Homecoming!

Grace has aced her shakedown cruise.

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After a week of heavy weather sailing, we finally had an evening where we weren't completely exhausted so settled down to.... MORE SAILING!

In this evening's adventure, the American privateer Enterprise tries to break out of Boston harbor. HMS Swan moves to intercept. After beating to windward to gain the weather gauge, Captain Ignacious Thumbtwiddle of the Enterprise commands his crew to fire!

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Here we see Suzanne showing the complete lack of damage inflicted.

The Baltimore Clipper was feeling lucky and decided to stick around on the off chance of bringing a Royal Navy ship in as a prize. Here we see HMS Swan producing a similarly effective broadside.

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The action did eventually get hot, with Enterprise gaining the slightest upper hand in close action.

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The game was called for dinner.

This was played planning for the current turn, to reflect the small ship agility. We also used my reduced damage to reflect their 6 pdr pop-guns.

Great photographs, Dobbs!

Smashing Dobbs. I love your use of light in the smoke. Brilliant!
Should have thought of that myself when I was doing the ships on fire. Just can't imagine why Suzanne looks so chuffed!
Rob.

A little homecoming surprise for you, Dobbs: Nobody on the Stats Committee (of late it seems I *am* the committee after our years in doldrums sent many drifting on the currents to other games) objected to my inviting you and they've had a month, so if you want in just let Rob know and he'll add you to that usergroup.

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Originally Posted by Naharaht

Great photographs, Dobbs!

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I agree with David. And I love the concept of sailing and playing warships games ! :happy:

Here's another picture we took shortly after leaving our anchorage one morning:

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I thought I'd start a list of boats with our names. I'm not expecting too much on finding boats named Rob, Bligh, or Dobbs.

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Originally Posted by Diamondback

A little homecoming surprise for you, Dobbs: Nobody on the Stats Committee (of late it seems I *am* the committee after our years in doldrums sent many drifting on the currents to other games) objected to my inviting you and they've had a month, so if you want in just let Rob know and he'll add you to that usergroup.

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What sort of things does the Stats Committee do (what would my responsibilities be)? Before I sign on, I want to make sure I can do a good job!

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Originally Posted by Bligh

Smashing Dobbs. I love your use of light in the smoke. Brilliant!
Should have thought of that myself when I was doing the ships on fire. Just can't imagine why Suzanne looks so chuffed!
Rob.

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Suzanne says, "It's all about the eye shadow in the cotton to make the smoky brown color." Almay Everyday Neutrals - Dark Brown Eyelids Crease Color (set with Aquanet hairspray)

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Originally Posted by Dobbs

What sort of things does the Stats Committee do (what would my responsibilities be)? Before I sign on, I want to make sure I can do a good job!

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In a nutshell, we try to "fill in the blanks" and use existing ship data to extrapolate reasonable values for ships Ares has not yet offered--case in point, for the discussion on Constitution working up datasets for HMS Cyane and HMS Levant, and trying to figure out how much we need to beef up HMS Sybille to make HMS Guerriere. Mostly it's been slow since Wave 4 obsoleted our Tonnant, and most of what we do is "X is stronger than Y but weaker than Z, define things to the best of our ability then fling spaghetti at the wall of playtesting and see what sticks."

I would see your role as advisor on points of sailing, much as you have done to facilitate me with my Xebecs, gunboats etc. In fact the ships which we desire to use outside the scope of the official Ares sculpts and the clones. DB has a grip on that area and Dave Manley can provide extra backup as they both have inside knowledge from the playtesting etc. Texas and yourself have the most hands on with actual wind and weather sailing ships, and again Dave has also got a grip on some of that.
I hope this gives you the desire to join our merry throng and bring the committee up to the mark again. Many hands not only make light work, but also extend the pool of ideas and knowledge exponentially.
Rob.

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Originally Posted by Dobbs

Suzanne says, "It's all about the eye shadow in the cotton to make the smoky brown color." Almay Everyday Neutrals - Dark Brown Eyelids Crease Color (set with Aquanet hairspray)

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:clap: Obviously Suzanne's technical expertise extends much further than writing exhilarating journey logs, sailing boats :fixit: and their auxiliary engines then!
Rob.:salute:

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Originally Posted by Bligh

I would see your role as advisor on points of sailing, much as you have done to facilitate me with my Xebecs, gunboats etc. In fact the ships which we desire to use outside the scope of the official Ares sculpts and the clones. DB has a grip on that area and Dave Manley can provide extra backup as they both have inside knowledge from the playtesting etc. Texas and yourself have the most hands on with actual wind and weather sailing ships, and again Dave has also got a grip on some of that.
I hope this gives you the desire to join our merry throng and bring the committee up to the mark again. Many hands not only make light work, but also extend the pool of ideas and knowledge exponentially.
Rob.

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Alright, sign me up!

Welcome aboard Dobbs.
Rob.

Welcome indeed.

I will note that I have seen members with experience of sailing even big sailing vessels that may at least outrank me, even if it was for some time ago. I am no expert just because I've sailed square sailed vessels (mostly brigs).

Hands on counts for a lot Jonas. Dont't be modest.
Rob.