Robert Danforth Posted June 28, 2015 Share Posted June 28, 2015 TO WILLIAM MARSDEN, ESQ., ADMIRALTYVanguard, near Grenada, 28th June, 1804.Sir,You will be pleased to acquaint the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty that a victory has been earned in the West Indies. A Detachment of three of His Majesty's Ships, being HMS Vanguard under command of Commodore Rob't Danforth, HMS Terpsichore under command of Post Captain Jacob Atkinson, and HMS Concorde under command of Master and Commander Bailey Edwards, engaged a greater force of four French ships believed to be Genereux, Unite, Hermione, and Alligator. The Action was close resulting in the unfortunate Loss of Terpsichore and Concorde, but also the three lesser French Ships.It is with great Honor that I add the capture of Genereux, a Third Rate of 74 guns.Attached are Copies of the Action itself with more Detail.Your most humble & obed't, &c.,COMMODORE DANFORTH--The prizes (British v. French):Starting positions:The wind is blowing from the East as the fleets spot one another.Commodore! French sails to Starboard!Both fleets move to engage. HMS Swan is directed to find the rest of the fleet.(I made a mistake in issuing orders to HMS Swan, which is easy to do in this game, and sent it off the table in the second turn.)The British line remains intact, while the French do something else entirelyThe French commander was not paying attentionThe Alligator collides with what we thought was Genereux (but it turns out my nephew had some ships confused, which we promptly fixed), and takes damage.Ce n'est pas Le Genereux, Monsieur! C'est L'Unite!The fleets are close enough now that combat is inevitable.The British commodore splits his line to deal with the French and the first cannons roar from both sidesHermione is hit with a devestating broadside from HMS Vanguard. Vanguard is struck with a meager showing by HermioneA quick turn to larboard separates the smaller Aligator from his French friendsAlligator, now separated, takes another hit from HMS Vanguard Unite takes shots from HMS Terpsichore Terpsichore loses some crew to cannon fire from UniteThe brave British Tars continue to maneuver like bold young seamen while the French prove they're no match at navigating the seaTerpsichore loses some crew to cannon fire from Unite HMS Concorde loses crew from shots by Unite Alligator is once again beset by fire, this time from both Terpsichore and HMS VanguardThe British begin turning their formation aboutHMS Terpsichore is struck by a single ball with moderate effect as Alligator desperately tries to survive. HMS Concorde suffers a heavy broadside from Genereux, but manages to retaliate sharply as well as striking Hermione and killing more French sailors.The French commodore realizes he has the weather gauge and finally orders his fleet to regain composureIn the confusion and smoke, Terpsichore and Concorde collideTaking advantage of the collision, Alligator lets loose in to HMS Concorde. But despite the jarring shudder of two ships bumping one another, Concorde returns fire and sinks the Alligator, and fires on Genereux from the other side!L'Alligator has sunk!Free of entanglements, the fleets begin to reform, all the while working their guns...and then the French collide again!Hermione and Genereux smash each others timbers Terpsichore takes a devastating broadside from Genereux Hermione is sunk by HMS Terpsichore, undone by her own navigational incompetenceL'Hermione has sunk!She should have watched where she was goingUnite fires in to HMS Concorde and send her to the depthsUnite takes an opportunity and sinks HMS Concorde as Terpsichore returns fire on GenereuxThe odds are starting to even out, although a keen eye sees more damage on the French fleetHot flames spew forth from cannons' mouths once moreUnite again fires on Terpsichore who is now limping along, while Genereux opens up on HMS Vanguard. The British return fire and watch their balls penetrate deeply.These Frenchmen are crazy!Unite rams Vanguard! And then promptly sinks.HMS Terpsichore chases Genereux while HMS Vanguard repositions after the ramming actionGenereux proves it still has some tricks and pulls away from Terpsichore - and right in to a strong firing position!Genereux slips by and destroys Terpsichore, who managed to get off one last broadside.Board boys, board!After some maneuvers and chasing, HMS Vanguard rolls up to Genereux and aboard they go!Genereux strikes her colours!The British are victorious! God Save the King! 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chromey Posted June 28, 2015 Share Posted June 28, 2015 Who needs fraps when you got your own table and props? Bravo! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack Freedom Posted June 28, 2015 Share Posted June 28, 2015 Get outa here that loos awesome! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robert Danforth Posted June 28, 2015 Author Share Posted June 28, 2015 I know I'm not the only one here who plays. I saw a forum for the game with DeRuyter and Northern Wolves on it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clinch Posted June 29, 2015 Share Posted June 29, 2015 That looks awesome! Played a game called close action at a game convention once and enjoyed it very much. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
admin Posted June 29, 2015 Share Posted June 29, 2015 I like the bottles starting position 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robert Danforth Posted June 30, 2015 Author Share Posted June 30, 2015 Playing Naval Action helped me quite a great deal in the game (aside from my mistake with HMS Swan). Understanding how the wind affects movement, and planning my tacks, &c. gave me a bit of an advantage. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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