Home | Site Map | Site A to Z | Site log and News | Credits | email us
News today is available almost instantly with reporters on the spot to give live updates as they happen. Fax, email, telephone and satellite communications all play their part in bringing us details and stories and we only have to switch on the television, radio or use the internet and all is revealed. Newspapers can report events and have them in our hands within 24 hours, complete with photgraphs.
In 1805 the only way to get news delivered was to have written accounts sent overland by a messenger or by sea. Both these methods would take time due to weather conditions, the messenger or ship being captured or other disasters and delays that were not uncommon in those days.
I have taken these reports from The Times, Thursday, April, 16, 1801 illustrate the difficulty of an accurate report being made quickly. You can see, from this one newspaper, how fragments came together giving a disjointed picture of the event and only over a period of time did the true facts become clear.
It is worth noting that in this period newspapers would publish letters and articles that came to them from various places and the paper itself would publish these articles from several days in the same edition. These could appear as Gazettes, letters from individuals, governments and banking, general articles concerning imports and exports and general interest items.
LONDON GAZETTE EXTRAORDINARY
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 15.
Admiralty Office, April 15.
Captain Otway, of his Majesty’s ship the London, arrived in London this morning with despatches from Admiral Sir Hyde Parker. Commander-in Chief of a squadron of his Majesty’s ships employed on a particular service, to Evan Nepean, Esq., dated on board the London, in Copenhagen Roads, the 6th inst., of which the following are copies;-
Sir,- You will be pleased to acquaint the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty that since my letter of the 23rd March no opportunity of wind offered for going up the Sound until the 35th when the wind shifted in a most violent squall from the S.W. to the N.W. and N., 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 with two cables end on, and by 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, but not before I had assured myself of the hostile intentions of the Danes to oppose our passage. As the papers marked Nos. 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 gunboats, flanked and supported by extensive batteries on the two islands called the Crowns, the largest of which was manned 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 65-gun ships (without masts) were moored on the flat on the starboard side of the entrance into the arsenal.
The day after the wind being southerly, we again examined their position, and came to the solution of attacking from the southward. Vice-Admiral Nelson having offered his services for conducting the attack, had some days before we entered the Sound shifted his flag to the Elephant, and having examined and buoyed the other channel of the Middle Sound his lordship proceeded with twelve ships of the line named in the margin* 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.
* Elephant, Defiance, Monarch, Bellona, Edgar, Russell, Ganges, Isis, Agamemnon, Polyphemus, Ardent.
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 enclose a copy of Vice-Admiral Lord Nelson’s report
to me of the action on the 2nd instant. 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 anything to the well-earned renown of Lord Nelson, it would be my 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 fort 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 is which we are engaged will, on some future day, afford them an occasion of showing 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 Mosses 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 later an aged mother.
From the known gallantry of Sir Thomas Thompson on former occasions, the naval force 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 later part of the action, and able to answer any questions that my 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.,
H. Parker.
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 Mosses being killed very early in the action, Lieut. 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.1.
London, in the Categat, 27th March, 1801.
From the hostile transactions of the Court of Denmark sending away his Britannic
Majesty’s chargé d’affaires, the Commander-in Chief of his
Majesty’s fleet is anxious to know what the determination of the Danish
Court is, and weather the commanding officer of Cronberg Castle has received
orders to fire upon the British fleet as they pass into the Sound, as he must
deem the firing of the first gun a declaration of war on the part of Denmark.
(Signed) Hyde Parker.
TRANSLATION No. 2. (Answer)
CRONBERG, March 28.
In answer to the Admiral’s honoured letter, I have to inform him that
our orders are given to fire on the English fleet. An express has 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. 3.
CRONBERG CASTLE, March 28.
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 chargé 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 Excallency should think proper to make any proposal
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
On Board the LONDON, March 29, 1am
Sir,-In answer to your Excellency’s note just receive, the undersigned
has only to reply that finding the intention 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 my be to his feelings, but at same time will be ready to
attend to any proposal of the Court of Denmark for restoring this former amity
of friendship which has for so many years subsisted between the two Courts.
The monument in St Paul’s Cathedral to Captains Mosse and Riou
The wording reads as as follows - but remember that the letter f represents our modern use of the letter s
The Services and Death
Of two valiant and difinguifhed Officers,
James Robert Mosse Captain of the Monarch,
And Edward Riou of the Amazon,
Who fell in the attack upon Copenhagen,
Conducted by Lord Nelson, 2d April 1801
Are commemorated by this Monument
erected at the national expence.
James Robert Mosse,
was born in 1746;
he fervid as Lieutenant
feveral years under Lord Howe,
and was promoted
to the rank of Poft Captain in 1790.
To Edward Riou
who was born in 1762,
an extraordinary occafion was perfented
in the early part of his fervice,
of fignalizing his intrepidity,
and prefence of mind.
which were combined with the moft anxious
folictude for the lives of thofe under his command
and a magnanimous difregard of his own.
When his Ship, the Guardian, ftruck upon
an ifland of Ice in Dec.1789, and afforded no profpect,
but that of immediate deftruction to thofe on board,
Lieut Riou, encouraged all who defired to take the chance,
of preferving themfelves in the boats, to confult their fafety
but judging it contrary to his own duty
to defert the Veffel,
he nither gave himself up to defpair,
nor relaxed his excrtions;
whereby, after ten weeks, of the moft perilous navigation,
he fucceeded in bringing his difabled Ship into Port,
receiving this high reward
of fortitude and perfeverance,
from the divine Providence
on whofe protection he relied.
ELEPHANT, off COPENHAGEN, April 3.
Sir,-In order obedience to your directions to report the proceedings of the
squadron named in the margin* which you did me the honour to place under my
command,
I beg leave to inform you, that having by the assistance of that noble officer, Captain Riou, and the unremitting exertions of Captain Brisbane and the masters of the Amazon and Cruizer in particular, buoyed the channel of the outer deep and 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 24-pounders to eighteen 18-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 Ruffet 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 Captain Fancourt; it was an event to which all the ships were liable. These accidents prevented the extension of our line by 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 Captain Riou (to whom I given the command of the frigates and sloops named in the margin^ to assist in the attack of the ships at the harbour’s mouth).
^Blanche, Alcmene, Dart, Arrow, Zephyr, and Otter
under a very heavy fire. The consequence has been the death of Captain 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 Ross, who volunteered his services to direct the gunbrigs, did everything that was possible to get them forward, but the current was to strong for them to be of service during the action, but not the less merit is due to Captain Ross, and I believe, all the officers and crews of the gunbrigs, for their exertions.
The boats of those ships of the fleet which were not ordered on the attack afforded us every assistance, and the officers and men who were in them merit my warmest approbation.
The Désirée took her station in raking the furthermost Danish ship of the line, and performed the greatest service.
The action began at five minutes past ten, the van led by Captain George Murray, of the Edgar, who set a noble example of intrepidity, which was well followed up by every captain, officer, and man in the squadron. It is my duty to state to you the high and distinguished merits and gallantry of Rear-Admiral Graves.
To Captain 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 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 distinguished bravery on this occasion. The Honourable 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 in 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 Mosse, 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. Thompson, of
the Bellona.-
I have the honour to be, &c.,
Nelson and Bronte.
LIST OF THE KILLED AND WOUNDED IN THE ATTACK ON THE ENEMY’S LINE OF DEFENCE,
BATTERIES, &c., ON THE 2nd OF APRIL, 1801.
EDGAR.- 24seaman, 2 marines, 3 soldiers of the 49th regiment, killed, 79 seaman, 17 marines, 8 soldiers of the 49th regiment, wounded; total 133.
MONARCH.- 35 seamen, 12 marines, 8 soldiers of the 49th regiment, killed; 101 seaman, 34 marines, 20 soldiers of the 49th regiment, wounded, total 210.
BELLONA.- 9seaman, 2 marines, killed; 48 seaman, 10 marines, 5 soldiers, wounded; total 74
DEFIANCE.- 17 seamen, 3 marines, 2 soldiers, killed; 35 seamen, 5 marines, 7 soldiers, wounded; total 69.
ISIS.- 22 seaman, 4 marines, 2 soldiers of the Rifle Corps, killed; 69seaman, 13 marines, 2 soldiers of the Rifle Corps, wounded; total 112.
AMAZON. –10 seaman, 1 marine, killed; 16 seaman, 5 marines, wounded; total 32.
GLATTON.- 17 killed; 34 wounded; total 51.
DÉSIRÉE.- 3 wounded.
BLANCHE.- 6 seaman, 1 marine, killed; 7 seaman, 2 marines, wounded; total 16.
POLYPHEMUS.- 4 seamen, 1 marine killed; 20 seamen, 4 marines, wounded; total 29.
ELEPHANT.- 4 seamen, 3 marines, 1 soldier of the Rifle Corps, killed; 8 seaman, 1 marine, 2 soldiers of the Rifle Corps, wounded; total 19.
ALCMENE.- 5 seamen, killed; 12 seaman, 2 marines, wounded; total 19.
DART.- 2 killed; 1 wounded; total 3.
GANGES.- 5 killed, 1 missing; total 6.
RUSSELL.- 5 seamen, 1 marine, wounded; total 6.
ARDENT.- 29 seaman and marines killed; 64 seaman and marines wounded; total 93.
OFFICERS KILLED.
EDGAR.- Edmund Johnson, first lieutenant; Lieutenant Benjamin Spencer, marines.
DEFIANCE.- George Gray, lieutenant; Matthew Cobb, pilot.
ELEPHANT.- Captain James Bauden, of the Cornish Miners, volunteer in the Rifle Corps; Mr Hy. Yaulden, master’s mate.
POLYPHMUS.- Mr James Bell, midshipman.
ISIS.- Mr Daniel Lamond, master; Mr Hy. Long, lieutenant of marines; Mr George McKinley, Mr Thomas Rain, midshipman; Mr Grant, Lieutenant of the Rifle Corps.
GANGES.- Mr Robert Stewart, master.
DART.- Mr Edwin Sandys, lieutenant.
GLATTON.- Mr Alexander Nicholson, pilot.
MONARCH.- Captain Robert Mosse.
AMAZON.- Captain Edward Riou; Hon. Gee. Tucket, midshipman; Mr Joss Rose, captain’s clerk.
ARDENT.- Mr George Hoare, midshipman.
OFFICERS WOUNDED.
EDGAR.- Joshua Johnson, second lieutenant; W. Goldfinch, fifth lieutenant; MR Gahagan, Mr Whimper, Mr Ridge, Mr Domett, midshipman, slightly.
DEFIANCE.- Mr Paterson, boatswain; Mr Galloway, midshipman; Mr Niblet, captain’s clerk, mr Stephenson, pilot.
ELEPHANT.- Mr Robert Gill, midshipman of the St George; Mr Hugh Mitchell, midshipman.
ALCMENE.- Mr Henry Baker, acting third lieutenant; Mr Charles Meredith, lieutenant of the marines; Mr Charles Church, boatswain; Mr. G. A. Spearing, master’s mate; Mr Pratt, pilot.
POLYPHEMUS.- Mr Edward Burn, boatswain.
DÉSIRÉE.- Mr King, lieutenant, slightly.
ISIS,- Mr Richard Cormack, lieutenant; Mr Reuoen Pain, Mr Simon Frare, Mr Charles Jones, midshipman.
GANGES.- Mr Isaac Davies, pilot, badly.
GLATTON.- Mr Tindall, lieutenant; Mr Robert Thompson, master’s mate; Mr John Williams, midshipman.
MONARCH.- Mr William Minchin, lieutenant; Mr James Maurie, lieutenant of marines,
Mr James Dennis, lieutenant of the 49th regiment. Mr Henry Suymmer, Mr W. J.
Bowes, Mr Thomas Harlow, MrGeorge Morgan, Mr Philip de Visconte, midshipman;
Mr William Joy, boatswain.
BELLONA.- Sir T. B. Thompson, Bart, captain, lost his leg; Mr Thomas Southey, lieutenant; Mr Thomas Wilks, lieutenant, slightly, Captain Alexander Sharp, of the 49th regiment, badly; Mr James Emmerton, master’s mate; Mr Anderson, Mr Edward Daubenny, Me William Silford, Mr Fig midshipman.
AMAZON.- Mr James Harry, Mr Philip Horn, master’s mates.
Killed officers…………………………………..20
Seaman, marines, and soldiers…………….234
..............................................................254
Wounded Officers……………………………
48
Seaman, marines, and soldiers…………….641
............................................................. 689
Total killed and wounded ..........................943
Home | Site Map | Site A to Z | Site log and News | Credits | email us