A magnificent sight Captain Bligh. Enough to put the wind up any Froggie.
A magnificent sight Captain Bligh. Enough to put the wind up any Froggie.
I hope so Gary.
Thanks for the Rep.
The full AAR will follow when I get time to clear for action!
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.
AAR...ALL AT SEA IN THE INDIAN OCEAN.
Several days after Pandora’s Box was opened at the Cape, the Governor of Bombay was becoming disturbed about the fact that HEIC Aurora had not returned from her cruise. After a further week had gone by he decided to dispatch the Frigate HEIC Bombay under Captain Geoffrey Smithers to try and trace what had become of her. After several weeks of trawling Aurora’s patrol area in what was becoming a fruitless exercise Captain Smithers decided that as the wind was set fair for the the Isle de France he would take a peak in that direction before returning empty handed to Bombay.
Last edited by Bligh; 12-11-2021 at 05:31.
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.
It was several days later at the end of the morning watch that the lookout hailed the deck with the news that two sails had been spotted hull down on the horizon.
Last edited by Bligh; 12-11-2021 at 05:31.
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.
A while later and the ships could be recognised for what they were, a Corvette to Starboard and a Frigate to the Port of the Bombay. With the wind in his favour Captain Smithers could see that the ships were sporting French colours and decided to account for the smaller ship first before the Frigate could come up. He, therefore, instructed the ships Master Mr. McKenzie to alter course to intercept the Corvette.
Last edited by Bligh; 12-11-2021 at 05:30.
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.
Bombay rapidly closed the Frenchman, and as his colours were masked by the sails. It was not until a signal broke out on the Frenchman’s foremast and went unanswered by Bombay that the French captain smelt a rat.
Last edited by Bligh; 12-11-2021 at 05:30.
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.
Incredibly, as far as Captain Smithers was concerned, the French corvette Ceres suddenly turned into the wind and discharged her forrard section of guns into the Bombay. He had been expecting her to turn to starboard in an attempt to rake the Bombay. The close range fire from the 9lbrs of the Ceres hardly dinted the teak built Bombay’s hull but several men fell to splinters and the rudder took a hit.
Last edited by Bligh; 12-11-2021 at 05:30.
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.
Posting Permissions
Reply With Quote
Bookmarks