Sunday's skirmish in Prague

[Union Jack]

Having sat myself in front of HMS Vanguard and seeing the forlorn look on Pauls face as he was about to meet the unbeaten British captains, again, I decided to wear my French captains hat and move over. Eileen kindly taking over HMS Vanguard.


HMS Goliath, HMS Victory, HMS Vanguard (lt to rt)

commanded by


Steve, Rob and Eileen (lt to rt)

As I sat down in front of Commerce de Bordeaux I was summarily surprised to see the Admiral, Comte de Brueys, being rowed from the flagship to mine. After being heralded aboard I was summarily given the Admirals hat and told to take the flag in Montagne. (Call about rapid promotion in the field.....quickest promotion I've had)


Commerce de Bordeaux, Montagne, Aquilon

commanded by



but after the change of flag..by



Paul, Neil and Sven (lt to rt)

So our plan.....simple...do unto the British before they do unto us. Turn towards them and break the line obliquely, tack to starboard and blast them again, and again and if need be again.



Good CdB opens fire the plan is off......literally!

Best laid plans of mice and men you may say... well yes...but I say no plan survives first contact with the enemy but ours went south just after that!



So their I was on the deck of the flagship Montagne and ordered a turn to starboard. Aquilon followed in my wake. What of Commerce de Bordeaux you ask? You might well ask! Vanguard was taking the brunt of our fire as CdB sailed blithely on..and on...and on!

Montagne took a forward blast from Victory missing the full broadside by the smallest of margins.



So with Victory not quite a decent rake we fired at Vanguard, nice stern rake and Aquilon got a decent shot in too. And not to let them feel left out a broadside (forward div only, pity) at Goliath was fired. And CdB sailed on and on...and on.



Unfortunately for the French the British (Vangaurd and Victory) were collecting a pile of zeros!)





So, using the wind, Montagne followed in the wake of Victory as Goliath vented her feelings on Montagne and Victory likewise at Aquilon.

Nearly forgot....A cry from the masthead lookout "CdB has turned round...She comes".



Reload I cried and we did, we tacked in front of Goliath. Nice bow rake on Goliath and a stern rake on Victory..damn a stack more zeros collected. But Victory blasts Aquilon into oblivion.



and CdB sailed back...and back...and back.



Goliath feels the weight from my port aft division guns and succumbs and sinks. CdB is coming I hear.



By the time I have Montagne back in the fight CdB sails between Victory and Montagne nad takes a broadside for me, cheers Sven. Better late than...well you know the rest.



I turn in front of Victory and Victory is royally saluted!



With passing musket fire the British Admiral is marked down and shortly after the Jack is hauled down. Victory is ours and so too is Victory.



Vanguard made good their escape as CdB, and the Comte, sailed back towads Montagne.


(Sven cheers for another thrilling sails game and thanks to all who took part.....I now go in search of a neutral country to live in, I hear Switzerland has a navy!)

[Dr.Maturin]

Is there more?

[TexaS]

Yes! Great to see pictures of a battle from Praag.

[Union Jack]

Unfortunately I didn't get any pics of the Friday game. Hopefully Steve or Rob or Paul did.

Neil

[Herkybird]

Good pictures, telling a good story! Well done chaps!

[Nightmoss]

Thanks much for the AAR. Wonderfully told and really nice close ups of the ships! Cheers for the French!

[TWR]

Thanks for the photos and report, very interesting.

[Naharaht]

Thank you for the good AAR, Neil!

[Hjl]

great game, i wish i could get 6 players in a game!

[Comte de Brueys]

Very entertaining to read, Neil.

That was real fun to play SoG with so many British captains.


Maybe my decision to give you the command was based on the fact that I had too much beer the evening before.

It was the right decision, because you saved us the day.


Sorry Paul for obey orders and sleeping with the fishes now...

[KDz]

Thanks for great AAR and nice close up pictures

[Bligh]

I have indeed got Friday's game,which I will submit later today with luck, and another viewpoint on your French outlook Captain Union Jack. I would seek a land much further than Europe in which to spend your retirement.
Bligh.

[Torrence]

Thanks for the report! Seing so many players in one single game is quite a nice view.

[Bligh]

Meantime here is the British view. The result was the same.


The two fleets form line of Battle.


The french Command.


A subtle change of commander in order to fool the gullible British.


As you can see we are not amused by these shenanigans.



Hold the line of battle my lads?


Not quite a rake. Damn it sir!


General action ensues, whilst Sven swans off to conserve his powder.


Ouch! That hurt. Good job it was only my eye Hardy.


The last straw, and Eileen makes off, as her ship had taken the brunt of the attack in the approach. Victory strikes shortly after this with a wounded Commodore, and Captain.

For goodness sakes man watch what you are doing with that Savlon, it stings.



The French victors in their usual modest style salute the vanquished.

Rob.

[Nightmoss]

Thanks Rob for the photos from the other side of the table. As others have said it's really nice to see so many players gathering to play Sails.

[Bligh]

Cheers Jim.
I'll get Friday evenings game up tomorrow.
Rob.

[fredmiracle]

Great account(s) of the battle--thanks!

[Comte de Brueys]

Thank you for that British view of the battle, Rob!

[Union Jack]

Anyone know how to put a French flag on t h e Victory?

[Bligh]

Don't push your luck Lieutenant. Half pay does not go far these days.
Bligh.

[Bligh]

Anyway, here is Friday evenings Sails game.


Ready for action.


The ships set off.


What part of form a LINE don't you understand Captain?


Oh! that part.


Bit of maneuvering then.


Was that a change of wind?


A bit of firing.


Oops, I'm sunk again.


The tally for Cleopatra, and not an Asp in sight. (see Wings for clarification.)


However, the British won in the end.
Well done Neil, on both winning sides in one weekend.

Rob.

[Herkybird]

Some people have all the luck, eh?

[Nightmoss]

Thanks Rob. The added report and photos is much appreciated. Seeing the convention photos makes me wonder if we'll have any Sails action here in the States this year; Origins or Gen Con specifically?

[Union Jack]

Would Pluto suffice sir?

I have indeed got Friday's game,which I will submit later today with luck, and another viewpoint on your French outlook Captain Union Jack. I would seek a land much further than Europe in which to spend your retirement.
Bligh.

[Dan-Sam]

The game waFriday s my first. And now, I am considering jump back to Sails... ;)

[Comte de Brueys]

Nice Friday pictures, Rob.





Daniel - It's never too late to join us.

[Bligh]

I agree with Sven Daniel. Do join us again.
It was a pleasure sailing with you.
As a gold founding member you have a longstanding interest in the game like myself, and I have only been actually playing for just over a year myself. Most of that has been Solo.
Rob.

[Bligh]

Would Pluto suffice sir?

Seems a bit of a Micky Mouse idea to me Neil.
Rob.

[Dan-Sam]

You must understand - for highlander like me (I came from Czech-Moravian Highlands) is not easy to join navy...

[Comte de Brueys]

That's what the pressgangs are for...

[Herkybird]

We're coming to get yer!



We all hope you enjoy your new life in the navy!

[Union Jack]

Then I'm Donald Ducked.

Seems a bit of a Micky Mouse idea to me Neil.
Rob.

[Herkybird]

What can I say....

[Union Jack]

Not everyone expects the Spanish Inquisition...or Wylie Cayote for that matter.

[Comte de Brueys]

More Friday pictures…

British frigate captains



Movement



Rob taking a picture & Neil checking the situation.



Battle scene with ship names and sailing directions.

[Comte de Brueys]

More Sunday pictures…

Montagne and Aquilon sailing towards the British line.
Commerce de Bordeaux takes the scenic tour.



Neil explaining damage handling.



After two long range salvos from RN 3rd rates.
Fortunately we played without special damages and crew actions.
Two yello fire damages are hidden under those Tokens.




The Frech in close range!



Neil crossing the enemy line.
Paul gets a raking shot from HMS Victory.





That was the end for the Aquilon…



Same situation. Here you can see the postion of my ship: commerce der Bordeaux. Far away from the action.



My famous 15 minutes. Commerce de Bordeaux catches a broadside from HMS Victory, that was designated to the French flagship.

[Herkybird]

Tres bien, mes amis!

[Bligh]

Thanks for those pictures Sven.
That just about fills in the action nicely.
Between us we seem to have most of it down now.
Rob.

[Nightmoss]

Nice additions to last weeks action. Thanks for posting more fun photos.

[Union Jack]

Great action pics Sven, fills in the gaps admirably.