HDMS Justitia was a formidable ship-of-the-line constructed at Nyholm Dockyard in Copenhagen, launched on December 1, 1703. Designed by Ole Judichær, she measured 168 feet (51.21 meters) in length, with a beam of 44 feet 6 inches (13.56 meters) and a forward draught of 18 feet (5.49 meters). Her complement consisted of approximately 725 men, and her armament ranged from 70 to 86 guns, reflecting her role as a significant warship in the Danish-Norwegian fleet. Throughout her service, Justitia played a prominent role in Denmark’s naval efforts during the Great Northern War. She served as the flagship of Vice Admiral Niels Lavritzen Barfoed during the blockade of Stralsund in 1711–1712, contributing to Denmark’s strategic attempts to thwart Swedish control of the southern Baltic coast. Her captain during this period was Lauritz Valkendorf. In 1712, she again led a fleet of ten ships-of-the-line, four frigates, and other vessels, although her actions were limited by cautious command amid Swedish reinforcements. In subsequent years, Justitia continued to serve as a flagship under various commanders, including Vice Admiral Knud Reedtz in 1713 and Vice Admiral Christen Thomesen Sehested in 1715. She was actively involved in operations around Pomerania and the Baltic, including the engagement off Jasmund in August 1715, where she served as the flagship of the rear guard in a battle against the Swedish fleet. Notably, Admiral Juel was among those killed in this engagement. After nearly 13 years of service amid the toll of war and declining naval resources, Justitia was laid up in 1725 as part of a broader fleet reduction. She was briefly reactivated in the 1740s during rising tensions in the Baltic, acting as the flagship for Admiral Jens Rosenpalm in 1743 during the Russo-Swedish War. Her final act came in 1743–1744, and she was decommissioned and broken up in 1751. A model of Justitia, presented to Stege Kirke on Møn in 1718, remains a notable artifact, symbolizing her maritime significance in Danish naval history.

This description has been generated using GPT-4.1-NANO based on the Vessel's wikidata information and then modified by ShipIndex.org staff.