Sails of Glory

[Watchman 1491]

Here is the third part of the Glory series.  So, is this the absolute end?!  Wellllllll...Even though the ships look quite different in size, they are all to the same scale.Three new (to me) games to try out on my unsuspecting Star Fleet Battles group.  Reports will be posted.
 

[Watchman 1491]

Okay, we tried out this game yesterday.  A good many pieces, but most are not used for the basic game.  I find this game requires a greater deal of attention to plotting your moves vs. the Wings games or Star Fleet Battles, as you do not quite end up where you think you should.Here is a shot toward the end of this first battle, I in the top position trying to avoid any further engagements being thoroughly blasted.  My Ally (my buddies wife) is in the lower position also heavily damaged but did greater damage to enemies heavy ship.  The husband, on the other hand managed to skirt most of the battle after damaging my ship.  We brought this to his attention, but you know, it was the wind's fault.  I ended up limping off toward the upper left (NW), and my buddy's wife sailed into a port, also to the NW effectively ending the battle.  Damage wise they came out ahead, due to wind problems.  Once we get the hang of this one, I will post more battle pictures.  I have not been able to find any other Sea Mats, so I used two WoG Coastal Mats.

Edited April 4, 2018 by Watchman

[Watchman 1491]

French & English battle of 20181027

 

French: Eveille 64 gun 3^rd. rate

 

English: HMS America 64 gun 3^rd. rate

 

            The wind was from the N.E., which made for a contrary condition for the French. The French were continually were maneuvering to Port attempting to get into open water.  They were anchored East of the town before being alerted of the British being sighted.

 

The British were moving in fast having the wind to their back. Once range closed to gun range both sides open up.  Unfortunately for the French, even though they were able to open fire first with a full Broadside, the English received little damage in relation to a Port Quarter Broadside that did more damage.

They continued to close, with the British pulling ahead due to their position to the wind. At this point small arms range had been reached and both sides letting each other have it.  The French still took heavier casualties. It was a repeat for the next phase of fire with just small arms completing the turn. The next turn started out the same until the second phase brought the English to a position to enable them to use their Starboard side guns (as reloading is not completed till the end of the turn.)  We are still a little hazy on the mechanics since this is our second game so I believe a few things were a little off, but we will do another one in two weeks.

 

The battle was called due to time restraints and victory was based upon the amount of damage.  As evident by the ship status display the English won.  But to the French’s credit, this is his first miniatures naval battle.  We did two short Wings of Glory WWI battles before this, did not have my camera ready for that one.  That was a two part battle with the Allies directed to fly through enemy lines to attack an Axis Aerodrome.  The Allies succeeded in getting both planes off the board, but were extensively shot up. Part two was to get back to safety, off the board where they entered.  They succeeded once again, with one plane held together with baling wire; one more point, but they made it.  Once again this was the Axis player’s third battle of miniature aircraft, so I would say he did quite well experiencing a genre outside his normal range of interests. I had not asked, but these may be his first “War Games.”

[Watchman 1491]

French vs. Spanish
Battle of 20181110

 

French Ships:                Republic Francaise
                                        L'Austerlitz

 

Spanish Ships:              Santa Ana
                                         Heroe

 

We (French Force) got wind of Spaniard ships at anchor in an area we were to patrol.  The wind was at our backs out of the North. The Spaniards were setting sail with the wind against them. [This is our third battle, but today we learned a hard lesson about wind and close quarters.]   All of us had fairly green crews in terms of sailing.  As we entered the bay the Heroe was the first to obtain any headway, but the Santa Ana was having a devil of a time trying to get to us.  This left the Heroe taking on two heavy ships alone.  L'Austerlitz traded the first shots and sailed on for the Santa Ana. Republic Francaise continued closing on Heroe doing little damage initially as opposed to his broadsides.  Heroe was attempting to come about but it caught the head wind and ended up being pushed back in the path of Republic Francaise which resulted in a collision.  As this was occurring L'Austerlitz and Santa Ana ended up grounded while unloading broadside after broadside.  Republic Francaise was able to fire from the Starboard rear quarter on Santa Ana also. The Republic Francaise and Heroe were able to separate in the meantime, still hammering each other. Republic Francaise eventually ran into the docks and Heroe ended up grounding.  The Heroe succumbed soon after which left Santa Ana to face both French ships.  Both took quite a bit of damage but Santa Ana could not handle the double pounding.

            So all ships ended up grounded and it was quite evident why battles mainly happened in open waters. Trying to navigate in close in areas and also fight really puts you to the test of multitasking when your enemy is not just another ship.

            I am working on an Excel Spread Sheet for the ships I currently own, showing the ships timeline of existence and it’s ultimate out come.  I have a tendency to want to know if ships were able to face one another or not.

 

[lowlylowlycook 9468]

Haha.  Looking at the first few pics, I was thinking, "That's no place to sail square rigged ships let alone fight a battle."

 

 

[Watchman 1491]

On 11/14/2018 at 11:12 AM, lowlylowlycook said:

Haha.  Looking at the first few pics, I was thinking, "That's no place to sail square rigged ships let alone fight a battle."

 

 

Interestingly enough, in reading about many different engagements, situations have occurred similar to ours due to the dictates of the wind.  Sometimes combatants just sitting in place waiting on the wind.

[Watchman 1491]

Encounter of 20200702

Near an uncharted reef

HMS Sybille    40 gun Frigate    vs.      USS Atlanta     14 gun Sloop

HMS Orpheus   32 gun Frigate        USS Constitution   44 gun Frigate

                                                                                  

        We spotted an American force approaching with the wind at our backs.  We would need to be mindful of the intervening reef.  Initially all was proceeding well.  At some point the Captain of the Sybille felt the effects of too much grog the night before as his executed turn to the port instead of starboard was not in accord to planned maneuvers to pass by the reef to starboard.  This action put Sybille some distance behind the Orpheus and effectively out of supporting distance, as will become quite obvious later on. 

        The American force seems to have been committed to the same maneuver.  It appears their plans changed upon observing the great distance between our ships; the lure of ganging up on the small ship was too tempting.  They finally, after considerable maneuvering, attained a favorable position to commence firing, in this case Raking Fire.  In the ensuing melee the American Sloop Atlanta went down. 

It is to be noted, a rather drastic wind change occurred and it is observed, dark clouds are rapidly building to the North West.  In the mean time the chase has begun.  Occasionally the Americans send off a shot as here with a Port side rear guns; for the most part of the chase, neither one of us was in position to shoot.   Once past the Reef our positions opened up and once again we traded shots.   We both were sustaining quite some damage. 

The Orpheus, being a fast ship decided to head down the windward side of the Reef to attempt to head off the Americans.  During this time the chase ended and maneuvering for good shots ensued.  The Orpheus at this time made an error in judgment and came about, thinking the Americans would sail back the direction they had arrived.

Several times positions were reached were Raking Fire was utilized, quite devastating. If you notice the position of the Orpheus is dangerously close to the Reef.   More Raking Fire.   Orpheus way too close to the Reef with the wind coming from the Starboard Fore Quarter!  Another chase begins.  Orpheus grounded on the Reef and with bad weather approaching, probably no chance of saving the ship.  Sybille and Constitution back at it.  The running battle carried the ships to the leeward end of the Reef.  At this point both ships are pretty well shot up but the Orpheus’ final shot did the Constitution in. 

After action report:  It has been about two years since our last battle and decided to advance to the Standard format.  It is more challenging with damage occurring faster and more of it.  Quite the challenge also, dealing with the wind.  We instituted a wind direction change 10 turns into the game.  Mastery of wind effects will bring a favorable outcome over superior fire power by placing your ship for the most advantageous shot.  We have a ways to go before that happens, as evident with the Orpheus grounding.  This was a 5 hour battle.

 

[sentinel 222]

Man, you write up some neat battle reports, all over the spectrum.  

[Watchman 1491]

1 hour ago, sentinel said:

Man, you write up some neat battle reports, all over the spectrum.  

For me that is part of the fun of the Battle Reporter.