Battle - 1721 - July 10 - Seizing Control of Puerto del Principe

Ships in Action:
British Fleet

Captain Sir Will Collister - HMS Africa, Wenden third rate

Captain the Baron Leo Davis - HMS Claymore, Valiant third rate

Captain the Baron Robert Middlemore - HMS Challenge, Hercules Sleek fifth rate

Captain the Countess Dirty Nellie - HMHV Pallafox, Poseidon fourth rate

Captain the Baron James Raleigh - HMS Glory, Poseidon fourth rate

19 other British Captains

Spanish Fleet

18 Spanish Captains

Action Setup:
Captain Sir Will Collister's Log:

The British fleet was anchored SW of Puerto del Principe. The Africa lay alongside the Claymore, their Captains in friendly conversation, and in all directions from them were British ships. The view from the mainmast revealed the full size of our fleet; 13 ships of the line, including a second rate, and 11 frigates. But this view also revealed a fleet of 18 Spanish sail to the NE preparing to sail out of harbour. All Captains had already been up with their best spyglasses scouting the Spanish fleet and it was the collected opinion that it consisted of 4 ships of the line and 14 frigates. As a result of our apparent numerical superiority, no secret among the men either, the zeal and excitement before battle was immense. When the signal ran up for the Captains to repair aboard the flagship, in this case the towering Trinity-class second rate was used owing to her sizeable great cabin, all jolly-boats were in the water within a matter of seconds. The Captains were rowed across and piped up the side in the ceremony afforded to their rank and position on the Navy List.

Admiral Blackheart, presiding over the meeting, laid out his plan of attack. A collection of islands outside the harbour formed a T-shaped channel, with the top of the T lying on the southern side. Admiral Blackheart expressed his belief that the Spanish fleet would sail down this channel and attempt to hold off our assault there. His plan was to enter the channel from the eastern opening with two lines of 12 sail and then sail west, straight into their fleet. The two lines would keep to the northern and southern shore of this channel. If the Spaniards then attempted to retreat to the safety of their harbour through the north-running channel our fleet would turn with them and sail along-side them pounding them as we went.

With all Captains present in agreement with this plan of attack, Admiral Blackheart divided the fleet into four groups. Black and Red group consisted entirely of our ships of the line, with Black group containing the heaviest of our ships, the Africa among them. The heaviest of our fifth-rates gathered and formed Green group and White group was formed of the remaining four fifth-rates, sixth-rate and fourth-rate. From my position among the Captains of Black group I noted Captain the Countess Nellie's appointment as Commodore of Red group. I would serve under Commodore Dius Talon, a new acquaintance to me, but a man who conveyed such an aura of confidence and competence that I felt comfortable placing the Africa in his care within minutes.

Black group was to lead the southern line with Red group directly behind us. The northern line was to consist of Green group leading with White group behind them. The enemy would almost certainly position themselves so as to be able to fire upon us during our advance; we would be sailing straight into their line at a right-angle. Therefore the north line was to approach the enemy first to draw their fire and to ensure that each of our lineships in the southern line reached the Spaniards able to fire upon their sterns as we broke their line. With this the Admiral wished us all the best of luck and ordered our return to our commands.

As the Captains returned to their ships the two lines were formed. HMS Africa was positioned third from the front of our line behind Commodore Talon and Captain Bennet both in Reason-class fourth rates, with Captain Hunter] in his Wenden-class third rate behind her, followed by Captain Rascal's mighty Trinity and Captain Quilhampton's Wenden.

After giving the initial orders that would position the Africa according to the Commodore's wish, I summoned my lieutenants and midshipmen to my cabin. I explained that our position at the head of our line would make us a likely target for Spanish fire, and that seeing as the plan of attack was to sail straight into the enemy line firing upon them as we passed, we would certainly endure a lot of enemy fire before being able to shoot back. Therefore I ordered the guns be triple-shotted and made double-fast, only to be released directly before opening fire. With this I stepped out onto the quarter-deck and beat to quarters.

British Fleet:
Black group - Ships of the Line

Reason fourth-rate, Commodore Dius Talon

Reason fourth-rate, Captain Bennet Cumberland

HMS Africa, Wenden third-rate, Captain Sir Will Collister

Wenden third-rate, Captain Jason Hunter]

Trinity second-rate, Captain Cheeky Rascal

Wenden third-rate, Captain James Quilhampton

 Red group - Ships of the Line

HMHV Pallafox, Poseidon fourth-rate, Commodore the Countess Dirty Nellie

HMS Glory, Valiant third-rate, Captain the Baron James Raleigh

Poseidon fourth-rate, Captain Martina Talbot

HMS Claymore, Valiant third rate, Captain the Baron Leo Davis

Alexander fourth-rate, Captain Srokathes White

Poseidon fourth-rate, Captain Jajoy Jahwego

 Green group - Heavy Frigates

Hercules Heavy fifth-rate, Commodore Henry Courtney

Hercules Sleek fifth-rate, Captain Joseph Urta

Hercules Heavy fifth-rate, Admiral Blackheart

Hercules Heavy fifth-rate, Captain Charly Youle

Hercules Heavy fifth-rate, Captain Thomas Hobbes

Hercules Mastercraft fifth-rate, Captain Darrell Berett

 White group - Frigates & Fourth-rate

Tigre Mastercraft fifth-rate, Commodore Alexander Martin

Dauntless fifth-rate, Captain Jeanette Rodgers

Tigre Mastercraft fifth-rate, Captain Victoria von Braun

Mordaunt Sleek fourth-rate, Captain Michael McDonnel

HMS Challenge, Hercules Sleek fifth-rate, Captian the Baron Robert Middlemore

Postillionen sixth-rate, Captain Job Hunt

The Action Itself:
Captain Sir Will Collister's Log:

As the deck was covered in men running in all directions, removing minor debris such as buckets, hammocks, ropes, etc. and battening down the hatches, I cast a glance over the larboard taffrail. There I saw Green group pass us by, all frigates looking trim with an equal amount of activity on their decks. With all vessels of the Hercules-class, their group gave a powerful impression. The air was still tense and the mood excited, almost impatient, as the last frigates flying the colours of Green group passed and Commodore Martin, leading White group, passed the Africa. What was to be the northern line was namely manoeuvering into position at great speed, while we, the lumbering giants of Black group watched on as they passed us. Red group, still behind us, had formed up and we now were a perfect line of 12 ships of the line, all with decks cleared, men in the tops and eager Captains on the quarterdecks.

As the northern line reached their initial position they took in some sail and slowed to almost walking pace and awaited the southern line to proceed. The Spanish fleet had long anchored at right-angles to our approach, as we had expected, with all their gunports open and cannons run out. As Commodore Talon took up position off the southern coast of the channel, with the Africa dutifully keeping her place third in the line of battle, the signal to attack was sent to the northern line. As soon as it had been run up the mainmast of Talon's fourth-rate the Captains of the northern line gave orders to set full sail. Canvas unfurled all along their line and the frigates of our fleet began their long approach to the enemy. Slowly at first, they began to build their speed as more and more sail was set. Every last man aboard the Africa watched on as the northern line sped closer and closer to the Spaniards waiting guns, as did the crews of the rest of ships in the southern line. The Commodore hadn't needed to signal our advance; our fleet's lineships were scarcely a cable's length behind each other, every one of them impatiently waiting to advance and meet the Spaniards. Within seconds of the ship in front setting full sail the order was given from each quarterdeck to run up anything that would hold. It was when our lineships had finally begun making way that the first broadside sounded followed by its echo both from the next ships along the Spanish line and from the rocky cliffs of the channel.

Commodore Courtney's fifth-rate, leading Green group, received the concentrated fire of the foremost half of the Spanish line. At 600 yards this fire was not as accurate as it would have been had the Spaniards waited a moment longer and with great skill Commodore Courtney spun his frigate almost on the spot, turning hard to starboard and firing his larboard broadside as it was brought to bear. Continuing his turn he doubled back now sailing parallel to the northern line. The following ships of Green group followed suit, turning and firing as they bore. By the time the fourth or fifth frigate had turned, discharging her broadside into the now relatively steady barrage of Spanish fire as she went, a tremendous crash was heard from the front of our line. Black group's lead ship had taken the fire from the rearmost half of the Spanish fleet. Through the smoke, flying spars and shreds of sail we saw the deck of Commodore Talon's leading fourth-rate covered in men desperately trying to keep her speed. But she was hit hard and badly damaged and so Captain Bennet Cumberland and myself passed her on his starboard side and the rest of Black group did the same. The Africa was now second in line and a mere 200 yards from crossing the wake of the Spanish fleet. They had set sail and were gathering way; their apparent intention to withdraw through the channel running north. It would not do though, they had waited for too long, and now, the Africa and Black group's leading fourth-rate picked out a target and finally discharged our first broadside of the battle. Our shots hit home and the stern-windows, hull and quarterdeck of a Spanish Valiant third-rate were blown apart. She was holed severely and as I turned the Africa northwards to make chase of the Spanish fleet I clearly saw the rest of Black group fire at the same target. Within barely a minute of Captain Cumberland's broadside, that had marked the southern line's engagement in the battle, the Spanish Valiant started taking in water heavily and sank beneath the waves. Cheers went up all along our line and the order was given to break formation and chase the Spaniards up the northern channel.

Meanwhile, I had had little time to survey the fate of the northern line and now, as I turned my glass towards them, I saw parts of White group running afoul on the sandy banks near the cliffs of the channel. I had little time to contemplate their situation however, as the Africa was now running on a northerly course alongside the rest of Black and Red group, in chase of the Spaniards.

As we chased them further and further up the channel the rear-most half of their fleet engaged the fast frigates of Green and White group that had now caught up with them. Heavy, concentrated fire from both sides took its toll on the fleets. The Africa was part of the slower half of our ships. Black group closed on the enemy's retreating ships and turned hard, when close enough, to fire a devastating volley of roundshot at their sterns.

The enemy made a final stand when they were almost out to sea. They turned and engaged our fleet in a large melee. The Africa handled well and for a few minutes was busy firing both batteries at the Spanish. For those few minutes both fleets received massive damage and ships were severely damaged and went down on both sides. However, it did not last, the enemy began once again to retreat. As the enemy reached the open sea they turned hard to starboard to escape our fleet. As they retreated out to sea the rest of our ships passed them, fired at their sterns and set a course to Puerto del Principe.

As their fleet disappeared over the horizon and our landing party saw to the securing of the town the final damage to our fleets were counted. I happily noted that all ships of our Squadron had survived the fray and were safely seeing to their repairs.

The Result:
British Losses

1 Third-rate Ship of the Line.

1 Fourth-rate Ship of the Line.

4 Fifth-rate Frigates

Spanish Losses

Puerto-del-Principe

2 Third-rate Ships of the Line.

1 Fourth-rate Ship of the Line.

3 Fifth-rate Frigates