Nelson initially favoured bypassing reluctant Denmark and Sweden to strike Russia directly. Parker instead chose to work from the outer Baltic inward, eliminating the risk that Denmark's fleet might be captured or used against his communications. His remit was to break the league without creating an unnecessary general war, so securing the approaches mattered more than Nelson's bold shortcut. Swedish aid did not arrive and Russian naval support was immobilized by ice, leaving Copenhagen isolated when the British arrived.
Notable Point · 1:41:41-1:47:24
Parker's outer-inward Baltic strategy
Parker rejected a direct dash at Russia because he could not leave Danish naval power behind him while moving deeper into the Baltic.