AAR May Who Fired the First Shot?

[Union Jack]

PART 1: A battle won.

Captain Goodman’s personal Log: Hyperion 74
May 4th 5 Bells (half way through the morning watch). 1st Officer has informed me that Ramilles has hoisted Line astern of Ramilles. Perhaps he thinks today there might be a change in the ‘weather’!


The French squadron has kept apace of our smaller squadron of 3 74’s, Ramilles; Captain Keel, flagship. Hyperion and Crecy; Captain Swift. Although the range has decreased and the lead French 74 has turned to starboard to cross our bows.

(French squadron under orders to tack in succession - hence marker at rear of leading French 74)

8 Bells, the lookout has alerted me to a strange sail 2 points of the starboard bow. I have also noted that Ramilles has missed colliding with the lead French 74 and past astern of her.


1st Bell of the forenoon watch, I have asked the 3rd Lt to note that the strange sail is in fact HMS Blyth. Ramilles is still flying line ahead, so line ahead it will be.

3 Bells and the 1st Lt has informed me that the Blyth has fired on the lead French 74. Correctly identified as the Josephine. I make a somber note, we are at war!


I ordered the port battery to fire at the French 120 Gun flagship, Orient. All along the line guns roared as ship followed ship they unleashed hell at each other.


I took note that the 2nd French 74 and Orient had taken damage. Ramilles had escaped relatively unscathed, whilst ourselves had taken more damage. But it is early days yet.


Ramilles and Blyth had engaged the Josephine and all but sank her in the first salvo.


By 5 bells of the forenoon watch we had broken through the French line and Blyth was sailing to join us. Josephine was sailing away nursing her damage, whilst our squadron had received little in return.

I have no doubt that the day shall be ours.