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View Full Version : AAR: April Against the wind. The Crimson Pirate. Bligh.



Bligh
07-28-2015, 03:09
The Crimson Pirate.


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Captain Charles Dimmock of His Majesty's Ship Terpsicore was in a foul mood as he paced the Quarter Deck. He gave yet another baleful glance across the water to where the two Merchantmen lumbered along in his wake. " No fit job for a Frigate Captain" he almost spat out at his number one for the umpteenth time that day. " Nursemaid to a pair of hulks, and all because of the Admiral getting the wind up about this Pirate fellow the Crimson whatever."
"Aye sir." replied Simon Sparrow his long suffering number one.
"Well Sparrow, tell Mr. Bing to sway out the Jolly Boat. I'm sending you over to the Endeavour to see if you can get that damned idiot of a Captain to squeeze an extra couple of Knots out of his floating pile of lumber. See if you can live up to your name, and get him to fly like a sparrow." The Captain let out a braying laugh.
"Aye, aye sir." returned Simon, and promptly made his way forrard to find Mr.Bing. At least he would be away from the captain for a while, and Captain Spriggs of the Endeavour kept a much better cellar aboard than Dimmock. he was also far better company at dinner.
Dimmock watched as the Jolly Boat rowed across to the Endeavour .


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Watched as Sparrow made a nimble leap for the Jacob's ladder without catching his sword, and swiftly disappeared over the bulwarks.
The Jolly Boat returned, and had hardly been swayed up before a cry from the masthead lookout alerted the crew to a new development.
"Sail ho! Broad off the Starboard bow."
"What manner of ship Mr Rollins," Shouted Dimmock to the Third Lieutenant who had scooted aloft with his "Bring em near."
Steadying his glass against the mast, he focused on the smudge in the distance, just as it obligingly made a course alteration. As it swung into profile Rollins answered the Captain.
"Looks like a Frenchie sir. Maybe a Razee 74."
"Blast it." Retorted Dimmock" That will be none other than our friend the Crimson watsisname." Adding to the ship's Master."Beat to quarters Mr Swinscoe if you please."


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He swung his own telescope towards the oncoming enemy ship.


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Bligh.

Bligh
07-28-2015, 09:33
The Action.


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Time passed and the three ships closed with the Pirate trying to bar their escape.


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Dimmock lurked behind the Transports, trying to mask the fact that he was a British Naval Frigate.


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As the convoy was almost abreast of the Pirate ship Dimmock played his cards. On a pre arranged flag hoist, all three ships came about and headed straight for the Frenchman. Down came the frigates Merchant flag and up went the Royal Navy Ensign, even as its gunports sprang open.


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Just as expected the Pirate ship came about, in order to cross the bows of the Convoy and rake them from the front as it passed.


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This was exactly what transpired, and Captain Dimmock was hoping that the large Merchant Transports could soak up this fire in order to get the weather gauge on the Frenchie and make a run for the nearest harbour.


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Simon Sparrow watched as the world around him dissolved into flying shards of wood and the ends of flailing sheets. Hands fell, whilst others cried out in agony as they were eviscerated by splinters from the gunwales. A pall of smoke then mercifully shrouded the scene of carnage.

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The surprising thing was that Endeavour ploughed on ignoring the hell which had just been unleashed upon it.
The Crimson Revenge now altered course to come between the two
Merchantmen, but inspite of the Meyhem aboard Endeavour.
Captain Riley of the Enterprize was ready for him.


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As he received the opposite broadside from Revenge and also fire from the maintops. He calmly returned fire with his dainty broadside aided by the swivels mounted on the poop-deck.


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As she turned away, Revenge also copped a full starboard broadside from Terpsichore who was now sailing close hauled.


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All Revenge could do in return was reply with her aftermost Starboards in return.


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Captain Dimmock was now in position to mask his consorts as Simon Sparrow conducted the two Merchantmem in a run for the nearest safe haven.

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As she came about, Terpsichore was able to range in another long range broadside upon the Frenchman, doing little damage but enraging her Captain even more as he watched his prizes slipping through his clutches.


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More manouvering took place between the two ships, until the valiant Terpsichore got another shot off at the Scarlet Revenge.


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Again the feeble broadside doing little damage.


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The return fire was more telling, and several gun crew and seamen were cut down. Whilst the Marines on the Quarterdeck were annihilated.


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However, the time bought by the sacrifice of the Terpsichore was paying off as the Transports slipped away, and trying too hard to overhaul them, Revenge came a point too near the wind and was taken aback.


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Availing himself of the opportunity to rake the Revenge, Captain Dimmock tacked suddenly across the wind.


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Unfortunately the Revenge recovered in time to come about and thus presented her stern only to the bow of the Terpsichore.


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In order to get a shot off Dimmock was forced to bring his own ship into wind, and even as he fired his own forard guns he was himself taken aback.


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The boot was now on the other foot, and continuing his turn, the French captain now raked the Terpsichore with devastating consequences.
Heavy damage was taken to the body of the ship and the rudder was partially disabled.

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One transport was, however, now running for safety towards the defending costal batteries.


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Coming about the wounded Terpsichore replied with the few guns remaining to her and managed to cripple the Crimson Revenge's steering.


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This delay sealed the escape of both transports, even thgough one took some fire from the Revenges forrard guns as it made its escape.

In return Terpsichore also finally got of a much weakened raking broadside into the Pirate ship.


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This was almost the last scene in the drama, for in attempting to escape with its consorts a final discharge from the Crimson Revenge disabled Terpsichore completely just as it came under the cover of the costal batteries, and Captain Dimmock fell wounded to the deck with Mr Rollins attempting to support his Captain.

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The Revenge was forced to put about, as with its own rudder shot away, it was now far too close to the shore to be safe in an attempt to board the stricken Terpsichore.

Bligh.

Bligh
07-28-2015, 09:34
The Butcher's Bill.



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HMS. Terpsichore disabled. Captain Dimmock wounded.



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Endeavour escaped damaged.



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Enterprize escaped damaged.



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Crimson Revenge thwarted, but disabled HMS. Terpsichore.

Bligh.

Nightmoss
07-28-2015, 13:19
I trust Captain Dimmock will recover from his wounds rapidly? He did an admiral job in protecting his charges, but certainly paid dearly for it with the loss of his ship.

Another excellent scenario AAR, Rob. The story build up photos were great as were the images for the battle itself. :salute:

TexaS
07-31-2015, 07:34
Excellent AAR!

Great storytelling Rob!

Union Jack
07-31-2015, 08:01
Superbly done Rob. Is Terpsichore lost or badly damaged?

Neil

Bligh
07-31-2015, 12:46
Badly damaged but just afloat Neil. We may be able to apply that idea for ship renovation time. I suggest a bit longer in the Caribbean because of the lack of dockyard facilities.
Rob.

Bligh
07-31-2015, 12:49
Excellent AAR!

Great storytelling Rob!

Thanks for the comment Jonas. I am still feeling my way into this nautical lark, and trying to make it sound as if I know something about it in the scenario reports. Rapid learning curve!
Rob.

TexaS
08-01-2015, 13:42
As did I...

I thought it's fun to do and it sure is to read.