The leader of our gallant band was noticeably absent from the ship captains briefing some days before we were to take on the French fleet reportedly anchored in Aboukir Bay. However I am sure that the precedings would be passed on for his final approval. So, plans made, we knew how to defeat the French. Back to our ships gallant captains all and death to the French. We made our final toast of a superb vintage port and departed for our commands.
(They do say no plan survives first contact with the enemy........ours went awry before that!)
"I can't make out the signal from the flagship sir".
"Can anyone make sense of it then?" I asked.
"Something about a pair of Bristol canons sir".
"Damnation can't anyone follow a plan!".
With that I ordered full sail and followed HMS Goliath and Zealous as the flag ship sailed on into the bay towards a lone French frigate!
Goliath, Vanguard and Zealous came perilously close to colliding! I ordered Orion in closer.
"Why can't people follow a simple. brilliantly conceived plan?"
"Whats the flagship doing if you please?"
"She's taking on Orient Sir, alone".
"Is the admiral mad? Don't answer that".
Having sailed within pistol shot We engaged Aquilon to port as Leander engaged from starboard. (At least one of the captains remembered the plan!) HMS Zealous. heavily damaged, removed herself from the line of battle.
"Sir Vanguard, she's engaged Orient, the French flagship is afire".
"What of Vanguard?"
"Lost sir, lost".
"Steer in front of Peuple Souvrain, we'll give her a rake and then board her for good measure".
"Aye Aye sir".
They've struck sir, they've struck".
"So it would seem and the remaining French ships have struck too. The day is ours. Huzzah".
"T'would 'ave been better if we'd stuck to the plan.........." I said to no one in particular.
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Originally Posted by Bligh
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