Duel - 1720 - September 15 - Duel with the Dread Pirate Karl Morris

Ships in Action:
Officers & Allies Captain James Maddox (46), St. George Squadron of the White, HMS Heroine, Raa-class heavy frigate

Enemies Captain Carl Morris (37-39), The Loose Cannons, Raa-class heavy frigate Two NPCs

Action Setup:
To our most honerable Sea Lords,

It is with great pride in my crew that I send you reports of victory in our ongoing war against the pirates which so plague these waters. While no Trafalger, t'was a fine battle, which has a good end.

Dispatched to the Eastern Antillies under flag of war, local fishermen informed us of increased contention among the inhabitants of the hovel of de L'isle. We neared its waters, tipping our hats to a few fellow navy officers along the way, but after some time had not spotted the enemy. At six bells in the afternoon watch, however, a sharp eye in the top spotted cannon fire on the horizon. Steering closer, we saw a lone pirate, wearing the sails of the Loose Cannons, engaging two british pirate hunters. It was obvious, however, that the pirate captain, one Carl Morris, had both outmatched, and I ordered Heroine into the fray.

The Action Itself:
We dropped the mainsheets and put out the stun'sils, but were nearly a mile off, and Captain Morris, too wise to be outnumbered three to one, made for the horizon, outpacing Heroine. We gave chase but soon realized it would not do, and I ordered the ship to heave to and sent the hands to supper. The privateers sailed on. I sent up the signal hallyards ordering them to break pursuit but I was ignored, and soon Morris came about to blast one apart, forcing them to abandon ship. Seeing the wanton destruction, I ordered the pursuit. Again Morris turned to run before the wind as I closed in. He then did something startling and close hauled. His ship was a fine sailer into the wind. No doubt he started and lashed his men into double action to catch every drop of it. I believe he expected me to follow directly, as did the second privateer, but I would have none of such folly. Instead I kept a steady tack in hopes of cutting into his stern from maximum range, but he was still too distant and flew too well. Again, I ordered to cease the chase, again even as the recklass privateer continued on. I adjourned to my cabin to fold my laundry.

Several minutes later Lieutenant Strike was at my door. Predictably, the second privateer had abandoned ship soon after engaging, and the muderous Captain Morris was heading toward us directly. I ordered general quarters and all sail as I donned my second best coat and took my place at the quarterdeck rail. I had lost the weather gague, but I wasn't too concerned. My Heroine made a fine turn into the wind. The only problem was Captain Morris likely did too, sailing the exact class as we (captured, no doubt).

He tacked and I wore, and we exchanged broadsides. I had ordered bronze shot for the gundeck and bar for the upper. I wasn't going to let him run again, by God. He was firing directly at my sails and crew, the monster, but I was too thickheaded to noticed, ordering the guns double-shotted. I wanted him in the water, or in chains on my deck. I wore round, showing him my uninjured side, and fired a thunderous broadside. He reeled, his planking torn away, and his hull crumbling under our guns. We steered nearer and collided. Curse me for a lubber, I didn't see what he was planning, though the plan was as simple as kiss my hand. His cutthroats sent across grapnels. My eyes were so red with battle rage I can honestly say I don't even know how many crew I had on their feet to repel such an attack, but Lieutenant Hatchet had much more forethought, already having ordered the marines to the starboard rail to send a hail of musket fire into the pirates; their boarding attempt failing.

I ordered the men to fire, and the broadside guns rang. The keel went, and Captain Morris's ship broke in two down the middle, both parts finding their way to the sea bottom. We searched the wreckage but found no trace of Carl Morris, alive or dead.

My lords, I can not express too highly, how courageous my men behaved, and first Lieutenant William Hatchet, in particular, is kind of the moment for his grand forethought and tenacious love of violence.

James Henry Maddox Captain, HMS Heroine Antilles Station

The Result:
The results were victory, and to the victory go the spoils, which included three marks of victory, three of trade, and 10 units of black powder.

Lessons Learned:
This was a good fight, but one I won more from luck than any particular strategy.

It's certainly always worth clicking on any battle you see, and finding out who's in it, because I think I caught what others nearby didn't. I was certainly glad of a one on one fight, despite the NPCs, but they're not worth much as allies anyway.

I had initially thought Morris was running away from a fight which, NPCs aside, I had a slight advantage in because I was a higher level, but it was effectively even. And who would want to fight three ships anyway? But it became apparent that he would fight me if I first let him deal with the NPCs, which I was happy to do.

Despite having the exact same ship, I looked over his stats and I had the clear advantage in armor and structure, and maybe even sails. He was likely rigged for speed. I much prefer to go after an enemy's hull, in true british fashion, but it might not be tactically advantageous, because I'm too complacent in monitoring my own damage. I always look at my hull and forget my sails and crew. I took his sails down to about 65% by the time I switched to all bronze, but suddenly noticed mine down to the 40s. I don't even know what my crew looked like. By pure stroke of luck his grapple failed, and that was my saving grace because I honestly don't know how I would have done in a boarding action. I'm good at avcom, but not fantastic in boarding actions. ''' Monitor all your stats. Try to determine what the enemy is doing. You get no real benefit to being closer than 100 ft away, so try and maintain some distance at all times.'''