Battle -1722 - March 24 - Assault on Cabo Raphael

Ships in Action:
British Fleet

SGS Captains

Captain Jack Naseby - '''HMS Conqueror

Captain Sir Edward R. Southwick - '''HMS King George

22 other British ships.

Bretheren Fleet

24 Pirate ships, mostly heavy frigates, 4th-rates and heavy galleons.

Action Setup:
Upon marking contact with the enemy, the lead British ships reported the Brethren were setting up a defensive line within a small bay to the north of the fort. Orders were given to advance with all speed and prepare to bottle them in their less than optimal position. It was expected that as soon as we approached they would charge our line. Red squadron was held in reserve to counter charge their rear. The battle was fought on the Vulcan's Caldera map.

The Action Itself:
The British line moved at battle sails forward into the gap between the island and the small bay. The pirates quickly lost two ships to the gunnery of the forward elements. They started to crash into our line but it held. However, at the rear they split White in half. This however opened up many a stern for the rear of White and all of Red to go to work. Caught in a vice, the Pirates started losing ships fast. The split elements of White however would fight on till they were critically damaged. Four more British ships would be knocked out of commission, but the pirates lost an even larger amount. When the smoke settled the wrecks of twenty two pirate ships could be seen strewn near the small bay and stretching to the WSW of the island, including a 1st-rate.

The Result:
A resounding victory for the British fleet.

Totals: 7 British vessels sunk or captured, 22 Brethren vessels sunk or captured. Major British victory.

Lessons Learned:
The maneuver of the pirates to lodge themselves in the bay was a gutsy gamble. It would have worked if our line had not held together. Because it did, they were caught in a pincer between our front elements and the half of White that survived as well as Red.