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26
ECKERNFIORDE.
Chap. II.
year 1849; the capture of the two Danish ships of
war, “ Christian VIII.” and “ The Gefion,” by the
Germans, is almost of too recent date to require
comment. Forced into the long narrow horde by the
stupidity of the Danish commander, they at once became
exposed to the cannonade of the Slesvig-Holstein
artillery. A contrary wind rendered their return
impossible, and after a brave resistance they were about to
strike their hags, when a midshipman of the “ Christian
VIII.” hred the powder magazine, which immediately
exploded, and the greater part of the crew and troops on
board perished.* And then came the puzzle—who had
gained the victory ? to whom was the honour of the
day to be accorded ? After a council of war among the
Germans commanding, it was decided that the glory of
the victory should be tendered to the individual of
highest rank at that time present in the camp, so the
lot fell upon Duke Ernest of Saxe Coburg and Gotha,
brother to our own Prince Consort, who was henceforth
termed the hero of Eckernfiorde. In a later day,
H.S.H., after the successful production of an opera of
his own composition (its name for the moment escapes
my treacherous memory), caused a medal to be struck
at Paris, on one side of which is recorded the date of the
victory of Eckernfiorde, and on the reverse that of his
more peaceful triumph.
We are now out of the land of Hanseatic architecture,
of Gothic eaves and mediaeval decoration, but the houses
have an air of comfort quite seductive. Each long
horizontal window serves as a private greenhouse : the
people cultivate their flowers with taste ; not the flowers
* The “ Gefion ” was captured and afterwards sold.
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