HMS Gamble

HMS Gamble
Rating: Fifth Rate

Class: Capricieux Mastercraft Heavy Frigate

Date of Commission: August, 1720

Current Captain: Roderick Morrow

Armament
Guns: 44

Top Deck: 16 x 8lbs

Gun Deck: 28 x 13lbs

Crew: 300

Status: Sunk by a pirate on June 23, 1721

Notable Actions
HMS Gamble has had multiple engagements with enemy Spanish, French, and Pirate ships. She has sunk quite a few frigates of the French navy and more than a few pirates have found their way to Davy Jones Locker thanks to her guns. She has suffered major damge twice and has been laid up for most of the last year in dry dock repairing. Now refitted and ready, she seems eager to be back out at sea where she may hunt some more.

June 6, 1721- HMS Gamble along with several other British ships raided Spanish shipping around Spanish Town in an attempt to weaken the port for a British attack. At one point Captain Middlemore and two allies attacked two French warships that were harrassing British shipping in the area. HMS Gamble and two other British frigates arrived late to the battle and witnessed the sinking of a Hercules Master Craft Frigate at the hands of the French. The three reinforcing ships turned the tide of battle and both French ships were sunk, with the finishing shot on one being provided by HMS Gamble and her crew.

June 13, 1721- HMS Gamble was ambushed by two pirates outside of Havana. She fought hard but could not overcome the pirates two pronged attack. To save his crew and ship, Captain Morrow paid a handsome sum from his own pocket something he would not have done if they had been nearer to a British port but Havana is not known for its hospitality especially to British seamen. The Gamble limped away from the fight.

June 23, 1721- The Gamble engaged a Pirate varaint of the Hercules frigate, a very powerful foe, southeast of Ruddy Cove. The Capriceaux frigate fought long and hard but was soon boarded by the rat and her crew. Many of the seamen on the Gamble were dead or wounded so the boarding action was quick, still the Brits and Captain Morrow managed to bloody the invaders and perhaps this saved them for the pirate Captain was impressed and though she scuttled the Gamble, she left the rowboats for her Captain and crew to use to make their way to safety.