AAR March solo Fleet Action

[Capn Duff]

Apologies to all for the tardiness of the report, was played within time, just haven't got around to resizing and writing. Until today that is :)

Commodore Sir John Norringham turned towards Captain Simon Barry “My compliments Simon, your men took 3 minutes to clear for action, well done” “Thank you sir “replied Captain Barry “It seems the Squadron is ready for action and await your orders Sir”
Sir john turned and looked behind “Keep full sail for the moment Simon, send a signal to Dayton and Harris tell them to keep to the plan we discussed, hopefully we will back a couple of Prizes, depending how those Frenchies weathered that storm for the past couple of days” Captain Barry saluted “Yes Sir” and he turned to issue the instructions to the other Captains.
So mused Sir John, while he in Audacious with the 74’s Resolution and Renown has sheltered in the bay a few leagues away it looked like the Frenchies had been caught, looking at the French Squadron to the north at least one ship , the frigate, had a jury rigged mast and the others looked a bit battered also. So even though there were 4 enemy ships he was confident they could stop the enemy from regaining port, well at least some of them.
He lowered the spyglass and coughed, so let’s see what the next few hours would bring.

Set up
French Squadron



French Storm Damage



French Port



English Squadron



Turn 1
The French led by Commerce de Bordeaux, followed by Redoutable and Le Berwick with Carmagnole move toward home, turning to Starboard



English at full sail move to intercept



Turn2
All French move toward the channel behind the Island



British move forward in battle line



Turn3
French Frigate obviously panics and turns hard Port, directly towards Le Berwick



English Audacious and Resolution reduce sail to Battle sails, Renowned a slow boat, continues full sail



Turn 4
French move towards the channel but Carmagnole collides with Le Berwick which springs a leak and entangles their rigging and shrouds



English turn towards the French but Renown falling behind



Turn 5 &6
The two entangled French ships do not move on turn 5 but un-entangle for turn 6



Turn 7
Audacious and Redoutable exchange broadsides, the French gunnery not too good but starts a fire on Audacious.
Audacious gunners are superior and cause heavy damage including dismasting Redoutable



Turn 8
Audacious on fire turn to Port, its crew buy loading their guns while damage parties prepare to put out the fire and takes further damage from Le Berwick including a leak.
Redoutable after losing a mast careens into the Island doing considerable damage and getting stuck





Turn 9
Commerce de Bordeaux moves around the Island, Redoutable fires its last cannons on Resolution and does no damage, Carmagnole fires at Audacious killing crew.
Audacious fires at Le Berwick while Resolution finished off Redoutable, which strikes.



Turn 10
Commerce de Bordeaux moves around the Island into the channel, home port in sight, but also just out of cannon shot of the defending fort lies HMS Renown. Le Berwick opens fire on Resolution causing a leak, while stopping her own leak and pumping out the water damage. Audacious stops the fire and pumps out the water damage and prepares another damage party to stop the leak.



Turn 11
Commerce de Bordeaux turn into the wind to prepare to make harbour, HMS Renown drops anchor and opens fire with deadly effect. Le Berwick makes into the channel behind the Island followed by Carmagnole.
Unfortunately Resolution moves up and stern Rakes Carmagnole which promptly strikes. Audacious moves forward pumping out water damage.






Turn 12
Audacious turns to Port and repairs the leak in the hull. Resolution moves forward to take charge of Carmagnole and Redoutable.
The remains of the French squadron moves further around the Island



Turn 13
Commerce de Bordeaux and Le Berwick open up on Renown, who replies with a full broadside against Le Berwick.
Resolution takes the two prizes, Redoutable and Carmagnole.



Turn 14
Both French ships move out of arc of Renown who are busy loading, but any movement would have brought the enemy fort into play. Captain Harris in HMS Renown decided that there was little gain in moving for one more shot



Turn 15
Commerce de Bordeaux and Le Berwick make the Harbour and safety.



The Bill

HMS Audacious
4 box fully damaged ( 2 by fire), 1 box partial damage, 2 crew



HMS Resolution
1 box partial damage,



HMS Renown
! box fully damaged, 2 crew



Commerce de Bordeaux
5 Box fully damaged, including storm, 1 partial damage and 3 crew. Escaped and made port



Le Berwick
4 box fully damaged , 2 crew. Escaped and made Port



Redoutable – Struck colours and towed off the Island by HMS Audacious and HMS Redoubtable, taken as Prize
All box damaged and 8 crew



Carmagnole – Struck colours taken as Prize by crew of Resolution
All box damaged and 6 crew

[Bligh]

Good result Chris.
Two prizes and the rest of the French Squadron badly mauled.
Well done Captain.
Also the first running fight round the Islet, which made a nice change.
Rob.

[Capn Duff]

It was quite surprising as the French were all AI driven, they followed the lead ship for first two turns then individually and the die rolls sent them that way.
Was an enjoyable game

[Torrence]

Very nice action! And some bloody action inside the channel, too.

[Capn Duff]

Thanks Richard, what did not help was the Redoutable losing a mast, then the next move ramming the Island.
This meant twice the burden B damage. It was then easy pickings and even less space to manouvre for the other ships

[Hyperfocal]

Excellent action, I very much enjoyed it. I think playing advanced rules makes for more interesting play.
I congratulate your captains on taking their prizes with so little loss of life.

[Bligh]

I'm just happy that the scenario lived up to its promise.
It's a bit like being the author of a book. You never know quite how the public will like it.
Rob.