Duel - 1720 - September 19 - Duel with the Spaniard Seeth Dark

Ships in Action:
Officer: James Maddox, Captain of HMS Heroine, a heavy Raa-class frigate

Enemy: Seeth Dark, Captaining a mastercraft Mediator-class cutter

Action Setup:
Heroine was prowling the volatile waters between the points of Port Royal, Irish Point, and Matthew Town, known by the crew as the Red Triangle. There were several actions about, as large British squadrons, the Scurvy Seadogs, and the French toyed with each other.

The Heroine plunged bravely on, or perhaps foolishly, as we were hunting solo, though we were withing communication range of other ships should the need arise.

The lookout spotted a lone cutter flying Spanish colors. It was an odd, suicidal site. Spaniards are rare in these waters, and a lone cutter was a tempting target, and yet other ships either did not see it or gave it a wide berth.

We approached and hove to beside him. Lieutenant Strike ascended the rigging with a bring'em near and reported that he recognized the captain aboard the vessel, the Don, El Capitan Seeth Dark.

I had heard of Seeth Dark before. He is known for being an honorable fighter, a masterful tactician, and almost always hunted in a mastercraft Mediator. We outclassed him in every way on paper, but one did not hunt in such a ship, alone, unless one knew what he was doing.

I admit I was hesitant, but if word got back to the Admiralty that I let a small cutter go out of fear, my career would be in tatters.

Capitan Dark made no move to engage me, no doubt assuming I had five squadron-mates just over the swell, but I did not. It was only him and me. I ordered the colors raised.

The Action Itself:
After he was sure we would not be disturbed, Seeth Dark had no hesitation to take me dead on. I had assumed he'd go right for my sails and crew, but instead he worked to come behind our stern and rake us.

I'd have liked to do the same, but though a Raa is a very maneuverable craft, it can't compare to the rig of a cutter. I did, however, hammer his larboard side.

On the quarterdeck we marveled at the speed in which Dark could not only repair, but the regularity at which he could find our stern. However there are few better trained gunners in the entire navy then Lieutenant Hatchet, and each broadside was a painful one for Capitan Dark.

We tacked and made a wide arc to gain a better point of wind and do some repairs of our own. Seeth Dark, with his larboard almost shot away, turned on a good point and tried to flee so he could repair. He couldn't escape my guns however, and just as I wondered how he always ended up behind me, maybe he wondered how I always ended up on his arboard beam. We fired another broadside, and I knew it was a race to see if I could sink him before he escaped my effective range, but Seeth Dark had either already done the calculations, or he didn't want to take the chance. He lowered his colors and offered us an unconditional surrender.

The Result:
Victory via surrender! His ship contained a few trinkets (iron fittings) and a valuable deed to a MC Minerva (captured) frigate.

Analysis:
It was a very good fight. I don't know to what degree it is a feather in my cap, because I did outclass him, but he had no qualms about engaging me, so I would guess at least he thought it was a fair fight.

I fought a lot better than in prior attempts, concentrating an maneuverability to keep him where I wanted him, but in truth he could do the same very effectively, and if he had bigger guns, I could have been in more trouble. All in all, though, I don't think the Heroine was in great danger at any point.

It was very enjoyable and I hope I can fight Seeth Dark again.