Sir - I have the honour to acquaint you that the Wrangler and Safeguard not being ready, I proceeded with the Sheldrake, according to your orders, from Yarmouth Roads on the 20th instant, and anchored off the north side of Anholt on the 26th. On communicating with Captain Maurice, I was happy to learn from him, that the garrison were in high health and spirits and fully prepared to repel any attack which the enemy might meditate against them; and an opportunity very speedily occurred to prove the just foundation on which he reposed his confidence in them; for, at dawn of day on the following morning, we observed a heavy firing commence from the batteries round the light-houses, which made it certain that the island was attacked on the south side.

I immediately weighed, as also the Sheldrake, and as soon as it was light, a telegraphic signal was made from the island, that the enemy had landed, and that the gun- boats kept up a heavy fire. The wind being from the westward, I had the mortifying alternative to run ten or eleven miles to leeward, to get round the reef extending from the east end of the island, or to beat up a still greater distance to weather that branching out from its north- west point. But considering that the knowledge of the frigate's being near to the island [of which they were hitherto ignorant] would make a considerable impression on the enemy, I resolved on going to leeward round the shoal of the Knobens, as bringing me sooner in their sight, at the same time I made a signal to the Sheldrake to keep on the north side of the island, Captain Maurice having signified by telegraph that she would be serviceable there.

As we rounded the reef, the noble and incessant fire kept up from the English batteries, left no doubt on my mind as to the result of the affair; and about ten o'clock I had the satisfaction to observe a signal made from the light-house that the enemy's troops, to the number of 5 or 600, had surrendered at discretion.

As I had expected, their flotilla made off the instant the Tartar came in sight, and the wind being light during the fore part of the day, they were enabled to sweep directly to windward; and as their small draught of water allowed them to go within the western reefs of the island, while we were obliged to beat round it, they were nearly out of sight to leeward before we could bear up after them. The Sheldrake, however, was happily placed in the way of that division of them which endeavoured to escape towards the coast of Sweden.

I beg leave to inclose a copy of Captain Stewart's letter to me, stating the capture of two of them; and I cannot sufficiently praise the intrepidity and skill with which he attacked a force so superior to his own. Those which I pursued seperated in different courses; three of the largest steered for the island of Loessoe, and I followed them; but they had gained so much the start of me, that they were not within reach of my guns when night came on, and we found ourselves in shoal water, on the flat extending to the southward of that island, and were obliged to haul off. I afterwards captured two of their transports which I had passed during the chace of the gun-boats; one of them had twentytwo soldiers on board, with a considerable quantity of ammunition, shells, &c.; the other contained provision.

The island being greatly encumbered with prisoners, Captain Maurice has sent a flag of truce to Jutland, offering to release them on their parole, not to serve until regularly exchanged. If this proposal should be accepted, it is my intention to take them over to Randers in the Tartar ans Sheldrake, and at the same time to demand the Officers and crew of his Majesty's late sloop Pandora wrecked.

The prisoners of war taken in the gunboats, consist of two Lieutenants of the Danish Navy, and 119 men.

I have directed the Wrangler to proceed to England, with Lieutenant Baker, Royal Navy, of the Island of Anholt, charged with Captain Maurice's dispatches, which I hope may meet with your approbation. I have the honour to be, &c.

[signed] JOSEPH BAKER, Captain

More Despatches on Anholt 1811

Admiralty Office, April 9, 1811
Fort Yorke, Island of Anholt, 27th March 1811
Return of the Garrison Killed and Wounded March 27, 1811
Account of Danish Officers Killed and Taken 27th March 1811
Return of Ordnance Stores Captured the 27th of March, 1811
His Majesty's Ship Tartar, off Anholt, March 31st 1811
His Majesty's Sloop Sheldrake, Anholt, March 28
Anholt Map (76K)