Action off of Windmill Point

In this engagement, I played Saratoga and the AI played Unite, using my Sailing Master rules. I also used my simplified damage system so I could focus on sailing.

August 1798

After an uneventful first cruise of the Quasi-war with France, Saratoga heads up the Chesapeake Bay toward Baltimore. Off the mouth of the mouth of the Rappahannock River she spies a strange sail. A French frigate is lurking beneath Windmill Point, hoping to prey on American shipping.

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The French have the weather gauge, and close with confidence.

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Saratoga throws a tack before the range closes.

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The wind diminishes as she completes her tack.

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The Frenchman bears off as Saratoga’s sails start to draw on the other tack.

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The French frigate Unite heads up as Saratoga bears off. Both exchange partial broadsides.

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Both ships again manage only a partial broadside, then luff up.

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The wind backs, which works well for Saratoga, not so much for Unite. Neither ship has momentum in the light air, so the 2nd hourglass is played.

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Unite turns out of the wind as Saratoga remains stationary and waits for her sails to draw. The crew stands by their guns. Next turn, Unite will be motionless…

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Saratoga begins to move, lining up a perfect shot on her unmoving quarry.

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A brief, slow chase ensues.

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The wind veers, heading Saratoga as Unite unleashes a full broadside, luckily not a rake or at short range.

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The chase continues, with neither ship able to press a decisive advantage.

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The final shot, then called for supper.

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In conclusion, I felt the AI did well, considering. I dished out 10 points of damage while receiving 6. It’s tough for the AI ship when its opponent is close to the line between two different arcs. When I created Sailing Master, I worked out the numbers with the assumption that the AI’s target was in the center of an arc. During a lot of the chase portion, I was on the AI’s starboard side, but really close to the stern arc. Had I been in the stern arc, the AI probably would have been more aggressive.