History of the Danish navy facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Dano-Norwegian navy |
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| Active | 1510–1814 |
| Country |  Denmark–Norway |
| Allegiance | King of Denmark-Norway |
| Type | Navy |
| Role | Coastal defence and fortification Naval warfare |
| Size | 19,000 personnel (1709) 471 Ships (1808) |
| Part of | Danish military |
| H/Q | Holmen, Copenhagen |
| Motto(s) | Gud og den retfærdige sag ("God and the just cause") |
| Colours | Red & White |
| Engagements |
See list
Swedish War of Liberation
Count's Feud Northern Seven Years' War Kalmar War Torstenson War Northern War (1655–1660) Scanian War Danish–Algerian War Great Northern War Battle of Copenhagen (1801) Battle of Copenhagen (1807) Gunboat War |
| Disbanded | 12 April 1814 |
| Commanders | |
| Notable Comm. |
See list
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| Insignia | |
| Naval Ensign (1625–1814) | .svg) |
The history of the Danish navy started a long time ago. It began on August 10, 1510, when Denmark and Norway joined their navies. King John of Denmark appointed Henrik Krummedige as the main captain. This marked the beginning of a strong naval force.
This combined fleet lasted for many years. It was finally split into separate Danish and Norwegian navies on April 12, 1814. This happened when Christian Fredrick became King. Today, these two navies are known as the Royal Danish Navy and the Royal Norwegian Navy.
Contents
In its early days, the navy had a very important job. It needed to fight against the Hanseatic League. This was a powerful group of trading cities. The navy also worked to control the Baltic Sea. This sea was important for trade and travel.
Growing the Fleet Under Christian IV
The navy grew much bigger under King Christian IV. He was king in the 17th century. The fleet became one of the largest in Europe. It had between 50 and 105 large warships. There were also many smaller boats like brigs and sloops. In total, the navy had about 75 ships.
Controlling the Seas in Later Centuries
Later, in the 17th and 18th centuries, the navy's main goal changed. During a time called Absolutism, the king had total power. The navy's job was to control the Øresund Strait. This narrow waterway was vital for trade. It was also important to protect it from the Swedish Empire.
At this time, the navy had about 45 large warships called ships of the line. Each had around 60 cannons. There were also 20 to 40 frigates. These ships were strong enough to challenge the Swedish navy. The Dano-Norwegian ships often had fewer cannons than other big navies. This was a choice to help them sail in the many narrow waters around the Danish islands.
During the Napoleonic Wars, the Dano-Norwegian fleet faced a big challenge. The British navy defeated them badly. They captured almost all their ships. This led to the Gunboat War. Denmark-Norway then built nearly 200 smaller boats called gunboats. These boats were good for fighting in coastal waters. The Bille Family, especially Steen Andersen Bille, played a big part in rebuilding the navy.
The navy was seen as the King's own property. The "King's waters" included the seas around Denmark, Norway, the Faroe Islands, Iceland, and Greenland. It also covered parts of the Baltic Sea and waters near the North Cape and Spitsbergen. The main base for the navy was Holmen in Copenhagen. Sometimes, smaller groups of ships were stationed in Fredriksvern in Norway and in Glückstadt.
In 1709, about 19,000 people were part of the Dano-Norwegian fleet. About 10,000 of these sailors were from Norway. For example, when Tordenskjold led a raid in 1716, most of the sailors and soldiers were Norwegian.
During times of peace, many navy personnel worked in the merchant fleet. This was a large group of trading ships in the 18th century. When war broke out, it was often hard for Denmark-Norway to find enough skilled sailors for the navy.
A royal rule said that money from Norway should be used to build and maintain the navy. This meant that Norway helped a lot to fund the fleet.
Naming the Ships
Most of the large warships in the 17th and 18th centuries were named after kings and queens. They were also named after the lands of Denmark and Norway. Later, in the late 18th century, ships got names from Danish history or Old Norse mythology. This showed a growing sense of national pride.
Here are some of the ships that served in the Dano-Norwegian navy:
- Engelen, (1504–?)
- Maria, (1504–?)
- Trost also known as Hunden and Skjodehunden (around 1600)
- Den Røde Løve also known as Løven (around 1600)
- Katten also known as Grønlandiske Kat (1605–1611)
- Tre Kroner, a warship (1601–1624)
- Gabriel, (around 1616)
- Stora Sofia, a warship (1624–1645)
- Norske Løve, a warship (1634–1653)
- Frederik, a warship (1649–1673)
- Sophia Amalia, a warship (1650–1687)
- Prins Christian also known as Prinsesse Charlotte Amalie and Enigheden, a warship (1651–1679)
- Trefoldighed, a warship (1652–1676)
- Norske Løve, a warship (1654–1666)
- Prins Christian also known as Christianus Quintus, (1665–1708) a large warship
- Norske Løve, a warship (1665–1679)
- Hummeren, a warship/frigate (1666–1700)
- Norske Løve, a warship (1680–1715)
- Dannebroge, a ship of the line (1692–1710)
- Fredericus Quartus also known as Store Christianus Quintus (1699–1732) a warship
- Elephanten, a ship of the line (1703-1728)
- Hjælperinden, an artillery pram (1718–?)
- Norske Løve, a warship (1735–1764)
- Fredericus Quintus, a warship (1753–1775)
- Hvide Ørn, a frigate (1753–1776)
- Søridderen, a frigate (1758–1785)
- Norske Løve, a warship (1765–1798)
- Cristian den Syvende, a warship (1767–?)
- Den Prægtige, a warship (1768–1799)
- Dristigheden, a bomb vessel (1771–?)
- Holsteen, a ship of the line (1775–1801)
- Disco, a frigate (1778–?)
- Friderichsværn, a frigate (1783–1807)
- Speideren, a cutter (1783–1799)
- Søehesten, a gun barge (1785–1801)
- Aggershuus, a cavalry pram (1786–1805)
- Indfødsretten, a ship of the line (1787–1801)
- Hielperen, a frigate (1787–1806)
- Lærken, a lugger (1788–1797)
- Neptunus, a warship (1789–1807)
- Triton, a frigate (1790–1807)
- Najaden, a frigate (1796–1807)
- Waldemar, a warship (1797–1807)
- Prinds Christian Frederik, a warship (1804–1808)
- Najaden, a frigate (1811–1812)
