Battle - 1720 - October 16 - Desparate Stand at Bridgetown

Ships in Action:
ALLIES:
 * James Maddox - Commanding HMS Confounder - Mercy-class frigate
 * Virgil Kyle - Commanding HMS Bucephalus - Alexander-class ship-of-the-line

10 fellow fools commanding various ships, including a Valiant, and several Alexanders.

ENEMIES:

- A Pirate fleet. Mostly heavy frigates, and a Treason 3rd rate.

Action Setup:
I was standing on the docks of Orleans, prepping Confounder for action, though I did not expect to be called upon. It came as a great surprise when I was summoned by the port admiral for action!

Entering the map room with Captain Kyle, someone immediately took command and split us into line ships (the black squadron) and frigates (the red squadron). There were surprisingly few of us, and we just didn't have much in the way of firepower. A captain commanding a Prince-class vessel was ordered off station, as there would be no way to protect it.

The plan was to enter the fort and commence avcom action as quickly as possible.

Virgil Kyle's accounts for each section are detailed in the boxes below.

Like Captain Maddox, I was also standing on the docks of Orleans, preparing my ship for battle. I was eagerly expecting the call to arms, and was therefore quite exuberant when I   was given my summons to report for battle. Finally, I would have a chance to meet the dastardly rats in honorable, dignified combat! I was even more excited that I would finally go into battle with a fellow captain of the SGS! However, upon entering the ready room, the sight did dishearten me, I must admit. Only 12 Brits had shown up and, as Mr. Maddox said, one was forced to leave, as his ship was too important to our nation's war effort to risk in   what we were quickly realizing would be a desperate last stand against overwhelming odds. Both I and Captain Maddox entered the battle unsure of what lay ahead, but steeled in our resolve to face whatever our fate was head-on, like true Englishmen.

The Action Itself:
We entered and saw we were facing a far superior force. The commander signaled that any captain who wished to flee may do so without offense or mark on their honor or record. To our very great credit, not a single soul left the field of battle.

That was honorable. It was also our first in a string of mistakes.

The commander ordered us to the left most door, but was informed by another that it would not be open. He then ordered us to the fort proper, but again was told that it would not be open. Meanwhile the rats were getting closer.

We were ordered to form a line. I found my place at the head of it, knowing full well that would be the primary target when the pirates weared round the island. I was a bit miffed, however, when a captain, commanding a 4th rate, positioned his ship off my port side, giving me no room to turn to port (the wind was blowing from starboard), and effectively nestled safely behind me. Audacious!

The line was a pathetic thing. The commander ordered a turn to port. I ordered my sails raised and pushed the 4th rate aside most unceremoniously, and gave a personal signal to the captain upon passing. We formed another line, frigates in the rear, line ships in front.

The pirates came. They split into two groups, one charging the line ships, one charging the frigates. We focused our fire on PARTY TIME's bow for as long as we were able, but he seemed to mean to cut across our sterns.

An order was given for the Red Squad to turn to port. It was confusing, because that would split our line, turn ourselves into the wind, and into the oncoming swarm. I began the turn, when I realized that the commander had meant for the entire line to turn to port and weather an island. The frigates behind me were a bloody shambles, and as I scrambled to rejoin the line, the rats took the opportunity to spank my bottom.

Virgil Kyle, no doubt in a suicidal mad dash, was the first to lose his ship. Confounder went down a minute later.

From my view from the wreckage, the British fleet met the same fate.

Captain Maddox's account is quite accurate, considering the confusion and haphazardness of   the whole affair. I must point out, however, that while I did initially offer to sacrifice my ship if it would further the aims of our forces, I followed our commander's orders to the letter, only erring from them insofar as to urge our forces to form up into a line in the initial disorganized moments of the battle. Also, I feel compelled to point out that the way our line formed up was not at all in any kind of order. From my vantage point, there was actually no order whatsoever, regardless of what our commander's rapid-fire and hesitant orders were. He seemed like a decent sort, but he had no place leading in such an important and critical capacity, in my opinion. Anyways, the order in which the ships ended up was anything but orderly, and I actually ended up at the end of our battle line, to the stern of   a Valiant third-rate, no less. I believe the Valiant was actually the vessel whose captain showed such disregard for the Confounder. It is ironic, then, in hindsight that I let him move in front of me in the line of battle, and took the exposed end as my own position. He   really did seem like a consummate dolt, and would have deserved to lose his vessel for distrupting our line so badly. However, he was still sailing the largest, heaviest vessel in   our fleet, and as I saw the pirate fleet approach to our sterns, I realized that any time my    vessel's imminent demise could buy his would increase our chances of inflicting losses, any losses, on the pirate fleet, and thus would be ultimately worthwhile in the end. However, this strategy did indeed lead to my quick demise, despite my urgent and frantic repair efforts, and I do indeed hold the dubious distinction of being the first to fall in our ragged little band. The Valiant, with Maddox's Mercy in front of him, fell soon after.

The Result:
Utter failure, in every respect of the word.

We've lost Bridgetown, and all its riches, to the pirates for the time being.

Lessons Learned:
This was certainly a harrowing situation, numbers wise, but I do believe it was primarily a failure of command. First, the commander was not schooled in the rules of port battles, and we wasted precious positioning time. Second, the hand-wringing tactics were very wishy washy.

One captain had suggested forming a horseshoe, which would have, to my mind, been a much better tactic, as the rats were ready to fight, bow first. I suspect we could have made better use of the terrain as well, to protect ourselves, as it was obvious the rats came to fight, and shop for ships, and were likely uninterested in taking the fort alone.

Still, even if we were given good tactical orders, I have my doubts that we could have pulled it off. All the captains, including myself, were far too inexperienced and unskilled. Less time in Orleans and Ragged Point, and more time drilling the men, eh?

I think this only underscores the need for well-planned, well-practiced battle groups. I shudder to think of the reputation being earned by the SGS as of late.

I agree with most of Captain Maddox's conclusions. We do indeed need to practice in real, player-vs-player battle more, or we risk facing even worse defeats and setbacks in the future. The time when Robert's British captains could rest on their laurels and win by   default is quickly coming to an end, as recent port battles against the despicable Brethren rats have proven. Personally, I also learned a lesson in this battle - I should have been of   more service in this engagement, and I deeply regret not activating my 'Invulnerable' skill when I had the chance. It could have bought us precious moments of sanctuary, as the entire pirate line's attention was focused on me for a short time, and it is a mistake I do not intend to make again. Next time, I must not fail.

However, I must respectfully take issue with Maddox's assertion that our reputation has suffered from this port battle. Although defeat is never ingratiating to the losers, it is   my opinion that standing and fighting a hopeless action against overwhelming odds is far more preferable to the alternative. 'Honor' and 'duty' are concepts that should not be short- changed, and while victory often comes out of these attributes, it is the spectre of death and defeat which brings out these noble attributes in a warrior. We lost, yes, and the rats no doubt think less of us because of it. But we stayed and FOUGHT. ALL of us. Could any rat say he would have done the same, had our positions been reversed? The answer is obvious, and it is what separates us from their kind.

We must practice, and we must get better. Defeats will not bring us victory, and losing continuously will NO ingratiate us to anyone, friend or foe. However, our deaths our proof of our commitment to duty and honor, and the British cause. On October 16th, 1720, two captains of the SGS stood with nine of their countrymen against imminent death. As a result of their defeat, the reputation of the whole British nation, and the SGS in particular, benefited as a result.

Strength in Unity, my friends! Huzzah!