AAR. May scenario. Nation v Nation The Blockade.

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Rear Admiral Sir Joshua Pound paced restlessly back and forth in the State Cabin of HMS Royal George.


It was now three months since his Fleet had rendezvoused south of Madagascar in search of a Spanish Squadron which had entered the Indian Ocean in an attempt to link up with the French. Finally run to earth at the port of Mahalivona on the eastern side of the Island, his Fleet had blockaded them for eight long weeks. The Spanish had shown no inclination to emerge, until a storm of powerful dimensions had driven the British ships way out into the Indian ocean.

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After a tempestuous three days, he had still only managed to round up one 74 and a couple of Frigates, one of which had brought him tidings that the Dons were emerging from the harbour.

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As the Sun finally broke through the clouds, he made his decision.


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Still several miles away from his station Pound made signal for full sail and with the Frigates to his port side he followed the 74 as swiftly as he could to intercept the Spanish Squadron.


Don Miguel de Sanchez, Carburuna, De la Vega was very pleased with his squadrons alacrity at slipping out of port as soon as it was obvious that the British had been dispersed by the storm.


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One by one they progressed down the channel with a gentle offshore following wind. Despite the fact that the wind gradually veered, all the ships maintained perfect position on each other.
Finally, all four. his own flagship 80 and the two 74s plus his Frigate were clear of the land and coming about to round the final shoals setting a heading for a rendezvous with the rest of the fleet.


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Just as the lead ship the Hero set her topsails, the wind started to veer still further, but as all ships were now out of the channel, De la Vega maintained his course with the wind now just off his port bow, and still no sight of the English. Progress was stately.


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Suddenly with a sudden gust the wind veered still further, and the first two ships Heroe and Ifigenia were taken aback.


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In an attempt to correct course Ifigenia, much the faster sailor, ran aboard Heroe and their sails and rigging became entangled.


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The same fate befell Argonauta and Neptuno, although no entanglement ensued in this case.


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Damage was, however, quite substantial.

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Just as De la Vega was starting to hoist frantic signals to sort out the mess, his masthead lookout informed him that the English Squadron was in sight.

Bligh.

Interesting start. It looks good for the British right now.

Collision damage instead of the storm damage from the last scenario.

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As the British approached in two columns with the Frigates Amelia and Sybille to port, Sir Joshua Pound, on the Quarter-deck of his Flagship Royal George, could not help remarking to his Flag Captain Josiah Pennymann on the apparent disarray of the Spanish Fleet. Even as he watched the Argonauta managed to run itself aground on the very tip of the outermost sand bar.


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With one 74 out of the reckoning and it's consort still in stays, Pound had no qualms about running up the signal for close action, quickly followed by the one for cut the enemy line.


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As the British closed, the leading Spaniard, the 80 gun Heroe opened a tentative fire on the advancing HMS Amelia whose captain Rufus Taylor was gratified to see the fall of shot a clear cable short of his bow.



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Luffing up, Amelia now got a forward salvee into the following Frigate Ifigenia who took some waterline damage, and returned fire doing minor harm to Amelia.


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However, this action had now laid Amelia open to another blast from Heroe's stern battery at close range which did severe damage to the crew. Killing and wounding several key members of the foremast hands.


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Heroe now became the attention of both Amelia and the leading British 78 HMS Bellerophon, taking forrard and stern rakes from both as they cut the line.


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The onslaught of double shot from Captain Sterling combined with fire from the rigging devastated the ship and when the Amelia also contributed, another fire started. Half the Admirals crew were down, plus the mizzen mast, which dragged alongside with its sails like a huge sea anchor.


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In a very few minutes she keeled over and sank, still ablaze taking Admiral de la Vega and most of the crew with her to Davy Jones.


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This now gave HMS Sybille, following in Amelia's wake to get a long range shot at the next Spanish 74 in the line, the Neptuno.
At extreme range, the frigates guns had no effect upon the structure of the ship but did rake the deck taking down a goodly number of her crew.


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Wearing, Amelia now started to hound the Frigate Ifigenia and both ships rear batteries exchanged fire, both taking a toll on each others steering.


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Bellerophon's Captain Sterling now maneuvered his 74 to mask Amelia from anymore damage inflicted by the Ifigenia. Whilst the Neptuno closed with the slower Royal George, who had at last got into the action.


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Bellerophon now having cleared Ifigenia, took some damage from her much enfeebled broadside, in doing so she unmasked Sybille and Amelia, who now reloaded blitzed the Ifigenea, but luckily for her did not inflict any major damage.


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Nevertheless, crew losses now forced her to strike to the Frigates.



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Meanwhile, Royal George had just traded off a mighty first double shotted broadside with Neptuno, which despite a spirited reply from the 74 had forced it to strike immediately, with two masts gone by the board and crew losses of 80% in the one exchange.

Things now looked decidedly grim for the grounded Argonauta, as the George and Bellerophon both bore down upon her. She was out of range of the shore batteries, with her stern totally unprotected.


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Rather than maneuver out of range around her stern, Pound decided to go for the direct approach, and took a pounding himself.


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Bellerophon sailed a little too far inshore, and as it came about took a long range rolling volley from the fort on the point, fortunately taking minimal damage from the plunging fire.


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Now broadside on to the Argonauta Pound now hammered the reloading Spaniard from close range with the first broadside from his Starboard battery.


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As Pound rounded its stern, Captain Sterling now delivered his first Starboard broadside, With a token return of fire and devoid of any assistance, the George now at anchor across their stern, the plucky Don's were forced to strike.


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At high tide, and in full view of the infuriated Spaniards on the shore, the George and Bellerophon warped their latest prize off the sandbank, and with pumps full on towed her back to the rest of the waiting squadron amid much jubilation at the thought of all the prize money waiting to be awarded.

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Bligh.

Butcher's bill.


Attachment 23227

Sunk by Bellerophon and Amelia. Cpts Sterling and Taylor.
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Struck to Sybille and Amelia. Cpts Tanner and Taylor.
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Struck to Royal George.Cpt Pennymann.
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Struck to Royal George and Bellerophon. Cpts Pennymann and Sterling.
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Grog,2 hull retrieved, crew?
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Grog, 2 hull. no repairs needed.
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Grog, 2 Hull, no repairs needed.
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No damage.
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Bligh.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by TexaS

Interesting start. It looks good for the British right now.

Collision damage instead of the storm damage from the last scenario.

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I could not believe it. They came out of harbour perfectly, and just a slight change in the wind caused havoc Jonas.

Rob.

I think I left a larger gap between the French. But the change in the wind did cause havoc for them as it was for the Spanish in your game.

That three ship broadside on Heroe must have been a fair approximation of hell on earth!

I like that two battle line formation you used. I'll add that to my arsenal.

Beautiful battle and a great victory!

Thank you for the AAR.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Hjl

That three ship broadside on Heroe must have been a fair approximation of hell on earth!

I like that two battle line formation you used. I'll add that to my arsenal.

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To be honest the two line formation came out of necessity Hugh. I was going for one line but the Brits threw a five on the dice, so I did not have time or space to form a proper line of battle. The frigates were just lucky that the Neptuno got taken aback twice in trying to get out of irons and thus left a large gap for them to exploit. it could all have gone horribly wrong.
Rob.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Bligh

To be honest the two line formation came out of necessity Hugh. I was going for one line but the Brits threw a five on the dice, so I did not have time or space to form a proper line of battle. The frigates were just lucky that the Neptuno got taken aback twice in trying to get out of irons and thus left a large gap for them to exploit. it could all have gone horribly wrong.
Rob.

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As designed the veering wind is a major factor in helping the British Squadron offset by the luck of the die roll for entry.
Well done Rob. As Admiral pound has just become a very rich man do you think he will buy us a drink or two?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Dr.Maturin

Well done Rob. As Admiral pound has just become a very rich man do you think he will buy us a drink or two?

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Or perhaps a new ship? :dazed::dazed:

I'm sure he will see the whole Squadron right Gentlemen.
His own oft quoted pun says it all.
"In for a penny, in for a Pound." :clap:
Bligh.:drinks:

What a battle, what a clash :clap::clap:
Great AAR Rob :hatsoff:

A very enjoyable read, congratulations on your prizes they're well deserved.

Great victory, the Spaniards had a really bad start and got nicely beaten in close-ranged combat.

Eventually Argonauta was knocked down to the Admiralty and purchased into the Service. With the prize money form the other prizes she was taken into service, and re-crewed, joining the Squadron as HMS Phoenix.

Bligh.