Q&A · 19:29-19:50

If Nelson had obeyed the retreat order at Copenhagen

A compact Copenhagen counterfactual separates the likely damage of withdrawal from Nelson's decision to continue the battle.

Question

What would have happened if Nelson had obeyed the retreat order at Copenhagen?

Short answer

His ships would probably have suffered badly in their rigging, but the attack could have been renewed later; instead, he ignored a defensible order and won.

Notes

The withdrawing ships would probably have taken significant rigging damage without losing the possibility of another attack. The order itself was sensible enough that obedience would not have been condemned. Nelson's fame rests on rejecting that reasonable caution and securing victory immediately.