Battle of Jasmund (1864) - Course of The Battle

Course of The Battle

Von Jachmann was aware that his three units were both numerically and qualitatively far inferior to the Danish blockade forces. However, he had taken the use of the No. I Flotilla Division of steam-powered gunboats into consideration and planned to move to draw the Danish units onto his gunboats that lay in front of the island of Greifswalder Oie in readiness.

Von Jachmann steamed towards the blockade forces at midday on 17 March 1864 with the Arcona, Nymphe and Loreley, and opened fire at 14.30 hrs. After a two-hour battle, he had to withdraw to the south. Due to the higher speed of his units von Jachmann was able to disengage himself from the Danish ships. His plan to draw, the Danish ships onto the gunboats stationed in the south failed, however, because his ships manoeuvred themselves wrongly for reasons unknown. So whilst the Loreley returned to the gunboats, Arcona and Nymphe headed for Swinemünde.