Battle - 1720 - October 24 - A Night to Remember, Round 1: The Daring Attack at Carlos Harbor

Ships in Action:
ALLIES:

Virgil Kyle - HMS Vindicator ('Reason' Fourth Rate)

-17 other ships, namely a Prince First Rate, two third rates, a couple of fourth rates, and many heavy frigates.

ENEMIES:

-Heavy pirate group of 24 ships, including a captured Valiant third rate, an Abaddon's Will refit galleon and a 'Bahamut' bark. Also, many Pirate Hercules' were in attendance.

Action Setup:
It all started as I was checking to the Vindicator's stores and outfittings in Orleans. Unlike previous port battles, I was fully expecting to be called on to help engage the pirate hoards at Carlos Harbor. Although it originally seemed as though the 'rats would not contest our attack that greatly, they had undergone a last minute blitz of activity around the port, and it quickly became apparent that we would have to aggressively and ruthlessly pry Carlos Harbor out of their cold, dead fingers.

Fine by me.

Upon receiving the summons to the port battle at Carlos Harbor, I made full sail for the port, determined to do my part in seeing the rat scum sent to the bottom, and to enact justice upon them for the destruction of the HMS Bucephalus.

Upon arriving in the ready room, I was pleased to see Ben Royan in command. Although he has a reputation for being a rather arrogant and troublesome man outside of battle, when in combat the man rivals Nelson in leadership prowess. The Vindicator, appropriately enough, was assigned to the fleet's contingent of heavy lineships, Black Group. Among others in my group, I had the honor of sailing alongside Jonathan Hunter's Prince, as well as Chris Phoenix's Valiant.

As we finished our preparations and briefings for the battle ahead, we were fully cognicent of our thin numbers. As we came to peace with the task ahead, we entered the field of battle.

The Action Itself:
Immediately upon entering the field of battle, we started to form into our respective lines, with two battle groups of frigates protecting our lineships, which were in the center of the formation. As we approached the port, it seemed we may have an easy time ahead - the first ships we spotted were Raa variant frigates. Then we saw all the pirate and mastercraft Hercules, as well as a few pirate capital ships sprinkled in for good measure. Among them was Party Time, sailing his captured third rate Valiant. Despite the grim odds we now saw arrayed against us, seeing him only served to strengthen my resolve.

As we approached closer to them, we noticed them starting to form up into a half-respectable line. Clearly, these rats meant business. As we closed with them, our lines started to engage the rat hoard. Cleverly, the rats stayed at the very edge of our cannon's ranges, and we failed to sink any of them in the initial moments of the battle. As we advanced, we saw a group of heavy frigates loop around and close with the rear of our line. Chris Phoenix's Valiant was at the back of our line, and he started to take a mighty pounding in his stern from the frigates's guns. Being as how I was right in front of him, and his ship was far more valuable than mine, I cut my sails and ordered Mr. Phoenix to move up, and let me take his place in line. It was at this moment that Party Time and his cronies in heavy frigates started making for Black Group - my group. As they approached, it initially looked like they meant to cut off our squadron, and presumably capture or kill every single lineship we had. However, they were too slow to catch our Prince, or any other ship in our line, and they apparently settled with surrounding and killing me, which they did with no small amount of efficiency. As I sat there and watch my ship sink, I spied Chris Phoenix, Black Group, as well as the rest of our battered squadron sailing on. Ships were starting to fall, and things were starting to look grim...

However, as I sat on the West End docks, listening to the battle over Ventrillo, things started to change. From what I gleaned, Commodore Royan, his back pressed to the wall, suddenly saw an opening in the pirates' defenses, and exploited it. Now, it was the rats turn to sink and die! The first to fall was Party Time - a fitting end indeed to that scurrilous dog! More rats soon started to drown on their sinking ships, and the remainder of the pirates proceeded to run back into their port. From what I understand, however, they still outnumbered our forces, although they no longer outgunned us on the water. Ben and the gang thus took their time hunting down the remainder of the pirates, making sure to engage them in smaller numbers, as opposed to en masse. It was slow going, and things tensely dragged on for what seemed like an eternity to the tense masses awaiting without the battle.

In the end, however, regardless of the form of their passing, they all tasted the sweet embrace of Death.

The Result:
Victory!!! although I could not see it through to the end, I rejoiced heartily upon seeing the battle's conclusion, even as I was engaged in battle against the French at the port battle for Puerto Cabezas. We paid dearly for our victory, though, losing 6 ships in the fight, including my Vindicator. However, the pirates paid even more dearly. Party Time lost his captured third rate, and many pirate captains lost their precious heavy frigates, including many Pirate variant Hercules.

We dealt the pirates a serious blow today, my fellow captains, do not doubt that. Thus always to pirates, I say!

...Also, on a personal note, I later heard that the ship which had moved in front of me in line, Chris Phoenix's Valiant, survived the battle, as did it's captain. This was immensely gratifying to hear, and only added to my elation!

Lessons Learned:
Suprisingly, I learned but one thing during the course of this battle. However, that thing is what ensured our victory, and it is what separates us from the pirate hoards. My fellow captains, I submit to you that what won this battle today was discipline, duty, and honor. By rights, we should have lost this battle, but our discipline and attention to duty enabled us to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat on this day, the 24th of October, in the Year of our Lord seventeen-hundred and twenty.

Little did I know, the night would only become more epic as it rolled along...

Misc.
The following is a picture of the battle map as we approached the pirate fleet. Although it does not look it, trust me: They were prepared.

But we... we were moreso ;)