Olfert Fischer | |
|---|---|
 Lithograph of Olfert Fischer | |
| Born | (1747-08-04)4 August 1747 |
| Died | 18 February 1829(1829-02-18) (aged 81) Copenhagen, Denmark |
| Buried | |
| Allegiance |  Denmark–Norway |
| Branch |  Royal Dano-Norwegian Navy |
| Rank | Vice admiral |
| Conflicts | |
| Relations | Olfert Fas Fischer (father) |
Vice-AdmiralJohan Olfert Fischer (4 August 1747 – 18 February 1829) was a Danish naval officer. He commanded theDano-Norwegian fleet againstBritish forces underLord Nelson during the Danish defeatat Copenhagen on 2 April 1801.[1]
Johan Olfert Fischer was born inCopenhagen in 1747,[2] the son of Vice-AdmiralOlfert Fas Fischer whom he followed to a naval career.[3] While still a young man, his rise through the military ranks was set back and almost destroyed in an incident with a prostitute while he was on guard duty on the island ofHolmen off Copenhagen. The prostitute compounded Fischer's disgrace by accusing him of violent assault and her charges were believed by a military court: Fischer, then a lieutenant, was punished and demoted back to common seaman for a period of one year.[4]
By 1784, however, Fischer had rebuilt his reputation enough to be promoted to captain, and he was dispatched to theWest Indies as commander of the warshipBornholme.[2] It was during this three-year mission that he first met — on friendly terms — his future foe Nelson, then a captain aboardHMSBoreas.[2][5]
By 1801, Fischer had risen to the rank ofcommodore and was appointed to lead the critical naval defense of Copenhagen during theFrench Revolutionary Wars. Aboard his flagshipDannebrog, he attempted to organize a comprehensive defense with which to face Nelson's fleet. TheDannebrog, however, caught fire early in the battle and Fischer was forced to transfer his command, first to a different ship and then, when that ship was crippled also, to a shore-based battery. Under these circumstances, Fischer had little control over the situation. Though the Danish fleet fought a spirited battle, the much larger British force eventually overwhelmed the Danish fleet. Recent histories have posited the difficulty of battle communications and a cumbersome Danish chain of command as reasons for the British victory in the battle."[2][6]
Fischer, who was wounded in the battle, was praised as a national hero and bemedaled by the Danish crown for his bravery.[7] Nelson himself, who had at that time been involved in over a hundred actions, pronounced that the battle was the fiercest he had ever fought.[8]
Fischer remained with the navy and was elevated to the rank of Vice Admiral.[2] He died on 18 February 1829 and was buried in the churchyard of theReformed Church, Copenhagen.[9]
Although some contemporary scholars have criticized Fischer's reputation and minimized his significance,[4] he remains a military hero in Denmark. Among ships named for him, the coastal defensemonitorOlfert Fischer was one of the main ships of theRoyal Danish Navy (RDN) beforeWorld War I.[10] It was first laid down at Copenhagen in 1900[11] and commissioned to service in 1903.[12] The vessel took part in the coronation celebrations ofKing George V in June 1911, representing Denmark at the naval ceremonies inSpithead.[13] The modernOlfert Fischer (F355) is aNiels Juel-class corvette of the RDN, commissioned to service in 1981.[14] In addition to coastal duties, this ship served among allied forces in thePersian Gulf during the conflicts of 1990[15] and 2003.[16]
Fischer is commemorated in the compositionThe Hope byFrederik Magle which was commissioned by theAdmiral Danish Fleet and the Reformed Church in Copenhagen.The Hope was premiered on 1 and 2 April 2001, marking the 200th anniversary of the battle of Copenhagen.[17][18]
