Action - 1722 - April 27 - Engaging the Spanish off Basseterre

Ships in Action:
British -

Commodore Ra'arn Zepnara - Hercules MC

Captain Kylin Drake - Hercules MC

Captain William Windsor - Mont Blanc

Captain Ragnara Craftit - Mont Blanc

Captain Jeremy Wood - Macedon Hunter's 4th-rate

Captain Jack Naseby - HMS Conqueror

Spanish -

The enemy squadron consisted of three Macedon 4th-rates and three Hercules 5th-rates, two of which were of the Mastercrafted variant and one of the Heavy.

Action Setup:
The Spanish has been trying to flip Basseterre. The British response gathered at Port Royal before sailing out to meet the enemy. En route, we were followed by a Spanish scout while attempting to rendezvous with Captain Craftit north of Island Harbor. Once we were formed up, we were attacked by a Spanish speed fitted Mercy and Vengeance. A fruitless chase ensued, with the predictable result of the Spanish getting away. We then readied ourselves for the task at hand, eliminating the heavy Spanish squadron. Commodore Zepnara angled for the wind gauge and before another Spaniard could take it from us we engaged. The wind from the WSW, Brits spawn S of the Spaniards facing E, Spaniards facing W.

The Action Itself:
Within seconds of engaging we formed up our line. The Hercules frigates at the van, the Mont Blancs and the Macedon's alternating towards the rear. A target was called out, within seconds he received six simultaneous broadsides. The enemy had targeted Mr. Craftit, but he suffered far less damage than the Spaniard who was forced to fall off to starboard causing disruption within the enemy line. We then switched targets and once more delivered a full broadside from all our ships, forcing another Spanish warship out of the line. At this point the Spanish line turned to starboard in an attempt to take the weather gauge and form up behind their stricken companions. This maneuver lead to their first casualty, a Hercules Master-crafted frigate, after making a fatal mistake that allowed our entire line to rake her. The frigate was lost with all hands.

Commodore Zepnara at this point sent up the signal to fall off to port and head at the Spanish line. However the wind changed at this point making the entire British line face directly into the wind. Thus the Spaniards were afforded an instant advantage which they exploited by crashing down on the British line. One of the enemy warships attempted and succeeded in grappling and boarding Captain Wood's warship. However, Mr. Wood was ready for him and was able to repel the enemy off his ship. The two lines now tumbled around each other. The remaining Spanish Hercules Master-crafted frigate was severely mauled, leaving her with just the minimal capabilities to move out of range thus avoiding being sent to the bottom. The British line now focused on the remaining enemy warship and ensuring that Mr. Wood's was safe from enemy gunfire while in boarding combat. The Spanish ships were eliminated one by one, leaving Mr. de Gallo to flee in his Hercules Heavy frigate to no avail. His masts were torn to shred and before he could be sent under gave the orders to abandon ship. Thus the engagement came to a close.

The Result:
Major British victory. Five of six Spanish ships sunk or abandoned, one escaped. No British losses.

Lessons Learned:
The importance of forming a line quickly cannot be overstated. Fractions of a second separated each line from forming, but the one that did it first was able to concentrate fire much more effectively.