Capture of Serampore (1808)

The Capture of Serampore (Danish: Overtagelsen af Frederiksnagore), also commonly known as the Second Capture of Serampure (Den anden overtagelse af Frederiksnagore), was a siege and capture of the Danish colony of Serampore by British forces on 28 January 1808. The Danes capitulated immediately after the arrival of the British, as the latter's forces were far superior.

Capture of Serampore
Part of the English Wars

Painting of Danish Serampore (Frederiksnagore), by Peter Anker
Date28 January 1808
Location22°45′N 88°20′E / 22.75°N 88.34°E / 22.75; 88.34
Result British victory
Territorial
changes
Serampore occupied by Britain
Belligerents
 Denmark-Norway  Great Britain
Commanders and leaders
Denmark–Norway Jacob Kræfting United Kingdom Carey
United Kingdom George Elliot
United Kingdom William Montagu
United Kingdom Neviusore Courey
Units involved
Denmark–Norway HDMS Waldemarr
Denmark–Norway HDMS Elizabeth
Denmark–Norway HDMS Freya
Denmark–Norway HDMS Holstein
Denmark–Norway HDMS Maria
Denmark–Norway HDMS Mary
Denmark–Norway HDMS Nymphe
United Kingdom HMS Modeste
United Kingdom HMS Terpsichore
United Kingdom HMS Dasher
United Kingdom 3 Sepoy companies
Strength
12 ships
c. 40 men
Few cannons
3 ships
Unknown amount of men
Casualties and losses
12 ships Unknown

Background

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In 1801, the conflict between Denmark–Norway and Great Britain extended to their colonial territories, including India. On 8 May 1801, Serampore, a settlement of Danish India, capitulated to British forces led by Colonel Dickson.[1] Similar occurrences took place in Tranquebar and the Danish West Indies. However, the hostilities came to an end following the Treaty of Amiens in 1802, which stipulated that Britain would withdraw from Danish possessions.[2][1]

Capture

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A second rupture between Britain and Denmark–Norway occurred in September 1807, and Lieutenant Colonel Carey was sent to capture Serampore.[3] On the morning of 28 January 1808, Carey led three Sepoy companies from Fort William over the Hooghly River and surrounded Serampore.[4]

According to Carl Bering Liisberg in his Danmarks søfart og søhandel, a British detachment marched into Serampore, disarmed the guards, and occupied the lodge without any time for a Danish surrender.[1] However, according to other sources, Colonel Carey demanded the surrender of the town and factory, which the Danish governor, Jacob Kræfting, steadily accepted.[4][5] Additionally, all twelve Danish vessels harbouring in the Hooghly River were seized by the companies.[6][7]

Aftermath

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Britain would occupy Serampore until 1815, however, Kræfting would preserve his position as Governor, while being paid by the British commissioner.[5]

Despite British demise, the Baptist Serampore Mission Press would lose its Danish protection but was allowed to operate without interruption.[8][6]

References

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  1. ^ a b c Liisberg 2020.
  2. ^ Glover 2018.
  3. ^ Chatterjee, Arup K. (2018-01-08). "With the restoration of a Danish tavern in Serampore, a forgotten chapter of history comes to light". Scroll.in. Retrieved 2024-08-06.
  4. ^ a b Marshman 2023, p. 381.
  5. ^ a b Larsen 1940, p. 84.
  6. ^ a b Marshman 2023, p. 382.
  7. ^ "Page 213 | Issue 16982, 7 February 1815 | London Gazette | The Gazette". www.thegazette.co.uk. Retrieved 2024-08-06.
  8. ^ Marshman 1864, p. 140.

Works cited

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