Originally Posted by
csadn
I'd agree "topmasts are trivial", except I can think of at least one engagement (USS _Essex_'s last battle) where losing one topmast was sufficient to cripple the unit affected; and I'm pretty-sure there's others, but I'd have to look them up. I'll also concur _Randolph_'s 12s were inadequate vs. the side scantlings of a ship-of-the-line (this would be demonstrated repeatedly in the war of 1812 [ ;) ]); however, that's why I specified getting in behind the target, where guns are few, scantlings are practically nonexistant, and raking fire is guaranteed to absolutely ruin one's day. For that matter: Knocking off a couple topmasts might well be enough to allow one to RUN THE HELL AWAY from the opponent who is twice one's own size. :) (I suspect what happened was: _Randolph_'s captain saw the topmasts go over, and got optimistic.)