COPENHAGEN, Denmark — More than 200 years after being sunk during the Battle of Copenhagen, a Danish warship has been discovered on the seabed of Copenhagen Harbor by marine archaeologists.

Race Against Time

Divers are working against the clock to unearth the 19th-century wreck of the Dannebroge before it becomes a construction site for a new housing district off the Danish coast. The wreck lies approximately 15 meters (49 feet) down in thick sediment with near-zero visibility.

Discovery and Significance

Denmark’s Viking Ship Museum, leading the monthslong underwater excavations, announced its findings on Thursday, 225 years to the day since the Battle of Copenhagen in 1801. “It’s a big part of the Danish national feeling,” said Morten Johansen, the museum’s head of maritime archaeology.

The Battle of Copenhagen

The Battle of Copenhagen saw British Admiral Horatio Nelson and the British fleet attack and defeat Denmark’s navy, which was attempting to protect a blockade outside the harbor. The clash resulted in thousands of casualties and is considered one of Nelson’s significant victories. The goal was to prevent Denmark from allying with powers like Russia, Prussia, and Sweden.

The Dannebroge's Fate

The Danish flagship, the Dannebroge, commanded by Commodore Olfert Fischer, was Nelson’s primary target. After sustaining heavy cannon fire and catching fire from incendiary shells, the 48-meter (157-foot) ship exploded. “a nightmare to be on board one of these ships,” Johansen said. “When a cannonball hits a ship, it’s not the cannonball that does the most damage to the crew, it’s wooden splinters flying everywhere, very much like grenade debris.”

Artifacts Recovered

Marine archaeologists have already recovered artifacts from the wreck, including two cannons, uniforms, insignia, shoes, bottles, and even a portion of a sailor’s lower jawbone. These finds may help identify some of the 19 crew members who remain unaccounted for.

Historical Context & Legacy

The battle is also believed to be the origin of the phrase “to turn a blind eye,” reportedly uttered by Nelson after ignoring a signal. Nelson eventually offered a truce, leading to a ceasefire with Denmark’s Crown Prince Frederik.

Future of the Site

The dig site is located in the path of Lynetteholm, a major project to construct a new housing district in Copenhagen Harbor, expected to be completed by 2070. Archaeologists began surveying the area last year, focusing on a location believed to be the Dannebroge’s final resting place. Analysis of recovered wood and cannonballs confirms the ship’s identity and age.