Anglo–Swedish skirmish (1695)
| Anglo–Swedish skirmish | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| |||||||||
| Belligerents | |||||||||
 England |
 Swedish Empire | ||||||||
| Commanders and leaders | |||||||||
| Unknown |
Per Olofsson | ||||||||
| Units involved | |||||||||
|
HMS Burlington Siren |
Livland | ||||||||
| Strength | |||||||||
| 2 ships | 1 ship | ||||||||
| Casualties and losses | |||||||||
| Unknown | Several killed and wounded | ||||||||
The Anglo–Swedish skirmish refers to an incident where the Swedish ship Livland, commanded by Per Olofsson refused to salute two English ships, respectively the Burlington and the Siren. His refusal led to a skirmish and the subsequent damaging of the Livland
Skirmish
[edit]On the way towards Portugal with a delayed convoy, Captain Per Olofsson of the Livland encountered the two English ships, the Burlington and the Siren. The English ships ordered the Livland to strike its mizzen sail, even though he had already, according to international practice, fired Swedish recognition signals, namely two cannon shots.[1][2][3]
Olofsson promptly refused to do so, and drank the king's toast in wine with his officers while the Livland prepared for battle.[1][2] Olofsson also made a promise with his officers to fight until the last man.[4]
After a short but intense battle, during which several Swedes were killed and wounded, the Livland gave up and was taken into Plymouth.[1][2][3][5]
Aftermath
[edit]After some time, the Livland was freed. However, the captain, Per Olofsson, was accused infront of the Swedish Admiralty court for giving his ship up. Initially, he was sentenced to death, but he was later pardoned by Charles XII.[1][2][5]
See also
[edit]- Action of 10 August 1695 – 1695 engagement of the Nine Years' War
- Action of 18 April 1695 – Skirmish between an English ship and a Dano-Swedish fleet
- Stockholm incident – Seizure of a Swedish ship by English ships in 1651
- Skirmish at the Isle of Wight – 1647 engagement of the English Civil War
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d Wolke, Lars Ericson (2015-01-22). Lasse i Gatan: Kaparkriget och det svenska stormaktsväldets fall (in Swedish). Svenska Historiska Media Förlag AB. ISBN 978-91-87031-94-6.
- ^ a b c d Wolke, Lars Ericson (2020-04-20). Stridens verklighet: Döden på slagfältet i svensk historia 1563-1814 (in Swedish). Svenska Historiska Media Förlag. ISBN 978-91-7545-692-8.
- ^ a b "De svensk-engelska segelstrykningsdispyterna". members.tripod.com. Retrieved 2024-08-30.
- ^ "Karl XII". members.tripod.com. Retrieved 2024-08-30.
- ^ a b Wolke, Lars Ericson (2015-02-03). Kapare och pirater: i Nordeuropa under 800 år (in Swedish). Svenska Historiska Media Förlag AB. ISBN 978-91-7545-178-7.