s and gun-vessels or bomb-vessels. There were
in all eighteen hulks or ships of the line in the Danish defence. To
have made the attack from the northern end would in Nelson's words have
been "to take the bull by the horns." He therefore proposed that he
should be detached with ten sail of the line, and the frigates and small
craft, to pass between the Middle Ground and Saltholm Flat, and assail
the Danish line at the southern end while the remainder of the fleet
engaged the Trekroner battery from the north. Sir Hyde Parker accepted
his offer, and added two ships of the line to the ten asked for by
Nelson.

During the nights of the 30th and 31st of March the channel between the
Middle Ground and Saltholm Flat was sounded by the boats of the British
fleet, the Danes making no attempt to interfere with them. On the 1st of
April Nelson brought his ships through. He had transferred his flag from
his own ship the "St George" (98) to the "Elephant" (74), commanded by
Captain Foley, because the water was too shallow for a three-decker. On
the morning of the 2nd of April the wind was fair from the south-east,
and at 9.30 A.M. the British squadron weighed anchor, led by the
"Amazon" frigate, commanded by Captain Riou, and began to pass along the
front of the Danish line. The Danes could bring into action 375 guns in
all. Their hulks and bomb-vessels were supported by batteries on
Zealand; but, as the water is shallow for a long distance from the
shore, these defences were too far off to render them effectual aid on
the south end of their line. Nelson disposed of a greater number of
guns, 1058 in all, but some did not come into action. The "Agamemnon"
(64), commanded by Captain Fancourt, was unable to round the south point
of the Middle Ground. The "Bellona" (74), commanded by Captain Thompson,
and the "Russel" (74), commanded by Captain Cuming, ran ashore on the
Middle Ground, but within range though at too great a distance for fully
effective fire. Captain Thompson lost his leg in the battle. The other
ships passed between the "Bellona" and "Russel" and the Danes. The
leading British ship, the "Defiance" (74), carrying the flag of
Rear-Admiral Graves, anchored just south of the Trekroner. As the wind
was from the south-east Sir Hyde Parker was unable to make the proposed
attack from the north. The place opposite the Danish fort which was to
have been taken by him was occupied by Captain Riou and the frigates.
The "Elephant" anc