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Thread: Bataille d'Aboukir (1798) at Doncaster 2017

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    Default Bataille d'Aboukir (1798) at Doncaster 2017

    Bonjour.

    This ist he AAR of the Battle of the Nile or en francais la Bataille d'Aboukir that took place at the Doncaster Convention 2017.

    For scenario setup and rules have a look here:


    http://www.sailsofglory.org/showthre...nario-for-Cons

    Friday evening. Rob set up the coastline of Abukir Bay in a room oft he South Yorkshire museum.
    Weeks before he asked me, to surprise the gamers with an original coastline and buildt such beautiful terrain tiles for this game.
    Solid work like we expect from Rob, he studied old drawings, pictures and researched about the terrain.
    The result was breathtaking and a highlight of the mission. Thank you very much!




    A closeup on the Egypt settlement.



    Game designer Andrea Agiolino himself watches the setup.
    In the background at the table Neil & Eileen and some of Chris‘ SoG ship boxes




    It’s the 31.July 1798 (15.September 2017) the French fleet that brought an army under the command of Napoleon Bonaparte to Egypt anchores in a line in the bay of Abukir.

    From the right tot he left:

    Guerrier 74 guns
    Conquerant 74 guns
    Spartiate 74 guns
    Aquilon 74 guns
    Peuple Souverain 74 guns
    Franklin 80 guns
    Orient 120 guns (flagship), Sven (Comte de Brueys)
    Tonnant 84 guns

    …the line was longer, but only 8 French ships displayed

    In the background the French frigate Serieuse 32 guns

    At this point I have to announce the kindness of Chris (CapnDuff) who provided 17 full rigged ships for this scenario. Thank you very much Chris this was another highlight oft he mission , that made it that special!




    The French anchored near to shoals and sandbanks to prevent any attackes to get between the line and the coast.
    The French where that shure, that some of their ships, the Guerrier & the Conquerant did not clear the portside gunports from stuff & materials used during the anchorage.




    1.August 1798 afternoon, (16.September 2017 morning) the Royal Navy under Nelson’s command arrived at the scene.

    Here some of the captains with US LL member Karl Evoy.
    Simon with his pirate hat, explains the strategy.
    Rob offered the RN captains some glasses with port wine. Me, in command oft he French line was offered a glass with Cognac.
    A very stylish start!




    The Royal Navy sailed into the bay in a straight line and managed to get between the coast and the French line!
    Quel surprise!


    RN order of sail and captains:

    HMS Vanguard 74 guns, Chris (Hedeby) Admiral Nelson
    HMS Goliath 74 guns, Simon (Ensing Patch)
    HMS Zealous 74 guns, Andrea (Angiolillo)
    HMS Orion 74 guns, Neil (Union Jack)
    HMS Audacious 74 guns, Gary (McDorf)
    HMS Minotaur 74 guns, Andy (sealegs)
    HMS Defence 74 guns, Chris (CapnDuff)
    HMS Leander 50 guns, Rob (Bligh)




    The RN sails deeper into the bay. The flagship HMS Vanguard (Chris Hedeby) checked the small French frigate and left the leading of the line HMS Goliath (Simon).

    HMS Zealous (Andrea) had finished off the badly damaged Guerrier with musket fire.

    On the picture from the left: Andrea, Neil, Gary, Chris (CapnDuff)




    The other four RN captains from the left: Andy, Chris Hedeby, Rob, Simon



    Battle continued. More French ships sunk.

    Conquerant by a combined broadside of HMS Minotaur (Andy) and HMS Leander (Rob).

    Spartiate by HMS Audacious (Gary)

    …and the RN had a first loss. HMS Goliath (Simon) was sunk after catching most of the French first broadsides. Respect Simon, you softened the French line and did your part.

    HMS Zealous (Andrea), badly damaged too, turned to the coast to avoid being sunk by the French ships.

    It was clear that the first RN ships had the most ungratefull job to encounter one fresh/undamaged French ship after the other.

    The picture shows that the mighty 1st rate Orient had joined the battle.




    Closeup. HMS Orion (Neil), anchored right to the Aquilon, exchanging broadsides.

    HMS Vanguard executed her surprise maneuver towards the Orient.




    Closeup: Four fresh RN ships heading for action.

    The sunk French ships were nicely displayed by some Langton miniatures.




    A few turns later. HMS Vanguard is lost. Bow racked by the Orient and heavy hit by the Tonnant, the flagship sank, but dealt out a fatal blow to the Orient and set her on fire!



    Due to a scenario rule, all special damages did not count, except fire damage to the Orient.
    From turn 14 the 1st rate suffered each turn a box to fire damage.
    This special miniature was given tot he Doncaster Con by the US forum member Nightmoss.
    Thank you very much for another highlight of the mission!




    Aquilon was fought down by HMS Orion (Neil) and HMS Leander (Rob).

    HMS Audacious (Gary) and the Peuple Souverain exchanged broadsides.

    …and then it happened: Instead sailing into a bowrake position for the Peuple souverain, the captian of HMS Leander confused portside with starboard and turned away from the French line!

    Now I know what the yellow sign is for...




    The captain of HMS Leander explained his view of the situation to the audience.



    Always look on the bright side of life… …and remember that the last laugh is at you.



    After 3 hours of gaming and 20 turns, the burning Orient was finished off by HMS Minotaur (Andy). Six of the Orient’s eleven boxe were closed by fire before.

    Peuple Souverain was defeated by crew losses after a boarding action of HMS Orion (Neil) and a lucky last shot that closed the last crew member box.

    Franklin was defeatet by HMS Defense (Chris CapnDuff)

    Extra points were earned by HMS Vanguard (Chris Hedeby) by handling the French firgate Seriuese gentle in the first, and sunk her in the second when the Frenchmam surprisingly opened fire at the HMS Vanguard.

    The fate of HMS Leander (Rob) was a little vague. Sunk by the Peuple Souverain? …or did the Portland class survived?

    Anyways we had great time together in Doncaster and I hope the guys liked the cooperative scenario de la Bataille d'Aboukir. I enjoyed it that much.

    At last a view on the Port and Cognac chests which supplied us with motivating drinks.





    Special thanks at last to Rob (Bligh) who granted all RN captains a nice little medal and the defeated French Admiral (me) a shiny new Legion d'Honeur medal.
    Last edited by Comte de Brueys; 10-03-2018 at 21:08.

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