Briefing, December Solo Mission: Last bite of the cherry.

[Bligh]

Your ship has one last cruise in search of prizes before being recalled for a major overhaul and de barnacling.
You will find the best pickings on the main trade routes. Unfortunately this will also be the route taken by Men of war on transit from one Naval base to another.
For this mission you will meet all manner of other ships from Merchantmen ready for the plucking through Frigates to First rates. They may be either friend foe or neutral depending upon your own ships Nationality. If you are a Pirate, all ships will be hostile except your own so beware.
The set up for this is simple. Your own ship is sailing on the join line between two mats in any direction or position.
Wind is from the South. Toss a compass dice or work out a way of randomly getting an entry point for another ship. Turn up a ship card cut out from the pack. This will be the first ship sighted. If it is a Merchantman it will sail in a direct line towards the furthest corner of the table from its point of entry until you are within two rulers when it will show its colours. Draw from the Flags Pack.( this should contain only one of your own countries flag or a friendly nation but two of each other kind. If hostile it will then make for the nearest edge to escape. If friendly it will continue on route. If the ship is a man of war it will either sail on or if hostile engage. Your job is to exit the board on any edge with the most captured ships you can muster. Prize crew must be allocated as one crew box per ship. Every time a prize is taken, or a ship leaves the board, another ship will appear using the same method as for the first.
Good luck to you Captain, and watch out for First Rates.
Bligh.