17 Attachment(s)
AAR: Novembers Mission: Last Roll of the Dice.
A dispatched has arrived from the home fleet:
Sir, it grieves me to inform you that in April 1797, 16 ships-of-the-line of the Channel fleet refused to sail, and mounted a collective mutiny at Spithead.
Their demands were concerned with improved pay and conditions, and better treatment in general. Some officers considered, to ill treat their crews were sent ashore, and their permanent removal demanded. The mutiny at Spithead was conducted in a peaceful and organised manner and within a few weeks their demands had been met and a Royal Pardon granted.
A second mutiny at the Nore in May 1797 was potentially more serious, as the mutineers attempted to go beyond the demands made at Spithead. They wanted more shore leave, fairer distribution of prize money, and changes to the Articles of War. When they attempted to blockade the Thames, an important trade route to London, it took a much more serious turn. The Admiralty, which must have felt it had been lenient and generous with the Spithead mutineers, was determined not to accede to any more demands. When the government demanded the suppression of the mutiny and the Prime Minister, William Pitt the Younger, brought in a bill to outlaw the mutineers, disagreements amongst them rose to the fore. Finally, the Nore mutiny fell apart and the mutineers paid the price. The leader of the delegates was court-martialled and hanged from the yardarm of HMS Sandwich, followed by a number of his fellow mutineers, and many others were imprisoned or flogged.
The news has quickly spread throughout your squadron of the mutiny amongst the ships of the home fleet, and that strong measures have been taken to put this mutiny down. 2 days later a picket ship has reached harbour that a strong enemy squadron is sailing down the coast towards the squadron’s base.
You give the signal for the captains of the squadron to repair aboard for orders. As the ship captains head back towards their command you can see on some ships that a flag has been hoisted.
“Mutiny be damned.”
“What ship has hoisted that signal, quick man, quick”. Sir Henry paced the deck....”Beggin your pardon Sir but it’s Dunkirk, Captain Unions command!” Sir Henry turned round in disbelief, “What, confound it I don’t believe it”. But he could now see clear as day that Dunkirk had raised an upside down ensign. “Sir, Captain Union is not aboard as he was sorely wounded in the engagement with the French 74 and is ashore in hospital. “Bother and damnation”. His flag officer then pointed out towards the harbour entrance, “Sir the fort, a signal”. Taking a glass the 3rd officer quickly took a slate and copied down the signal as it was hoisted by the harbour fort. “Well man, what does it read, do I have to wait all day?” The 3rd officer gulped and replied “Strange sail sighted to the north Sir.” “Are we expecting reinforcements Captain Smith?” “None Sir”. “Then it can only be the French. The winds against them so we have time. Signal Morpeth to stay in harbour. All other ships, with the exception of Dunkirk to make sail, form up on the Flag and death to the French!”
Signals were quickly hoisted and ships made ready to sail. Northumberland taking the lead due to her anchorage in the harbour, followed by Sovereign, Africa and Alnwick.
Attachment 27680
The depleted squadron was soon clear of the harbour and under battle sails heading for the French. Captain Smith remarked, “They are led by 2 frigates Sir, Then it look like 2 74’s another frigate and the last is a 3 decker!”
Attachment 27681
“Just about even then, let’s be having them by jove”.
“looks like they may be forming 2 lines Sir”, “Good we’ll sail right down the middle and take them out 1 by 1.”
Attachment 27682
Attachment 27683
The French line began to make subtle course corrections and keeping with British doctrine as the French frigates had not fired, they were ignored. With guns double shotted Lord Henry hoped they might steal the day.
Attachment 27684
Northumberland took the first blow then a French frigate, opened fire on Royal Sovereign.
Attachment 27685
Africa unleashed a hail of iron at the French frigate which nearly rolled over as the double shot, close range broadside slammed home.
Attachment 27686
Royal Sovereign exchanged a broadside with Dugay Trouin as Northumberland exchanged a broadside with Aquilon and the 3rd French frigate.
Attachment 27687
Alnwick watched the battle unfurl.
Attachment 27688
Africa turned to engage Dugay Trouin and could only engage with her forward division as Dugay and a French frigate hit Africa hard.
[ATTACH=CONFIG]27689[/ATTACH
]Attachment 27690
Royal Sovereign closed with the large French 3 decker and exchanged broadsides at pistol range.
Attachment 27691
Aquilon was gaining speed with the wind behind her as Africa and Dugay Trouin engaged and forced Trouin to strike. Alnwick closed in to give support where needed. The 3rd French frigate let fly a mistimed broadside which fell short of Alnwicks prow.
Attachment 27697
Attachment 27692
The leading French frigates where making good there escape closely followed by Aquilon.
Attachment 27693
Commerce de Marseilles, the French 3 decker, was engaged by Northumberland and Alnwick as Royal Sovereign turned and reloaded her stbd broadside. With all of her crew dead or wounded she lowered her colours and surrendered as the remaining French ships beat a hasty retreat.
Attachment 27694
The Butchers Bill
Attachment 27695
Commerce de Marseilles: Hull damage 6/ Crew lost 12/Struck
Aquilon: Hull damage 2/ Crew lost 4/RTP
Hermione: Hull damage 6/ crew lost 3/RTP
Seraphim: no damage/RTP
Dugay Trouin: Hull damage 6/ crew lost 10/Struck
Dryad: No damage/RTP
Attachment 27696
HMS Royal Sovereign: Hull damage 3/ crew lost 6/RTP/Captures Commerce de Marseilles.
HMS Alnwick: Hull damage 0/ crew lost 1 (Due to last mission sails with 9 not 10 crew)/RTP
HMS Northumberland: Hull damage 3/ crew lost 5/RTP
HMS Africa: Hull damage 2/ crew lost 5/RTP/Captures Dugay Trouin.
