Duel - 1721 - April 2 - French Frigate engaged off Santiago

Ships in Action:
HMS Centurion, 40, Minerva-class fifth rate, Captain Collister

French Frigate, 40, Defiant Mastercraft-class fifth rate, Captain Surcouf Roberts

Action Setup:
The Spaniards had recently struck a hard blow to the French. Three of their ports were under attack from the Spanish and the waters around Irish Point and Santiago were heavily contested. It was my intention, then, to sail a British frigate to the area and take advantage of the disorder. The Centurion, docked in Turtling Bay, was my choice of vessel. A fast, nimble frigate, with a race-built hull and lightweight guns. She was fast enough to avoid enemies sailing heavier vessels, but powerful enough to deliver serious damage to enemy ships of her class. I set a course to Port Royal. The weather was fair with a strong northerly breeze, within short the Centurion had arrived and was refitted and rearmed.

Ready for battle, I cruised the waters off Irish Point for a while. The only enemy activity noted was a pair of Spanish fifth rates. I closed to make out their type and Captains but they put into San Marcos, and did not in any way threaten my plans. After roughly 15 minutes of cruising I spotted a French Captain engaging a lone trading vessel to the northwest. The vessel under attack was a pirate, probably of the Confreire de Libre clan, and I had no option but to wait for their encounter to draw to its end before I could engage the French ship.

I did not idly sit by, however, I guessed that the French Captain, having dared to cross these waters, must have been sailing with the wind, which had now veered and was blowing strongly to the east. I thus positioned my ship to the west of the combat and waited for him to disengage. This she did, having sunk the pirate vessel, and headed due east. My suspicions were proved to be correct and I set full sail in chase of the enemy. She had been able to get away to a head start and she was wearing all the canvas she could carry.

The Centurion clearly outsailed the Frenchman's ship, which I could now make out to be a Defiant Mastercraft-class fifth rate, and I was gaining on him. Due to the relative positions of the vessels, however, it was uncertain if I would be able to catch him before he could make a run out into the open sea and safer waters. I stood looking over the bow of the Centurion, watching the enemy Captain on his quarterdeck intently. He stood likewise, looking back at me, obviously sizing up my vessel in the same way I was considering his. He must have decided either that fleeing was impossible or unnecessary, for he furled his mainsails and topgallants. I rapidly closed in on his position and, with the weather gage, engaged the enemy ship.

The Action Itself:
I closed in on the enemy's stern, he turned hard to larboard to bring his larboard battery to bear on me as I advanced. To avoid damage to my bow I changed course and continued on a course that would bring my larboard battery to bear. He responded by wearing and thus presenting his starboard side to me. The initial few minutes of firing consisted of an exchange of bar, chain and star shot, with the Centurion gaining the upper hand. Her rigging and sails were heavily damaged, and her crew occupied themselves trying to repair what they could. I seized this opportunity and loaded bronze shot. After damaging his starboard slightly he wore to present his larboard side. I wore as well and continued my barrage of bronze shot. Initially his rate of fire was roughly equal to mine, though as the combat drew out his gun crews tired faster and I had gained the upper hand.

The enemy Captain's larboard side was heavily damaged and he decided his only chance to survive was to somehow turn his ship about. This he attempted to do, but was caught sailing straight into the wind. I capitalized on his mistake and raked his ship, bow to stern, with a couple of broadsides, severely damaging her. He was now on the verge to sinking. I set sail close haul to pass his vessel and hole him beyond all repair. His last desperate move was an attempt to board the Centurion as she passed, this failed however and the French Captain was soon forced to abandon his ship and take to the boats.

The Result:
Victory! One more French Frigate sunk; another of the King's enemies brought to justice.

Lessons Learned:
This was my first ship-to-ship duel, and I learned the importance of timing repairs, and saw the catastrophic results of turning poorly and being caught with one's head to the wind. I feel comfortable fighting ship to ship duels now, and shall certainly do so again.