AAR. January 2016 Solo Scenario One - For Honour & Glory.
Or a Scottish Bull in a French China shop.
As the false dawn broke over the Indian Ocean Captain Angus Groat turned to his First Lt. Adam Shaw. " You have a braw pair of eyes Mr. Shaw. Gang awa up to the Main top and spy if you can con that damned Frenchie that's been dogging our wake for the past three days. I've half a mind to go and ge him good day Madras style."
As soon as Shaw reached the Fighting top he could see the French Frigate hove to about two miles from HMS Sybille. Through his Bring em near he could make out a second ship also hove to about two cables length off the Frenchman's Starboard bow.
Reporting back to the Captain, he immediately saw a smile cross the Scotsmans face. " De ye ken Mr Shaw that I have a wee fancy to pay yon Frenchie an early morning call. With the Sun to our backs, heel nay see us till it's tee late to do ought but fight."
"Bring her aboot smartly now, and ge me a course on the Port tack".
"Aye, aye sir." Replied the Master. Mr Nathaniel West.
Heeling over on the Port tack, the Sybille began her run up to the two stationary ships.
" I'll have the guns Double shotted if ye please Mr. Boden, Weel nay be pus*y footing aboot with yon Frenchie."
Aye, aye Captain." Came the swift reply." Sand the decks lads. Powder Monkeys bring up the double charges right smartly now."
From the deck, Groat could now make out the other vessel as an Indiaman. as he watched through his glass, he spied a longboat emerge from the cover of the Frigate and head toward the merchantman. As it did so the colours of The Honourable East India Company came fluttering down the jack staff.
In minutes the Frigate was setting her Courses and pulling away from the side of the Indiaman, having seen her Prize crew firmly in control of the ship.
"Lay me a course to come alongside yon Merchantman's Starboard quarter if ye please Mr Shaw. Gun Captains may fire as they bear on the Frenchie."
As the ships closed, the French Captain put his helm hard a Starboard, as if to pass behind the stern of the Sybille and rake her.
Quick as a flash Groat perceived the move as the Frenchman's sails shivered, and giving the order to shorten sail, contrived to pass across the Frenchman's bow.
The first rolling volley from Sybille's double shotted guns raking the French ships bow at short range was devastating.
Men fell, the ships wheel was wrecked, and guns dismounted all along the gundeck.
Even before the smoke cleared, Groat had his ship going hard over to Starboard to prevent the French Captain replying in kind.
When the reply did come, also double shotted it reflected on how badly hurt the Frenchman was. Apart from a few rents in the sails, and the loss of some hands, Sybille escaped virtually unscathed.
There was no time for compliments, however, for looming out of the smoke poked the bowsprit of the Indiaman, now underway, with her prize crew in command.
Both ships avoided a collision by a hairs breadth, and now reloaded, Sybille delivered a long range broadside at the Frenchman, which also served to indicate to the Prize crew that the jig was up.
As the Indiaman hove to once more, the French frigate took a long range stern rake which did for her.
Losing a mast, more crew, and now on fire, it was all that the captain could do to keep her afloat and fight the fire with the men he had left.
Very reluctantly his colours came down, and Captain Angus Groat was forced to dispatch two Prize crews of his own to take charge of the Frigate and the reclaimed Indiaman.
His crew meanwhile reflected upon the prize money that they would receive for half an hour's work.
Bligh.
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Thanks Neil.
Originally Posted by Bligh
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