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Baron Quertier

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  1. Good day, As the title stipulates, just returning to the game after a hiatus, cant find a steam key in my emails, so passing on here as per the link in the news (4/14/22) on the launcher. Kind Regards
  2. Finally got round to uploading part 4. Been extremely busy lately with work. Hope you are all well https://youtu.be/bzfNwTjndkc
  3. Here is part 3 of the story, ive had several issues of various sorts throughout editting this one. Thoroughly enjoyed the storm mechanics and spent the entire battle terrified that my ships might capsize. Once again if you like to contribute in any way to the effort please let me know. Thank you
  4. I have here episode 2, again if anyone would like to join me in this project, lending a voice, writing ideas or just advice in general (historical or gameplay) please let me know.
  5. Hello all, Im in the process of making a Narrative story video series using Age of Sail. Effectively its a Lets play series with a narrative from the point of view of the Captain in the game. Ive uploaded part one already and i think any advice or criticsm from the community would be greatly appreciated. Also if anyone would like to help or participate in the idea (voice acting, Historical, Naval Advice) please say. Here is the first part for anyone who might be interested
  6. Maybe events on ship... I know it's been mentioned more an once... But maybe the occasional pop up where you have to make a decision that could effect 'ship morale'... A defaulters list and that kind of thing... not necessarily something that effects real gameplay, just a little thing to add to the atmosphere... A captains cabin complete with maps and a log you can write if you want wouldn't go amiss
  7. Hello fello sailors, officers and Marines I am Martin Morey de Saumarez, I have been absent from the Carribean for several months due to a death at the head of my family which caused a family feud, the likes not seen since England's Wars of the Roses. I am now returning to sea, and shall be making landfall and Kingston soon. Look forward to meeting you all once again on the sea.
  8. Not sure of the history of them other than the fact that they came into their own when the Royal Navy bombed the hell out of Copenhagen. Of course that was a city sized target probably harder to miss than hit. Using it to bomb individual vessels must require, skill, patience, luck and teamwork. In the hornblower novels there is a part where he coordinates a pair of mortar brigs to bomb a privateer that is taken refuge in an area that hornblowers ships can't go. He uses two mortar ships to fire but also sends a cutter off to get in close and signal back the fall of shot so the mortar crews can make corrections. Now I know that is just a fictional novel and we are playing a game but ships like mortar brigs must surely require teamwork with other ships in order to have success with them.
  9. The Mary Celeste is a fascinating case, another nautical mystery, one that I find even more intriguing is the story of the Ourang Medan. Little bit more modern as compared to the Mary Cileste but still a chilling case. From this ship came one of the most disturbing SOS signals of all time that apparently went : "All officers including captain are dead, lying in chartroom and bridge. Possibly whole crew dead.” This communication was followed by a burst of indecipherable Morse code, then a final, grim message: “I die.” This cryptic proclamation was followed by tomb-like silence. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ourang_Medan There's the Wikipedia link, I'm sure there are much more better sites for more accurate or reliable information. Or maybe some of our Dutch friends might know more about her, she being a Dutch merchantman.
  10. The blue room, Saumarez Manor, St Martin Bailiwick of Guernsey Captain Martin W Morey de Saumarez strode into the room dressed in his finest uniform. His family made for him to shake his hand or embrace him. He had recently returned from the Caribbean upon receiving the news of the death of a prominent family member and hadn't seen many of his family for years. The admiral was there too. Rear Admiral Sir James Saumarez shook captain Morey by the hand. The Baron de Saumarez had not long ago written to captain Morey telling him of a temporary banishment from the island. But a death in the family, a person whom Captain Morey directly descended countermanded the banishment until 1 month after the funeral under the terms of the unwritten family law. At dinner that night Captain Morey told the story how he had been close to a break through on sussing out the Dutch plans for what appeared to be a vast shipment of silver. For the Dutch Caribbean officers involved, the plan had been a painstaking enterprise. The crafters had been hard at work building special gun carriages and improved masts for the large cargo ships based on the French design. Captain Morey had also had to call off a search for a friendly free privateer who he wished to work with in fully uncovering the Dutch plans. A sudden peace between the Swedish crown and the Dutch, and problems with a handful of Dutch captains at the moment captain Morey took the brig 'L'Ancresse common' towards the west, the free privateers preferred hunting grounds had spoilt that. He ship had taken damage when a whole squadron of Dutch ships had opened fire on his small sleek vessel he attempted to take 'L'Ancresse Common to join the Dutch screening fleet in preparation for a possible pirate attack. He would never do it again. He explained that there were still some Batavian supporters that he might rely on but for the main, he deemed the Dutch as untrustworthy. Admiral Saumarez remained indifferent to the stories, he was still bitter that whilst the Royal Navy had been in a desperate campaign on many fronts, captain Morey had seen fit to abandon the privateering operations in Danish waters, and was no longer doing much to help his former RN colleagues. Instead sailing southwest on what he called 'a free booters holiday', to search for a needle in a haystack and skulk around spying on the Dutch. Captain Morey shrugged off such comments. It was at this point that captain Morey decided that when he returned to his post at Coquibacoa he would double his efforts to find Captain Hethwill Eskeath but also decided it was time to cause the Dutch discomfort. He had been polite, patient and helpful and had received several broadsides for his troubles. It was time to give some out. The pirates in the area would get some too.
  11. Log entry L'Ancresse Common, Captain Martin W Morey de Saumarez commanding. Not long after we had set sail from Coquibacoa heading west toward the British territory where Captain Hethwill Eskeath was known to operate a pirate Corvette (Cerberus) had appeared to windward and had cut off our course. I had been nervous as the ship cleared for action and battle commenced. The corvette had the advantage by far, firing long guns at range and I had initially thought of coming about and making a run for it back to Coquibacoa but doubted that we'd make it. The pirate made a tactical blunder and had clearly underestimated the manoeuvrability of 'L'Ancresse Common'. I saw my moment and managed to bring the ship about sharply and ran her across the Corvettes stern raking her at point blank range with our 32 pounder carronades causing a huge amount of damage and loss of life. The corvettes stern was ripped open and I ordered grape loaded as 'L'Ancresse Common' came around again for another broadside. We now had a decisive advantage, if only we could stay on the pirates stern and the two ships went into turn and counter turn with the pirates one remaining stern gun speaking out occasionally. It was the Niagara class ship that won the battle of turns and We delivered yet another devastating broadside through the enemy stern causing a huge loss to life and sending the pirates scurrying for cover in a state of shock. The Corvette turned into the wind and her pace dropped off dramatically and i ordered hard a starboard, this allowed the larboard battery to fire across the corvettes deck. We were now able to get up alongside under the corvettes guns and our broadsides came thick and fast punching huge holes through the corvettes sides and the pirate captain tried to take his ship away but his crew was much depleted and the gun crews were slow at reloading. The corvette fired one more poorly aimed broadside before we sent her to oblivion with one last devastating volley that opened up the corvettes hull and she began taking on water. Her pumps damaged and the crew so badly depleted she sank rather quickly. Upon returning to Coquibacoa for repairs, many letters awaited me. Intelligence reports, personal letters and latest production reports. The most interesting for me was that the Dutch and Swedish nations had signed a peace treaty and all territory occupied by the Swedish crown were to return to the Dutch. Another was a report that agents had good reasons to believe that the pirates were to launch an attack on a Dutch port just along the coast from Coquibacoa. This was potentially disastrous for me if they were to gain a foothold. I decided we shall go west up the coast to assist the Dutch defence fleet. I made my intentions known to several Dutch ships that were gathering but received no reply. Suddenly L'Ancresse Coomon came under attack from a large group of Dutch ships and after exchanging signals with the lead Dutch captain I was able to take my leave. However, we were now frustrated having taken significant damage in such a short amount of time due to the numbers that opened fire on us. We reached the rendezvous and waited. I paced my deck in frustration, I knew not to trust the Dutch. We waited for a long time before I grew so frustrated that I ordered a return to base, to hell with helping the Dutch. Once again upon my return I received a letter from a Royal Navy friend stating that the British and Americans had come to an agreement to form an anti piracy coalition and were inviting anyone who wished to join them in the crusade. I raised a glass of port to this new development and decided that it was a worthwhile item. Although I, myself didn't have the capacity to formerly join them, I am sure that the captains of Les Abaissé would agree that it was a worthy cause. I have decided to take a more hostile stance against the Dutch and what little trust i had in them is near depleted. I shall be wary of their ships and will not offer to help them again, I understand captain Hethwill Eskeath's frustration now and why he decided to cut ties with his former nation.
  12. The dilemma Captain Martin Morey's rented office, Coquibacoa There was a knock at the door, and Captain Morey's steward opened it to permit First lieutenant Jean Bertrand to enter. Martin put down his pen and stood up, "Jean, good to see you my friend, tea?". "Thank you sir". The steward exited the room and the two officers both took a seat. Jean Bertrand and Martin Morey de Saumarez were friends from childhood. But Jean Bertrand was a real Sarnian, completely of Guernsey blood and fluent in the Guernesiaise patoi of the Island, Martin was half English on his father's side but regarded himself as a Gernseyman first. He was also related to an Admiral and baron, who was the victor of the battle of Algeciras and former captain of HMS Orion, Sir James Saumarez. The two men were informal and relaxed in private due to their long friendship, "Jean, what is your opinion on how to next proceed. We need to get to the bottom of this but remember the buck stops with me. We're still adrift as far as the French council is concerned and it looks like reinforcements from Les Abaissé will not arrive any time soon if at all. Captain Hethwill Eskeath remains hidden from us and as you know whilst on our last patrol to La Orchilla and back we saw no less than five of Le Gros Ventre style ships. Without boarding one for inspection we have no real way of knowing what the Dutch plans are. But then I don't want to start open hostilities with the Dutch. But we can't just sit and watch them, they could be working at destroying the status quo of power in the Caribbean for all we know". "I agree, but this is a high risk high stake game we are playing. Someone is going to end up getting upset whatever we do. We are alone, our status towards Captain Hethwill is still an unknown because we don't know what will happen when and if we meet him on the sea. Dutch ships either ignore us or treat us with suspicion but none have seen fit to approach us yet. I doubt this will last much longer and if we don't do something soon we may miss our opportunity". Martin nodded his head and stood up and walked over to the window with his hands behind his back and looked down towards his two ships. 'L'Ancrese Common' was being fitted with reinforced masts and a new magazine that would help the gunners cut down their load time. The lively group of powder monkeys should help with this too. The new section of marines were practising at drill and the sailing master was supervising the light weight ropes and blocks installed through out the ship. All he needed to make the ship as he wanted it was, the anti boarding barricades and he would be content. Finally he turned to his first lieutenant, "as soon as the ship is refitted, we set sail. We go west first, see if we can find captain Hethwill Eskeath. Then we go to work on the Dutch to get information". "How do you plan on getting the information?" Jean said leaning forward, interested. "It's simple but distasteful. We just ask Dutchmen. We have to act like big bad bullies and threaten to attack lone ships. We also offer to leave them be in exchange for information. I don't like it, it's not an honourable way of doing things, but what choice do we have. We should also try to see if we can't run alongside one of their new big merchantmen". Jean sat back again, worry etched on his face. "Dutch reprisals will come quickly, we will be treated as pirates". "First let's see if we can find Capt Hethwill Eskeath, then we shall see to the Dutch plans".
  13. Rented room, Coquibacoa I stood at the window of the small rented room in the tavern at the water front looking out to sea. I was watching my ship 'l'Ancresse Common' as it arrived at the harbour. It had cost me a lot of money to have her brought here from Guernsey where she was captained by my brother as part of the Channel Islands defence squadron. She is a private vessel and belongs to my family and with the war between Britain and France at a bit of a lull, my brother agreed to sign over command to me. Her journey here had not been easy. Her masts had been removed for the voyage, and she had needed long arms attached to her sides and small boats placed under them like pontoons. This allowed her to ride the rough seas much easier without capsizing and a crew were regularly in place to pump her out. She had been towed across the Atlantic by the corvette 'Thunder Child' and had been refitted at my Ship yard before a skeleton crew had sailed her to my current base of operations at Coquibacoa. I was planning to transfer to her for my current short range operations and keep 'Le Petee Bôt' in reserve or for longer voyages. Both ships were exceptionally made but had been built using different materials and I favour the Brig based on the USS Niagara for any fighting to come over the Snow. My mission had changed over the last couple of days, I still wished to seek out captain Hethwill Eskeath but I had become determined to uncover the Dutch plans. Something is going on, the activity around their anchorages is great and they have drawn attention to themselves. However, exactly what it is they are doing does still remain a secret, at least to me anyway. I have some speculations but I need more evidence. I requested reinforcements from my squadron, but it is difficult to know how long it might be before help arrives if at all. Being such a small force we are extremely busy and many of the captains had been working at improving their ship building skills in recent days. I decided that it was time to get in for a closer look of the Dutch ports, once 'L'Ancresse Common' had completed her trials in the area I planned to take her close to the Dutch home waters in the Caribbean to see what I could find out. Although I still don't consider the Dutch to be an enemy, a nervous captain might think that I am preying on merchantmen or a junior captain still trying to learn his trade and so I can expect to be unwelcome. I must be tactful and not start an unnecessary conflict in the area. It was time to see my new ship. I grabbed my coat and sword and left the tavern to take a leisurely stroll down to the docks. A long boat was waiting for me to take me on the short crossing to the brig. It was a glorious day, and a glint caught my eye. I pulled out my telescope and pointed it at the gleaming light. It came from an open window on the other side of the harbour. I man dressed In what I believed to be Dutch uniform stared back at me through his own glass. I replaced my telescope and waved my hat to the distant figure. I wouldn't let this bother me. Perfectly reasonable explanation. Either the Dutch authorities were aware of me and the mission I had set myself, the Dutch were not happy with a foreign ship setting up a base on their door step or it was just a Dutch naval officer being curious. It could even be all three. I cared not. Captain Martin W Morey de Saumarez L'Ancresse Common (22)
  14. Thank you sir, for the link. I may have overlooked something but I could seem to find anything amongst the lists of material posted that I can use unfortunately. I fully understand the strategies and tactics of the time, but I just can't find enough information about the actual ships used.
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