Summary : The Battle of Orford Ness took place between a southbound Swedish convoy escorted by the Swedish warship Oland and an English squadron "some miles" off Orford Ness on 27 July 1704 according to the Julian Calendar then in use in England, 28 July 1704 Swedish style, or 7 August according to the Gregorian Calendar adopted elsewhere in Europe. The English challenged the Swedish convoy to salute them, which the Swedes refused to do, and a four hours' battle ensued. The Swedish commander Psilander was captured, along with his ship, but both were released. The co-ordinates assigned to the battle are arbitrary and for representational purposes only. |
More information : Primary Sources:
'Yarmouth, July 24. Rear-Admiral Whetstone, with a Squadron of Her Majesty's Ships under his Command, came the 22d Instant on the back of our Sands; and having been joined by several Men of War from hence, sailed again the same evening to the Eastward.' (1)
Translated from the original French by compiler:
'From London, 12th August [New Style]:
'Last Sunday . . . in the evening an express arrived at the Admiralty from Yarmouth, with letters from Rear-Admiral Whetstone, noting, that he had encountered a Swedish warship of 50 guns acting as escort to a convoy of 9 merchant vessel, and, having fired a shot to warn them to dip the flag to Her Majesty's flag, the Swede sent his boat to give him answer that he would not do so. On which another shot was fired, to which the Swede answered with a broadside. On this battle was joined, and after a stubborn conflict the Swede was captured with all the fleet and taken to Yarmouth. She had suffered greatly during the battle, and we [that is, the English] also had 70 men killed.' (3)
'Yarmouth, July 31. Her Majesty's Ship the Dunwich passed through our Road the 28th of the last Month [sic] . . . Rear Admiral Whestone came into our Road that Evening with the Squadron of her Majesty's Ships under his Command.' (4)
Secondary Sources:
Gustaf Psilander was promoted to the command of the Swedish warship ÖLAND in March 1704, and convoyed a southbound Swedish merchant fleet through the North Sea. On 28 July 1704, Swedish style, the Swedish ship was between the Dutch and English coasts, some miles off Orford Ness, when they were challenged by an English squadron to salute the English flag. The English warship WORCESTER fired a warning shot and Psilander refused to acknowledge the English flag by dipping his own flag. Battle was then joined, and eventually Psilander hauled up his flag as a signal of distress, thereby saving face. ÖLAND was taken to the Buoy of the Nore at the mouth of the Thames, and Psilander taken prisoner but both were subsequently released. (2)
Described as a four-hour battle, which took place at a time when the two countries were not at war. Illustrated by a memorial to Gustav Psilander, Kalmar church. (6)
Interpretation of date of battle:
According to the London Gazette (1) and (4), Whetstone's activity took place 22 to 28 July 1704 according to the Julian Calendar still in use in England, which differed from the Gregorian Calendar adopted in most of Europe by 11 days. This is corroborated by the Dutch newspaper (3), which alters the date of news from England to the Gregorian Calendar, and suggests an express had arrived at London Gregorian style 10 August, that is, Julian style 30 July, with news of the battle, consistent with Whetstone's activity and a date for the battle of 27/28 July Julian.
Source (2) states that the battle took place on 28 July 1704, Swedish style. Source (5) notes that the battle took place 27 July 1704 according to the Julian Calendar, 28 July 1704 Swedish style, and 7 August 1704 according to the Gregorian Calendar. Date interpreted as 17/27 July in (6). |