It occurred during the late stages of the Kalmar War, where a Danish fleet of 36 warships under Christian IV attempted to attack Stockholm and capture it, which failed.

Commanded by Grand Admiral Göran Gyllenstierna, it sailed towards Öland, then turning south-east towards the bay of Danzig, where it operated from 29 July to 6 August, searching for the Danish fleet.

[1] In Copenhagen, King Christian IV had given up on his previous strategies during the war, this time, he would instead give the task of defeating the Swedes to the navy, which he had put alot of effort and money into.

[1][3][2] Having learned that the Swedish fleet was last seen sailing towards Danzig, he decided to pursue it there, hoping to inflict a crushing defeat on the Swedes and give himself naval supremacy.

The western route was protected by Vaxholm fortress, while the eastern one was less fortified, but since the reign of Gustav Vasa, attempts had been made to block it by the scuttling of superseded ships in the channel.

It turned into a rowing battle between the Danes under Peder and the Swedes under Johan von Monickhouen, who had recently arrived in Stockholm with an enlisted Dutch regiment of some 1,200 men.

Nor did Gustavus Adolphus, who, after having received reports of the Danish advance, rushed from Jönköping, arriving to Stockholm at 3 am on 9 September, having covered 340 kilometers in three days.