Thursday night - Fighting Sail!

A couple of poor shots from Thursday nights game.  Only Jon, Frank and myself were able to make it so offered to run out the Osprey naval game for a second outing - and it was great fun again!

We had one game with Frank and Jon in charge of a single 3rd rate each.  A ding dong battle in which Jon eventually prevailed and I got to grips with the rules.

Our first fleet action.  Jon has lost his lead 4th rate and his remaining 4th and two further 3rd rates slug it out with Frank's 2nd and two 3rd rates

In the second game, Frank and Jon took a small fleet each as we tried out the squadron command rules.  Jon opted for a more nimble 2x 4ths and 2x 3rd rates whilst Frank had a heavier 1x 2nd and 2x 3rd rates.

Jons's greater numbers were able to slug it out quite effectively with Frank until he managed to steer his command into irons and accumulated damage on top of his anchors.

Frank in the foreground has lost a 3rd rater but he has the weather gauge and is able to manoeuvre his fleet out of Jon's arc of fire and pound him into submission.  Jon, his fleet held in irons, struggles to reply.

Frank eventually triumphed after a very well contested long range duel.  But once he was able to bring his remaining ships into medium range and out of Jon's arc, the squadron rules allowed him to combine fire from his remaining ships and destroy three out of four of Jon's men o'war.  Jon's remaining ship, unable to flee in it's becalmed state, struck it's colours.

The squadron rules work very well as a simple command and control.  The fleet morale rules were very effective.  And, I learnt that a ship does not accrue anchors but only ever has one!

Jon and Frank reckon they could handle twice as many ships very easily, so with all of us present, we could probably put on a large battle.  Very effective set of rules, quick to pick up but feels right for the period.

Thanks Jon and Frank for a good game.