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Thread: Sails of Glory on board the USS Olympia

  1. #1

    Default Sails of Glory on board the USS Olympia

    On Saturday May 3, 2014 I participated in a game day on board the USS Olympia in Philadelphia. Not coincidentally this was the 116th anniversary of the Battle of Manila Bay!

    I ran one of the scenarios from the Historical scenario book, "Combat, Finally". In book it pits a British SOL and frigate against a French SOL and 2 frigates. I did modify it and remove one French frigate and as it turned out they didn't need it. We had three players and all Advanced rules were in play. The British player did comment that he would need to play more before trying to handle 2 ships at a time again.

    The tone for the battle was set when the French SOL hit the British frigate with a long range bow rake. This was the beginning of some awesome chit pulls from that player (rolling many sixes in the dice world!).

    Initial rake from the French SOL on the frigate

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    and the damage:
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    Exchange of fire
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    We were playing on the berth deck - yes they still used hammocks in 1898.

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    Another nasty broadside from the French SOL!
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    This is it for the British, the frigate has already struck and the SOL is about to do the same.
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    This was the first time I played with all the advanced rules, i.e.; crew actions. It does add to the game and can get a bit dicey if you had taken damage and need to put out fires and stop leaks! I think that was why a ship would try to sail out of range and effect repairs if possible!

    I'll post some Olympia pictures separately.

    Eric

  2. #2

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    Nice AAR.Looking forward to your photos.

  3. #3
    Admiral of the White
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    Great report and photos. Looking forward to the pictures of the Olympia too. What's her status these days. I'd heard some rumors that she might have a threatened future?

  4. #4

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    Quote Originally Posted by Nightmoss View Post
    I'd heard some rumors that she might have a threatened future?
    Plans have fallen through for finding an organization that could take over care of the ship. As of last month,the Seaport Museum plans to launch a national fundraising campaign for her preservation.

  5. #5
    Retired Admiral of the Fleet
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    Very cool, Eric. I think to play is such a setting would be rather memorable.

    Looking forward to your other pictures.

  6. #6

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    Nice report Eric. I think the outcome of this battle shows how important the ability cards would be.

  7. #7

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    Great AAR, Eric.

    The perfect atmosphere for a SoG game.


    (Two of the guys in the background - 4th picture - played the MB version of Axis & Allies - my first strategic boardgame!)

  8. #8
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    Great report, Eric! What a climatic setting

    @Sven: Imagine I still have a worn copy of the same edition as we see on that pic!

  9. #9

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    I can imagine that comrade, because I've got 2 copies.

    ...and two copies of Samurai Swords (orginal MB) and two copies of Fortress America (original MB).

  10. #10
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    Quote Originally Posted by Comte de Brueys View Post
    I can imagine that comrade, because I've got 2 copies.

    ...and two copies of Samurai Swords (orginal MB) and two copies of Fortress America (original MB).
    You are simply the God of War!

  11. #11

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    Quote Originally Posted by Comte de Brueys View Post
    I can imagine that comrade, because I've got 2 copies.

    ...and two copies of Samurai Swords (orginal MB) and two copies of Fortress America (original MB).
    What about the other two games of Milton Bradley's Gamemaster series: Conquest of the Empire and Broadsides and Boarding Parties?

  12. #12

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    Quote Originally Posted by Coog View Post
    Plans have fallen through for finding an organization that could take over care of the ship. As of last month,the Seaport Museum plans to launch a national fundraising campaign for her preservation.
    The Educational director of the Seaport Museum told us that they now "own" the ship and as you state are going to be fundraising for preservation. The volunteer crew do a good job with basic maintenance and the ship looks good topside, the problem is that she needs a drydock and below the waterline work. Of course that is $$$$.

    I have delayed posting more pictures because I have been working on scenarios for the contest! Also I did play "On Equal Terms" from the historical scenario book last night with a gaming buddy. Very nice game of frigate maneuvering, except I couldn't hit anything! (my opponent kept drawing '0').

  13. #13

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    Quote Originally Posted by DeRuyter View Post
    The volunteer crew do a good job with basic maintenance and the ship looks good topside, the problem is that she needs a drydock and below the waterline work. Of course that is $$$$.
    The "below the waterline" problem seems to be the most common one with the old steel warships. USS Texas has the same problem. Fortunately the State of Texas owns her and I don't see any way the Texas legislature would ever allow her to become scrap. A dry berth is scheduled to be completed for her by 2017.

  14. #14
    Admiral of the White
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    Quote Originally Posted by Coog View Post
    What about the other two games of Milton Bradley's Gamemaster series: Conquest of the Empire and Broadsides and Boarding Parties?
    I never was able to land a copy of Broadsides and Boarding Parties. However, I do have MB's Shogun, Fortress America, Conquest of the Empire and Axis and Allies.

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    Admiral. R.I.P.
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    That was a very appropriate setting for playing SoG.

    I own copies of MB's Shogun and Axis & Allies board games.

  16. #16

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    I visited Olympia on a family vacation in 1983. Thanks for bringing up good memories ...

    (jeez though, am I that old? :D )

  17. #17

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    Quote Originally Posted by fredmiracle View Post
    (jeez though, am I that old? :D )
    Your not old until people start saying, how young you look for your age.

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    All I can say to this one is BRUTAL.
    Very similar to the very first game I ever played against Christophe.
    My Frigate got raked in the first encounter, and it was all downhill from there.
    Thanks for the timely reminder not to let a superior ship rake you.
    Rob.

  19. #19
    Admiral of the Fleet.
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    All I can say to this one is BRUTAL.
    Very similar to the very first game I ever played against Christophe.
    My Frigate got raked in the first encounter, and it was all downhill from there.
    Thanks for the timely reminder not to let a superior ship rake you.
    Bye the bye, my dad was still berthing in a hammock in 1942.
    Rob.

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    Mayhap it will be brutal again at Doncaster Rob. SoG and WGS Op Pedestal brutal.

    Great venue for a game, have to think about Hartlepool and HMS Trincomalee.

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