1st Battle of the Oresund
Defender = Danish-Swedish Navy: 2 +1 (Carl Olof) + 0 - 1 + 0 = 2
Attacker = British Navy: 2 + 0 + 2 - 1 + 0 = 3
Minor Skirmish; Tactically Inconclusive
The day was January 24th. The icy waters of the Skagerrak were calm as the combined Danish-Swedish navy patrolled quietly, ready for any foreign invaders. Far on the horizon a large ship of war was spotted, sporting the colors of the United Kingdom. As the ships drew closer to one another near the waters of Copenhagen, more and more ships began to appear on the horizon, likewise for the British who were advancing upon the Danish-Swedes. Unsure of either side's intentions, both fleets kept their distance for the remainder of the morning, until the rather small British fleet began advancing upon Copenhagen. Trying to discourage the British ships from any actions, a Danish frigate fired a warning shot over the bow of the leading British ship. Ignoring the warning shot, the British ships refused to yield, and a minor skirmish ensued. It is unclear who fired first to kill. Who fired first matters no longer however, as that morning the seemingly neutral relationship between Denmark-Norway and Sweden with the United Kingdom was all but destroyed. Sporadic and scattered cannon shots filled the air, most missing their mark on both sides. The British ships, landing slightly more shots than their Nordic counterparts, quickly withdrew from the Oresund. Both sides lost no ships, only minor damage and a few men lost on both sides.
2nd Battle of the Oresund
Defender = Danish-Swedish Navy: 10 + 1 (Carl Olof) + 0 -1 + 0 = 10
Attacker = British Navy: 7 + 0 + 2 - 1 + 0 = 8
Minor Danish-Swedish Victory; Tactically Inconclusive
A few days later however, the British returned with a larger fleet than the one previously encountered a week before. The British fleet, which some eyewitnesses estimated to be somewhere below 35 ships of the line, returned to the Oresund, led by one Vice Admiral William Cornwallis, seemingly making a run for the port city of Copenhagen. The Danish Swedish fleet, led by one Carl Olof Cronstedt, by then had readied itself and was prepared in order of battle. The British fleet likewise deployed into order of battle. Both sides viewed each other as hostile and were now fully committed to a direct confrontation. After hours of maneuvering and minor actions by both sides' smaller ships, the Danish-Swedish fleet managed to cross the British' "T" and began major naval actions. The British fleet, hardened and experienced after years at sea, fought gallantly and bravely against the combined Danish-Swedish fleet. Cannonballs ripped through the air, shattering wood and bone alike. The air was heavy with smoke, and grapeshot whistled to and fro as both sides delivered close volleys of the deadly ammunition into each other. Despite the exceptional performance by the British fleet however, the British found themselves being outmaneuvered by the experienced Admiral Carl Olof. Adding to their troubles, Danish-Swedish light ships harassed them exceptionally well, though with limited effectiveness. Realizing that they would not be able to continue a major pitched battle and being incredibly annoyed by the Nordic frigates and light ships, Vice Admiral Cornwallis gave the order for a fighting withdraw in an orderly fashion. The British navy retreated, leaving the waters in the control of the Nordic fleet. The British fleet suffered the loss of 2 ships of the line and a handful of light ships, with many more damaged to varying degrees. The Danes and Swedes suffered the loss of only 1 Danish ship of the line, with fewer light ships lost compared to the British, as well as less severe damages to their fleet. The Oresund remains in the hands of the Nords, with Copenhagen safe... for now.
The British Navy doesn't appear to have given up it's efforts in the Baltic yet however. Despite suffering minor defeats in the Oresund, the British fleet has begun the harassment of all trade flowing through the Skagerrak, no matter if it is flowing into or out of the Baltic. The blockade is unprejudiced; merchant ships of all nations, even allies, are not allowed passage by the British. The Danes and Swedes can only wait anxiously for another incursion by the British.
