Action - 1721 - March 03 - Brief but eventful service

Ships in Action:
Captain Aidan Pryde

Captain Bob Faegun

Captain Jonathan Hawke - HMS Cockatrice

Captain Sir Leo Davis - HMS Unicorn - Mercy Naval Frigate

Captain Leo, of the Royal Secret Service

Captain Nicholas Ventura

Captain Robert Middlemore

Captain Roger Berett

Captain Will Collister - HMS Manannan, HMS Centurion

Action Setup:
The backdrop to the evening was two-folded. First of all, with the impending assault of St. John's looming over us all, shipping in that area was heavily disturbed and the waters very dangerous to merchant and naval ships alike. Secondly, the pirates of the Caribbean were mounting an assault on Turtling Bay. Therefore the squadron's captains were spread around the Caribbean. With Captain Hawke cruising the waters around St. John's on his own, there was a need for further vessels in that area. However, the evening began, for my part, at Turtling Bay.

The Action Itself:
Upon hearing word of there being a fleet of our squadron north of Turtling Bay, I set sail in the Manannan to their location. After rendevouzing with Captains Davis, Berett, Faegun and Pryde, we sighted a large fleet of pirates bearing upon us from the north. The enemy proved to be six pirate vessels of the Loose Cannons society.

We formed a line and engaged the enemy. Opened fire ate 600 yards and kept a steady line for the duration of the battle. We did not feel their advantage in number and managed to heavily damage one of their vessels early on. A sixth British ship was sighted on the horizon after battle had firmly begun. The vessel belonged to a Captain Leo of the RSS. With clever manoeuvering from the head of the line we managed to form up and incorporate him into our line. Shortly after his arrival, one of the pirate vessels was sent to the bottom of the sea. After further exchange of roundshot the remaining pirates inevitably succumbed to their cowardice, put their helms to the horizon and fled.

The squadron returned to Turtling Bay. I set sail alone in the Manannan and sailed northwards to ascertain the degree of danger present in the waters northwest of port. Finding there to be none, I consequently set a course for Bluefields where I docked and transferred to the Centurion in Spanish Town.

On my to the ship, I met a troubled-looking merchant on the docks of Spanish Town. I inquired as to the nature of his indisposition and recieved the answer that he required an escort to take him due west out of Spanish Town towards Port Royal, yet no such escort had revealed itself. I offered myself and any captains I could raise as an escort. Captains Middlemore and Ventura were quick to volunteer, after being found in the drinking establishment of the port. I was thus in control of a fleet of three ready and able captains and related this to the merchant in question, a Mr. Earll of the Imperial Shipyards society. We promptly set sail towards Port Royal, though not before hailing Captain Hawke and thus attaining a sixth-rate frigate for the squadron.

The convoy narrowly avoided engagement with a roving band of Spanish privateers off San Juan. We broke company with Mr. Earll, a most composed and becoming gentleman, when I felt suitably comfortable of his continued security.

The squadron then sailed south by southeast towards Bridgetown to refit and restock. Captain Hawke departed to Rosignol for repairs there. With the diminished squadron of myself, Captain Middlemore and Captain Ventura, we engaged a Spanish patrol fleet of eight sail north of Bridgetown. We formed a line and exchanged heavy fire with the enemy. Succeeded in sinking four enemy vessels before the line was unfortunately broken. The resulting haphazard formation led to Captain Ventura finding himself in the most undesirably awkward position of being the centre of a perfect triangle with two Spaniards and a shore located at each corner. It was at this point in time that Captain Hawke returned, sailing straight into the fray, guns ablaze. In an attempt to aid Captain Ventura, who was taking tremendous fire from the enemy, I myself misjudged a turn. The odds were against us and both the Centurion and Captain Ventura's vessel were so heavily damaged that they each lost a point of durability.

Captains Hawke and Middlemore, however, commendably disposed of the remaining four Spanish ships. It is worth noting that Captain Hawke displayed admirable courage and prudent tactical ability in engaging ships vastly heavier than his own; namely, a 'Postillionen'-class sixth-rate frigate.

Upon returning to Bridgetown with our damaged vessels, Captain Ventura departed to tend to duties ashore. With the last Spaniards sunk, however, the rest of the original squadron rendevouzed once more off Bridgetown and sailed northwards to St. John's. After reaching St. John's, Captain Hawke retired for the evening. Captain Middlemore and I completed a mission together and shortly thereafter I am pleased to announce that he reached level 50.

The Result:
I am most pleased with my roll in the initial action of the evening, off Turtling Bay. Also, the squadron under my command aided the war effort in lowering contention off Bridgetown and escorting a fellow national out of dangerous waters. However the experience of this cruise came at a price.

Lessons Learned:
With two ships lost in an engagement that ought have been won with no casualties, the lesson learned is clear. Vigilance is a necessity even in battles against such patrol fleets, and the importance of keeping the line must be stressed.