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SS. Crown Batteries, mounting 160 pieces of cannon.

T. A frigate ready for sea.

UU. Two ships of the line ready for sea. VW. Two ships of the line. XX. Two gun brigs. a b c, &c. Armed schooners and vessels, the whole supported by the Batteries, &c.

A mind less invincible than Nelson's might have been discouraged by the accidents which had deprived him of the aid of one fourth of his line of battle ships, even before they could get into action. He felt, however, that he could not retreat to wait for reinforcements, without compromising the honour of his country. His agitation, therefore, while the ships were taking their stations, was extreme; it was not the agitation of indecision, but of ardent, animated patriotism, panting for glory, which had appeared to be within his reach, but seemed to be escaping from his grasp. But, no sooner had all the

Battle of Copenhagen.

ships taken their stations than the countenance of their chief was observed to brighten and his good humour flowed. The firing of a thousand guns raised his spirits to the highest pitch; and his conversation became joyous, animated, elevated, and delightful. The Elephant's station was in the centre, opposite to the Danish commodore Fischer, who commanded in the Dannebrog, 62. The distance between the combatants was nearly a cable's length. Nelson had been most anxious to get nearer; but the same error which had led the two ships upon the shoal caused the masters and pilots to dread shoaling their water on the larboard shore; when, therefore, the lead was at a quarter less five, they refused to approach nearer and insisted on the anchor being let go. It was afterwards found that the water deepened up to the very sides of the enemy's ships, so that our's might have closed with them, and terminated the murderous conflict in much less time. As it was, the Elephant engaged in little more than four fathom. The Glatton had her station immediately astern of the flag-ship; the Ganges, Monarch, and Defiance ahead, not above a half cable's length apart. The judgment with which the station of each ship was calculated in that intricate channel was admirable throughout. Nothing but the failure of the three ships that were aground, and whose force was to have been opposed to the Three Crowns Battery, left this day, as conspicuous for seamanship as for courage, incomplete. The gallant Riou, perceiving the blank left in the original plan for the attack of that battery, proceeded down the line with his squadron of frigates, and attempted, but in vain, to perform the duty which had been expected of the absent ships.

The Danes, on their part, made a most gallant defence. Captain Thura, of the Infoedstretten, 64, fell at the commencement of the action, and all his

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Battle of Copenhagen.

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officers, excepting two, were killed or wounded. this state of confusion, the colours were struck, as the Danes allege, by accident. A boat was sent off to convey the tidings of her commander's death to the prince-royal, who had ever since the dawn of day taken his station upon a battery. On receiving the intelligence, he turned to the officers around him. Gentlemen," said he, "Thura is killed: which of you will take the command ?” "I will," replied in a feeble voice Captain Schroedersee, who had recently retired from the service on account of ill health. Patriotism seemed to inspire his wasted form with fresh vigour, and he hastened on board; the crew again hoisted their colours, but scarcely had the new commander reached the deck, before a ball struck him and he fell. Lieutenant Nissen then assumed the command, and continued to fight the ship for the remainder of the day.

Early in the conflict the Dannebrog took fire, and Commodore Fischer removed his broad pendant to the Holstein, but Captain Braun continued to make the most gallant resistance till he lost his right hand. Captain Lemming succeeded to the command, and though the flames raged around him and threatened immediate destruction, the Dannebrog kept up her fire till the close of the engagement.

Lieutenant Willemoes, a youth only seventeen, rendered himself conspicuous by the gallantry which he displayed in the command of a floating battery, consisting of a square raft composed of beams, on which a flooring was laid to support the guns, and having a breastwork full of port-holes, but no masts. This youth manoeuvred his guns with such skill upon this rude structure, against the Elephant, as to attract the notice of Nelson himself.

At one P.M. but little impression seemed to have been made on the Danish line of defence. On our

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