20 Attachment(s)
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?
