Battles & Campaigns · 1864
Battle of Heligoland
Off Heligoland, North Sea
What happened
The two squadrons met off Heligoland and fired broadsides as they passed each other. Tegetthoff's flagship Schwarzenberg caught fire three times, and he broke off and withdrew to the neutral waters around the island, which Britain then ruled. A hit on the Danish flagship's rudder stopped Suenson from chasing him.
Why it matters
The Danish blockade of the German coast ended. It was the last naval battle fought only by wooden warships.
What came next
An armistice took effect three days later, and when fighting resumed the Danish fleet stayed in port for the rest of the war.
Did you know?
The Danish frigate Jylland still survives in a museum dry dock in Ebeltoft, Denmark.
Timeline
- 18 Apr 1864Battle of Dybbøl.
- 9 May 1864Battle of Heligoland.
- 12 May 1864An armistice takes effect.
- 1890Britain hands Heligoland to Germany.