Battle - 1721 - March 30 - Dragons trump Bulls (Assault of Caracas)

Ships in Action:
British Fleet

Captain Blatchford - HMS Superior, Alexander fourth rate

Captain Collister - HMS Longbow, Mercy fifth rate

Captain the Lord Fletcher - HMS Princetown, Capricieux Mastercraft fifth rate

Captain Middlemore - HMS Fearless, Mercy fifth rate

Captain Countess Nellie - Couronne Mastercraft second rate

Captain Viscount Sherrin - HMS Kent, Valiant third rate

18 other British Captains

Spanish Fleet

15 Spanish Captains

Action Setup:
Master Collister's Log:

I recieved orders to sail towards Caracas and a few miles north of the harbour rendevouz with the British fleet preparing to attack the Spanish town. The first friendly vessel spotted turned out to be the majestic third rate Ship of the Line Kent, with Viscount Sherrin's ensign flying clearly from her mainmast. Behind her stood a good many 'Hercules' class frigates, and behind them: HMS Superior; Mr. Blatchford's fourth rate. The crew of the Longbow lined the railings as more and more friendly vessels, many of them recognised from earlier battles, were called out. The entire crew was gripped by a giddy excitement as tales were told of the near run at Nassau, the decisive victory at Portobelo, and other encounters at which the ships sighted had partaken. After having determined the identity of each friendly vessel at the fleet's anchorage, it was concluded that no fewer than six ships of the Squadron were present, and hence; St. George Squadron stood for an entire quarter of the British fleet.

The final ship arrived and settled in amongst the fleet. All Captains were called to repair aboard Admiral Royan's flagship. As I was being rowed over to the good Admiral, friendly gestures were exchanged with Captains with whom I had sailed before. The council of war convened in the great cabin of the first rate Ship of the Line. After saluting Lord Fletcher and Viscount Sherrin and bowing to Countess Nellie, Mr. Blatchford entered the room sporting his never-disappointing beard. Mr. Blatchford and I concluded that our earlier efforts cruising off Caracas had paid off and that the Admiralty had seen fit to reward us with a position in the battle fleet. Master Middlemore was in high spirits, damning the Spanish and passing round cigars, and the general mood of the Captains present was that we would meet the Spanish and sink whatever they threw at us.

Admiral Royan called to order and the fleet was divided into four divisions. I was assigned to Red squadron, consisting of three Captains of the Squadron and three other British Captains, headed by Commodore Noir Blackheart, under whom I had previously served at de'Lisle. With the groups formed, we set sail towards Caracas and the awaiting enemy fleet.

British Fleet:
Black group - Heavy Ships of the Line

Prince first rate, Captain Peter Inyoua

Prince first rate, Captain Mark Jones

Couronne Mastercraft second rate, Captain Countess Nellie

Prince first rate, Captain Chris Pheonix

Prince first rate, Admiral Ben Royan

Couronne Mastercraft second rate, Captain Nathaniel Starbuck

White group - Ships of the Line + 2 Frigate Escort

HMS Superior, Alexander fourth rate, Captain Blatchford

Valiant third rate, Captain Michael North

Raa fifth rate, Captain Ablet Opinson

Oliphant fourth rate, Captain Samantha Shan

HMS Kent, Valiant third rate, Commodore Viscount Sherrin

Deliverance fifth rate, Captain Moss Trapper

Green group - Heavy Frigates

Heavy Hercules fifth rate, Captain Joe Bagadonuts

Heavy Hercules fifth rate, Captain Dante Dakota

Capricieux Mastercraft fifth rate, Captain Lorien DeShard

Heavy Hercules fifth rate, Captain Copper Hellion

Heavy Hercules fifth rate, Captain Corpse Maker

Heavy Hercules fifth rate, Captain Sean Judge

Red group - Frigates

Mercy fifth rate, Captain Jessica Arden

Mercy fifth rate, Commodore Noir Blackheart

HMS Longbow, Mercy fifth rate, Captain Collister

HMS Princetown, Capricieux Mastercraft fifth rate, Captain the Lord Fletcher

HMS Fearless, Mercy fifth rate, Captain Middlemore

Archelon fifth rate, Captain Xafria Tepdor

The Action Itself:
Master Collister's Log:

The wind was on our side for this battle. With the wind in our backs, blowing from the south, we sailed northeast to engage the enemy fleet. Their fleet consisted of 15 heavy fifth rates, and the relative fleet strengths were similar to those at Portobelo. Perhaps therefore, their tactics echoed those they used at Portobelo. As we approached their line from the southwest, they turned and sailed behind a large island off the coast of Caracas for cover. They kept a westerly course and our fleet sailed along the eastern edge of the island and wrapped around it, making our new course northwest. The enemy continued sailing westwards and regrouped on the western side of the island. As our line sailed towards the harbour on a northwesterly course, we passed the enemy. Red and Green groups were ordered to take the rear of our line and defend it from any Spanish attacks.

No sooner had this order been given than the Spaniards sailed northeast aiming for the sterns of our Ships of the Line. Under the command of Commodore Blackheart, Red group sailed due west under mainsails alone to cover our lineships. Black and White groups turned to starboard and sailed eastwards in an attempt to bring the broadsides to bear sailing parallell to the Spaniards. The Spanish fleet, however, turned hard to larboard and focused its fire on Red squadron. We recieved heavy fire, though Captain Arden's Mercy class fifth rate recieved most damage and was sunk. For a few minutes Red group faced the enemy fleet alone, but managed to make an about turn and sail towards the cover of our lineships. Green group, who were behind us, executed a similar maneauver, losing two vessels as the turn was made.

Meanwhile, Black and White group had formed a line, facing eastwards, and Captain Dante Dakota had been sent to destroy the harbour fort. Our Ships of the Line were ordered to turn and once again head northwest towards the port. We formed a double line, with Red and Black groups to windward (closest to the enemy) and Green and White groups to leeward. The enemy regrouped to our south and attacked us sailing a northeasterly course, engaging Red group once again. Our Ships of the Line sailed to the northwest, to take a position blockading the enemy port. It is worth noting that Black group attempted to flank the enemy fleet by sailing southwest, but abandoned the idea after the wind proved too strong for such maneauvers to be attempted in first rates. Consequently Black and White groups headed northwest to the port. Red and Green groups were once again engaged by the enemy. One of the first rates of Black group was sent to reinforce our frigate line, now heavily engaged with the bulk of the enemy fleet.

As the Ships of the Line formed their blockade, Red and Green group held off the enemy fleet for a good fifteen minutes, sinking one more of the Spaniards, but losing two ships, one from each group. When Black and White group had completed their maneavour, Red and Green group regrouped behind their line. Our ships had been heavily damaged and there was not a ship among us that had not lost a score of good men in the previous exchange of fire. Our fleet's movements had been successful though, in that we now had a steadfast line of heavy vessels blockading their port, and the Spanish fleet had been pushed out to sea.

With 12 Spanish vessels still afloat to the south, Admiral Royan considered his options for the final attack on the port. He could not risk too many ships in the landing party, as he needed to make certain that the enemy would not be able to break the blockade and reinforce the port's garrison. Red group volunteered as boarding party and Admiral Royan agreed to as much. Captain Moss Trapper was reassigned from Green squadron to Red, and Captain Blatchford also reinforced our group.

Commodore Blackheart led his group of five Captains, of which four were from St. George Squadron, to the enemy port. We moored our ships at the docks and prepared ourselves for the push into the enemy town. Captain Middlemore and I had performed a similar assault at Portobelo, and as we left the docks and headed towards the streets of Caracas, we exchanged knowing glances of what was to come. The first Spanish wave hit us just as we were leaving the docks. In the flurry of blades, we lost some of our crew, but all six Captains remained unscathed. From then on we edged forwards through the streets, yard by yard, cutting and pistolling down the Spanish garrison. Halfway through the town, we heard the signal of gunfire from the sea. The Spaniards were preparing to run through the blockade and reinforce the garrison. We scrambled back to our ships and rejoined the British fleet. The Spanish maneavour proved to be just a feint however, and we were ordered to return to the town and make our way to the garrison commander.

We pushed deeper into the town this time but once again we were recalled to the fleet as the Spaniards once again looked as if they were planning to break our blockade. This time it was not a feint. 12 Spanish fifth rate Frigates sailed straight towards our line and Red group just had time to reach the line before the firing began. What followed was total chaos as the enemy abandoned their line and forced us to break ours. The Spanish ships succumbed to our superior firepower and one by one they sank or caught fire and exploded. Admiral Royan's first rate recieved extremely heavy fire and was almost sunk, ran aground, boarded and rammed, but was rather miraculously saved from all of these fates. 10 of the 12 Spanish frigates that had sailed into our line were destroyed. Two of them managed to make it into port. None of our vessels were sunk during their charge of our blockade, and I contribute this to an excellent display of order, discipline and fine gunnery from all Captains present.

Our fleet sailed towards the port, with Royan's severely damaged first rate being one of the last to arrive, and all Captains assembled on the docks. With such superior weight of numbers, we advanced through the streets to the courtyard in which the Spaniards made their last stand. There was no doubt of the outcome of the melee and the Spaniards were forced to surrender after the two surviving Captains from their fleet and their port commander were cut down. The Union Jack was hoisted and Caracas now belonged to the Britain.

The Result:
British Losses

Archelon fifth rate

Capricieux Mastercraft fifth rate

Heavy Hercules fifth rate

Heavy Hercules fifth rate

Mercy fifth rate

Spanish Losses

13 fifth rates

Caracas

Lessons Learned:
Master Collister's Log:

Order and discipline, and a skilled Commander. That is what won the day. Admiral Royan gave out clear and precise orders, and all groups followed them to the letter. Commodore Blackheart called targets well in advance of their ships reaching our firing arcs, and made sure to give orders pertaining to sailing maneauvers equally well in advance. Red group took on the blunt of their attack on a few occasions and I would like to commend all the Captains in my group for their part in the battle. The Longbow fired a good few thousand round shot at the enemy, and that is surely a testament to how busy our gun crews were kept.

The landing party, consisting of four Captains of the Squadron and two other British Captains, did the nation proud. We are excelling at melee combat, and all opportunities such as this add to our experience of combat ashore.

Personally, with my fifth port battle under my belt, I feel comfortable staying calm and in control in the most pressing of situations, and I look forward to being tested many more times!

God save the King!

Captain Blatchford's Notes:

This battle is an excellent example on the advantages in having the weather-gage, and the disadvantages in being stuck by a lee shore with the enemy choosing the time and place to fight. The Spanish had all the wind and sea-room they ever needed to manouver as they wanted. Had the Dons been stronger, and had not the British frigate-groups possessed such seamanship and mastery of their vessels, the battle could have ended poorly for the British.

It is, however, clear to me that forsightedness and refusal to play the enemy's game were major factors in achieving victory in this battle. Every time we formed a line, one Group would be tasked to turn about, enabling it to quickly reinforce the Fleet's stern or plug a hole in the Fleet's defence (The pass east of the Harbour being a prime example). And the Fleet was decisive in not chasing headlessly after weak Spanish ships, or in any other way falling into a trap of the Dons' making. In the words of the Admiral, spoken after the first Spaniard was spotted: "We're not going to follow their way of battle - We're going to dictate this.". And indeed we did.

Battle Schematic:
''Below: Scetch depicting landmarks and initial positions of the fleets. The Spanish are heading SE in an attempt to gain the weather-gage, the British are cracking on to intercept them.''



Below: As the British Fleet closes with the island it is clear that the Spanish can not sail further S without meeting the Fleet head-on, so the Spanish wear and sets course due W to round the island from the other side.

Below: The British manages to get all their ships E of the island before the Spanish can ever hope to catch the sterns of the aftmost ships, and as the Fleet sets course NW, the Dons set up course to run parallel with the British.



''Below: In case the Dons would crack on NNE to rake our sterns, White Group and Black Group E to intercept. While this happens, Green Group and Red Group form up to keep the Spanish from the Ships of the Line. The Spaniards turn W and engages the line of Red and Green. One Captain of Green was sent to batter down one of the fortifications guarding the entrance to Caracas Harbour.''



''Below: Red and Black form a line to larboard of White Squadron, and the Spanish sail SW before setting course NE and making yet another attempt at our sterns. To counter this, White Group rounds a small island to their starboard to intercept the enemy from the NW.''



''Below: As the Dons yet again turns W and engages Red, Green reinforces the line while White set course NW to navigate through the same island pass they came from. When exiting this pass, Blackp forms the rear of a line with White, and the two Groups set course NW to blockade the Caracas Harbour.''



''Below: When the blockading line were in place, Red and Green had been at it for a long time, and started manouvering towards the Harbour to take shelter behind the lineships. The enemy chased for a few yards before going back to their usual course of NW, then SE, then NW again.''



''Below: White Group turns ESE in place, so as to be able to quickly plug a pass to the E, the only other way leading into the Harbour. Green Group reinforces the White Group line, and Red Group is tasked with the land attack on Caracas itself. They take with them one captain from Green Group and one from White Group.''



''Below: The Spanish is observed moving their fleet to the unguarded pass leading into the Harbour from E. But as Red Group reaches their ships, it turns out to be a feint attack, and the Dons manouver S then SW. Red Group returns to the streets of Caracas.''



''Below: The Spanish launch an ernest attack to the easternmost part of the blockading line, and manages to break both the British line and their own. Red Group joins from the town, and after fierce fighting the Spanish fleet is defeated, and the entire British Fleet enter Caracas to cut down the two remaining Spanish captains that managed to enter the town during the chaos.''