March Scenario: The Commodore's Dilemma

[Bos'n]

The Commodore’s Dilemma: Part 1

You commodore has several tasks that need to be accomplished, some are routine assignments and others require immediate attention. He must decide how to divide his squadron to accomplish these activities. Please list which ships are assigned to duties in your AAR.

Convoy Duty
The commodore has received a message from the admiralty that three merchant ships, loaded with supplies for the army, must get through. Time is of the essence, so the merchants have been instructed to sail at the highest speed possible. The merchant ships will not out pace their escort, but there will be repercussions if they are slowed unnecessarily by your ships.
Patrol Duty
The detection of enemy shipping is one of your squadron’s prime duties. You must send out a patrol to detect any enemy movement in your waters.
Search and Destroy
A local fisherman has reported a very big enemy warship making repairs in an inlet two days away. Send a patrol to capture or sink the ship, if in fact it exists.
Diplomatic Transport
An important diplomat has arrived at your base with a letter authorizing transport to a distant port of call. It is important that the envoy get to his destination safely and as soon as possible.
Repair and Defend
Some of your ships may need repair after the last encounter at sea and you are aware that an enemy raid on your base is always a possibility. Some may be left at home for needed rest and relaxation.

Decisions by the Commodore
Which ships are you assigning to each of these duties?
1. Convoy Duty
_______________________________________________________________________
2. Patrol Duty
_______________________________________________________________________
3. Search and Destroy Assignment
_______________________________________________________________________
4. Diplomatic Transport Assignment
_______________________________________________________________________
5. Repair and Defend in Port
_______________________________________________________________________

This must be filled out before you continue.

[Bos'n]

The Commodore’s Dilemma: Part 2

STEP 1:

Roll 1d6 and gather the ships that correspond to the duty your ships are trying to accomplish.

..........1 – 2 Convoy Duty (The three smallest ships in your collection that are not in your squadron are your merchant fleet)
..........3 – 4 Patrol Duty
..........5 – 6 Search and Destroy

If you roll for Convoy Duty, then don’t forget that ½ of the hull and crew boxes should be covered at the beginning of the scenario to represent their cargo.

STEP 2:
1. The playing area can be as large as you like, but not smaller than 2 SOG mats laid long edge to long edge.
2. Number the southern edges from 2 to 12.
3. The wind is coming from the south to the north.
4. Do not place your ships on the playing area, but place them in the formation they will be in to accomplish their task.
5. Roll 2d6 and place the lead ship just off the board at the number rolled on the southern edge.
6. Roll 1d6 to determine the direction your fleet is sailing.
...........1. West
...........2. Northwest
...........3. North
...........4. Northeast
...........5. East
...........6. Reroll
7. Place the ships providing the diplomatic transport at the midpoint of the northern edge of the mat. The ships are facing directly into the wind with all sails down. They are surrounded by enemy ships whose burdens add up to the same number as your ships. The diplomatic ships are flying the enemy’s flags.

28382

8. The enemy has sent 1/3 of its crew to the captured ship. 1/3 of their boxes should be covered and the same number of the crew boxes on the captured ship are exposed. Everyone else is locked away.

28384

9. Your ships must remain in formation until they enter the play area. Once the ship is in play she may break formation even if some of the fleet are still off the board.
10. The enemy ships, including the diplomatic ship will try to exit somewhere on the southern side of the play area.

[Bos'n]

The Commodore’s Dilemma: Part 3

What will you do? Do you complete your mission? Do you rescue the captured ship from the enemy? Whatever your decision is the fate of the Diplomatic ship is in your hands.

Happy Sailing! :hatsoff:

[Union Jack]

Sir Henry looks around his captains and says, "Confound it, not only do I have to provide a ship for this diplomat and an escort for the Army Convoy but there's a report of a big enemy ship 2 days sail away in a bay repairing some storm damage! We also have the normal patrol and the defence of our port". He looks around at the gathered captains and nods his head, "So be it. Audacity shall provide fast passage for the diplomat, Africa wil provide escort for the convoy, I shall take the Flagship, Northumberland, Spartiate and Alnwick to see if there is an enemy ship in a bay, Vanguard will continue her patrol duties and Defence can remain in port refitting and repairing. Questions? None? Good. Fair sailing gentlemen." With that the gathered captains doffed their hats as they left.

For myself I rolled a 3 so it's Vanguard to the fray!

[Bos'n]

Sir Henry looks around his captains and says, "Confound it, not only do I have to provide a ship for this diplomat and an escort for the Army Convoy but there's a report of a big enemy ship 2 days sail away in a bay repairing some storm damage! We also have the normal patrol and the defence of our port". He looks around at the gathered captains and nods his head, "So be it. Audacity shall provide fast passage for the diplomat, Africa wil provide escort for the convoy, I shall take the Flagship, Northumberland, Spartiate and Alnwick to see if there is an enemy ship in a bay, Vanguard will continue her patrol duties and Defence can remain in port refitting and repairing. Questions? None? Good. Fair sailing gentlemen." With that the gathered captains doffed their hats as they left.

For myself I rolled a 3 so it's Vanguard to the fray!


Thanks. Good Luck.

[Hjl]

1. Convoy Duty
HMS Leopard
HMS Terpsicore

2. Patrol Duty
HMS Bellona
HMS Unite

3. Search and Destroy Assignment
HMS Carmagole
HMS Impetueux

4. Diplomatic Transport Assignment
HMS Brittania

5. Repair and Defend in Port
HMS Defence

Rolled a 1

The HMS Leopard and Terpsichore see some action it seems!

[Bos'n]

Addition to the scenario!!!

I have added a number 10 to part 2 of this scenario. It tells you that the enemy, including the diplomatic ship will try to leave the southern edge of the playing area. Sorry for the confusion.

[Bos'n]

1. Convoy Duty
HMS Leopard
HMS Terpsicore

2. Patrol Duty
HMS Bellona
HMS Unite

3. Search and Destroy Assignment
HMS Carmagole
HMS Impetueux

4. Diplomatic Transport Assignment
HMS Brittania

5. Repair and Defend in Port
HMS Defence

Rolled a 1

The HMS Leopard and Terpsichore see some action it seems!

Don't forget your merchant ships. Good luck with the scenario.

[Hjl]

To make things harder I'm going to fight a third rate.

I was thinking HMS Leopard and Terpsichore vs Genereux and a frigate.

Think it's doable?

[Bos'n]

To make things harder I'm going to fight a third rate.

I was thinking HMS Leopard and Terpsichore vs Genereux and a frigate.

Think it's doable?

Go for it and let us know how it goes.

[Union Jack]

Q: Does the enemy burden = your ship or ships just arriving or is the captured diplomats ship added to the mix too?

[Bos'n]

Q: Does the enemy burden = your ship or ships just arriving or is the captured diplomats ship added to the mix too?

The diplomatic ship is their prize, but does not count as part of their burden. Their crew mans the ship and uses the ships guns; so beware. :cannonboom:...........:takecover:

[Bos'n]

To make things harder I'm going to fight a third rate.

I was thinking HMS Leopard and Terpsichore vs Genereux and a frigate.

Think it's doable?

Remember that the diplomatic ship is now their ship and will be used against you. Their crew holds the ship; your side is locked below. :cannonboom:.............:takecover::dazed:

[Union Jack]

Q: OK, the diplomats ship is captured, got that bit. Does the total burden of the enemy include the captured diplomats ship ?

[Bos'n]

Q: OK, the diplomats ship is captured, got that bit. Does the total burden of the enemy include the captured diplomats ship ?

A: No. I wish I had thought of these questions before I posted the scenario. Well, I'll do better next time. :embarass:

[Union Jack]

NP, Bob, I just didnt want to muck it up. It looks like 2 Frigates or sloops v a 74.

[Bligh]

I am looking forward to getting my teeth into this one Bos'n.
It will make a change deciding what is going to be happening from the way the dice performs.
I will be picking the ships for the prospective missions very carefully.
Rob.

[Bos'n]

NP, Bob, I just didnt want to muck it up. It looks like 2 Frigates or sloops v a 74.

If you chose 2 frigates for this mission then you are facing 2 frigates and the diplomatic ship. The wind is against them and your major problem is how to get recapture the diplomatic ship without sinking her and drowning the diplomat.

[Bos'n]

I am looking forward to getting my teeth into this one Bos'n.
It will make a change deciding what is going to be happening from the way the dice performs.
I will be picking the ships for the prospective missions very carefully.
Rob.

That, my friend, is the whole point. Have fun.

[Hjl]

NP, Bob, I just didnt want to muck it up. It looks like 2 Frigates or sloops v a 74.

2 frigates against a 74 is just about doable if the 74 is at half crew strength. Get in close and use grape exclusively. You wont have the firepower to bring her down any other way before she blows you out of the water. All it would take are a couple more crew kills before she wont have any orders left to do anything.

I bet you can do it if you play every turn perfectly.

My plan is for the Terpsichore and Leopard to take down the French 74 as quickly as possible in the manner i mentioned above, then try to capture the diplomatic ship before it can escape. Of course if I fail then the french get two of my ships plus the merchant fleet if it cant escape in time.

(BTW can i use the merchants guns? I was assuming poor gunnery and half of the hull points taken up with cargo.)

[Union Jack]

Unfortunately for me I command the 74 and it will be 2 Spanish/French ships = to a burden of 5!

(I don't think a 74 would have the legs to catch my sloop at full sail, on the other hand it might...um.. have to dice this one up with some variations on a theme me thinks).




2 frigates against a 74 is just about doable if the 74 is at half crew strength. Get in close and use grape exclusively. You wont have the firepower to bring her down any other way before she blows you out of the water. All it would take are a couple more crew kills before she wont have any orders left to do anything.

I bet you can do it if you play every turn perfectly.

[Hjl]

Oh I see. Perhaps give them a bit of an advantage with a 74 and a frigate?

[Union Jack]

On the other hand a 64 and a 32 might be doable!

[Bligh]

Decisions by the Commodore
Which ships are you assigning to each of these duties?
1. Convoy Duty
______________________________________Phoenix and Leander.
2. Patrol Duty
______________________________________Concorde and Swan
3. Search and Destroy Assignment
______________________________________Royal George and Superb.
4. Diplomatic Transport Assignment
______________________________________Amelia.
5. Repair and Defend in Port
______________________________________Beleraphon.

I then rolled a 3. Do I assume that the Superb and George find this Ship and if so what are the starting positions and what does the bay look like? Also wind direction is needed.

Rob.

[Hjl]

Oh wait, my diplomatic ship was the Britannia!! Does that mean I somehow have to retake the HMS Britannia with a pair of frigates?

[Bos'n]

Decisions by the Commodore
Which ships are you assigning to each of these duties?
1. Convoy Duty
______________________________________Phoenix and Leander.
2. Patrol Duty
______________________________________Concorde and Swan
3. Search and Destroy Assignment
______________________________________Royal George and Superb.
4. Diplomatic Transport Assignment
______________________________________Amelia.
5. Repair and Defend in Port
______________________________________Beleraphon.

I then rolled a 3. Do I assume that the Superb and George find this Ship and if so what are the starting positions and what does the bay look like? Also wind direction is needed.

Rob.


Rob,

Your two ships, Superb and Royal George come upon a sight they did not expect. Amelia, the ship assigned to transport a high ranking diplomat has been captured by the enemy. Two of their ships surround Amelia. They are of equal size to Superb and George. Each of the enemy ships have given 1/3 of their crew to man Amelia and the Amelia crew and their officers have been locked in the hold.

Amelia and the two enemy will try exit the south side of the mat, but the wind is against them coming directly from the south. There is a large island blocking every exit except the south edge of the play area.

Your ships enter the play area on the south side.

Place numbers from 2 - 12 along the southern edge so that #7 is at the mid-point. Roll 2d6 to determine where along that edge you enter.

Roll 1d6 to determine what your facing is: 1=west, 2=northwest, 3=north, 4=northeast, 5=east, and 6 requires you to reroll until you get 1-5.

This is all explained in Part 2 of the scenario.

[Bligh]

Got it now thanks.
I was just being dense.
Rob.

[Hjl]

Ok, today is the day. The British convoy have spotted the French.

In a truely shocking turn of events a French 60gun and a sloop have somehow managed to take HMS Britannia and its diplomat without some much as a shot fired. How will a 4th rate and a frigate recaptured an un damaged 1st rate ship of the line? After a brief discussion the two British captains determine that something has to be done and as they are the only ships in the area, it's up to them.

The plan. Grape the 1st rate and sink the 60gun. Sail the merchants behind the warships to add their meager broadsides and avoid return fire that will hopefully be directed towards the navymen.

Both captains realize that this has a limited chance of success and that in all likelihood not everyone is going to make it home.

[Bligh]

Sounds daunting, especially when I tell you what happened to me today.
The captured HMS Amelia Frigate came within a nats of capturing the British Flagship Royal George Admiral and all, but that story will have to wait for the AAR.
Bligh.