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Post by The Viceroy (AdminM) on Oct 4, 2016 21:41:52 GMT
The English North Sea Fleet arrives at the Sound. Their Admiral, the Dutch Cornelis Evertsen the Youngest, shows no intention of stopping hi fleet. The Danish have the option to engage, or let the fleet through. Memories of the abortive attempt to invade Sweden in 1700, which was prevented by the Anglo-Dutch fleet, are fresh in the minds of the seamen.
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Post by Frederick IV on Oct 5, 2016 21:56:09 GMT
The Kingdom of Denmark-Norway wishes to engage (the above message implying either the acceptance of engagement or the passing up of the opportunity and the deliberate abandonment of the 'Peace of the Sound' policy - theleviathan.freeforums.net/thread/2/denmark-norway). It will engage the passing English fleet under the plans The Viceroy has been made aware of. |
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Post by Bill on Oct 5, 2016 22:23:40 GMT
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Post by Bill on Oct 6, 2016 13:13:14 GMT
"Fuck it!" Cornelius shouts, "i want to see how the Danish swim."
Cornelius will engage the Danes with full force and with extreme prejudice, no time for mercy.
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Post by The Viceroy (AdminM) on Oct 8, 2016 14:48:39 GMT
The Danish Fleet, commanded by the Count of Samsø
15 Galleys
7 Frigates
10 Transports
The North Sea Fleet, Cornelis Evertsen the Youngest: The Sound
4 Men o' War
4 Ships of the Line
10 Frigates
Samsø stood at the fore of his frigate, watching the English fleet advance at speed. Not long ago they had decided to drop anchor, but politics, as in all things, stood in the way. His frigate was dwarfed by the English ships, how he wished his brand new Ships of the Line had been constructed. Well, there was nothing he could do now but hold his ground. The Land guns bordering the Sound began firing, the English were forced into a narrow formation to avoid danger. As the enemy sped forwards, the roar of English shanties almost drowned the sound of the shore guns.
Cornelis, the little Devil, despite his old age, was jumping around the deck shouting orders at his sailors. His ship, a Man o’War, led the fleet forward. For the most part they were able to avoid danger, no sailor can outdo those from Albion. However, some of the ships took minor damage. As the English flag ship advanced, they sailed straight into the blockade prepared by the Danes, yet they still showed no signs of stopping.
The Danish frigates were hit first, and they were hit hard. Cornelis used his ship to ram one out of the way, as it spun a devastating salvo from the English starboard guns sent it to the bottom. This early triumph spurred the English on, and the gains made by Cornelis were imitated by Captains of the other Men o’War. Nevertheless, the Danes continued to hold their blockade despite the hellish environment. With the rest of the English fleet starting to join the fray, one of their frigates sailed to close to the shallows and beached, in a second two galleys had advanced and were able to board the ship without much trouble.
The battle was terrible. With hundreds dying on each side. Sinking frigates dominated the Sound, but the Danes slowly gained the upper hand. Their galleys thrived in the closed environment of the Sound, whilst the English ships were constantly having to adjust to avoid being caught by the shore guns, or worse – the shallows. One Man o’War drifted away from the English fleet, to the surprise of the approaching Galleys it dropped anchor, tearing away a chunk of its deck. It veered to the side and emptied devastating volleys into the transport fleet sheltering behind the lines . Eventually, under heavy fire, the ship was sunk.
Cornelis decided, that retreat was the best option. The flags were raised, and the English fleet attempted to do just that. Those pesky Danish galleys did their best to hinder them, taking advantage of their greater manoeuvrability. The English finally lost their solid form, and in the chaos Cornelis found his own ship beached. Samsø recognised this, and ordered his men to board at all costs. This is a prize he would not let slip through his fingers. English frigates tried to relieve their Admiral, but could not get close enough. More Galleys fell as Cornelis refused to give up his ship without a fight. Samsø himself managed to get close enough to hear the clash of swords aboard the Man o’War. He watched, bemused, as the English sailors jumped overboard. Can death truly be greater than being a prisoner? His bemusement quickly subsided as he sailed by, watching Cornelis himself standing above a stack of powder barrels. “Good Lord,” he muttered as he witnessed the Dutchman ignite the powder, blasting himself and his ship into the heavens. In the resulting confusion, the rest of the English fleet managed to escape.
Losses
Denmark:
3 Frigates
6 Galleys
2 Transports
England:
2 Men o’War
1 Ship of the Line
4 Frigates
1 Frigate (captured)
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Post by Frederick IV on Oct 8, 2016 21:57:15 GMT
Frederick IV calls for a national holiday in memory of the great event.
Where guile and wit, allowed the inferior forces of the Navy of Denmark-Norway to successful defend their inheritance.
Count Samso is rewarded with land and the flagship of the Danish Navy is renamed 'The Lion of the Sound' in recognition of the nickname he has gained amongst the common folk that Frederick IV has met with in recent weeks.
The Castle of Helsingor is to be prepared for a great victory celebration later this year, with representatives of Poland-Lithuania, Saxony, Russia and France invited to attend.
A commemorative wreath is sent to William in London, along with a book of remorse some of the literate of Denmark have signed, many of whom have compared the events at Helsingor with the Shakespearean tragedy of Hamlet.
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