COPENHAGEN, Denmark (AP) – A Historic Discovery
Marine archaeologists have uncovered a Danish warship, which sank over 200 years ago due to the actions of Admiral Horatio Nelson and his British fleet. The wreck of the 19th-century Dannebroge has been found resting on the ocean floor within Copenhagen Harbor.
Divers are currently working about 15 meters (49 feet) underwater, facing thick sediment and near-zero visibility. They’re in a race against the clock to excavate this significant wreck site, as construction is set to begin for a new residential area off the Danish coast.
The Viking Ship Museum in Denmark, leading a long-term underwater dig, announced this remarkable find on Thursday. It coincides with the 225th anniversary of the Battle of Copenhagen, which took place in 1801.
Morten Johansen, who heads marine archaeology at the museum, expressed the importance of this discovery, stating, “It’s a big part of Danish national sentiment.” He noted that while many narratives of the battle exist, firsthand experiences of those aboard the ships, caught in such chaos, are scarce. “Part of that story can probably be learned from seeing the shipwreck,” he commented.
During the Battle of Copenhagen, Nelson attacked and ultimately defeated the Danish navy, which was attempting to blockade the port. The conflict was devastating; thousands were either killed or injured in the intense, hour-long battle, deemed one of Nelson’s “Great Sea Battles.” Its objective was to push Denmark out of an alliance with the Nordic powers, including Russia, Prussia, and Sweden.
The flagship Dannebroge, commanded by Admiral Olfert Fischer, was central to this confrontation. Nelson’s main target, the ship, stood 48 meters (157 feet) tall and was struck repeatedly. Cannon fire breached the upper deck, leading to significant fires onboard.
Johansen described the horrific conditions aboard such ships: “When a shell hits a ship, it’s not the shell that does the most damage to the crew, but the wood fragments that fly everywhere, much like grenade fragments.” He also shared that this battle might have inspired the phrase “turning a blind eye,” as Nelson, having lost vision in one eye, chose to disregard orders from his superiors.
Following the intense fighting, Nelson pushed for an armistice, which was eventually accepted by Crown Prince Frederick of Denmark. The Dannebroge, having suffered grave damages, drifted and ultimately exploded, echoing through Copenhagen.
Archaeologists have so far discovered two cannons, military uniforms, insignia, shoes, bottles, and even a portion of a sailor’s jawbone—likely belonging to one of the 19 crew members who perished in the conflict.
The excavation site will soon be enveloped by the construction of Linnetholm, a massive project aimed at establishing a new residential area in the center of Copenhagen’s harbor, with completion expected by 2070.
Last year, marine archaeologists began surveying the potential site, believed to mark the ship’s final resting spot. Experts say that the dimensions of the wooden artifacts found align with historic drawings, and tree-ring dating corroborates the ship’s original construction year. The site poses challenges, as clouds of mud stirred from the ocean floor make navigation treacherous for divers.
Marie Johnson, a diver and marine archaeologist, explained, “When you can’t see anything, you just have to fumble and look with your fingers instead of your eyes.”
The battle of 1801 is deeply woven into Denmark’s national narrative, celebrated through literature and art. Archaeologists are hopeful that their findings will shed new light on this pivotal moment in Scandinavian history and bring to light the personal stories of those who fought that fateful day 225 years ago.
“There are bottles, pottery, and even fragments of baskets,” Johansen remarked. “It brings you closer to the people on the ship.”
