31 Attachment(s)
AAR - NAtion v Nation May: The Blockade HJL
Attachment 23106
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The four command officers sat around the table aboard the HMS Britannia. The report from their man in the French dock said that the French were readying their ships to break the blockade after months in port. The entire French fleet was going to make a break for it.
The French fleet was not something to be trifled with, Montange, Aquilon, Commerce de Bordeaux, Le Berwick and Hermione. Admiral Gabriel knew that his forces were outnumbered but that if the French escaped that they could reinforce and return to overwhelm the British ships. He ordered his Captains to make haste for the port and prevent the French escaping.
Admiral Gabriel - HMS Britannia
Captain Watson - HMS Impetueux
Captain Chandler - HMS Vanguard
Captain Griffon - HMS Terpsichore
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turn 1
Attachment 23074
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turn 2
Attachment 23075
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turn 3
Attachment 23076
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turn 4
Attachment 23077
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turn 5
The British fleet arrives to intercept the French
Attachment 23078
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turn 6
The two fleets move into position
Attachment 23079
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turn 7
The French ships turn into the wind
Attachment 23080
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turn 8
The French are starting to break formation and are struggling against the turning wind. Unfortunately the British have over estimated the French fleets speed and are passing the best point of attack.
Attachment 23081
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turn 9
The French try to regroup and the British turn to avoid the main land cliffs.
Attachment 23082
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turn 10
The British keep formation and the two fleets close the distance.
Attachment 23083
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turn 11
The British lose the initiative and the French rake the Britannia, fortunately their crews lack of sea time shows and most of their shot splashes into the water.
Attachment 23084
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turn 12
The orders are to try to focus on the French 1st rate and as such the HMS Britannia opens fire doing significant damage to the Montagne. The battle begins in earnest.
Attachment 23085
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turn 13
The fight continues and the damage starts to mount up on the Montagne. The first fire breaks out on HMS Vanguard
Attachment 23086
Attachment 23087
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turn 14
HMS Vanguard takes more damage, more fires! The crews rush to try to contain them but things are looking bad.
Attachment 23088
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turn 15
Le Berwick runs into the cliffs having lose her main mast moments earlier. She is out of the battle.
Attachment 23089
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turn 16
The British fleet turns, exposing their sterns to the French.
Attachment 23090
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turn 17
The French have escape in sight and the British turn to line up their shots on the Montagne.
Attachment 23091
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turn 18
The battle rages on. HMS Vanguard takes another hit and the fires spread once again.
Attachment 23092
Attachment 23093
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turn 19
There is a tremendous explosion as the fires spread to HMS Vanguards powder magazine. The ship is blown to pieces and both sides look in horror as the ship sinks in seconds.
Attachment 23094
HMS Impetueux pursues Montagne.
Attachment 23096
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turn 20
HMS Terpsichore engages Hermione.
Attachment 23097
HMS Impetueux exchanges fire with Montagne and the 1st rate strikes due to horrendous crew losses.
Attachment 23098
Attachment 23099
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turn 21
The main French fleet makes its escape to sea.
Attachment 23100
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turn 22
HMS Terpsichore and Hermione fire point blank into one another with the French frigate coming worse off.
Attachment 23101
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turn 23
Hermione tries to make an escape
Attachment 23102
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turn 24
HMS Terpsichore lines up her shot perfectly and Hermione strikes her colors.
Attachment 23103
