HDMS Prinds Christian Frederik facts for kids
The HDMS Prinds Christian Frederik was a powerful warship. It was a 'ship of the line' in the Royal Dano-Norwegian Navy. This means it was one of the biggest and strongest ships of its time.
HDMS Prinds Christian Frederik is in the middle.
(Motif from the Battle of Zealand Point) |
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| History | |
|---|---|
 Denmark-Norway |
|
| Name | HMS Prinds Christian Frederik |
| Namesake | Prince Christian Frederick |
| Builder | Hohlenberg, Orlogsværftet, Nyholm, Copenhagen |
| Launched | 6 October 1804 |
| In service | 1806 |
| Out of service | 21 March 1808 |
| Fate | Captured by Royal Navy |
| History | |
 United Kingdom |
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| Acquired | 21 March 1808 |
| Fate | Sunk in Action 23 March 1808 in the Battle of Zealand Point |
| General characteristics | |
| Class and type | 74-gun third-rate ship of the line |
| Tons burthen | 2.345 (bm) |
| Length | 53.6 m (176 ft) |
| Beam | 13.9 m (46 ft) |
| Depth of hold | 6.35 m (20.8 ft) |
| Sail plan | Full-rigged ship |
| Crew | until 628 |
| Armament |
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Contents
Building the Ship
This impressive ship was built at a place called Orlogsværftet. This shipyard was on an islet (a small island) named Nyholm, near Copenhagen. A skilled designer named Frantz Hohlenberg created its plans.
Building such a large ship needed a lot of wood. About 1,600 oak trees were used to construct it! The ship was officially launched on October 6, 1804. This means it was put into the water for the first time. The cost to build it was around 12,000 rigsdaler, which was a lot of money back then.
Life at Sea
Early Training and Patrols
In 1806 and part of 1807, the Prinds Christian Frederik was used as a training ship. It sailed in the North Sea and the Baltic Sea. This helped new sailors learn how to operate a large warship.
Later in 1807, the ship was on patrol in waters belonging to Denmark-Norway. It sailed alongside another ship of the line, the HDMS Lovise Augusta.
Defending Kristiansand
On September 18, 1807, a British naval force attacked the Eastern Port of Kristiansand. One of their goals was to capture the Prinds Christian Frederik, which was anchored there. However, the Christiansholm Fortress fought back with heavy gunfire. The British attack was stopped, and the ship remained safe for a while.
Final Mission
At the start of 1808, the Prinds Christian Frederik was in Norway. Its job was to deliver important supplies to the Royal Dano-Norwegian Army. Even though many crew members were sick, and a large part of the crew was new, the ship received a new order in March. It was told to protect troops being moved across the Great Belt (Storebælt), a strait in Denmark.
The Battle of Zealand Point
On March 21, 1808, the Prinds Christian Frederik faced a large British naval force. This battle is known as the Battle of Zealand Point. During the fight, the ship ran aground, meaning it got stuck in shallow water. The battle was very intense. The Prinds Christian Frederik suffered many casualties, with 64 crew members losing their lives and 126 being wounded. The British managed to capture the ship.
The Ship's End
Two days later, on March 23, the captured Prinds Christian Frederik was still stuck. The British tried hard to get it floating again, but they couldn't move it. After they had taken all the dead and wounded sailors off the ship, the British made a tough decision. Since they couldn't move the ship, they decided to set it on fire.
The fire eventually reached the ship's powder magazine, where all the gunpowder was stored. This caused a huge explosion, completely destroying the ship. The loss of the Prinds Christian Frederik marked the end of the last Danish-Norwegian ship of the line in the Napoleonic Wars.
Remembering the Ship
An anchor from the Prinds Christian Frederik was displayed outside Stenstrup Museum for many years. In 2002, it was moved to a new spot in front of Annebjerggård. In 2021, it was moved again to a barn for restoration. This anchor, along with a cannon and other items from the ship, will be part of a new exhibit. This exhibit will be about the Battle of Zealand and will be at the Odsherred Museum.
There is also a model of the Prinds Christian Frederik hanging inside Odden Church. This church is very close to where the Battle of Zealand Point happened.
On February 10, 2023, the Odsherred Museum opened a special exhibition. It is called Willemoes and the Wreck, and it tells more about the ship and the battle.
