The ships assembling at Yarmouth reveal how geography shaped fleet composition before Copenhagen. The 64-gun ships Raisonnable, Ardent, and Polyphemus drew attention because their shallower draught suited the Baltic's restricted waters. Personnel created a different planning problem: Riou reportedly arranged for Danish members of Amazon's crew not to fire on their countrymen. That accommodation shows how a multinational ship's company could complicate operations when alliances and neutralities changed. Copenhagen planning had to account for shallow water and sailors' national loyalties.
Notable Point · 18:56-19:18
Baltic draught limits and Amazon's Danish sailors
The Yarmouth fleet's shallow-draught 64-gun ships suited Baltic waters, while Riou had to address the prospect of Danish sailors being ordered to fight their own countrymen.