International Naval Wargames Day, Sunday August 6th

[David Manley]

Don't forget, next weekend is International Naval Wargaming Day. Sunday August 6th is the day when naval wargamers all around the world celebrate the birth of naval wargaming and that of Fred T Jane. So get yourself a game organised, solo or with friends and let the world know on here, on Facebook, blogs and wargaming sites what you got up to :)

[Bligh]

Thanks for the reminder.I will see what can be arranged Dave.
Rob.

[Rendomorph]

We'll have a game in Saudi!

[Killick]

I will have to get a game organised in Toowoomba

[csadn]

Would it be in poor taste to run a game of _Harpoon_ using Nuclear Weapons? >;)

[David Manley]

Not at all :happy:

[David Manley]

Anyone playing today? I have a couple of games scheduled for later this evening

[Rendomorph]

Battles in Saudi!

[Bligh]

Hope to get one in this evening Dave.
Rob.

[Bligh]

Here is a spoiler for the game I have just completed this evening.
It is loosely based on the cutting out of the Hermione, by the Surprise after it mutinied and surrendered to the Spanish in Porto Cabello.

31737

Here we see Hermione in the background of the port with her masts crossed almost ready to leave her berth. Note the two forts covering the entrance to the harbour.

Rob.

[Bligh]

Cutting out the Hermione.

Following the historical precedent, Surprise cruised outside the harbour for three days seeking information about the conditions within, and noting down the positions of the fortifications and number of guns.

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As night fell the ships boats were launched in order to attempt the cutting out of the Hermione.
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Stealthily, led by the ships cutter which was loaded with explosives the boats headed for the harbour entrance.

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Passing onward they closed on the Hermione.

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At this moment they were spotted by a Guard boat and the alarm was raised.

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The guard boat fired upon the cutter which was approaching the Merchant ships.
The shot went wide!

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The cutter crew lashed the tiller, set the fuses and abandoned the cutter allowing the wind and tide to steer it onto the merchantmen.
The resultant explosion lit up the harbour as, spars, masts, blocks and tackles rained down.

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A fierce fight now took place as the boats crews attempted to board the Hermione.


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The fight swung to and fro.

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For some time the outcome was in doubt.

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At last the attackers were successful and cutting the anchor cable set the sails.
They now came under fire from the nearest fort.

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As dawn began to break they cleared the harbour entrance.

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However, they were now under fire from the forts on both headlands, and took further damage.


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As they joined the Surprise they finally escaped from range of the enemy batteries.


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The Hermione had been retaken.

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Rob.

[Redcoat]

A very exciting incursion! I like it a lot

:beer:

[Bligh]

Cheers Julián.
Rob.

[Cmmdre]

Rob, where did you source those splash misses and explosion pieces? Your harbor is spectacular. :medal:

[Bligh]

They are Litco Paul. You can also get slightly smaller ones too.
I got mine from Figures in comfort.
Rob.

[Cmmdre]

Thank you. It is always fun to wazz up a game with interesting pieces. :thumbsup:

[Killick]

Rod the rowing boats where they from Langton?

[Bligh]

They were indeed from Langtons Alistair, as were the ships within the harbour, and the ships Cutter with the sail and the guard boat.
Rob.

[Killick]

Thanks Rob I will have to get some.

[Rendomorph]

Your scenery is amazing! What rules do you use for the cutters?

[Bligh]

Very simple rules in this case Peter. They move one ruler width per turn. This gives a maximum of two turns under small arms fire before they hit the ship. Splitting the enemy fire is useful. Two hits from a cannon will sink them. A bit harsh with the automatic hits of the games system, but with six boats, three to a side four must get through. Each boat has one small arms fire power. They may also mount a gun in the bow if the scenario warrants it. One shot per turn as with Carronades. One A or B chit. For boarding I use the same rules as any man o war. In this case the crew of the Hermione was much reduced, as crew were mostly on land, so it was four cutting out party against two defenders chits.

Rob.

[Comte de Brueys]

Great mission and setup, Rob! :thumbsup:

[Killick]

Very simple rules in this case Peter. They move one ruler width per turn. This gives a maximum of two turns under small arms fire before they hit the ship. Splitting the enemy fire is useful. Two hits from a cannon will sink them. A bit harsh with the automatic hits of the games system, but with six boats, three to a side four must get through. Each boat has one small arms fire power. They may also mount a gun in the bow if the scenario warrants it. One shot per turn as with Carronades. One A or B chit. For boarding I use the same rules as any man o war. In this case the crew of the Hermione was much reduced, as crew were mostly on land, so it was four cutting out party against two defenders chits.

Rob.

I will have to use those rules, nice and simple. Thanks Rob.

[TexaS]

My own rules, only used privately, has been: if guns fire at boats they hit on a crew hit.

[Bligh]

I forgot to mention that Sven. I also use the crew hit for small arms, but if they are packed with boarders it takes two hits to kill all the crew and Marines. Also when ships boats are within grape range ships cannon can't depress enough to hit them. it is too bad that we have no rules for swivels. I suppose that could be your one crew casualty does for a complete boatload.
Rob.

[Bligh]

Great mission and setup, Rob! :thumbsup:

Thanks Sven, and also for the rep.
I am just sorry that more shipmates apparently did not rise to Dave's challenge.
Rob.

[TexaS]

I did, but finding the time to sort out the photos and write up that solo game takes time.

Not only did I inspect the Swedish East Indiaman Götheborg this passet weekend, but I'm busy dancing at a ball this upcoming weekend too.

[Bligh]

Will there be photos of that as well Jonas.
It is some years since Eileen and I attended our last Regency Ball.
Rob.

[TexaS]

It could probably be arranged.