AARs 2018.

[Wentworth]

Hi all,
This is my first AAR on this site and I am fairly new to Sails, so I'm sure I am probably going to stray inadvertently from protocol -- I ask your indulgence. Here are the photos with commentary:
For this scenario I took the U.S.S. Constitution -1797 (1812) as my raiding frigate, I used the Bonhomme Richard (formerly the Duc de Duras) as my armed merchantman using the ship mat provided in the scenario, and the two sloops I used were the Alligator and the Thorn.

Opening positions of the ships:



The chase is on! The Constitution pursuing the Duras:



In an attempt to slow down the merchantman, the Constitution takes an initial ranging shot with the port forward broadside, inflicting 6 damage points and damaging the rudder!



The Duras circles while repairing the damaged rudder -- both fire long range full broadsides. The Constitution takes 3 points of damage, but the Duras is devasted with 5 more damage points including a hull leak and a crew hit (the first two crew hits per the scenario are ignored due to the high number of Marines on the ship for boarding purposes):





The Duras attempts to cut off the Constitution's retreat route while the Alligator roars out of the cove.
All ships maneuver to engage -- the Thorn beats around the point and shows her colors! The Duras is taken aback, then finally able to maneuver. The Constitution and the Alligator exchange broadsides -- the Alligator firing chain shot, the Constitution firing ball:



The Alligator attempts to move away, the Constitution sees the Thorn coming and realizes its a trap! Duras attempts to close in order to board all those extra Marines she is carrying. The Constitution tries to flee the trap while the French try to close the door. An exchange of broadsides leaves the Duras reeling -- 7 damage points including a fire and one crew damage (ignored per scenario). The Constitution takes two crew damage points:



The Duras, near sinking and on fire, heads to shallow water with the intent to beach to get all those Marines off before disaster strikes. The Constitution races for the open seas while the sloops take parting shots -- the Thorn inflicts 3 damage points on the Constitution, the Alligator misses a long ranging shot. The Constitution unloads on the Thorn inflicting 6 damage points including 2 crew damage and a hull leak. The sloops break off the engagement and the Constitution heads for the high seas!



THE BUTCHER'S BILL:

U.S.S. Constitution: 9 points of damage, 3 of which were crew. She lived up to her "Old Ironsides" nickname with 4 zero damage markers.

Duc de Duras: Beached, near sinking and on fire with 18 damage points, hull leak, rudder damage, but remarkably no crew hits.

Alligator: 5 damage points one of which was crew.

Thorn: 6 damage points, hull leak, 2 crew damage.

I have to say this was just outright fun to play (I'm sure as a newbie I made a ton of mistakes) -- I can't wait until I have the time to play Scenario Two !

Bill (aka Wentworth)

[Bligh]

Apart from the chance to inflict damage from firing from the tops when within a ruler thickness, you seem to have managed the action superbly , and given me a breath of relief too. As the compiler of these actions it is always good to see a well balanced outcome Bill. It is never nice to know you have ends loaded a scenario and everyone gets a disappointing month's game.
Now, in the true spirit of the original Solo games set up so long ago on the Drome, the players for this year rate your AAR and decide on points.
I deem it to be Rep worthy as far as my own analysis goes.
A jolly sound game, extra fluff in the way of scenery, and a clear explanation of the action. Not bad for a newly made Captain.
Bligh.

[Wentworth]

Apart from the chance to inflict damage from firing from the tops when within a ruler thickness, you seem to have managed the action superbly , and given me a breath of relief too. As the compiler of these actions it is always good to see a well balanced outcome Bill. It is never nice to know you have ends loaded a scenario and everyone gets a disappointing month's game.
Now, in the true spirit of the original Solo games set up so long ago on the Drome, the players for this year rate your AAR and decide on points.
I deem it to be Rep worthy as far as my own analysis goes.
A jolly sound game, extra fluff in the way of scenery, and a clear explanation of the action. Not bad for a newly made Captain.
Bligh.

Thanks Rob,
You know in the excitement of the game I forgot to fire the musketry from the tops! Ah well, a learning experience I hope I won't forget!
Bill