AAR - NAtion v Nation May: The Blockade

[Union Jack]

The French squadron had their prayers answered. The wind had veered and allowed them to sail down the river and gain sea room for the dash to join the rest of the fleet.



The frigate Seraphim led the way followed by the squadron flagship, the 80 gun Pluto, to the rear of the flagship were the 74’s of Neptune, Saturn and Venus.



In the bay a lone British frigate, the 40 gun Dunkirk, kept station as the British blockading squadron were further out to sea trying to beat back to their previous blockade position. Such is the fickle nature of the wind.



“Sail ho on the port side”, came the cry from the masthead lookout. “Ah bad timing, the squadron is still not in sight. Let’s see what we can do to slow them up”. The Captain said to no-one in particular.



(just to note the dice roll for the squadron entry was a 6!)

No sooner had HMS Dunkirk engaged the French frigate when the cry came from the masthead “another Frenchies leaving the river, a big un...looks like an 80 gunner, and I can see 2 more masts behind it”.



Dunkirk tacked across the stern of the French frigate and both frigates again fired a broadside as the 80 gun French ship of the line sailed on.



“Winds veering Captain and the French frigate is afire”. The first officer stated. “Good, keep this up and hopefully the squadron will join us soon”.



Badly damaged the French frigate commander had already decided to head back to port as the 2nd Ship of the Line cleared the mouth of the river. Captain Union ordered a parting shot as the frigate turned away from his ship.



“Deck there, 4 French sail of the line. An 80 gun followed by what looks like 3 74’s.” “Well done that man, an extra ration of grog for you when this days done”. Captain Union was not to know that the man would never receive his extra rum ration when this day was done. “The winds changing again sir”. “I know, I know. Hopefully it will blow the French squadron back into port”.



“Deck there, sail in sight of the starboard bow”. “Can you make them out?” “I sir, ‘tis the squadron”. “Now we have them, now we have them!”



With the wind changing the French squadron had to tack back towards shore.



It wasn’t long before the remainder of the squadron joined the Dunkirk.



The fight was on. (To be continued)