The Bombardment of Copenhagen - Steven Dews

After surveying the channel off Copenhagen, Vice Admiral Nelson laid buoys to mark the 'middle ground' sand bank, as the Danes, in anticipation of the forthcoming attack, had wisely removed the navigation marks.

Nelson anchored his ships to the south of the quickly fortified city and organized his fleet so his ships would sail in a line with the first ship anchoring, by the stern and attacking the first Danish defence ship. The next ship in the British line was to use the first ship as a cover and then anchor ahead and attack the next of the Danish ships. This was repeated until all the available British ships were on station each having ‘leapfrogged’ the British ship ahead. Apart from three of his twelve capital running ships running aground on the Middle Ground sand bank, the plan worked well but it was no easy fight. The Danes fought bravely, but in the end were no match against overwhelming and well trained British fire power.

Admiral Parker, in overall command, held a position well to the North of the channel and Copenhagen but because of the foul wind direction (fair for Nelson) could take no part in the actual fighting but gave Nelson a free hand to organize his forces as he saw fit. However, at one stage of the battle, Admiral Parker, unable to see precisely what was going on due to the dense smoke blown directly at him, assumed that Nelson was in trouble so hoisted a “Withdraw" signal. Nelson’s officers saw the signal and informed Nelson of its content. It is at this point Nelson raised his telescope to his blind eye and remarked that he couldn’t see the signal “turned a blind eye” and thus carried on to eventual victory.

Goutelette on paper.  Edition of 50   
Image size - 56 x 34 inches  (142cm x 86cm)
Paper size - 60 x 38 inches (152cm x 96cm)

Each print is hand-numbered & accompanied by a numbered Certificate of Authenticity, which is signed by the artist.  This Limited Edition Gouttelette Print on paper is published with light-fast inks to BS1006 standard onto acid-free, calcium carbonate-buffered stock, mould-made from 100% cotton and sourced from environmentally-conscious paper suppliers.