What country destroyed the Danish fleet in 1801 and 1807?

Answer 1

England.

In 1801 the English fleet bombarded Copenhagen. In 1807 they returned to Copenhagen. The danes had made an alliance with Napoleon, and England couldn't affort that the strong danish navy were on the French side. A fleet under command of Hyde Parker were sent to Denmark. As one of his leading admirals he choosed Nelson.

In Denmark the fleet were not prepared for battle. Most of the fleet were without sails, mast, guns and crew. Only a few vessels were under command due to the normal patroltask. When the English fleet were approaching, the danes hurried to build up a defense. A few ships could serve under sails, but the rest was towed to a defenseline just outside the Copenhagen habour. Here they where fixed with multiple anchors, fitted with guns, gunpowder a few sailors and canoneers to instruct the maincrew which where inhabitants of Copenhagen gathered to defense the city. All in all a bad situation. Yet more bad, because the will of the king was to join England, but with French troops ready to invade and overtake Jutland he felt him self forced take op negotiations with the french. Had the England approached Denmark a bit sooner, in a supportive way instead, -then there is no doubt that Denmark would have chosen an alliance with England. Anyway, it did´NT happend, and with the hostile approach England turned Denmark into an enemy.

The battle itself was harsh. Hyde Parker was a carefull man, and he hesitated to attack. Though the danish navy was without its trained crew and command, and had no manouverecapabilities, the defense still could deliver a serious fight. The ships of the danish navy were of fine standard, and the defenseline was backed up by a dangerous and partly unkwon water with sandy banks. Nelson had command over a part of the fleet, and he had a more aggressive way of doings thinks. When in position he called for attack. Parker tried to stop the fleet by signaling, and when Nelson was tolled there was a signal from Parker, he just took his binocular to the blind eye, and replied, " Cant see anything", -and went on attacking.

Nelson was vitorious. During the battle he sent an ultimatum to the Danish command, in witch he tolled that, unless a surrender was given soon, then he would show no mercy to the danes. Nelson was´NT in such a good position when the ultimatum was given, but he succede with the trick, and the danes lay down weapons.

The English stayed in Copenhagen for a while. Repaired and prepared all danish warships and took them as prize. The most badly damaged and the newcostuctions in the navalyard was destroyed.

Only a few mainships and frigates stayed on danish hands, due to patroling other places when the attack took place.