2 vs 2 Frigate Action

[Aaron]

They waited patiently to clear the islands and then the British made their intentions known.



HMS Sybille and HMS Amelia beat towards Carmagnole and Dryade. The wind is out of the north. “Let’s tell these French what we think of their encroachment in our waters. Oh and Mr. Pullings beat to quarters.” “Very good sir!”


Sybille fires the opening shot, a full broadside at Dryade causing light structural damage to ship and a loss of some crew. “This is HMS Sybille, consider yourself warned!”


Sybille calls for continuous fire as Amelia also targets the bloodied Dryade as she enters the fray. Dryade returns fire and hits Sybille causing minor flooding and a fire on board. Carmagnole is not in effective range yet. Sounds of cheering and taunts carry leeward from the Dryad. “Fire on us again and I shall taunt you a second time you pig dogs!”


Carmagnole looses a frontal broadsides against Amelia which also sparks a fire. Both British ships are fighting fires before they get out of hand. Dryade takes advantage of the mayhem and orders the gun crews to load double shot. “Sir! Aren’t we to keep our distance and only harass? Napoleon warns against close in action with the British, we must preserve the fleet.” “Ah, but what is more harassing, single or double shot?” “Let’s get on with it, helmsman turn leeward.”


Dryade’s helmsman steers leeward as the men frantically load the extra shot. Sybille’s guns fall silent due to actions of survival. Amelia’s cannons violently recoil sending smoke and solid shot flying towards Carmagnole. When the smoke clears visible damage is apparent above the waterline. Amelia’s Captain exclaims, “She will regret firing upon the Royal Navy. She means to close with us, let’s show her what we are made of men!”



Once close enough and in short range Carmagnole turns hard port but is mishandled and goes into irons. Once she recovers from the hard lean her broadsides torment the port side of Amelia smashing wooden debris into the crew that is battling the flames.
Meanwhile, Dryade lets loose a wall of deadly overloaded shot, the projectiles seemingly flying out of control before they deal their indiscriminate damage to the HMS Sybille, leaving her crippled. The French captain looked on with admiration for the Sybille as her captain rallied the crew and managed to fire the cannons still upright at Dryade smashing into her poop deck and maiming some officers near the captain. The captain yells above the thundering cannons “That’s enough! All batteries fire at will!”



The French captains realize that this fight could be over quickly with one more well placed shot and both order their gun crews to fire at will. Sybille’s bloodied crew take stock of her and repair what they can. They clear some debris from the gun ports and restore a cannon as a murderous hail of iron and wooden splinters rip into the gun deck killing men in mid-repair.
Meanwhile HMS Amelia sees an opening for a rake against Dryade and steers into the wind, using the ships momentum to line up a broadsides, hitting the already wounded men on the poop deck and killing the french captain where he stood, knocking him overboard. Carmagnole’s crew fires at will at Amelia’s port side but with little effect.



With the blaze snuffed out on Amelia, the port gun crews take aim at Carmagnole as both pairs of ships exchange broadsides. Sybille is fortunate not to take anymore damage as her men absorbs the punishment instead. “We must tack and rejoin Amelia or all is lost!”



Sybille goes into irons and presents a juicy target to Dryade but the new captain had ordered a full reload to then deliver a fatal blow. Amelia sees the potential for a future rake against Carmagnole and turns port while ordering all hands down to brace against the onslaught of Carmagnole. Once again the hurried French gunners seem to lose focus with the chaos of continuous fire.



Lady Luck is on the British side this round as both ships avoid significant damage. Carmagnole and Amelia collide as they exchange fire. Sybille gets the better of Dryade in their exchange.



Carmagnole and Amelia’s rigging becomes entangled. Amelia loads canister and calls for continuous fire, sweeping the decks clear on Carmagnole. Sybille makes sail back towards Amelia as Dryade wears and loads her sizzling cannons.


Sybille’s captain looks rearward at the looming barrels of the Dryade and orders hard to port. Sybille’s few remaining guns get their final shot into the side of her nemesis. Dryade’s cannons belch blinding smoke as rocketing shot breaks through the port side planking of Sybille. With cannons torn from their carriages and indescribable carnage strewn about the crew of Sybille lowers her flag and heads below deck to render first aid.
Meanwhile, Carmagnole calls for hard port to break free of the stinging canister shot administered by the Amelia.



Carmagnole heads leeward to gain some separation from their battle enraged foe. Dispite the damages endured from fire, cannon, and musket shot HMS Amelia loads what little functioning guns remain and rake the stern of Carmagnole, punching holes through the rear of the ship. The men let out a “Horah!! And That’s for the HMS Sybille!”



Carmagnole relalizes that to wait for Dryade would be a mistake and turns windward and unleashes her final broadside which fatally punctures the HMS Amelia. The Dryade and Carmagnole send a prize crew to the boats to see to the terms of surrender.