First Schleswig War
1848–1851
In the revolutions of 1848 the German-speaking duchies of Schleswig and Holstein rose against the Danish crown, backed by Prussia and the German Confederation. Denmark had the only real navy in the war and used it to blockade the German coast, which led the Frankfurt Parliament to found the Reichsflotte, the first all-German navy, on 14 June 1848. At Eckernförde in 1849 shore batteries destroyed a Danish ship of the line and captured a frigate. Prussia made peace in 1850, Denmark beat the Schleswig-Holsteiners on land at Isted, and the Reichsflotte was sold off at auction.
How the fleets moved
Click a route to see which ships made it, or a battle for its summary. Routes are approximate.
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Danish movement
German movement
Battle (size: ships engaged)
Routes are approximate.
Battles
In date order.
5 April 1849
Battle of EckernfördeEckernförde Bay, Schleswig
Decisive Schleswig-Holstein victory over the Danish squadron
4 (2 lost)
Fleets
Each navy's ships in the war, from its biggest down.