Maritime archaeologists in Denmark have confirmed the discovery of the long-lost warship Dannebroge, a central vessel in the Battle of Copenhagen fought on 2 April 1801. The find marks the first time that physical remains from one of Denmark’s most significant naval battles have been investigated archaeologically.
The wreck was located on the seabed of Copenhagen Harbour by researchers from the Danish Viking Ship Museum, who are conducting surveys in connection with the construction of the artificial island Lynetteholm. The vessel lies approximately 15 metres below the surface in low-visibility conditions, buried beneath layers of silt.
The Dannebroge served as a command ship in the Danish–Norwegian defensive line during the battle, which pitted Denmark against a superior British fleet led by Horatio Nelson. Within hours of intense fighting, the ship caught fire and later exploded, sinking in the area known as the King’s Deep.
“We have found Dannebroge and the remains of those who never made it ashore,” said maritime archaeologist Otto Uldum, who is leading the excavation.
The identification of the wreck is supported by multiple lines of evidence. According to Uldum, the dimensions of the ship’s timber structures closely match historical drawings, while dendrochronological analysis confirms a construction date consistent with the vessel’s launch in 1772. Artefacts recovered from the site—including cannonballs, bar shot, and two cannons—further reinforce the conclusion.
The excavation is considered groundbreaking. Although the Battle of Copenhagen has been widely documented in historical accounts and national narratives, no prior archaeological investigations have directly examined material remains from the conflict.
“This is the first time we are building an archaeological body of evidence for the battle,” Uldum explained. “It adds a completely new dimension to our understanding.”
The site is now also home to personal items from crew members, which could shed light into the lives of ordinary sailors. Among the discoveries are bits of clothing, shoes, clay pipes, uniform insignia and weapons that are rarely kept in museums because they’re typically focused on officers and ceremonial artefacts.
Human remains are also recovered. Archaeologists have found a lower jaw and several bones that are believed to belong to members of the crew. 19 sailors from the Dannebroge were reported missing after the battle, among a crew of around 357. 53 men died on board and more died later from the ship’s injuries. “These finds bring us closer to the individuals who experienced the battle,” said Uldum. “They remind us that this was not only a historic event, but a human tragedy.”
The Battle of Copenhagen itself was a brutal engagement lasting several hours. Danish forces, composed partly of repurposed ships anchored as floating fortresses, faced a British fleet with significantly greater firepower—approximately 1,270 guns compared to Denmark’s 833. Despite fierce resistance, the Danish line eventually collapsed, and a ceasefire was agreed later that afternoon.
Shortly after the fighting ended, the burning Dannebroge drifted north before exploding in a blast heard across the city.
Archaeologists expect the ongoing excavation to not only shed light on the battle but also the naval warfare of the period. It is part of a bigger programme of sea floor research to be undertaken before construction in Lynetteholm and has already yielded key discoveries; some of them are shipwrecks previously unknown.
Historians and researchers have a lot of use for the Dannebroge beyond its physical remains.
“Because this is such a well-known event, every single find carries weight,” Uldum noted. “It challenges what we think we know and allows us to examine history through tangible evidence.”
The excavation is expected to continue through spring 2026, with all recovered materials undergoing detailed documentation, including 3D scanning and analysis.
Sources : Viking Ship Museum in Roskild
