Duel - 1720 - December 16 - My Duel with Banana Boat

Ships in Action:
Allies -

Captain Virgil Kyle - HMS Aquila (Mercy Naval Frigate)

Enemies -

Banana Boat - 'Capricieux' Mastercraft Frigate

Action Setup:
Well, it all started when I spied Banana Boat running around Sisal as I checked over the outfittings on the Aquila in that same port. I became particularly interested in her when I noticed she was voluntarily PvP flagged. I proceeded to chase her around Sisal, engaging in a foot race of sorts, until she finally decided to take her chances on the open sea. I followed after her with the Aquila, but her Bermuda sloop was too fast for me to even dream of catching.

The story would have ended right there, but I soon saw Ms. Boat steaming (is that the right moniker?) up from where she had disappeared in her Bermuda sloop in a different ship, a Mastercraft Capricieux no less!

As I could tell Ms. Boat was spoiling for a fight, I proceeded to talk terms with her. We eventually agreed to meet outside Belize, where we would have a good, old-fashioned toss-up, one on one. After getting jumped by one NPC pirate fleet after another, I finally made it down to Belize, offloaded my unsecured cargo, and joined Banana outside the port for some down-home, bronze-shotting goodness.

The Action Itself:
Upon entering the battle, Ms. Boat and I immediately started exchanging broadsides, drawing closer and closer to each other with each maneuver. As Banana came closer to me, and started taking considerable damage, she no doubt realized I was the tougher of us two, and so she started to rake me with dismantling shot, and then anti-personnel shot. I desperately worked to keep my crew and sails up, but I had already activated a hull patch, and so she continued working over my crew and sails as I struggled to stay mobile and adequately crewed.

A blast of anti-personnel shot disuaded her from immediately boarding me, it seems, and she offered me a surrender as she sailed away from me!

The Result:
Unfortunately, despite the surrender, it was apparent that this was a definitive loss for me. Banana Boat had me at her 'mercy' (no pun intended), and I appreciated her disengagement, as I would have loathed replacing all my permanent outfittings. I had actually mentioned that to her earlier, before the battle, so it's likely she did what she did to spare me some money. That was very appreciated! Thankee kindly, ma'am.

Lessons Learned:
I must say, the action itself was a little disappointing. I really must do more solo PvPing. I'm not that good.

On the bright side, though, I think I've found an excellent sparring partner in Banana Boat. I do not know what other Squadron member's experiences with her have been, but our exchanges (both civil and martial, hehe) were nothing but honorable and fair. She seems like a good sort, particularly for a Spaniard!

I look forward to more actions against her in the future. Who knows; I may actually beat her one day!