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Thread: The Match of the Leviathans

  1. #1
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    Default The Match of the Leviathans

    This was a study to see how my AI would do running a large ship. I thought it might stumble with the lack of agility. The tables are primarily designed for the maneuverability of smaller ships and many of the potential AI maneuvers are sharper than a 1st rate can achieve. The idea is that you pick the maneuver as close to the rolled maneuver as possible.

    Ultimately, I was very satisfied. See if you can tell which ship was commanded by a human.

    Steady Fair Wind from the East

    French – 1 1st Rate – sailing south

    British – 1 1st Rate – sailing north

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    Capitaine Jaques Dupiere lowered his glass and scratched his cheek. It defied explanation. 1st rates didn’t travel alone, and yet here was a British one, unattended, approaching on an intercept course. It was completely logical that Orient was alone. She should have sortied with the Brest squadron, but the weather window opened while she was watering, and from there it was obvious that she would have to make the rendezvous by herself. Dupiere turned to his first lieutenant. “Monsieur LeBlank, let us clear for action.”

    Captain James Smith peered intently at the French 1st rate. It was inconceivable. A 1st rate with no escort? Of course, Royal Sovereign was by herself, but that only made sense. Three weeks ago, a channel storm had sprung her foremast. Since the French fleet had been quiet, a quick trip to Deptford and a sheer hulk set everything to rights, and now it was time to rejoin the channel fleet. Smith turned to his first lieutenant. “Mr Bales, clear for action.”

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    Here, both ships came up closehauled. The British have a slight speed advantage, and so may gain the weathergauge.

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    The range closes.

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    The French are not getting the weathergauge, and so bear off to get a good position to leeward

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    Not the best maneuver, but turning back to closehauled on the port tack keeps Orient out of Royal Sovereign’s full broadside.

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    The British go straight. A sideslip to leeward on the French part brings the leviathans to musket range.

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    The British bear off while the French hold course. Partial broadsides are exchanged, meting out a fair amount of damage. The most important hit is Royal Sovereign losing her entire mizzenmast. Due to a clerical error on my part, I only recorded it as a loss of the spanker. In going back and reviewing, the loss of the topmast and t’gallant wouldn’t have changed the outcome. She could have made up the loss be setting her remaining t’gallant sails and courses. Luckily, against the odds, the mast fell to windward.

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    The British struggle with their fallen mast while the French luff up and wish their guncrews had finished reloading.

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    The British have almost cleared the fallen mast and have unfurled the t’gallants for more power and handling. The French feint away and let fly with a partial broadside.

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    Having cut the mast wreckage free, the British turn as hard as they can and let fly with a partial broadside. The French are still struggling out of their feint.

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    The contestants circle, slowly.

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    Royal Sovereign presents her broadside but the range is too great.

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    As the range closes, Orient wears and fires her forward broadside.

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    As the two ships pass, Royal Sovereign returns the favor.

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    Royal Sovereign luffs up to tack while Orient rearranges the British stern galleries.

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    Completing her tack, Royal Sovereign fires her bow broadside.

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    The final broadside, Royal Sovereign gets to fire her best side and the whole thing.

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    In the end, both ships were starting to feel the wear and tear of the engagement, and the outcome was still up in the air. Both crews were suffering and Orient had superior speed so decided to withdraw.

    In the end, the question is, which ship was commanded by a human?
    Last edited by Dobbs; 02-13-2023 at 16:59.

  2. #2
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    Sticking my neck out,I would say the British Dobbs.

    Rob.
    The Business of the commander-in-chief is first to bring an enemy fleet to battle on the most advantageous terms to himself, (I mean that of laying his ships close on board the enemy, as expeditiously as possible); and secondly to continue them there until the business is decided.

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    For me also the British ship

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    Well done, gentlemen. You're both right. What were the giveaways?

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    I just looked at the overall ship handling, and felt that the British just shaded the French by a whisker in that respect. Not an easy one to call though.

    Rob.
    The Business of the commander-in-chief is first to bring an enemy fleet to battle on the most advantageous terms to himself, (I mean that of laying his ships close on board the enemy, as expeditiously as possible); and secondly to continue them there until the business is decided.

  6. #6
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    Quote Originally Posted by Bligh View Post
    I just looked at the overall ship handling, and felt that the British just shaded the French by a whisker in that respect. Not an easy one to call though.

    Rob.
    Thanks, Rob. Your phrasing makes me feel ever so smarter than a six sided die.

  7. #7
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    Quote Originally Posted by Dobbs View Post
    Thanks, Rob. Your phrasing makes me feel ever so smarter than a six sided die.
    Well I guess that from now on I will have to call you D8 Dobbs then.

    Rob.
    The Business of the commander-in-chief is first to bring an enemy fleet to battle on the most advantageous terms to himself, (I mean that of laying his ships close on board the enemy, as expeditiously as possible); and secondly to continue them there until the business is decided.

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