Battle of Furuholm facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Battle of Furuholm
Part of the Dano-Swedish War of 1808–1809
A Dano-Norwegian gunboat from the early 1800s, based on Chapman's design
Date 28 April 1808 Location Furuholmen, Strömstad, in Sweden Result Swedish victory
Belligerents
Sweden	Denmark–Norway
Commanders and leaders
G. H. Nordberg	Lorentz Fisker
Units involved
Swedish Navy	Dano-Norwegian Navy
Strength
5 gun sloops 249 men 27 guns	16 gun sloops 11 gun yawls 750–1,000 men 77 guns
Casualties and losses
4 killed 6–7 severely wounded	10 killed 4 severely wounded 0 or 3 boats sunk

The Battle of Furuholm was a naval battle that happened near Strömstad in Sweden. It took place on April 28, 1808. This fight was part of the Dano-Swedish War of 1808–1809.

Background to the Battle

The war between Denmark–Norway and Sweden began on March 14, 1808. Commander Lorents Fisker was put in charge of Norway's naval defense. His job was to stop Swedish ships from moving by sea. He also had to help if Norway attacked Sweden.

The naval base at Gravningsundet in Hvaler was very close to Sweden's northern coast. This meant that naval forces often met and fought. Swedish officers were told to seek out Danish-Norwegian ships. This led to many small battles.

Norwegian Raids Near Strömstad

Norwegian forces often launched raids from their base at Gravningsundet. On April 20, Fisker sent a group of sailors and soldiers. They went towards Seläters pier, south of Svinesund, in the dark. They managed to capture nine Swedish soldiers. Then they returned to their ships.

After that, they went to Strömstad. They showed their strength near Furuholm and Killingholm, close to the harbor. Then they sailed back to Hvaler.

A few days later, on April 23, another raid happened. About 100 Norwegian soldiers landed south of Sponvigen. First Lieutenant Jochum Nicolay Müller led them. They marched inland and captured 11 Swedish soldiers and 6 corporals. They also took some military equipment. After this, they headed back to their ships.

The Battle of Furuholm

On April 27, Fisker heard that a small Swedish fleet was in Strömstad. He decided to attack them. He set out with 11 small gun yawls and 16 large gun sloops. He hoped to surprise and destroy the Swedish ships.

Captain G.H. Nordberg had arrived in Strömstad on April 22. He had only five gun sloops, much fewer than the Norwegians. But his ships guarding the coast warned him that the Norwegian fleet had left Hvaler. This gave him time to get ready for an attack. He ordered a land battery to be built at Furuholm. This battery guarded the narrow entrance to the harbor.

Lorents Fisker started his attack on Strömstad on April 28. But Captain Nordberg and his five large gun sloops met him. They positioned themselves in the middle of the entrance at Furuholm. The Swedes had chosen a very good spot to defend. With the help of the land battery, they held their ground. The Danish-Norwegian fleet could not use their larger numbers in the narrow waters.

The fighting lasted for an hour and a half. The Norwegians had to pull back. Their gun sloops were damaged. They lost 10 men killed and 4 severely wounded. Swedish reports said two Norwegian boats also sank, and one exploded. The Swedes lost 4 men killed and 20 wounded. Only 6 or 7 of the Swedish wounded were severe.

After the Battle

After the battle, Nordberg's fleet got stronger. Two more gun sloops and two smaller gun yawls joined them. On May 2, eight new gun sloops were added. These ships were meant to help General Eberhard von Vegesack's planned attack. He planned to invade Frederikshald after the Swedish army entered Norway.

However, parts of the Swedish fleet later lost a battle. This happened at Grævlingesund, southeast of Hvaler, in May.