Friday night we play with our wives.

Having introduced Eileen to Sails at PragueCon, I decided to give her the chance to experience a little Frigate action this week. In order to make the game seem less confrontational, she played against the AI managed by myself. All decisions were her own. Simple rules were used, with the addition of sail changes, fire damage, and first time firing. Next game I will add other special damage, and double shot.
Here is how the game went.


The scenario:-

The Frigate Amelia intercepts a Spanish Frigate carrying Mercury from the Spanish colonies. Amelia must prevent the cargo reaching Spain.


Amelia's captain plans her strategy.
Attachment 22919

Amelia closes, as guns are hurriedly loaded on the Don's frigate.
Attachment 22918

An end chase ensues.
Attachment 22920

Amelia's faster sailing qualities pay off and she comes about to rake the Spaniard, unfortunately just out of range.
Attachment 22921

Seeing that the jig is up the Spanish captain decided to fight it out.
Attachment 22922
The opening salvo goes the Amelia's way.


Coming about smartly the Don replies with a raking broadside.
Attachment 22923
Doing little damage, because she is already down on fire power.

The next salvee from Amelia's stern battery is much more telling on the Spaniard, and helps redress the ascendancy as Amelia turns away.
Attachment 22924


This opens her up to a stern rake which damages a mast.
Attachment 22925

Both ships now close and exchange shot.
A fire breaks out on Amelia, but is soon under control.
Attachment 22926



Both ships now maneuver for position.
Attachment 22927

Coming about, broadsides are again exchanged and this time the Spaniard catches fire.
Attachment 22928


With too much damage and a fire raging, she strikes to Amelia.

Attachment 22930


A close run thing.
Attachment 22931


Rob.

I just showed your post to my wife to prove women both play and enjoy SOG. No sale I'm afraid, so it remains boys only at my place till my daughter grows up a bit.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Hyperfocal

I just showed your post to my wife to prove women both play and enjoy SOG. No sale I'm afraid, so it remains boys only at my place till my daughter grows up a bit.

---

I Know what you mean David as I have the same problem. I, and my hobby, am tolerated!

Yup, it would be nice if my wife would play. Fantastic infact! But I think I've got one game in 8 years.

Sorry chaps, I tried.:surrender:
To give the idea its due, "The Friday night we play with our wives" emanated with Andrzej on the Drome.:hatsoff: I just borrowed the title.
Rob.

I'm so glad to hear that wives are also going to sea. I have actually been playing with MY wife for better than a year. She LOVES the game. So much so that she's even posted a few of our "rag wagon" duels on her Facebook page. Following is her first such "sharing" for your entertainment...

Gloria Nikki Bell
February 17, 2015 • Edited •

Allowed on Timeline

No Quarter! ......2015...cr 2015
Updated on Sunday

Carmagnole, a short waisted jacket favored by French revolutionaries named after the Italian town of Carmagnola, which they captured in1792....this i did not know!...just wanted to see what the name of my ship, the Carmagnole meant....so...there it is! :D............okay, history lesson over for the day! lol!

Attachment 23055

it's a snowy day so i think i'll meet my hubby on the high seas!!!...all set; have my Fleur-De-Lis on for "good luck" ;D


Attachment 23056

"... i'm your captain"


Attachment 23057

i played this game once before but today i'm learning how to use my crew and how to deal with damage. wow...there's a lot to think about, but it's ALSO a lot of fun!!!...lol!


Attachment 23058

round 1...after dueling for a few turns, my Carmagnole began taking on serious water sooo...i went to full sail, collided with the Cleopatra and got our ships entangled.....no wimp here!


Attachment 23059

...oops!...did i do that? lol! well while i'm here i might as well fire a broadside...


Attachment 23060

...aaaaand, i might as well have my marines fire on the enemy deck with their muskets...yes, that's the ticket! grin emoticon!!!


Attachment 23061

...and THEN i might as well overwhelm the Cleopatra's crew and take over the ship before MINE sinks! lol!!!....Bonzaiiiiii !!!


Attachment 23062

round 1 of three goes to the French...yesss! go me!!!


Attachment 23063

...........everything to create the proper mood..."Master and Commander" and Pusser's British Navy rum...i had to giggle inside thinking that these little cannons were firing ...cotton!!! yikes!!! :DDD


Attachment 23064

round 2...turn 3...clipping her stern with a lucky long shot which damaged Cleopatra's rudder, i swung hard to starboard and blasted her with a devastating initial broadside from my port guns, inflicting even more damage. i barely suffered anything in return...not looking good for the Brits...yay!!!


Attachment 23065

...after a few turns of maneuvering i finally closed with the crippled Cleopatra and she struck her colors...round 2...French again!!!


Attachment 23066

no need for round 3...victory...2 for 2...lol!!


Attachment 23067

it's a big ocean...and a lot more ships to capture! lol!!!


Immediately after this series of games she went onto the SoG website to inquire about the possibility of ARES producing Spanish ships and within a few months I was able to purchase her two 74s and a frigate which she also posted on her site...

Attachment 23069

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...and we've been blasting away at each other while sharing Navy Rum, port and India Pale Ale ever since! Our most recent encounter involved all three of her Spanish squadron against two British 74s and a frigate. But that should most likely be another story...

Now what was that song about the lady from Spain?

HAPPY SAILING MATES!!

Mike

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Dr.Maturin

I Know what you mean David as I have the same problem. I, and my hobby, am tolerated!

---

This is the same with me :wink:

Make mine a double.

Another Month has passed by, but yesterday being a Friday another encounter took place on the Spanish Main.
Two British Sloops commanded by Captain Eileen set out to find and destroy a couple of French commerce raiders.


Attachment 23982


Attachment 23983


Captain Eileen starts to form line of battle.
Attachment 23984


Noticing the maneuver the French converge on the lead British Sloop and both ships exchange fire. The British ship getting off a full broadside to the French forrard battery only.
Attachment 23985


The out of control fire on board the Frenchman is enough to sink the ship.
Attachment 23986

Attachment 23987


HM Sloop Swan and French Alligator now cross paths.
Attachment 23988


Unfortunately For the French the British are double shotted whilst they are not.
Attachment 23989


After some more manouvering by Alligator to shake off Fairy, Swan is caught at long range by the frenchman's bow chaser.
Attachment 23990

Alligator comes about in an attempt to board Swan, and firing from the tops takes place
Attachment 23992


The two ships entangle.
Attachment 23993


Swan delivers a devastating forrard double shotted first volley to Alligator.
Attachment 23994


This causes the French ship to Strike her colours.
Attachment 23991

Attachment 23995


Whilst the two British Sloops have sustained minimal damage.
Attachment 23996

Attachment 23997


The victorious Captain with one French Sloop sunk and one as a prize celebrates with her crew.
Attachment 23998

Bligh.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by MWBell

...

Attachment 23065

...after a few turns of maneuvering i finally closed with the crippled Cleopatra and she struck her colors...round 2...French again!!!

Attachment 23066

---

Nice fights, Mademoiselle. :salute:

Seems the French Navy needs more female captains to have a chance vs. the Royal Navy.

Great AAR, Michael.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Bligh

The victorious Captain with one French Sloop sunk and one as a prize celebrates with her crew.
Attachment 23998

Bligh.

---

Cheers, Eileen.

I think you made Rob to empty the rest of the bottle before the fight? :wink:

Well done. :salute:

Hedging my bets, with loading up double shot in one sloop, and single for long range in the other in did not work out as Eileen got up close and blasted both ships with double entendre.
:girlie::shootright:

Rob.:shock::surrender:

WHAT A LOVELY THREAD, ROB & EILEEN! I must arrange a Friday gaming of SoG with friends ASAP!:).

Thanks Andy. As I said at the beginning it is dedicated to your idea from the Drome, so it would be great to have you join us.:clap:
Rob.

Uh, @MWBell, does your wife know you're posting revealing pics of her on a site populated by drooling fangeeks? :P

My gal... not so much interested in the game sua sponte, but appreciates that the research to keep it going is a big part of my life and thus giving it a go is part of sharing that life with me. (Besides, with some of her interests she wants to share with me... one of the advantages of having BIG differences to bridge right from square one, we both know there's a lot of give-and-take if we're to successfully go the distance.)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Bligh

Thanks Andy. As I said at the beginning it is dedicated to your idea from the Drome, so it would be great to have you join us.:clap:
Rob.

---

You are right, Rob. What fuels my mind is to learn my closest and buddies new games and rules. In fact SoG has been a men business so to say so far, but seeing Eileen playing with you my Edyta will have ne excuse not to try this fine game "how to outmaneuver the hubbie".;)

That would indeed be great, and I look forward to seeing the resulting AAR's Andy.
Rob.

I'm thinking I should rename my contributions to this thread to be "SUNDAY AFTERNOONS we play with our wives!"... because that's when my bride and I have ALWAYS played!

Anyway, here is our latest foray as related by her in a Face-Book posting for your enjoyment. It was our first time using carronades (a combination of my own house rules and the recent ones published by ARES).


Gloria Nikki Bell added 26 new photos to the album: Enbuscade!...Mermaid, Victorious!...cr 2016.
August 21 at 9:26am ·
...sometimes my martial spirit rears its head lol!

It was a leisurely Sunday, during that extremely hot and humid weekend, too horrible to do anything outside so, donning my sundress to match the ocean and my mermaid charm around my neck, close to my heart...........(for good luck, you understand :D!).... I asked my hubby if he wanted to meet me on the high seas. I'd met him with my Spanish squadron last time so this time I opted to command a French frigate; the "Embuscade" (which means Ambush).
Attachment 25015

So he set up a couple of portable tables and spread an "ocean" on them ... I pulled out a bottle of dark spiced rum to add to the general atmosphere ... it will NOT be diluted to grog! So, let's get Kraken (lol)!!!
Attachment 25016

I started at the far southeast corner of the table. My objective, since I'm carrying a shipment of gold and a diplomat, is to simply get my Embuscade off the north edge, the far side of the "ocean"... If I encounter anything in my way, I might engage ONLY if unavoidable.
Attachment 25017

Ironically for my Embuscade, it's my hubby's HMS Fairy and HMS Swan, both smaller sloops, that intend to ambush ME as they enter the western side of the board at about the halfway point! In a genteel martial fashion, a toast is offered. Let the games begin!
Attachment 25018

... And we're off!
Attachment 25019

After a few turns of dancing about on the waves, raising and lowering sails, and hedging my way to starboard, I tried to force a British decision. When I raised all sail again, my opponents did the same in their attempt to cross my "T". I took advantage of their momentary full sails and wore enough to larboard to fire a first broadside at long range into the HMS Fairy.
Attachment 25020

Aiming high into the massed canvas (in typical French fashion), I was able to inflict a respectable amount of damage. At this point I discovered that the Fairy was only armed with carronades and could not return fire at that range!
Attachment 25021

All this damage nearly destroyed the Fairy, leaving only one hull space available....the loss of so many sails slowed him down
Attachment 25022

I took advantage of this opportunity to continue my northwesterly course to distance myself from my hubby's ships before turning back to the starboard in my attempt to exit our watery battleground.
Attachment 25023

But he was making HIS plans as well. The Fairy concentrated on making general repairs while the Swan swung around to try again to catch my Embuscade.
Attachment 25024

Things look pretty good right now ... full sail again ... I think I'm going to make it!...YAYYY!!!
Attachment 25025

But then again ... even as the Fairy retreats with its "Tail" between it legs, the Swan, laying on all the canvas she can, is reaching quickly to try to cut me off!... :(!!!
Attachment 25026

I wear again slightly to port and, yet again, unload another broadside into a full-sailed target, at long range.
Attachment 25027

Aiming high, I'm again happy with the results; particularly since the Swan ALSO is armed only with carronades and cannot fire back...lol!
Attachment 25028

The damage to the crew is telling but, unlike the Fairy, the Swan still has fight in her.
Attachment 25029

So, to try to maintain the advantage of range, I veer my Embuscade a little more to larboard and use continuous fire to keep the pressure on the Swan.
Attachment 25030

I hadn't quite veered enough, though, and ended up within close range...which isn't too bad AFTER all. Still aiming high i am now able to include MY carronades and inflict even MORE damage ... especially to her crew.
Attachment 25032

But, sadly, what's good for the goose ...
Attachment 25038

... is good for the gander. At close range, the Swan was now able to reply with HER smashers!...damn! :((((!!!
Attachment 25039

HA!...but it's too little too late. The Swan's crew is SO devastated, she's on the verge of striking ... and as I finally exit the board, she heads for home....BYE!!!
Attachment 25040

Grrrrrr ...(awww....pooor hubby...i'm sorrryyyy.....NOT!!!)
Attachment 25041

I win ... yayyy!!! :D!!!
Attachment 25042

The Butcher's Bill: The HMS Fairy, after repairs...she never even fired a shot in anger
Attachment 25043

The Butcher's Bill: The HMS Swan, also after repairs
Attachment 25044

The Butcher's Bill: my Embuscade, after repairs...barely scratched :D!!!
Attachment 25045

So we clink our glasses and drink the last of our rum, looking forward to our next encounter. Happy sailing everybody ... may the wind always be to your back!
Attachment 25046


Not only was this our first time using carronades, it was also our first time using the special Continouos Fire rule as well as our Captain and Crew capabilities cards. Sadly, the C&C cards didn't offer anything to either of us in this particular game. We were both satisfied with the way the carronades and Continuous Fire rules worked ... even though I took it a whole lot more on the chin than she ... as well as the benefits of the respective naval doctrines (French benefit for Aiming High and British for Aiming at Hull).

In closing, I have to say that, for what it's worth, my wife's Face-Book postings of Sails of Glory (as well as her postings of our WoG "cat"fights) have generated a lot of interest in the game ... this post, in particular, brought about a few IMMEDIATE online orders! So, Mates, if you want our hobby to grow, GET YOUR WIVES INVOLVED!!

CHEERS!!!

Great AAR from your good lady Mike.
Nice to see the Carronades, even if yours did not get into action in time to do any real damage.
I am still busy working out the best way to use them.
It was very brave of you to use all Carronades in both Sloops. No real option but to get up close and personal.
I have been using them about 50/50 split.
I also like your Ship mats. They are a cut above the average too.
I would give your good lady Rep, but as she is not posting this in person, it will go to you.
Rob.

I have now had time to play an action using carronades as a test.
Here is what happened.

British carronade armed. No double shot allowed for them, as per rules.

Attachment 25062


Both ships maneuver for position.

Attachment 25063

Both are double shotted so no long range is possible at this juncture.


Attachment 25064

The American ship turns downwind.
Attachment 25065

British ship now close enough to rake with first shot advantage and double shot for half her guns.

Attachment 25066

American play Captain ability card and read British next move.
Attachment 25067

This allows them to get a rake on the British.
Attachment 25068

Again half load allowing for carronades.
Attachment 25069
Shooting from the tops indeterminate.

The brits now get a return rake on the American ship.
Attachment 25071


And the first chance to use the carronade fore reloading in one move rule.
Attachment 25070
It was here that I realized another advantage of the carronade.
Usually if you use only the fore or aft guns you are accounted as all battery fired and needs reloading.
With the carronade all other guns just go on reloading and are ready along with the Carronade next move.
This is a net gain for an extra broadside.


Attachment 25072


After more maneuvering both vessels got in another shot with the Carronades.
Attachment 25073


With no real advantage to either ship they now broke off the action.

Attachment 25074


Attachment 25075

You may choose to guess of which action this was a replay.

My overall conclusion for Frigate actions is that if you are a close and friendly type Captain, Carronades are certainly an advantage, and add more flavour to the action.

Rob.

That was very close to a British victory.
Did the British captain have any abilities to counter the American captain's?

Very close! Your a very forgiving captain to let your opponent slip away that close to a killing blow. A good result indeed considering the gulf in points!

Not sure their Lordships would be pleased seeing the captain of the Amelia letting victory slip through his fingers like that. I suspect a posting to a hulk on the Mosquito Coast is in his future!

It may have been the risk of a posting to the sofa that prevented victory?:wink:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Bligh

Great AAR from your good lady Mike.
Nice to see the Carronades, even if yours did not get into action in time to do any real damage.
I am still busy working out the best way to use them.
It was very brave of you to use all Carronades in both Sloops. No real option but to get up close and personal.
I have been using them about 50/50 split.
I also like your Ship mats. They are a cut above the average too.
I would give your good lady Rep, but as she is not posting this in person, it will go to you.
Rob.

---

Thanks Rob.

I've been using carronades for a nearly a year now in solo games to work out the bugs. In most cases, they're a minor addition to a ship's existing firepower...as was usually the case, particularly for 1st -3rd rates. I have used the half strength allowance predominately for heavy frigates and full carronades for lighter frigates and "other" rates. There are always exceptions to the rule, of course, and that's where the variations of my carronade rules come into play. For example, my wife's (Gloria's) Embuscade had an additional carronade point ADDED to her ship strength in close range whereas both of my sloops were fully armed with carronades which merely replaced the guns altogether. I was inspired by an account of the USS Constitution vs. the HMS Cyane and HMS Levent. In their case, they were all frigates but the RN ships were each roughly half the strength of Old Ironsides and were armed completely with carronades...a SoG scenario if ever I saw one!

As far as my ship logs are concerned, thanks again. I designed them to provide all the information a player needs (particularly novices) to cut down on reaching for the rules during play. I've also incorporated my home rules on them, such as carronade allowances, firing at full sails, firing while anchored anchored, firing into the wind, as well as special naval doctrine benefits and restrictions (i.e., French aiming high, Brit aiming at hull and their general dis-allowance of firing chain, etc.) and so on.

And thank you for complimenting my "good lady"...for THAT matter, thank you for introducing this thread into the Anchorage. Rarely are our ladies included in such venues.

RYHS,

Mike

Great AAR Rob

I'm surprised those frigates were able to reply with ANY kind of power considering the hammerings they were receiving...especially with so many rakes, leaks and FIRES! It's all about the quality of the crews! I don't blame them for disengaging. Sometimes one just needs to limp away an lick his wounds!

Mike

Quote:

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Originally Posted by TexaS

It may have been the risk of a posting to the sofa that prevented victory?:wink:

---

After THAT fight, maybe the couch didn't seem like such a bad posting (lol)!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by TexaS

That was very close to a British victory.
Did the British captain have any abilities to counter the American captain's?

---

Hi Jonas.
The scenario was as set by the Ares outline so the following were in play.

Constitution. Crew good aim. Cpt. Hull Intuitive Captain.

Guerriere. Crew Good aim, and Well trained gunners. Cpt Dacres. Iron Captain and Fast thinking.
I only got to use Intuitive Captain, good aim and Well trained gunners.

Rob.

Last night I introduced Mrs Bligh to the Carronade rules for the first time, and using 74s to see how they did.


My French Ships.
Attachment 25189

Mrs Blighs Brits.
Attachment 25190

Digesting the Carronade rules.
Attachment 25191

The French start a maneuver.
Attachment 25192

Caught by the first shots from the Brits forward carronades.
Attachment 25193

Whilst my second in line and I exchange first broadsides with Defence,

Attachment 25194

Vanguard gets a first Forrard.
Carronade in on Aquilon.

Attachment 25195

Defence takes a hammering from both our first broadsides.
Attachment 25196

She returns first Broadside from her long guns, and reloaded Carronades at Generaux.
Attachment 25197

Check the damage!
Attachment 25198

Together with her first shots that takes Generaux out.
Attachment 25201

Under fire from two ships first broadsides double shotted at close range had also taken Defence out.
She strikes but Aquilon with a mast gone by the board is in no position nor condition to take possession.
Attachment 25202

All she can do is run.
Attachment 25203

Even so Vanguard catches her with her rear Carronades.
Attachment 25204

A stern chase now begins with the handicapped Aquilon at a disadvantage.
Attachment 25205

She just makes the edge of the world before Vanguard can make up the distance.
Attachment 25206

Vanguard returns to man her prize and recover the badly mauled Defence.


Another win for the Brits.
Attachment 25207

The Carronades indeed just tipped the balance in favour of the Brits.
One ship captured and a mauled second. All Defence had was a crew loss.

Rob.

Butcher's Bill.

Attachment 25208

Attachment 25209

Attachment 25210

Attachment 25211

Somehow got the Generaux boards and Aquilon transposed. It should have been Aquilon out and not Generaux.

Rob.

Good games, Micheal & Rob. :thumbsup:

Just got back from vacation and saw this new posting ... three cheers for Mrs. Bligh!