Action - 1721 - March 25 - Scouting Portobelo

Ships in Action:
Captains of the Squadron

Captain Collister - HMS Longbow, Mercy fifth rate

Captains of the Windward Squadron of the White

Captain Lucie Kendall - Mercy fifth rate

Captains of the Wolves of the Red

Captain Jonathan Banks - Hercules Heavy fifth rate

Captains of the Royal Secret Service

Commodore Anna Allen - Capricieux Mastercraft fifth rate

Captain Michael North - Tigre Mastercraft fifth rate

Captain Malcolm Kirton - Capricieux Mastercraft fifth rate

Spanish Captains of the Knights of El Salvador

Juan Tank-Lobos - Mordaunt Sleek fourth rate

Pedro da Souza - Mignone Privateer fourth rate

Zorro Zorro - Hercules Sleek fifth rate

No Idea - Hercules Sleek fifth rate

Mhxahn Meabeab - Minerva fifth rate

Chris el Moro - Minerva Mastercraft fifth rate

Action Setup:
After de'Lisle fell to Britain earlier on the night of March 25th, the British began preparing for the assault on Portobelo. Consequently I thought it prudent to deal as much damage to the enemy as possible before the battle even began. I therefore sailed to Portobelo and joined company with five other British Captains just north of the coast.

Commodore Allen took control of the fleet and we sailed to intercept an enemy fleet of equal size and strength.

The Action Itself:
The engagement began and our fleet formed a line. Commodore Allen kept good order over our group and called targets in good time. Captain Tank-Lobos, commanding the enemy's Mordaunt strayed too close to our line, and was sunk relatively quickly. This caused some disarray in the enemy's line, which we used to our advantage and broke through it. Captain No Idea was sunk as we cut the T and the rest of the Spanish fleet scattered. Captains Meabeab and Zorro were demasted and sunk before they could escape beyond range of our guns.

The Result:
The enemy lost two Hercules Sleek fifth rates, a Minerva and a Mordaunt Sleek fourth rate. Our fleet incurred no losses and was able to return to friendly ports in time to refit for the battle. A decisive British victory.

Lessons Learned:
Sinking enemy vessels prior to a port battle certainly disrupts the enemy, and may even successfully remove ships that were intended for the battle from the enemy fleet. All Captains present at this battle on the Spanish side fought at the port battle for Portobelo later in the evening.

Attacking enemy fleets off the port awaiting a battle ought be done regularly immediately prior to battle. I strongly recommend similar actions in the future.