Battle - 1721 - April 19 - Attack on Spanish Town

Ships in Action:
British Fleet

Captain the Lord Fletcher - HMS Crusader, Alexander-class 4th-rate

Captain Earl Berett - HMS St. George, Invincible-class 1st-rate

Captain J. R. Lapenotiere - HMS Hood, Wenden-class 3rd-rate

Captain Middlemore - HMS Warrior, Wenden-class 3rd-rate

Captain Blatchford - HMS Superior, Alexander-class 4th-rate

16 other British ships, consisting mostly of Ships of the Line with one group of frigates.

French Fleet

23 French ships, all heavy frigates.

Action Setup:
The battle took place on the Wild Keys map, Britain was attacking.

The Fleet was organized into White Group, Green Group, Red Group and Red Three, the latter consisting of Lord Fletcher's Crusader, Captain Blatchford's Superior and one 5th-rate.

The Action Itself:
We had a strong westernly breeze as the Fleet entered the islands. After sighting the French to our NE and seeing they consisted solely of fifth-rates, therefore having the advantage of manouvering in a battle with the searoom to do so, the Admiral signalled to set course ESE straight for the Bay of Spanish Town. It was clear that the French was planning to come down on our sterns from NNW, so the Fleet spread all the canvas it had to reach Spanish Town before the French could overtake us. When the Fleet entered the Harbour of Spanish Town, it began forming blockading lines, ships' heads to N. The plan was to fire upon the French as they came within range, and when a British ship started taking serious damage it was to head E towards Spanish Town, pass through the line, repair behind the cover of the Fleet and then return when repairs were completed. This way British losses would be kept at a minimum while the French could be sunk one by one.

The French fleet would have none of it though, and kept their vessels at maximum range, focusing fire effectively to sink British ships before they could head behind cover, and heading out of range and behind the French line if taking heavy damage. The small room in which the Fleet could manouver also kept only a few British broadsides to bear at the French, reducing the Fleet's advantage in superior number of guns. In his frustration over not having guns to bear, Captain Middlemore steered his Warrior through the line to get a shot at the Frogs, but unfortunately the concentrated fire of the French managed to hole him terribly beneath the waterline before he could reach cover. The French passed the Fleet a few times before attempting to break through the line at its northern tip, but a quick massing of British vessels at the French's point of entry forced the French to turn S yet again. At this time the British line began clogging up at the rear, and as the British started taking further casualties the signal to make for the town broke out at the flagship.

At this time, the HMS Superior was dangerously close to land on her larboard side, and therefore had to tack instead of wear to get her head towards the town, making her lag horribly behind the Fleet as they headed E. A Frenchman, for the French fleet was now head-over-heels to get to the town aswell, managed therefore to block Superior's path, making a collision inevitable. Upon realizing this I ran to my cabin, gathered my orders, log-book and other valuable papers, put them all in a bag with a pair of 20-pounders together with the signal book and the master's log, and tossed it over the side as the two ships collided with a great crash. Several other French ships now opened fire on me, obviously aiming for my hull. Getting to my feet I screamed at my men to follow me as I used a parted stay to rapell down from the forecastle on to the deck of the Frenchman. I could not even swing my sword though, before I was thrown viciously down on deck as my ship's powder-room exploded behind me, destroying the Superior's bottom and starboard broadside, sending her to the deep.

When inside the town, the French defeats the British.

The Result:
French victory. The British lost one 3rd-rate, two 4th-rates and three 5th-rates. The French lost one 5th-rate.

Lessons Learned:
I am no authority on the matter, but I believe this battle shows that a plan that sounds great in theory may not always be so great when executed. There is no doubt though that the British being able to block eachother effectively reduced our losses. It also shows what shocking advantage a fleet of heavy frigates have over a fleet of colossals when it comes to manouvering, and I believe the British had few options this battle.

Battle Schematic:


The Admiral signalled to set course ESE straight for the Bay of Spanish Town. It was clear that the French was planning to come down on our sterns from NNW.



When the Fleet entered the Harbour of Spanish Town, it began forming blockading lines, ships' heads to N.



The French fleet kept their vessels at maximum range, focusing fire effectively to sink British ships before they could get behind cover, and heading out of range and behind the French line if taking heavy damage.



The French passed the Fleet a few times, concentrating on the British ships nearest them.



The French attempted to break through the line at its northern tip, but a quick massing of British vessels at the French's point of entry forced the French to turn S yet again.



At this time the British line began clogging up at the rear.



As the British start their attack on the town, the French fleet heads for the town aswell.