View Full Version : Constitution vs. Java
Suzanne and I are out voyaging on Grace again and spent a quiet day anchored yesterday. I thought I'd break out the traveling fleet in the morning and play a little action. We're anchored in a remote spot, so upload time is slow.
Constitution vs. Java
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The action starts with the ships just out of range and Java having the weathergauge.
Being off the wind gives Java a speed advantage and she forereaches on Constitution.
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Surprisingly, Constitution holds her course, and Java is able to cut ahead and provide a brutal opening rake over her bow.
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This does a lot to bolster my confidence in taking on an American super frigate.
Having gotten in the first punch, Java tries to squeak out of short range of Constitution's 24 pdrs. Surprisingly, instead of turning to present her broadside, Constitution continues to hold her course.
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Java having reloaded, bears off to fire her second broadside. Constitution is still being hampered by her rudder hit and can only bear off enough to bring her forward broadside into play.
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The forward broadside hurts Java,
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but Constitution is taking a pasting.
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With no rudder hits remaining, she will have a random turn at the start of every movement.
An interesting situation develops here. The carronades fire as the great guns reload. Java is at short range for carronades and Constitution is at long range.
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Even though the antagonists are so close, the crackle of small arms fire is all to be heard as neither broadside can be brought to bear.
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Java snatches defeat from the jaws of victory. I had thought to luff up and tack to bring my intact port broadside to bear. As I was being raked, I realized that it would not be intact by the time that I could use it. For a ship badly hampered by her rudder damage, Consttution is still proving to be formidable.
The mast hit wasn't that bad. It only brought down the fore t'gallant mast and, contrary to the pictures, Java is fighting under topsails alone. Still, the potential speed loss means there is no escape if things go pear-shaped.
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Constitution's carronades follow Java through the tack.
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Java is across the wind and has a respite. The tack was painful, but the odds are still pretty close to even if the other side can be brought to bear. Besides, having lost the foretopsail and the foret'gallant mast, not to mention the court martial, running is out of the question.
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A lull. Having crossed the wind, Java lets her speed build build while swinging wide and wearing to present her port broadside. Meanwhile, even with her badly wounded steering, Constitution prepares to tack.
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Java runs down to wear while Constitution luffs up to tack. Will she make it?
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Even with her mauled rudder, Constitution manages to cross the wind. Java closes with her port broadside run out.
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Java's carronades are the first to speak, with deadly effect.
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A heated exchange brings down all of Constitution's mainmast. Java's guncrew goes wild while the cautious captain assures them that even badly wounded, Constitution is still dangerous.
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X's represent lost masts. O's represent lost sails.
Java luffs up to tack while Constitution staggers away, dragging her wreckage.
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With lightning speed, Constitution's crew cuts the fallen mast away (it was supposed to remain for two full turns of movement, but I didn't realize my error until reviewing the pictures). Java crosses the wind and sets off in pursuit.
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Java is slow to gain way after her tack and Constitution pulls ahead.
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Still attempting aggression, Constitution turns toward the wind to wait for her foe.
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Constitution is able to bring her aft battery to bear at long range. It is not a telling amount of damage, but at this stage anything is felt. Java's forward battery is just out of arc.
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The range closes. Constitution reloads her great guns while staying forward of Java's broadside.
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Java turns to the wind to bring her full broadside to bear while Constitution replies with her quarter battery. Constitution comes off a little worse, but is able to absorb the punishment. I allow each ship a certain number of free leak hits to reflect what their pumps can handle. Java is out of free ones at this point, but Constitution has one remaining.
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Both sides reload as the ships are still beyond carronade range.
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Once again, broadsides are exchanged and Java comes off better. If she were fighting an equal foe, victory would most certainly be hers, but the fight is not equal and it's almost like Constitution's sides are made of iron.
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Again, the crews reload feverishly. Java struggles to close the range to bring her carronades to play.
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The range decreases to less than a cable. On both ships, the great guns and carronades roar. Constitution decidedly makes out better.
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On Java, the moment of truth has arrived. She cannot win this fight, but neither can Constitution prevent her from living to fight another day. Java luffs up and tacks, and is gone.
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The Butcher's Bill
HMS Java
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USS Constitution
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That was a superb battle Dobbs.
Although I can not raise the pictures of the close of battle from post 18 onward, I am getting the flavour of the culmination of the battle from your commentary. Thanks for a great AAR once again Dobbs.
Rob.
I deleted my earlier post so as not to interfere with the flow of the battle, but repeat here that this is a terrific engagement and a great photographic story. Thanks for posting, a real treat.
Happy that both ships limped away to live another day with honour intact after a hard fight.
Can confirm that posts #18 to #25 images are not appearing and the links don't work. Great to see the activity though.
That was a superb battle Dobbs.
Although I can not raise the pictures of the close of battle from post 18 onward, I am getting the flavour of the culmination of the battle from your commentary. Thanks for a great AAR once again Dobbs.
Rob.
The pictures ought to be there now, Rob.
Yes. I have them now thank you Dobbs. Must have been a bit of sea mist fogging my Dolland glass.:wink:
Rob.
And thank you, Rob, for the rep!
Howard, I'm glad you enjoyed the action and the outcome. :clap:
Hi Dobbs,
I like the way you painted between your masts and sheets, it truly subdues the "plastic" look of the models. I'm going to have to apply that treatment to MY navies.
Thanks for sharing the idea. :thumbsup:
Mike
By the way, can anybody tell me how I might be able to award reps? I continually see postings by people that I feel warrant rewards but don't know how to do so. :question:
Thanks, Mike. I'm glad you like it. I'd tell you what I used, but the company discontinued it. I just made the paint on the mast-support a few tones darker than the sails themselves to hint that the support is really only a shadow.
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Looking at it now, maybe I could have gone even darker.
By the way, can anybody tell me how I might be able to award reps? I continually see postings by people that I feel warrant rewards but don't know how to do so. :question:
Hi Mike,
If you look at the bottom of the post you wish to rep you will see a star about half way along the bar just after the IP. symbol. Click on this and you can then rep that post in the box which comes up.
Rob.
Thanks, Mike. I'm glad you like it. I'd tell you what I used, but the company discontinued it. I just made the paint on the mast-support a few tones darker than the sails themselves to hint that the support is really only a shadow.
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Looking at it now, maybe I could have gone even darker.
I don't know, Dobbs. I think they look pretty good as-is. Maybe the next time I post something you'll see your inspiration presented on MY ships. :thanks:
Mike
Thanks for the Rep Mike. Any other problems just ask. For we old sweats it is easy to forget what a maze navigating through all these little add ons can be.
Rob.
ShadowDragon
09-18-2023, 10:17
As Rob wrote, another superb battle!
Vagabond
02-22-2024, 16:58
Ok, I'm probably a little late but that was a game fight Java put up. I've read about some but not all of the American Frigate v British Frigates but they're very different classes of ship and in the main the British ones were totally outclassed in these solo fights.
Dobbs I imagine Suzanne was commanding Constitution, that was very gallant of you to sacrifice yourself like that.
Bravo.
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