And so It begins (Sailing Saturday Starting positions)

Well today sees the start of my first (and I hope not last) Play by blog game.

So lets, start with the scenario. Or the reason for the battle.

Sit Rep:

The Game set up in my shed.

The Year is 1803 and the British have been blockading Spanish ports. Trade has been suffering and the Spanish Navy trapped in Narrow harbours and inlets Safe and Protected by shore batteries they may be but they are unable to bring any positive action either on this continent or on the “New World”. The Spanish crews are well rested, well fed but bored of waiting on their wooden worlds. The British fleet are equally bored but not quite as well fed or rested.  Shore parties have been sent inshore to forage but generally they have not been as successful as hoped.

The Spanish Fleet
Attempting to slip past
The Blockageing British.

Last night saw a severe summer storm and the British fleet blocking this port sailed to deeper water for fear of being dashed on the rocks. Now is the time for the Spanish fleet to strike out from their safe harbour and make for the New World to bring back trade goods and gold from the colonies.

The British fleet despite being scattered by the storm is larger but the Spanish will not get a better chance and risk being confined in harbour for months to come. If the Spanish Fleet can either escape or fight off the British fleet all British Merchants in the Atlantic and the Mediterranean will become Vulnerable and the Admiralty will be displeased!

 

British Players.

Admiral Ray Rousell  Commands a 74 gun ship of the line.

Captain  “Lucky”Lee Hadley Commands a 64 Gun Ship of the line "HMS Pachyderm."

Captain Edwin King Commands a 64 Gun ship of the Line "The Inconsistent"

Captain Peter Douglas Commands a 64 Gun Ship of the Line

Captain Curt Campbell Commands a 64 Gun Ship of the line.

There are also ships of British nationality converging on this port after the storm. (This allows me to introduce new players should more want to join mostly as Captains of Frigates.)

Spanish Players.                                              

 Admirante Francis Lee Commands a 74 Gun ship of the line.

Capitán Mr Lee Commands a 64 Gun Ship of the line

Capitán Michael Mills Commands a 64 Gun Ship of the line

Capitán Phyllion Commands a 64 Gun Ship of the line

Capitan Andrew Saunders a 54 gun ship of the line (starting 1 turn Later)

There is a 54 gun ship of the line (3^rd rate) Known to still be in the port as well as a number of smaller ships Including at least 1 Heavy Frigate as well as a number of Frigates.

 

They all have permission to rename their ships as long as they are sensible NO "H.M.S. Floating Turd" for example. Or to stick with their character/real names as they see fit. Once that is established I will print out some proper name tags for each ship. (Yes My printer broke this week and No I do not want to buy a dodgy printer that had 1 previous owner).

 

So leading out the Spanish Fleet is Michael Mills. Followed By Fran then Mr Lee and Pyllion last in line and shutting the back door.

 

The British are scattered. Closest to the start of the action Is Lee Hadley (he can thank me for this later). He's still a couple of turns away so has time to act before the Spanish Juggernaut gets within Firing range.

 

On the First Picture he's closest to the shore on the right.

 

 

 

Also to the Right are Peter Douglas and Curt Campbell. There is a small shoal about three turns away 60 Degrees to Curt's front left. So No immediate danger.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ray and Edwin King are to the left of the board. About as far away as Curt and Peter.

 

The observant will note that they all have large wake markers behind them indicating that they are all at full sail. As It will take them 2 or three turns to get into any action. This should give all the players a chance to both manoeuvre and to get used to how I am going to run the game.

 

 

 All the Models are 2400th scale and sit on 40mm by 20mm mdf bases.

 

Later this morning I am going to make the trip to Gravesend and play a game with only a few of the Rejects. And Sunday I have a club Game, so I will post again on Monday with an AAR and maybe on Wednesday with a different AAR as well.

 

Until then Have a good weekend and enjoy yourselves no mater what you are doing. And Think of me sweating my nads of in Postie's unventilated Shed of war.

 

Take care all Cheers Clint