Battle - 1722 - February 11 - Defending Belize

Ships in Action:
British Fleet

Captain Ray Ryeman - H.M.S. North Carolina, Wenden-class 3rd-rate

23 other British ships, consisting of 1 2nd-rate, 2 3rd-rates, 4th-rates and heavy frigates.

Spanish Fleet

19 Spanish ships, mostly heavy frigates, 4th-rates and 3rd-rates.

Action Setup:
I was in my cabin, when suddenly I was called on deck. A naval courier had arrived with orders to sail with all haste to the port of Belize. I was to report to Commodore Sam Rogers in charge of Port defense. I ordered my crew to quickly get the HMS North Carolina fit for sea and to quickly secure the more powerful cannons we had just brought aboard. My crew had just transferred these cannons over from HMS Stonewall since the HMS North Carolina was in port being refitted. These cannons were going to be needed in the up coming fight.

With all haste we sailed from Marsh Harbor to Belize, in time for the defense of the port. Upon our arrival, at Belize I reported to Commodore Rodgers who instructed me to report to Commodore Tim Hawkins in command of Black squadron. Black squadron consisted of 1 Triumphant 2nd-rate, 1 Wenden 3rd-rate, 2 Valiant 3rd-rates, and 2 Macedon 4th-rates.

Commodore Rogers lead us out. Green squadron was first out and spear heading the formation. Behind them was Black squadron directly line-astern of Green Squadron. To our starboard side and slightly behind was White squadron. With the other squadrons lining up in a double line-astern formation. As soon as we entered battle the enemy fleet was sighted and with the weather gauge Commodore Rogers ordered the fleet to attack.

The Defense of Belize was fought on the Arch Coastline map.

The Action Itself:
As soon as the order was given Black and White squadron turn to starboard and to a North West heading. The order was to charge the rear of the enemy formation and break it in two. At the front of Black squadron's line were 2 Macedon 4th-rates, the HMS North Carolina was 3rd in line, with the 2 Valiant 3rd-rates next in line, with the Triumphant bring up the rear of the line.

With the charge full on the captain leading our line didn't understand his orders and it took us quite awhile to get squadron pointed to the North West. Once we were pointed in the correct direction the race was on, and the 2 Macedon's pulled away from the rest of Black squadron. The first Macedon received heavy fire from the the Spanish fleet. With the second Macedon doing its best to block for the first. Sadly we were unable to save the Macedon that was so willing to take heavy fire. His sacrifice allowed the rest of the British fleet to crash the Spanish fleet taking little to no damage. A /tiphat to the captain that lost his ship.

While all of this was happening and with the Spanish pouring withering fire into the front of Black squadron's line HMS North Carolina sped ahead, looking for an opportunity to crash through the Spanish line. HMS North Carolina was the first ship to crash into the Spanish line. But in my exuberance to break the Spanish formation I made a mistake. I slammed right into the boardside of a Spanish Archelon. So instead of breaking through the Spanish line, I ended up sailing broadside to broadside with this Spanish Archelon. We exchanged broadside after broadside with the Spanish gunners. There was less that 1 yard between our ships. Our guns were having a dramatic effect on Spanish ship, while we received very little damage. The Spanish captain tried speeding up to swing around and hit my bow, but I anticipated this and the HMS North Carolina countered the action by speeding up as well. Then the Spanish captain slowed down trying to rake our stern, again we followed suit. In this mini duel I realize this Spanish Captain was pushing me down the Spanish line. But, at the same time he was blocking me from all the Spanish guns. He was also blocking all the Spanish guns from firing on the front of the British formation.

During one of his attempts to slow down and rake my stern he made a critical error and allowed a Spanish Wenden to pull out in front of us. By this time the rest of the British formation and had crashed into the rear of the Spanish line. Seizing on this opportunity I forced the Spanish Archelon whom was heavily damaged to larboard and sailing my original course of North West. Having seized this opportunity and with the Spanish Wenden now directly leeward of the HMS North Carolina I order the starboard battery to fire. I had positioned the HMS North Carolina perfectly to rake the Spanish Wenden's stern.

Not long afterward the Spanish Archelon went down, there were no cheers from the crew, just orders to reload and fire. The fight was still very much on. The bulk of the Spanish fleet was starboard of the British fleet, but leeward of us turning to larboard to get into position to fire into the front of our formation. Having cut the rear of the Spanish line there were also Spanish ships on the larboard side of HMS North Carolina, so my gunners were firing from both sides of the ship. The British line was now ordered chaos. No longer were we in a line astern formation. The bulk of the formation was line abreast. I tried to stick with Black squadron, but we had Red, Green, White intermixed. Focus firing didn't seem to be much of a problem. Even in this chaos there were openings to pour fire on the enemy.

With the Spanish making another attempt to pour fire into the front of our formation the order was to break the rest of the Spanish line. Full sail ahead was the order, the Spanish started focusing on Black squadron's Triumphant that had been separated from our group and was leading the charge of the British formation. The Triumphant took withering fire, but this time there were many heavy frigates around, it was quickly blocked and the ship was saved.

After the second break of the Spanish line, unfortunately the HMS North Carolina was to slow to be involved in this break, the race was on. A few Spanish captains surrendered. One even made it to the fort but thankfully clicked out. All but one Spanish ship got away from us. It was a Spanish Macedon, and the whole British fleet was in on the kill.

The Result:
A crushing Victory for the British nation. Even though we were on defense, Commodore Rodgers seized the initiative and went on offense. Using the adage a "The best defense is a good offense." This was HMS North Carolina's second Port Battle on Roberts. I believe my crew accomplished 3 kill shots on the Spainish fleet (Archelon, 2 Wendens.) Both battles my ship and crew went pretty much unscathed.

Totals: 2 British vessels sunk (Macedon, Heavy Hercules), Estimates are 11 Spanish vessels sunk. With 3 or 4 surrendering, and a few click outs at the end. Major British victory.

Lessons Learned:
The British fight very differently on Roberts than they do on Antigua. Fights here so far have been all out Brawls, on Antigua the British fight more line engagements (probably why we get beat all the time.) I'm still getting used to the ordered chaos,  the close in fights I'm not very used to. But I must say the commanders on this server are decisive and so far decisiveness has won the engagements that I have participated in up to this point.