Rather than sail past the Danish positions, each arriving British ship was to anchor and engage while following ships continued forward to the next target. Frigates, small craft, bomb vessels, and landing troops had supporting roles around the Danish line and Tre Kroner. If the northern positions held, subduing the southern line would still let the bomb vessels move close enough to threaten Copenhagen and force negotiations. Groundings by Agamemnon, Russell, and Bellona reduced the force available for the fight and forced hurried adjustments before the action fully developed.
Chapter · 1:52:05-1:55:31
Nelson's creeping, anchored attack
Nelson planned to move along the weaker southern end of the Danish line, anchoring successive British ships beside individual opponents.