Reflections on Springing at Anchor

[Dobbs]

I revisited my old Springing Rules and determined that they were clunky at best, or unmanageable at worst. I like the way SoG takes complex ideas and expresses them in a simple, fast playing format. I decided I had to revise my ideas.

My newest Springing Rules:

Springing Rules.pdf


This was a test of my newest Springing Rules.



To set the tableau, during the Quasi-war, the American frigate Saratoga discovers a French frigate watering on a small island in the Caribbean. The French, caught off guard and on a lee shore decide to fight from a spring instead of slipping the anchor.



The springing player announces that the spring is set up to port, and after movement cards for the next turn have been picked reveals his action. A 4 point turn is not guaranteed for a frigate, and the player successfully pulls an “E” chit.



Each wedge represents 2 points of arc or 22.5 degrees.



Saratoga stands on in…



The long view, still outside of range.





Courageuse continues to spring to starboard, but is limited in her turn rate, since she can only turn a maximum of 6 points every two turns.



Saratoga continues to stand on in…



Courageuse’s captain feels that the deterrent of having to sail straight into the teeth of a broadside might encourage the Yankee to depart, and continues to spring to starboard.



He’s wrong. Saratoga wears, just out of range.



Feeling secure in his position, Courageuse’s captain gives the order for the men at the capstan to “Hold Fast”!



Both captains have misjudged and neither opponent is in the other’s broadside.



Courageuse springs another two points to starboard as Saratoga tries to headreach her, and almost succeeds. Saratoga gets off a full broadside while Courageuse can only fire from the bow arc.



The smoke from the broadsides lingers as Saratoga luffs up, preparing to give the larboard battery a turn…