Maritime archaeologists have discovered the remains of a Danish warship sunk by the admiral.
The fleet sank 225 years ago, along with the remains of a sailor and dozens of artifacts.
Denmark’s Viking Ship Museum announced Thursday, April 2, that the Danish flagship was found 50 feet below the surface of Copenhagen Harbor with almost zero visibility, buried in thick sediment.
Another notable aspect is that the discovery occurred exactly after the Battle of Copenhagen on April 2, 1801.
Otto Uldum, maritime archaeologist at the museum, said: “We have found Dannebroge and the remains of those who never made it ashore after the battle.”
It was the focal point of the Danish-Norwegian defense against Nelson’s fleet of 39 ships. After being bombarded by two British ships, the Dannebroge was set on fire and exploded.
Historical records show that 56 crew members were killed, while more than 40 were injured and 19 crew members were not found.
Archaeologists discovered the human lower jaw, believed to belong to one of the missing sailors.
They also found two cannons, shoes, fragments of clothing, uniform insignia, clay pipes, bottles, ceramics, and the seabed is strewn with cannonballs and pellets.
The excavation is urgent. Archaeologists will soon be involved in the construction of Lynetteholm, a controversial 271-acre artificial peninsula designed to protect Copenhagen from rising sea levels.
