Patrol - 1721 August 21 - Patrolling Nassau

Ships in Action:
ALLIES:

Jack Crichton - Rank 50 Officer: HMS Albatross (Sleek Hercules)

Jessie Ashden - Rank 43 Naval Officer: HMS Pliny (Gallant Naval Frigate)

Theodore Zee – Rank 35 Naval Officer: HMS Saint Katherine (Falcon Naval Frigate)

Jonathan Grey – Rank 37 Privateer: (Strausland MC)

Richard Moradir – Rank 50 Officer: (Intrepid Frigate)

ENEMIES:

-12 French warships, including two Valiant-class third-rate 66 gun Ship of the Line, a Mordaunt sleek-class fourth-rate 56-gun Ship of the Line and several MC frigates of various types.

Action Setup:
After the flip of Nassau to bring it back into British hands, we decided to try and take on a French 12 group so we could bring up some contention points. We entered and thought more allies would join, only to be sorely disappointed. However, we decided to try our best anyways.

The Action Itself:
We found ourselves in a bad spot, with only four ships and twelve bloodthirsty Frenchmen waiting to sink us. Upon advise from our Squadron we proceeded to run with the wind and kite them from afar. After some success with this, Mr Crichton advised a new plan of action. He saw that there was a small inlet that had two choke-points just a few yards to our NE. Knowing how utterly foolish French Captains are, we proceeded to draw them into the first inlet.

Upon Mr Ashden's recommendation we turned our broadsides to face the oncoming fleet, which included two Valiant 2nd Rate Ships. We sunk several of their ships, including several Cap MC and Tigre MC.

As the fleet drew nearer we pulled back to the second bottleneck to set up another broadside attack. Fortunately for us it was at this time that the wind changed causing the french to need to sail upwind to get to us.

We were able to sink a good number of their ships as the fleet was still tied up at not one but two bottlenecks! However, despite our best efforts, a Valiant was able to break through the line and turn about to try and hit us.

The Valiant that had broken free tried to turn to get some wind, but Mr Grey was able to block it in his MC Straus and prevent it from moving forward and gaining the wind. We were then able to surrond it like sharks in the water and tear it to shreds.

Mr Morandir made a timely appearance at this time and began to devastate their rearguard and force them into the chock points. Mr Zee sailed around to the other side of the inlet to assist Mr Morandir and the tactic became a hammer and anvil.

The Result:
We were able to smash the French fleet between the hammer and anvil with little damage done to our ships.

Lessons Learned:
Use the geography to your advantage!