Battle of Fehrmarn (1659)

On 30 April, 1659, a Swedish fleet under the command of Klas Hansson Bjelkenstjerna encountered its Dutch counterpart under Jacob van Wassenaer Obdam and the Danish one under a certain Bielke between Fehrmarn and Lolland.{{Sfn|Isacson|2015|p=238}}

The Swedish fleet consisted of 20{{Sfn|Isacson|2015|p=238}}–24{{Sfn|Harding|2002|p=77}} warships, two fire ships, and some galleons, while the allied fleet consisted of three Danish warships and 19{{Sfn|Isacson|2015|p=238}}–23{{Sfn|Harding|2002|p=77}} Dutch warships, along with some galleons and transport ships. Bjelkenstjerna decided to attack the allied fleet despite being outnumbered and a weak crew due to starvation.{{Sfn|Isacson|2015|p=238–239}}

Both sides maneuvered to get into their positions, and when they passed each other, they opened fire. The wind became so strong that neither side was able to open their gun ports. However, sufficient fire was able to be maintained from other decks. During the fighting, a six pound cannonball hit Bjelkenstjerna in his hip, forcing him to withdraw to the stern, leading to Carl Gustaf Wrangel taking over command.{{Sfn|Isacson|2015|p=239}}{{Cite web |last=Jacobson |first=G. |title=Klas Hansson Bielkenstierna |url=https://sok.riksarkivet.se/sbl/Presentation.aspx?id=18195&forceOrdinarySite=true |access-date=2024-12-01 |website=sok.riksarkivet.se |publisher=National Archives of Sweden}}{{Sfn|Bäckström|1884|p=131}}

The two fleets continued passing by each other at close range, exchanging heavy cannon fire. The Swedes were able to hit several allied ships, particularly the Danish Trefoldigheden, with several of its sails being shot down, and making maneuvering it difficult. Opdam arrived with reinforcements, successfully preventing the damaged Trefoldigheden from further attacks.{{Sfn|Isacson|2015|p=239}}

The fleets turned once more, and the Swedes came into the wind, however, the harsh weather made it impossible to keep the fleet together for close combat, leading to Wrangel having to stay as still as possible and wait for the allied ships. The evening continued with continuous artillery fire, but when it became dark, Wrangel decided to withdraw in order to seek a harbour to assess the damage done to his ships. Opdam made the same decision, and the fleets separated.{{Sfn|Isacson|2015|p=239}}

The Swedish losses sustained during the battle were some 12 officers and men killed, with 26 wounded, and the size of the allied fleet remains unknown.{{Sfn|Isacson|2015|p=239}} According to some sources, the battle ended in a draw{{Sfn|Isacson|2015|p=239}}{{Sfn|Essen|2023|p=328}}{{Sfn|Glete|2009|p=181}} while others claim it was tactically inconclusive but with a strategic outcome favoring the allies.{{Snf|Albrechtsen|2006|p=198}}{{Snf|Nordentoft|1937|p=63}}

{{reflist}}

• {{Cite book |last=Isacson |first=Claes-Göran |title=Karl X Gustavs krig: Fälttågen i Polen, Tyskland, Baltikum, Danmark och Sverige 1655-1660 |publisher=Historiska Media |year=2015 |isbn=9789175450117 |language=sv |trans-title=Wars of Charles X Gustav: The campaigns in Poland, Germany, the Baltics, Denmark and Sweden 1655-1660}}
• {{Cite book |last=Bäckström |first=Per Olof |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=fcxJAQAAMAAJ |title=Svenska flottans historia |publisher=Norstedts förlag |year=1884 |location=Stockholm |language=sv |trans-title=History of the Swedish fleet}}
• {{Cite book |last=Harding |first=Richard |title=Seapower and Naval Warfare, 1650-1830 |publisher=Taylor & Francis |year=2002 |isbn=9781135364854 |language=en}}
• {{Cite book |last=Essen |first=Michael |title=Charles X's Wars: Volume 3 - The Danish Wars, 1657-1660 |date=27 January 2023 |publisher=Helion & Company |isbn=978-1915113603 |language=English}}
• {{Cite book |last=Glete |first=Jan |title=Swedish Naval Administration, 1521-1721 |publisher=Brill |year=2009 |isbn=9789047441519 |language=en}}
• {{Cite book |last=Albrechtsen|first=Svend|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=GzsSSn1rHXMC|title=Grunde, rev og flak

|publisher=Iver C. Weilbach & Company|year=2006|isbn=978-87-7790-165-2 |language=da}}

• {{Cite book |last=Nordentoft|first=Johan|url=https://krigsvidenskab.dk/emne/nakskov-og-svenskerne-1658-og-1659-iii-fortsat|title=Nakskov og Svenskerne 1658 og 1659 III|publisher=C. A. REITZELS FORLAG|year=1937|language=da}}

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Category:Naval battles of the Dano-Swedish War (1658–1660)

Category:1659 in Europe

Category:Naval battles involving the Dutch Republic

Category:Conflicts in 1659