Battle - 1721 - Mai 13 - Assault on Roseau

Report by Captain Sir Leo Davis describing the assault on the french port Roseau.

Ships in Action:
ALLIES:

 Captain Earl Rodger Berett - (Mercy Naval Frigate) - White Group

Captain Sir Leo Davis - HMS Unicorn (Mercy Naval Frigate) - Black Group

- 22 other british captains with 6 Mercy Naval Frigates, 10 Hercules Frigates in various variants and some other frigates.

ENEMIES:

- French fleet of 19 vessels:

Consisting of various Frigates, one Valiant third rate and one Postillionen Heavy frigate

Action Setup:
The battle took place on the Wild Keys map at daytime.

We approached the port from the north in a double line lead by green and White group. The french fleet took position south of the bay.

The Action Itself:
we sailed into the bay and destroyed the northern gun emplacement, while the french fleet sailed south to lure us into the open sea. south of the small Island we had the first direct contact with the enemy, as we passed the french lines our battle commander Captain Tikkas was sunk by concentrated fire. Captain Bennet and Captain Blackheard immediately took over the command.

As we passed the french line the french turned and sailed back north into the bay, during this maneuver they lost their first ship. Knowing they are outnumbered they tried to retreat into the fortress. But we were able to cut off most of their ships from the Fortress entrance.

My Black group was now ordered to enter the fortress to kill the Captains who made it into the fortress. After some quick sword fights we defeated all french captains in the fortress and returned to the open sea.

Soon the remaining french ships headed back south-west and tried to break through our fleet to make their escape to the open sea. But we were able to sink most of them in close combat. One french ship was sunk while it was in boarding combat with one of our frigates.

The Result:
We successfully conquered the port from the french. With only two losses on our side.

The French lost nine ships. five Captains have been defeated in the Fortress. Only five french ships escaped from the battle.

Lessons Learned:
From the beginning the advantage was on our side, even when our leader got sunk.

This time it payed out, that Captain Tikkas assigned two assistants, who could take over the lead after Captain Tikkas got sunk.

Without this clear command structure we might have gotten into trouble.

Misc.
The british fleet sailing into battle.



the french rush for the fort



The remaining french fleet starts to retreat.