Shipwreck from the 1801 battle with the British discovered in Copenhagen

Marine archaeologists have discovered the wreck of the Danish warship Dannebroge, sunk by the British fleet during the Battle of Copenhagen in 1801, in Copenhagen harbour. The wreck was found some 15 metres below the surface in coarse sediment during preparatory work for the construction of the new Lynetteholm district.

The discovery was announced by the Viking Ship Museum in Roskilde on the 225th anniversary of the historic battle. Archaeologists found several artefacts at the site, including cannons, uniforms, military insignia, shoes, bottles and parts of a human jaw.

Archaeologists have been working on the excavation of the large shipwreck since late last year. "The dimensions of the timbers exactly match the surviving drawings of the ship, and the dendrochronological dating matches the vessel's year of construction in 1772," said Otto Uldum, a maritime archaeologist at the Danish Viking Ship Museum and head of the excavation.

Experts say the find may provide new insights into the course of the fighting and conditions aboard the ship during the attack.

Dannebroge was the flagship of the Danish navy and suffered severe damage during the battle. She subsequently moved north, where she exploded.

The Battle of Copenhagen was a naval battle between the British and Danish fleets that took place on 2 April 1801. It was commanded by Vice-Admiral Horatio Nelson. It ended in a British victory but a subsequent armistice.

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