Napoleonic Sail Action

The Gentlemen of Leisure gathers for a small naval engagement using my 1/1200 Napoleonic era sailing ships using the venerable but still enjoyable Wooden Ships and Iron Men.  We were supposed to be six so the scenario I prepared had six British ships of the line and three frigates (one Razee) against a mixed force of French, Spanish and (Yes!) American ships.  The latter headed by the historically not-finished-in-time ship of the line USS Franklin.  I know, but I painted them and wanted to see them in use.  Unfortunately in the random draw of commands I didn't get them.

With only four players at game time we randomly left off the French and one group of British.  The allied fleet had the larger ships but the British had the quality edge, though all were determined by using a chart for each nationality so there were surprises.  Each fleet started with favorable wind.  Our regular haunt at Adventure Games played host.  Hex cloth was created ages ago with iron-on transfers.

British line with HMS Shannon 38, Powerful 84, Vanguard 74,
Royal Sovereign 98, Swiftsure 74 and off line HMS Pallas 32.

Front: USS Franklin 74, Santisima Trinidad 136,San Telmo 74.
Back row: USS President 44, USS United States 44, Artimise 40.

A signals snafu throws the British line into confusion.

The poor Shannon fouls the Franklin, breaks free and is pounded
by the allied fleet.

The fouling puts the allied fleet in some disarray, giving the
British a chance to reorder.

 An optional critical hit table was used that led to the early demise of several ship's officers.  Suffice to say the "Preble's Boys" would not be doing further service.

The Royal Sovereign deals some serious hurt to the Franklin.

A trio of French ships makes a belated appearance including
l'Orient 120.  The wind  keeps them from closing too fast.

The Shannon finally strikes, alone and battered.

The Americans and Spanish pull back a bit to join forces with
the French who ignore them a sail on.

The French ship Achilles is chastened for her boldness as the
British commander makes signals.

So in the face of the superior numbers (9 to 5) even the vaunted Royal Navy had to abandon the Shannon and retire.  Getting the jump on the allies by raising full sails there was no way they could be caught except by the American frigates who aren't that good.  If the third British group had been used it would have been a closer fight.  As it was only the generally poor crew quality of the Spanish kept the British in the fight.  Even so it was a fun engagement and a bit of a departure from our usual close and batter each other.