Results 1 to 34 of 34

Thread: USS Constitution versus HMS Sybille

Threaded View

  1. #1

    Default USS Constitution versus HMS Sybille

    This game is my 2nd game. I'm using just the basic rules plus it's my first try of Dobbs AI. After this I will have a go at the standard rules.

    The inspiration for the game are the single ship actions involving the USS Constitution and British frigates during the War of 1812. The opponent I choose is the 44 gun Hebe class HMS Sybille (it says 34 on the card). It's not a fight I expected Sybille to win and she didn't but she did better than I expected. The initial wind and ship positions, just outside of long range, were based on the Avalon Hill scenario in Wooden Ships and Iron Men for the Constitution versus Guerriere. I used AI for both sides.

    Name:  Start.jpg
Views: 537
Size:  90.6 KB


    Turn 1 & 2: The Constititution turns to investigate the unknown frigate while the Sybille moves upwind to try to gain the weather gauge versus the larger frigate.

    Name:  Turn01.jpg
Views: 497
Size:  89.4 KB

    Name:  Turn02.jpg
Views: 443
Size:  96.7 KB


    Turn 3: Sybille fires a partial broadside at long range to discourage her pursuer but it has little effect on 'Old Ironsides'.

    Name:  Turn03.jpg
Views: 502
Size:  96.8 KB


    Turn 4: Old Ironsides accepts the challenge and returns the honours.

    Name:  Turn04.jpg
Views: 572
Size:  95.0 KB


    Turns 5 to 9: Sybille finally gains the weather gauge. With the choice of engaging the more powerful frigate or not, Sybille's captain decides honour will not allow him to withdraw without at least a try. Sybille turns and heads towards the Constitution.

    Name:  Turn05.jpg
Views: 498
Size:  80.1 KB

    Name:  Turn06.jpg
Views: 468
Size:  128.1 KB

    Name:  Turn07.jpg
Views: 413
Size:  136.3 KB

    Name:  Turn08.jpg
Views: 461
Size:  120.3 KB

    Name:  Turn09.jpg
Views: 405
Size:  132.7 KB


    Turn 10: Withholding fire until within close range both frigates fire devastating broadsides from their forward batteries at each other. Surprisingly Sybille gives nearly as much as she gets.

    Name:  Turn10.jpg
Views: 422
Size:  135.5 KB


    Turn 11: The gunners on both ships reload while from the yardarms marines snipe at the opposing crews.

    Name:  Turn11.jpg
Views: 468
Size:  149.2 KB


    Turn 12: Both ships then turn away from each other as their captains re-assess the mettle of the foe. (It was a surprise to me but I went with hit.)

    Name:  Turn12.jpg
Views: 472
Size:  99.7 KB


    Turn 13: Both ships then turned back and fired - a full broadside for the Constitution which does little ship damage but devastates the Sybille's crew while Sybille with a partial broadside proves that 'Old Ironsides' might be a little rusty.

    Name:  Turn13.jpg
Views: 567
Size:  114.7 KB


    Turns 14 & 15: The ships reposition themselves onto parallel courses and exchange long range broadsides. Sybille heavily damages rusty 'Old Ironsdies' but her crew losses mount.

    Name:  Turn14.jpg
Views: 388
Size:  103.4 KB

    Name:  Turn15.jpg
Views: 421
Size:  105.5 KB


    Turns 16 & 17: Neither captain willing to withdraw, they close for a close range broadsides. Sybille continues to ravage the hull of 'Old Ironsides' but down to almost no able crew, the captain of the Sybille strikes her colours.

    Name:  Turn16.jpg
Views: 457
Size:  103.7 KB

    Name:  Turn17.jpg
Views: 423
Size:  106.1 KB


    The final tally on the ship boards.

    Name:  End.jpg
Views: 436
Size:  146.9 KB


    Assessment of the AI. There were times when I wondered what it was doing as the ships jockeyed for position at long range or just out of long range. I nearly quit the game when they both turned away from each other but I'm glad I didn't. The overall game played reasonably enough for the similar engagements of the Constitution versus His Majesty's frigates. Full credit to the Sybille for doing better than I thought she would.
    Last edited by ShadowDragon; 03-17-2020 at 14:51.

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •