807, patrolling waters between Norway and Denmark where Britain had imposed a blockade. In February of 1808, the Prins Christian Frederik pursued the British ship HMS Quebec into hiding. Having learned of the Danish ship, the British admiralty sent a squadron consisting of HMS Nassau, HMS Stately, HMS Vanguard, and two frigates, HMS Constant and HMS Kite to secure the waters. In the meantime, the Danish ship of the line became frozen in the waters near Kristiansand and set sail for Denmark on March 4.

[edit] Naval tactical background

By the time Prins Christian Frederik reached Denmark, epidemic typhus had broken out among its crew. Ice in the Danish harbors prevented it from docking, and crew were replaced over the ice. March 17 morale deteriorated further when news arrived that King Christian had died.

The ship was ordered into the Great Belt (Storebælt) strait to provide cover for a crossing of a French army corps consisting of Spanish soldiers ordered by Jean Baptiste Jules Bernadotte (later King of Sweden) to attack Skåne. Having been alerted to the Danish ship's plan, the British ships give chase.

[edit] Parker's Battle Plan

The British ships intended to outmaneuver, corner, and overpower the Prins Christian Frederik.

[edit] Jessen's Battle Plan

Jessen conferred with his officers and decided to take a stand in order to gain enough of a tactical advantage to move into familiar waters and within the protective range of the cannon at Kronborg.

[edit] Battle

At about 7 pm, HMS Stately and HMS Nassau moved into the wake and flanked the Prins Christian Frederik. The Danish ship opened fire on the Stately. Fire was returned with devastating effects on both ships. The initial battle lasted for two hours, killing one of the Danish officers, Peter Willemoes. After a brief pause, the British ships attacked in force, driving the Prins Christian Frederik onto the sandbar.

The Danish officers surrendered, and prisoners were transferred to the British ships. The dead were dumped overboard, and the transfer of wounded took until the next morning. After failing to tow the Prins Christian Frederik off the sand, it was set on fire and exploded in the evening of March 23.

[edit] Consequences

The Prins Christian Frederik was the last of the Danish ships of the line. Its loss meant the end to any Danish challenge to British supremacy in Danish territorial waters.