Battles of the First Schleswig War
1848–1851 · 2 battles covered, in date order. Click a battle on the map for its summary.
Battle (size: ships engaged)
Danish movement
German movement
Routes are approximate.
5 April 1849 · Eckernförde Bay, Schleswig
Battle of EckernfördeDecisive Schleswig-Holstein victory over the Danish squadron
A Danish squadron under Captain Frederik Paludan went into Eckernförde Bay to destroy two shore batteries manned by Schleswig-Holstein and German Confederation gunners. The wind died and then turned onshore, trapping the sailing ships within range. Red-hot shot set Christian VIII on fire; the steamers Hekla and Geiser could not tow her or Gefion clear, and Hekla was hit herself. Gefion struck her colours, and the burning Christian VIII ran aground, surrendered, and blew up that evening. Denmark lost more than a hundred killed and about a thousand captured; the batteries lost a handful of men. It was a stark lesson in what shore guns could do to wooden ships.
4 (2 lost)
4 June 1849 · Off Heligoland, North Sea
Battle of HeligolandInconclusive
The first action fought by an all-German navy. Karl Rudolf Brommy took three paddle steamers of the new Reichsflotte out from the Weser to break the Danish blockade, and came on the corvette Valkyrien off Heligoland. After an exchange of fire at long range Valkyrien withdrew into the waters of British-held Heligoland, and when the island's battery fired a warning shot Brommy turned back. No ship was badly damaged, but the Reichsflotte had shown its flag at sea.
1
vs
3