Inferno

Chapter 56

Helsingor, at the entrance to the Sound

In his cabin Kydd reached for an apple and tried to concentrate. There’d been such excitement and anticipation when the expedition had sailed, and every day more warships and transports joined to swell their already impressive numbers. It was a far bigger concentration of naval power than he’d seen at the conquest of the Cape, Buenos Aires – even at Trafalgar.

In this great British fleet thousands of men – troops and sailors – were confined within their ships in the late summer heat. For two weeks they’d been lying to anchor here, waiting for the issue to be decided that would see them either sail away or move to another level of threat to induce the Danish to give up their fleet.

But every hour they remained idle, word could be going out that would see the Danes establish defences and bring up troops. Or, worse, call in the French to protect them.

The odd thing was that the Danes seemed completely unconcerned, as if the great force assembled was nothing to do with them.

The beef boats and water hoys put off from the harbour of Elsinore to supply the fleet without any hindrance and in return Admiral Gambier fell in with the sunrise and sunset gun fired from Kronborg Fortress as applying to his fleet as well. Officers were strolling ashore, honours scrupulously paid and returned. A picture of peacetime serenity.

Lying further inshore was the only representative of the Danish navy, the frigate and guardship Frederiksv?rn, at single anchor and silent witness to the drama.

Still no movement. There would soon be a time when-

Through the open stern windows Kydd heard animated voices above. What was going on? They stilled. A short time later there was a burst of excitement. It was too much. He reached for as much dignity as he could muster and wandered on deck.

‘All’s well?’ he enquired of the mate-of-the-deck, who hastily lowered his telescope.

‘Sir! We sees this Dansker packet comes out o’ nowhere as if he has the hounds o’ Hell after him. Heads straight for Flag and in a trice commotion breaks loose aboard. Wouldn’t be surprised if-’

‘Signal, preparative, “all captains”, sir.’

Kydd gave a tight smile.

Gambier was brief and to the point. ‘I have this hour been notified that negotiations with the kingdom of Denmark in the article of a pledge of security have failed.’ He waited for the murmurs to die down. ‘And, further, that unless we act with the utmost dispatch the French will be enabled to intervene. Gentlemen, it is time.’

A landing on the sovereign territory of neutral Denmark was now a reality.

‘Operational plans are complete and shall be issued to be put in train immediately. Nonetheless, for your general understanding I would have you know the essence of the whole.

‘Failing any diplomatic solution, our objective now is to secure and convey the Danish fleet to a friendly port, if necessary by force of arms. Copenhagen is too well defended to seaward, therefore we needs must make a landing and invest the city from the inner, landward side. All siege impedimenta will be landed, to be on open view to the inhabitants, and an ultimatum issued concerning the release of their fleet. I’ve no doubt when this happens common sense will prevail.

‘Yet, as you must realise, there are dangers to our enterprise that present themselves. The first is that Copenhagen is relieved by reinforcements falling upon our rear while we are engaged in siege. This will result in catastrophe and must be avoided at all costs. The city, however, lies on an island. Commodore Keats will lead a squadron that will encircle the island of Sj?lland to prevent a crossing on to it by troops of any description, a vital – or should I say crucial? – task.

‘The second is that should the Danish fleet sally from their harbour as we conduct our landing we will be sorely inconvenienced. To that end Rear Admiral Essington will lead a force to stand towards the city while the landing takes place.

‘And, finally, that the Crown Prince sees fit to defy us makes me fear that he’s amassed strength unknown to us to descend on our forces as we go ashore. If this be the case there are provisions in your orders for a general withdrawal.’

If it came to that, the expedition would have failed, Kydd knew. And such were the stakes that that order would be given only after much bloodshed and destruction.

‘It leaves me only with the solemn duty to call upon the Lord to bless us in our just endeavours. Let us pray.’

Kydd returned to his ship with his orders. Tyger was to be attached to Commodore Keats. In a way it was a disappointment – they wouldn’t be present for the assault, but what could be more important than the throwing of a cordon around the battlefield to prevent interference from the outside?

They were to sail immediately. Keats had been adamant that they were to be under weigh before nightfall that day. There would be time for detailed planning of deployment after they had rounded the northern coast.

Kydd beckoned his first lieutenant. ‘Mr Bray, secure for sea. We’re on our way!’