Battle of Bornholm (1563)

The Battle of Bornholm (1563) was the first naval battle of the Northern Seven Years' War (1563–70), taking place on 30 May 1563 near Bornholm. A Danish squadron of 10 ships under Jacob Brockenhuus, at anchor near Bornholm, saw a Swedish squadron of 19 ships, under Jakob Bagge, approaching, and sent only the 3 ships Hercules 81 (flag), Hector 38 and Hjort 46 toward it to show that they didn't want to fight. Unfortunately, when firing 3 shots as a challenge, they managed to hit one of the Swedish ships. The Swedes promptly surrounded and attacked the Danes, capturing all 3 after a 4-hour fight. The remaining Danish ships remained at anchor.