AAR March 16 Nartion v Nation solo scenario. Bligh

[Bligh]

Après la tempête.

The storm which drove the blockading British Fleet away from the Isle De France had only abated long enough for the French Squadron to slip out of harbour before it returned with renewed vehemence.




Trapped on a lee shore the Squadron had spent three days beating against the gale force winds which scattered the ships for many leagues.
Eventually the battered remnant started to gather together again, and the first three frigates and the only 74 so far to arrive slipped back toward the Isle.





Meanwhile, the British ships further out had managed much better, but when the inshore Squadron arrived back on station, the acting Flag Captain Richard Sterling in HMS Bellerophon was chagrined to find the harbour empty except for one 50 gun ship undergoing a refit.





As they moved in to take station, a lookout in the tops spotted sails to the North West hugging the coastline.
As they drew nearer it was clear to see that they were a French 74 leading three Frigates.



Turning to cut across the British line they closed.



Captain Stirling signaled his ships to maneuver close under the lee of the Isle of clouds in order to prevent the French from either passing inside his blockade or being able to rake his flagship.





This forced the leading French 74 captained by Leroy du Roc to come about rather than collide with the Bellerophon.






Taken aback, he was stern raked, by Stirling's first broadside. As the double shotted Carronades ploughed their balls the length of the Genereux's gun deck, men and guns were scattered in all directions by the devastating blast. Almost half the crew became casualties in that first onslaught.





Nor did the Bellerophon escape unscathed, for as the wounded Genereux bore away, the next in line, the Frigate gave its first double shotted broadside to the still reloading British 74. Bringing down its fore-top-gallant in a shower of blocks, and sails.





As the third French ship took fire from the now reloaded Bellerophon, the Dryade came under the guns of the Amelia's first broadside and suffered a large number of crew losses.





Genereux, had meanwhile come about again, but before she could get underway was struck once more by a devastating rake, this time from the bow. This from the opening broadside of the Frigate HMS. Sybille captain Angus Groat.





The last Frigate in the French Line and the Bellerophon now played upon each other. Both losing crew members, whilst the Frenchman's Mainmast, weakened by the storm, went by the board under the pounding from the 74.








As Amelia took return fire from Dryade, Genereux with her Captain wounded and carried below was forced to strike to the Sybille.




The Drifting 74 was now run aboard by the Frigate Carmagnole, who could not avoid the drifting ship.





This caused some damage to the hull of the frigate and loss of some hands. Several thrown overboard by the shock of the collision.



All remaining ships now paused to reload and an erie quiet decended through the smoke of battle.



As she freed herself from the entanglement with the Genereux, Carmagnole had her stern raked by the Amelia and this not only took down a mast and more sails, but sprang several planks below the waterline.




With her crew depleted and pumps unable to cope she settled in the water and finally rolled over, sinking about nine fathoms deep.





Hermione, now sans mast was trying to escape from the devastation, but treated Amelia to a parting shot from her rear battery.





The first reply came from Bellerophon. Her raking broadside causing leaks, and running rigging plus more sails.





Attempting to get the stricken ship away, she took another now long range bombardment from the Bellerophon, and promptly struck to Captain Sterling.





Dryade alone remained, and with more long range balls smashing into her side, she abandoned all hope of making harbour, and ran for deeper waters, and the chance of coming up with the returning French ships of the Line.







Bligh.