Naval Chronicle - 04 - July, 1721

Foreword
With the fourth installment of the Naval Chronicle the Editor intends on making some minor changes to the layout of the subsequent editions. Rather than publishing the awards and promotions awarded in the edition of that month in which the medal or promotion was earned, the awards and promotions shall from hereon be listed in the following edition of the Chronicle. This will make things clearer and will keep them on display throughout the entire month rather than pushing them into the previous number. This will also, however, have the inevitable effect of making this month's awards and promotions a duplicate of last month's, and for that I hope that my fellow Captains will show oversight.

Britain faces hard times ahead; truly we are headed towards stormy waters as the fleets of our enemies organise and strengthen in numbers. Facing an enemy of equal number is no longer guaranteed to our brave Captains engaging the enemy fleets as we found ourselves outnumbered in several battles in June. However, representatives of all the major Squadrons of the Caribbean are currently working together to build a coalition. We must work together to unite the nation, and when our Squadrons are gathered, and when we focus our attacks, then Britain will rise to Glory once again.

This month will be a tumultous one as our National Officals in Europe are already starting negotiations with Spain and France. Any treaty signed during the current circumstances will certainly not hold longer than a few days, but it would grant our enemies financial gain. We must do our upmost to stop this happening. If it does, we must concentrate and redouble our efforts of sinking the enemy to show them that no amount of wealth or ships will buy them the Caribbean.

With that, the Editor wishes His fellow Captains fair winds, fair seas and the best of luck in the engagements to come.

Enjoy!



Awards
The Senior Officers have discussed and voted in accordance with the rules of the Squadron for those medals that are to be distributed this month. They hereby announce this month's awards:

Captain Aidan Pryde, Esq.

Mr. Pryde did on June 19th engage 3 French players in the defence of a Britsh 1st rate commanded by a Jonathan Archer near Spanish Town. They sank two of the french players and nearly boarded the 3rd until its escape. As I was not there, this is hearsay, but I trust Mr. Pryde's account and believe him to have earned this medal.

Captain Sir William Benbow

Sirs, I would like to make mention of Captain Sir William Benbow, recognizing him for a contribution which I think warrants note.

Returning to action after a spell on land, I found my arsenal of ships sorely unfit to tackle the enemies of the crown, who have since armed themselves to the teeth. I was further disheartened to find the collapse of any central dockyard which could provide me with a ship, and though I had funds, I knew I could not look to the public markets for what I wanted.

Running into Benbow at The Grapes I told him of my misfortunes and that I was looking to obtain a new, sleek Herculese-class vessel, and knowing Benbow used to run his own shipyard, I inquired as to the possibility of making one.

He had one ready for me the next day.

I realize that the simple act of shipbuilding has not historically warranted commendation in the SGS, but I believe it noteworthy that a dedicated captain keeps his dockyard running at trim efficiency, largely on his own, while the rest of the society's economic ventures (including my own) are in shambles.

He got me back in to action much faster than I otherwise could have, and for that I nominate William Benbow for citation.

Nominated by: Captain the Baron James Maddox

Promotions
The Senior Officers convened in the end of last month to evaluate the actions and conduct of our Captains. They have voted on this month's promotions, in accordance with the rules governing the Squadron, and have seen fit to promote the following officers:

Captain Seth Seaborn

Captain Robert Middlemore

Captain J. R. Lapenotiere

Captain Werner Hoffmann

Captain Nathan Blatchford

Captain Roderick Morrow

Captain Spencer Graves

Captain Jake Langston

Captain Titus Wallenstein

Captain Charles Morley

Captain Matt Ryan

Captain Mort Wilkes

Captain William Whitlow

Captain Reginald Cunningham

Recruits
The following Captains have joined our honourable Squadron. We bid them welcome and look forward to sailing alongside them into the fray of many a battle to further the interests of His Britannic Majesty's Royal Navy:

Jonathan Grey

Christopher Harris

Zachariah Wolfe

Alexander Middleton

Michael Williamson

Bartolomew Haynes

James A. Clonfert

Ships Launched
The following ships have been launched and commissioned to Captains of the St. George Squadron:

Services and businesses
Here follows a list of the major shipyards, plantations, mining industries, etc., present in the Caribbean which offer their services to the Squadron.

Lao's Provisionings
Mr. Lao is the owner of Lao's Provisionings; a professional supplier of ship provisions for shipyards and individuals alike. Famous for his Mr. Lao's Chicken, he is well-known on the lower deck for providing both tasty and healthy food for British seamen.

Contact: Kai Chang Lao

Cowan Drydocks
Cowan Drydocks are most known for their production of the Navies work horses. They produce the best quality frigates and regularly supply ships to sail the seas. They prefer to build ships that can be completed quickly to free up dock space, although can also, of course, build the larger Ships of the Line when the need is great.

Contacts: James Cowan

Pepys Naval Contracting
Our contracting business has been in operation in Turtling bay for close to 2 years now and we are quite experienced at build ships of all classes and sizes. We have built a second rate, three third rates and numerous small ships. We are one of the few firms that stock Lineship Bundles and operate on a contractual build basis. Please inquire or Samuel Pepys or William Benbow if you need to hire use for a building contract!

Contacts: Samuel Pepys & William Benbow

Fletcher Ironworks
Captain Walter Fletcher is proud to present his most excellent Ironworks. Situated in Puerto Cabezas, Fletcher Ironworks is built as the Navy Board Business Page Model.

Available to satisfy all your Iron needs.

Contacts: Walter Fletcher

WSW Shipyards
Ladies and Gentlemen of the SGS I would like to offer the sevices of WSW's shipyards should you be needing any assistance in the production of ships and outfittings please direct ingame mail to Emlyn Thomas with your requirements. To all SGS members i offer the terms of agreememnt that are:

Our pledge to you is to build and place your new ship with you within 24 hours of your order being placed all ships will be priced at the rate of cost+tax+structure upkeep+15 dubloons/hour for labour+10%. We can also outfit these ships with the best permanent outfittings available upon request.

We pride ourselves to be able to complete all orders with this expediance and to date have completed orders for Lady Nellie, Captain the Baron Robert Middlemore, Captain Wilkes, Captain the Baron Leo Davis & Captain Roderick Morrow.

We have a vast stock of reserves available for ready use allowing us to complete these orders within the time frame above so feel free to drop me a line.

Contacts: Mark Jones & Emlyn Thomas

Wallenstein & Waldeck Sail Loft
Are ye annoyed of torn hemp ropes and canvases or sails with holes bigger than the ship itself eaten away by mots or other vermins? Trust 'em well known goods of Wallstein & Waldeck Sail Loft. We provide you with all kind of first quality products made of the finest cultivated hemp within the Caribbean.

Contacts: Titus Wallenstein & Arnold von Waldeck

Yucatan Arsenal
The Yucatan Arsenal is a purveyour of all fine "goods of war". From powders, to shot, to cannon mods, to all the expertly trained crew one needs. "You provide the ship, we will provide the tools".

First Rate Powders, AO Well Made, Mast Brace Well Made, Cannon First Rate, All Experts, All Ammo, All Craftable Offensive Mods, Iron, Bronze, Zinc, Anchors, Nails and the Lot

Contacts: Dirty Nellie

Treaty signed in Europe
The current situation in the Caribbean has led the political powers of Europe to sign a treaty granting Spain, and France to a lesser degree, considerable benefits in terms of tax and trade. The treaty, signed by the Regents of the European powers also returns all ports to their original owners. The East India Company is most pleased at seeing her ports returned, but also clearly disappointed with the disadvantegous legislation now governing their trade. Open fighting is expected to break out within the next few days as the Nations vie for dominance of the Caribbean once again.

The Dutch government has ranked the relative strengths of the Europeans nations, and the coalition of pirates in the Caribbean, from strongest to weakest accordingly:

Spain

France

Pirates

Great Britain

Naval Engagements
Here follows a summary of engagements, actions and battles in which our British ships have taken part during the month. For ship-to-ship duels and flotilla actions, the result column depicts the damage given to each ship. Critical damage in this column represents that the ship sank but lost a point of durability rather than being lost forever.

The red text depicting losses is also used in tables summarizing Port Battles. The black number under each column gives the amount of ships of that class present, and the red number in brackets gives losses from that group.

If any Captain finds any errors in the following account, feel free to edit the erroneous details. Also, the Editor cannot sufficiently stress the appreciation of each report to reach the Admiralty. So do, if at all possible, make a note or two to add to the Chronicle, and deliver it to Captain Sir Will Collister via pm, mail or in person.

July 8th
Battle of Nassau:

Battle of Bluefields:

First Engagement off Port Royal:

Second Engagement off Port Royal:

Third Engagement off Port Royal:

July 9th
Battle of Caracas:

Battle of Port of Spain:

Engagement off Irish Point:

Engagement off Port Royal:

July 10th
Engagement off Irish Point:

Engagement off Matthew Town:

Battle of Puerto-del-Principe:

Battle of West End:

July 11th
Engagement off Santo Domingo:

July 12th
Battle of Irish Point:

Engagement off Matthew Town:

July 13th
Battle of D'Lisle:

Battle of New Orleans:

July 14th
Battle of Bluefields:

July 15th
Battle of Belize:

Battle of Nassau]:

Battle of Turtling Bay]:

July 16th
Battle of Caracas:

Battle of Riding Rocks:

Battle of Havana:

Battle of Maracaibo:

July 17th
Battle of Puerto Cabezas:

Battle of St. Johns:

July 19th
Battle of West End:

Battle of Jaqueme:

July 21th
Battle of Cayo de Marquis:

Battle of Charlestown:

Battle of Santiago:

Battle of Spanish Town:

Battle of Nassau:

July 22th
Battle of Bluefields:

Engagement off Irish Point:

Engagement off Port-de-Paix:

Engagement off Bridgetown:

Engagement off Santiago:

Battle of Bridgetown:

Battle of Havana:

July 23th
Battle of Belize:

Battle of Maracaibo:

Battle of St. Johns:

Engagement off Irish Point:

July 24th
Battle of Basseterre:

Battle of Puerto Cabezas:

Battle of Puerto del Principe:

July 26th
Engagement off Jaqueme:

Battle of Jaqueme:

July 27th
Battle of West End:

Battle of Cayenne:

Battle of Fort-de-France:

Battle of Vieux Fort:

July 29th
Battle of Havana:

Battle of Spanish Town:

Battle of Leogane:

Engagement off Santiago:

July 30th
Engagement off Santiago:

Battle of Nassau]:

Battle of Bridgetown:

Engagement off Puerto Cabezas:

Battle of Puerto Cabezas:

July 31st
Battle of Puerto-del-Principe:

Engagement off Turtling Bay]:

Second engagement off Turtling Bay]:

Engagement off West End:

Ships Launched in Europe
The following ships were launched in Europe this month: