Baron Quertier

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

Finally got round to uploading part 4. Been extremely busy lately with work. Hope you are all well https://youtu.be/bzfNwTjndkc

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

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.

Thank you very much sir. I really appreciate you kind words

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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".

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)

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.

Greetings my friends. I'll keep this short. I am in the process of writing a novel set during the Hundred Years' War that was fought between England and France. The period of the war I am concentrating on is the period between 1337 and 1375. During that time there were many naval engagements. The battle of Sluys involved Hundreds of ships and the strategies used by both side are similar to those used at the battle of the Nile. Also the battle Les Espagols sur mer, aka The Battle of Winchelsea, which involved approximately 40-50 ships on each side showed that control of the sea has been an important war objective long before the 'age of sail'. I understand that the age of sail referred to on this forum is a time of sailing ships hundreds of years after the time frame of my novel, but I know that there are many clever people on the forum that have a vast knowledge of history. I need information on the ships used at the time, the cogs and hulks as they were known. Also the Castilian and Genoan galleys. I know abit but not enough for a good detailed novel. Could anyone tell me of crew numbers, speed, seaworthiness and perhaps the interiors too. I know 'cabins' weren't really a thing at the time, not how we know them to be. Of course I've looked up the information myself but I find a lot of what I read tends to be contradictory and quite vague. Thank you all.

5th April Captain Martin W Morey de Saumarez Le Petee Bôt (26 guns) Coquibacoa Our journey westward was much longer than I had planned, the original course that was set from my shipyard had us making landfall a huge distance away from where I wanted. It is of course my own fault, I set the course hoping to pass la Orchilla and then got to work on the novel I have been writing and leaving the sailing of the ship to Mr Bertrand my first lieutenant. I was most angry with myself when the signal gun at Pampatar spoke, asking our number. Pampatar, how could I have been so inaccurate. Well, naturally we adjusted course and it wasn't too long before we passed La Orchilla and a large amount of Dutch shipping. I still don't trust the Dutch and remained cleared for action through out the area and I had my crew stand by their guns as we passed Willemstad just to be safe. Finally, the word came that land was in sight, but almost simultaneously a pirate frigate, build along the same lines as the Renomee was sighted also. We exchanged shot and received very little damage to the sails but was able to pull away and arrived safely at Coquibacoa where I have rented a section of the harbour capable of holding five ships. Here's to hoping for some prizes. It is from this base that I hope to seek out Captain Hethwill Eskeath. He is operating further west but there will be pirates in the area also. Word reached me that The league of gentlemanly conduct, that is the international authority for ensuring the correct censorship of all written materials released to the world by captains, are enacting a media black out of all reports, diaries, figures and facts. This is due to the increasing amount of misconduct in the items released and it is much easier to have a hopefully temporary lock down than work at censoring individual items. I must admit that the news hit me like a breath of fresh air. However it does mean that my own diaries and reports will not be seen by my fellow captains around the world.

You may have misunderstood,...If I had a big problem win drunk, and I saw a thread called DRUNK news, I wouldn't give them he datisfaction of reading it. Also I don't necessarily disagree with your thread. But the from the fourth post in the thread was straight off topic and the slagging match started... Again. The majority are clearly against DRUNK and their way if doing things. But what can be done until mechanics are in place.

Yeah, I've been there. It was a face in Palm moment for me because I decided to risk it and go for a quick win, and didn't get it. My own fault in my opinion. Half hour is sufficient warning.

I could never be a MOD on this forum, just a hopeless cause in my opinion, no one can get along. As I said, I don't know everything DRUNK has done or what they're accused of, but what's the problem if they want to write a storie about a 8vs1 victory. There's no sportsmanship in it I agree, but then it's also easy to just not read their threads and let them crack on with it instead of haunting every thread they make. Good luck all.

Just a thought. I don't know what happens or has happened on the Swedish nation chat because I don't have access. But as for the forums, is it not possible just to let DRUNK try at having just one thread that doesn't get hijacked by people who don't like the DRUNK players. Let them have their thread I say without it becoming a contest of who the bigger trolls are. They been chased about all over the forum trying to have a good clean thread. I myself am looking forward to reports, diaries and news. Give them a chance.

Merci Monsieur. Bonne chance á toi

Another point of view. Captain Martin W Morey de Saumarez had recently enjoyed a back and forth correspondence with a privateer who recently cut loyalties to crowns and senates and decided to operate completely independent of a nation. The officer was technically an enemy and though captain Morey would likely exchange broadsides with the other man's ship of they were to meet, he considered him a friend. Captain Morey decided to write him a new letter before leaving his ship yard office to board his sloop 'le Petee Bôt' (The Little bay) and setting sail from his crafting base to head south west for his target. He had a task to complete for himself before he resumed reaching for the next objective of Les Abaissé he began to write:- To my most respected enemy Captain Hethwill Eskeath I look forward to a possible meeting with you on the high seas, I am currently taking my Snow Le Petee Bôt into the area of warfare between the Dutch and Swedish navies. I will be carrying out tasks of interest for my squadron, but will welcome seeing you and your fellow privateers in the area. If a meeting should happen I'd be honoured to exchange broadsides with you, however I will not attack on sight but will leave the decision as to whether to have hostilities or cooperation to you and your fellow captains. I'd be more than happy to do either with you sir for we both have common enemies and interests in the area, one of mine being the safe trading and supply route from my ever expanding shipyard and warehouse to the Central American mainland in the south. I know not what rate of ship that you and your comrades sail. Le Petee Bôt is an exceptionally built snow, crafted by a very experienced ship builder of France. A fellow Les Abaissé captain, Grim DeGrim, very kindly ordered and then bought it before giving to me as a gift. I am still yet to properly test her in action. I leave the decision with you sir as to whether we shall have hostilities or cooperation, what's it to be? Your friend and enemy Captain Martin W Morey de Saumarez Les Abaissé Captain Morey sealed the letter and handed it to the bosun of a brig that was soon to set sail for La Orchilla before walking down the hill towards the docks. He stopped to shield his eyes from the sun and take a distant look at Le Petee Bôt from a distance. She was at anchor in the harbour. He regarded her trim and admired the beauty of the vessel. Finally he climbed into the boat and his coxswain ordered to cast off. After being piped aboard he ordered the first lieutenant to set sail as soon as watering was complete and retired to his cabin. He stared out of the stern windows at the frigate being built at his shipyard, she was modelled on the Surprise and would be given to a member of Les Abaissé. He could also see the shipyard crafters working on the new highly refined reinforced masts that he had ordered for the captains of Les Abaissé. It was for the future of these projects and projects of similar likeness that Captain Morey had decided on the course of action that would see him seeking out captain Hethwill Eskeath on the sea.

Captain Martin Morey de Saumarez slumped into the chair by his desk. He had just finished reading a letter from his uncle Admiral Sir James Saumarez, 1st Baron de Saumarez, from His Majesties Royal Navy. The letter wasn't a message asking after his health but was more a warning stating that due to captain Morey and his comrades being a part of the French Navy within the Caribbean, the British Royal Navy were likely to attack them on sight, despite Les Abaissé not being affiliated with the French Council (Caribbean station FR). It also advised Captain Morey not to step foot on his home island of Guernsey until his affiliations were in order. Naturally this had him in a bit of a mood and his steward was quickly in and out of his office after delivering tea and a bacon sandwich. Members of the Squadron had indeed already come under attack from Royal Navy ships, including Captain Morey's own vessel but none had yet been sunk yet. Normally this was due to the Royal Navy captains on the scene recognising the ABC pennant and treating Les Abaissé as a potential enemy of their enemy and having worked together on occasions against Danish- Norwegian warships. It was during one of these operations that Captain Morey's frigate La Étoile de Aurigney (The Star of Alderney) had come under attack from British ships whilst on the homeward leg of a reconnaissance mission on behalf of the British. The mistake was realised before any real damage was done. But more recently a member of Les Abaissé had come under attack whilst on a cargo run by Royal Navy ships within French home waters and after a chase had to escape less he be sunk or taken. Captain Morey sat thinking, of what would be the best choice for a new campaign after the recent lull in order to concentrate on crafting and building up vessels within the squadron of Les Abaissé. He decided it was best to put the question to his fellow captains, for it is a Les Abaissé trait that no single man commands the squadron, but everything be discussed and agreed within the guild before action being taken. Every man has the right to say what they feel is the best path to take. The close knit unit had increased in numbers sufficiently well over the last 10 days and if the build up continued at the present pace the society would become a powerful force capable of much more than small unit actions. Many very capable captains had formally joined the squadron recently, including the former commander of a renowned French guild. Several others had agreed to assist Les Abaissé in providing ships, materials and resources if need be, but wouldn't formally join due to already being part of other commands. Captain Morey and the other members of the small guild couldn't be more grateful to these officers and the potential risk of reprisal from their own command chain if found out. Trading was going well and captain Morey himself had recently sold two ships at Fort Royal for prices he never believed he'd manage to get. All this despite leading French captains calling for captains under the ABC pennant to be considered outcasts and an embargo imposed against them weeks before. Captain Morey had worked to remain on friendly terms with his former guild mates in EDR and it seemed to have paid. Morale remained high within the society and gentlemanly conduct along with aggression and willingness to help was still at the forefront of The squadron's morals. Captain Morey had recently enjoyed a back and forth correspondence with a certain officer that recently cut lose loyalties to crowns and senates and decided to operate completely independent of a nation. The officer was technically an enemy and though captain Morey would likely exchange broadsides with the other man's ship of they were to meet, he considered him a friend. Captain Morey decided to write him a new letter before leaving his ship yard office to board his sloop 'le Petee Bôt' (The Little bay) and setting sail from his crafting base to head south west for his target. He had a task to complete for himself before he resumed reaching for the next objective of Les Abaissé He began to write:- To my most respected enemy Captain Hethwill, I look forward to a possible meeting with you on the high seas, I am currently sailing............

If I may sir, I love this kind of thing. We need more of this. Keep it coming sir, as often as you can...