On this day 28 March

[7eat51]

On the 28th of March 1814, HMS Phoebe (36) and HMS Cherub (18) captured USS Essex (36) and USS Essex Junior (20) at the port Valparaíso, Chile. The British commander, Captain James Hillyar, trapped the American ships in port on the 8th of February. Six weeks later, Captain David Porter, the U.S. commander, attempted to break free. The Essex almost secured its freedom when she lost a topmast due to inclement weather. The British forced the Americans into bay close by. For over two hours, the British frigate and sloop-of-war, with their long-range guns, pounded the American frigate, hampered with short-range carronades. Two separate fires started onboard the Essex resulting in 50 men jumping overboard and trying to reach shore. Only half of the men made land, and the British saved 16 of the remaining. In the end, 58 members of the Essex’s 154 were dead, 45 were wounded, and 31 were missing. The British repaired the Essex, commissioning her as the HMS Essex.

Captain James Hillyar:

2772

Captain David Porter:

2774

USS Essex:

2773

The Battle:

2769

2770

2771


For more on today's event:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Valparaiso
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HMS_Phoebe_(1795)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Essex_(1799)

[Beowulf03809]

I think this is another great scenario example and makes me also wonder if Advanced or Optional Rules will be published for damage due to high winds as that seems to play a part in several historical events.

Of extra interest to some:
"Patrick O'Brian adapted the story of the Essex's attack on British whalers for his novel The Far Side of the World. The film adaptation of the novel, Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World, changed the American ship to a French one,"

[csadn]

I'm still trying to find data on some of the ships _Essex_ captured during its cruise; I am trying to determine if Porter could have rearmed _Essex_ to something approaching its original armament from the ships he took.

_Essex_ armaments as designed: 26x 12-lb. long (main deck); 16 42-lb. carronade (spar deck).
_Essex_ armaments following 1810 rearming: 6x 12-lb. long (main deck); 24x 32-lb. carronade (20 main; 4 spar); 16 42-lb. carronade (spar deck).

The only ship I can find armament data on is _Atlantic_, which became _Essex Junior_ (8x 18-lb. carronades).