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Lot Essay
With the collapse of the Second Coalition against France in 1800, Russia, Prussia, Denmark and Sweden formed the Second Armed Neutrality of the North in order to counter Britain who claimed a right to stop and search neutral shipping in its continuing war against France. In order to break the league a Fleet was despatched to the Baltic in March 1801 under the command of Admiral Sir Hyde Parker with Vice-Admiral Sir Horatio Nelson as his Second-in-Command. With the Fleet anchored off Copenhagen, negotiations to persuade Denmark to leave the Alliance proved fruitless. Resorting to force, on 2.4.1801, Vice-Admiral Nelson, with part of the Fleet, engaged the Danish Batteries, Warships and Hulks guarding Copenhagen under the command of Admiral Fischer. After a fiercely contested action, during which Nelson famously disregarded his superior's order to withdraw, Danish resistance was overcome. The victory effectively knocked Denmark out of the league which was to collapse of its own accord later in the year.
By the Decree of King Christian VII, dated 3.7.1801, a Medal was established to reward those who had fought at the Battle. Medals were awarded in gold to all Army and Navy Officers present, with a ring suspension for Regulars and without ring for Reservists. Silver Medals were awarded to Other Ranks but only for acts of bravery or distinguished service. Of the Gold Medals, one was awarded with diamonds to Admiral Fischer and 81 wearable and 32 non-wearable were awarded to other Officers.
Rear-Admiral Johan Christopher Hoppe was born in Copenhagen in 1772 and entered the Royal Danish Navy in 1784. Promoted to Lieutenant in 1789, he served aboard the Gerner on a voyage to Morocco and in the Najaden in the Mediterranean, where he saw action off Tripoli.
Hoppe was advanced to Senior Lieutenant in November 1797 and was serving as a Recruiting Officer in Egersund shortly before his participation in the Battle of Copenhagen in 1801, during which engagement he served in the Ship-of-the-Line Sjaelland. Later in the year he joined the Norge and was awarded his Gold Medal for Copenhagen in April 1802.
Appointed First Officer of the Frigate Frederiksvaern in 1805, the Stationship of the Sound, he was advanced to Commander in March of the following year. Next, following a stint as C.O. of the fortress of Provestenen and of the Batteries at Kostrup, Hoppe transferred to Gunboats, a posting that witnessed his appointment to the command of the Gunboat Division at Christianso in October 1810 and to all Gunboat Divisions in the following year, when he was advanced to Captain. During his period of command he saw further action against the British, namely on three separate occasions in June 1812 (including a run-in with a British Frigate at Stevns on 22 June), services that resulted in him being Mentioned in Despatches by Rear-Admiral Krieger on 30.12.1812.
Further reward was to follow in the form of his appointment to the Knight's Cross of the Order of the Dannebrog in early 1813, and his advancement to Commodore and appointment as Chamberlain to the King in 1817. Latterly C.O. of the First Division of the Fleet, Hoppe was placed on the Retired List in the rank of Rear-Admiral in 1834 and died in the following year.
By the Decree of King Christian VII, dated 3.7.1801, a Medal was established to reward those who had fought at the Battle. Medals were awarded in gold to all Army and Navy Officers present, with a ring suspension for Regulars and without ring for Reservists. Silver Medals were awarded to Other Ranks but only for acts of bravery or distinguished service. Of the Gold Medals, one was awarded with diamonds to Admiral Fischer and 81 wearable and 32 non-wearable were awarded to other Officers.
Rear-Admiral Johan Christopher Hoppe was born in Copenhagen in 1772 and entered the Royal Danish Navy in 1784. Promoted to Lieutenant in 1789, he served aboard the Gerner on a voyage to Morocco and in the Najaden in the Mediterranean, where he saw action off Tripoli.
Hoppe was advanced to Senior Lieutenant in November 1797 and was serving as a Recruiting Officer in Egersund shortly before his participation in the Battle of Copenhagen in 1801, during which engagement he served in the Ship-of-the-Line Sjaelland. Later in the year he joined the Norge and was awarded his Gold Medal for Copenhagen in April 1802.
Appointed First Officer of the Frigate Frederiksvaern in 1805, the Stationship of the Sound, he was advanced to Commander in March of the following year. Next, following a stint as C.O. of the fortress of Provestenen and of the Batteries at Kostrup, Hoppe transferred to Gunboats, a posting that witnessed his appointment to the command of the Gunboat Division at Christianso in October 1810 and to all Gunboat Divisions in the following year, when he was advanced to Captain. During his period of command he saw further action against the British, namely on three separate occasions in June 1812 (including a run-in with a British Frigate at Stevns on 22 June), services that resulted in him being Mentioned in Despatches by Rear-Admiral Krieger on 30.12.1812.
Further reward was to follow in the form of his appointment to the Knight's Cross of the Order of the Dannebrog in early 1813, and his advancement to Commodore and appointment as Chamberlain to the King in 1817. Latterly C.O. of the First Division of the Fleet, Hoppe was placed on the Retired List in the rank of Rear-Admiral in 1834 and died in the following year.