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Thread: December AAR.

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  1. #1
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    Default December AAR.

    Preamble. Come into my lair said the Spider to.......


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    Captain David McBride sat in the Anteroom at Bombay Castle and fidgeted with his gloves nervously.


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    Naval Officers, clerks, and flunkies came and went, but for all the speed of his summons to the inner sanctum of the Honourable East India Company he had now been waiting on their Lordships convenience for a good two hours. What was more concerning was the fact that in two days time, after two and a half years on the Indian station, he and his crew were due to return to England for six months leave. HEIC Nottingham being overdue for a full overhaul was to finally get the ministrations of a proper English dockyard, and the addition of a few refinements to her ordinance, and hull. This summons to the Castle could signify that all the hopes and plans for himself and his crew were about to be dashed.

    David began to adjust his sword belt which was causing him some discomfort in the sweltering heat, despite the large fan in the ceiling


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    driven by an ingenious mechanism powered by a punkah wallah concealed in the next room.


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    As he turned to reach the Sword belt, the double doors at the end of the room swept open and no lesser figure than a Royal Naval Post Captain strode through the lobby and into the Governor's Office.
    A few minutes later, a clerk emerged and in a rather supercilious tone called for

    "A Captain McBride".


    On entering the Board room of the HEIC McBride was surprised to note that the Governor was absent.


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    Only the Chief Secretary and a Royal Naval Post Captain were present along with Anderson, McBride's own Commodore.


    On the table in front of the trio were charts of the Southern Indian Ocean and the Mozambique channel.


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    George Anderson opened the conversation with a curt
    " Morning McBride, please be seated, and help yourself to the decanter.*
    McBride folded his hat, sat down and having filled his glass with a fine Port from the decanter, in some trepidation awaited his fate.


    Anderson continued,

    " Allow me to introduce you to Captain Perryman, Flag Officer to Admiral Pound at the Cape." Both Captains acknowledged each other with a slight bow without getting up.


    "You will no doubt have heard of the Admiral's resounding victory over the French recently. This has cleared the way for our troops final decent upon the Isle De France. Although the enemy Battle Squadron was annihilated, a couple of Frigates and smaller craft escaped. They are now making a nuisance of themselves preying upon the supply convoys provisioning the army prior to its decent upon the Ile de France. Thus the Admiral's Frigates are tied down escorting these convoys, as all his Liners are in for repaired at Simon's Town following the battle.


    A coastal trader has tipped off the Admiral that the Frigates are working out of L'île d'araignée just to the north of the Mozambique channel. With none of his own ships to spare, he has asked for the Honourable Company's assistance in clearing out the nest of vipers. Knowing that you were about to leave the station bound for England, I have instructed Captain Pennyman here to inform the Admiral that you will take a look into the island on your way to the Cape. Captain Pennyman here will brief you on the details and answer any of your questions. Please feel free to use this room, the charts and the decanter as you see fit gentlemen."
    With no more ado, Anderson and the chief clerk left the room, whilst McBride and Pennyman got down to planning their stratagem for removing this threat to the supply route.

    Bligh.
    The Business of the commander-in-chief is first to bring an enemy fleet to battle on the most advantageous terms to himself, (I mean that of laying his ships close on board the enemy, as expeditiously as possible); and secondly to continue them there until the business is decided.

  2. #2
    Admiral of the Fleet.
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    THE ACTION.

    Some fourteen days after his meeting at Madras Castle McBride and HEIC Nottingham rounded the most northerly tip of L'île d'araignée just after dawn with the wind on the Starboard quarter.

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    Looking into the bay McBride could see that it was deserted and put about heading for the next inlet.

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    Here too they were disappointed. Wondering if he was on a Wild Goose chase after all McBride pressed on towards the next bay.
    As he veered to avoid a rocky promontory he spotted before him a two decker at anchor in the lee of the island.

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    The ship proved to be a converted merchantman conveying troop reinforcements and artillery to the beleaguered French garrison on the Isle de France.As the enemy ship got underway raising its French colours, McBride used the wind advantage to head it off from the sea and drove it towards the rocks forcing it to come about.
    As it started its manoeuvre, Nottingham delivered a double shotted broadside with her Port battery, bringing down its fore topmast and killing many of its foretop men in the process.


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    The return fire did little than damage Nottingham's superstructure.


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    Nottingham then crossed what could now be seen as Duke de Duras's bow and raked it with the Carronades.

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    Fire by the Marines served to further deplete the Frenchman's crew.


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    As Nottingham came about onto the Starboard tack, the French Captain loosed off his forrard 18lbrs but did only superficial damage to Nottingham save only one ball which struck her on the waterline.

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    Again, however, small arms fire from the Marines reduced the French crew still further.

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    McBride ordered the ship immediately to Port and again employing the Carronades, forced the Duc de Duras into submission.

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    Having dispatched a prize crew, McBride rounded the southern cape of the island, and caught two French Privateer Sloops, putting to sea as fast as they could having been alerted by the cannon fire.

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    Both Sloops endeavored to slip behind the Frigate.

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    .
    The first, Alligator was raked with ball over grape at close range and set on fire.

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    Replying with her forrard guns alone she nevertheless did considerable damage to Nottingham's superstructure and brought down her main top-gallant.
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    Fire from the tops reduced both crews even further and Alligator struck.

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    Coming on fast Le Fortune was now metered out the same treatment from Nottingham's Carronades.

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    The two ships then collided and entangled.

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    A boarding action was then commenced as MCBride attempted to lead his men to a swift victory.

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    The Fortunes crew put up a stout resistance, yielding the deck only slowly.

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    Eventually the French deck was cleared.

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    Despite Nottingham losing more men as fighting raged on below decks, Mc Brides men finally won the day.

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    Having dispatched more prize crews, Mc Bride reluctantly decided that his by now badly depleted crew would have to continue on to the Cape without having located the two French Frigates.
    With his three prizes he headed for the Cape only retaining just enough men to man the Nottingham.

    Bligh.
    Last edited by Bligh; 01-22-2018 at 12:40.
    The Business of the commander-in-chief is first to bring an enemy fleet to battle on the most advantageous terms to himself, (I mean that of laying his ships close on board the enemy, as expeditiously as possible); and secondly to continue them there until the business is decided.

  3. #3
    Admiral of the Fleet.
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    Letters of Marque. Butcher's Bill.

    HEICS Nottingham........................................................
    Captain's name …………………………. David McBride
    a. Hull boxes to be repaired……………...5
    b. Crew boxes to be recruited…………...5

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    i. Returned to port (RtP)……………………RTP
    ii. Captured (C)……………………………...…No
    iii. Killed in action (KIA)…………………...No
    iv. Wounded (W)........................... No



    Victim war ships (each)

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    a. Type…………………………….Sloop
    b. Burden…………………………..........1
    c. Hull boxes undamaged………....4
    d. Crew boxes uncovered………....0
    e. Sunk or captured……………….....C




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    a. Type…………………………….Sloop
    b. Burden…………………………..........1
    c. Hull boxes undamaged………....0
    d. Crew boxes uncovered………....1
    e. Sunk or captured……………….....C




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    Victim merchant ships.
    a. Type…………………………………Armed Indiaman.
    b. Burden……………………………….......4
    c. Boxes devoted to cargo……………4
    d. Hull boxes undamaged…………….0
    e. Crew boxes uncovered…………….2
    f. Sunk or captured……………………...C
    Last edited by Bligh; 01-22-2018 at 12:58.
    The Business of the commander-in-chief is first to bring an enemy fleet to battle on the most advantageous terms to himself, (I mean that of laying his ships close on board the enemy, as expeditiously as possible); and secondly to continue them there until the business is decided.

  4. #4
    Stats Committee
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    Rob,
    I cannot open the AAR or the Butcher's Bill. Is it me ?
    B.

  5. #5
    Admiral of the Fleet.
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    Quote Originally Posted by Wentworth View Post
    Rob,
    I cannot open the AAR or the Butcher's Bill. Is it me ?
    B.
    Not you Bill.
    With the site being down I have had too much to do to post it as yet. Should be up by tomorrow .
    Rob.
    The Business of the commander-in-chief is first to bring an enemy fleet to battle on the most advantageous terms to himself, (I mean that of laying his ships close on board the enemy, as expeditiously as possible); and secondly to continue them there until the business is decided.

  6. #6
    Stats Committee
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    Loved the report -- motivates me to participate in the 2018 campaign when it gets going.
    B.

  7. #7
    Admiral of the Fleet.
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    Glad you enjoyed it Bill.
    I am just waiting for Neil to tip me the wink and we can get started in February. We decided to only do one every other month in order to take some of the pressure off those busy players.
    Rob.
    The Business of the commander-in-chief is first to bring an enemy fleet to battle on the most advantageous terms to himself, (I mean that of laying his ships close on board the enemy, as expeditiously as possible); and secondly to continue them there until the business is decided.

  8. #8
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    Quote Originally Posted by Bligh View Post
    Glad you enjoyed it Bill.
    I am just waiting for Neil to tip me the wink and we can get started in February. We decided to only do one every other month in order to take some of the pressure off those busy players.
    Rob.
    Looking forward to it with great anticipation -- I hope I can meet the high standards for AARs...

  9. #9
    Admiral of the Fleet.
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    I hope we can meet your expectations with quality Scenarios Bill. After several years of writing them one begins to run out of fresh ideas.
    Rob.
    The Business of the commander-in-chief is first to bring an enemy fleet to battle on the most advantageous terms to himself, (I mean that of laying his ships close on board the enemy, as expeditiously as possible); and secondly to continue them there until the business is decided.

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