The Above Average First of May

[Dobbs]

Thanks for the rep, Paul!

Rob, the liners are the only ships I'm actually plotting, though there are 16 of them. The four frigates are just relaying signals and are there for color. I've found that so far, maneuvering is easy enough. It's the damage draw that takes 20 minutes!

[Bligh]

Frigates in a battle line are much more use generally for signals unless you are lucky enough to get across the stern of the back marker, but the general consensus of liners to leave Frigates alone unless they got naughty was the accepted thing. Your battle line will be enough to handle anyway. Just ensure enough room to avoid a mass pileup if ships ahead collide. Remember that the one at the back of a pileup is always the one held to blame by the insurers. Lloyds of London can be quite tough on this.
Rob.

[Dobbs]

Both lines start to look a little ragged as crews struggle with damaged rudders. Leading the French line, Orient is struggling with two rudder hits jamming the rudder to starboard.

Second in the British line, Royal Sovereign is hampered by her mizzen mast falling to leeward.



Meanwhile at the back of the line, with her counterpart on the ropes, Agamemnon's captain sees an opportunity and breaks the line.

[Dobbs]

The two fleets manage to maintain some form of line ahead as the gun crews run out and fire again. Some ships have been jogged out of range by their uncooperative rudders.



Agamemnon stays out of the 74 Jonquil's broadside and roughs up Protee some more.

[Dobbs]

Royal George, having forereached on Orient bears off flying the signal, "engage enemy more closely."

The lines are starting to recover from the opening broadside.



Meanwhile in the back, Agamemnon lets fly with her double shotted opening port broadside. Jonquil roughs Agamemnon up a little in return, but Agamemnon's broadside reduces Jonquil and brings down her whole mizzen mast.

To be continued...