"4th Solo "Post Captain" Sea Battle - AAR" Topic

I just completed my 4th Solo sea battle using the "Post Captain" rules.

This sea battle consisted of two British 74's fighting two French 74's accompanied with a French 38-gun frigate.

There will be about 30 photos; five photos per post.

The narrative will be above the picture(s).

The British ships: 74-gun "HMS Defiance" (red flag) and the 74-gun "HMS Hero" (white flag).

The French ships: 38-gun frigate "Seine" (red check hull), the 74-gun "Pluton" (ochre hull) and the 74-gun "Scipion" (red hull).

The battle starts with the British to the West (left side of table) and the French to the East (right side of the table). The wind is blowing from the South (bottom to top of table).
The British have formed line ahead, whereas the French are in line abreast.

The French in line abreast hope to double their broadsides on the hapless "HMS Defiance" as "HMS Defiance" sails defiantly between the French 74's with "HMS Hero" following. The initial broadsides are exchanged with "HMS Defiance" taking brutal damage…but giving back as she looses both larboard and starboard batteries.

"HMS Defiance" is being followed by "HMS Hero" and "Hero" is looking to have the French 74's feel the sting of her broadsides.

"HMS Hero" now releases her fire on "Pluton" and "Scipion" who cannot reply as both are reloading their guns (as shown by the white smoke markers).

As "HMS Hero" sails on through, "Pluto's" main mast falls over it's starboard side (as shown by the toothpick).

As "Pluton" begins cutting away her fallen main mast, "Scipion" and frigate "Seine" close on their fallen sister. But, both "HMS Defiance" and "HMS Hero" tack to come around to finish off "Pluton"

In the excitement of the battle, I failed to show "Pluton" releasing her broadside on "HMS Hero" as she charged in. Although "HMS Hero" was hit, she pressed on, catching "Scipion" with a devastating bow rake.

But the frigate "Seine" also released her broadside, bow raking "HMS Hero" in return.

As "Scipion" and "HMS Hero" maneuver to avoid collision, "Pluton" returns her fire into "HMS Hero."

From "Scipion's" broadside, "HMS Hero" has a fire break out on board. The crew immediately begins fighting the fire before it gets out of hand.

Showing no mercy, the frigate "Sceine" unleashes her broadside into the burning "HMS Hero."

But now also, "HMS Defiance" in bearing down on the heavily damaged "Scipion."

"Scipion's" captain, fearing further damage and numerous holes in her hull, "Scipion" STRIKES her colors.

But, "Pluton's" crew finally cut away the fallen main mast and "Pluton" can get back under way.

"Pluton" is in the foreground with her main mast freed from the ship. "HMS Defiance" bearing down in the background.

"HMS Defiance" alters course now that "Scipion" has struck and pounces on "Pluton" before she can get away, "HMS Defiance" releases another broadside into "Pluton."

What do you think of the rules?

Nice game mat. Is it a mat? Something else? Who makes it?

Your models are nicely painted and rigged, but would you, please, turn the flags the other way round?

While, "HMS Defiance" was pounding "Pluton," "HMS Hero" was fighting the fire.

The fire was extinguished, much to the relief of "HMS Hero's" crew.

"Pluton" was able to wear and catch "HMS Defiance" with a ragged ineffective broadside.

"HMS Hero" squares up along side "Pluton" throwing in a heavy, damaging broadside into "Pluton"

"Pluton" STRIKES!! The British have won the battle, capturing two French 74's. The forlorn frigate "Seine" breaks away. A British VICTORY!!

******

Thanks for looking at my little sea battle. I hope you enjoyed it somewhat.

God bless,
John T.

dragon6 said:
"What do you think of the rules?

"Nice game mat. Is it a mat? Something else? Who makes it?

"Your models are nicely painted and rigged, but would you, please, turn the flags the other way round?"

****************

dragon6, I like "Post Captain" rules. There's further discussion on another thread called "Post Captain Solo Battle" at: TMP link

I got the 6x4' mat from Frontline Gaming.
link

Thank you for your complement on my models. Sorry you disapprove of the flags. I tried to show them flying as though the ship was beating into the wind. That attitude makes the flags easier for me to identify. And, they are glued in place with part of the flag glued to the gaff sail. So, they just have to stay where they are.

God bless,
John T.

Very nice!

John,
Very nice report, great looking game. In googling the game, it seems there are a couple of different rules sets with the same or similar names. Am I correct? Is this the one written for 10mm?

nnascati,

Thanks for looking.

I got "Post Captain" rules from Old Dominion Game Works.
link

God bless,
John T.

John,

Love the ships. Game looked interesting. I have a question on the British tactic of going between the ships. Was the theory that the first ship would give some damage but absorb the first round while the second ship would follow and deliver the significant blow to both of the French 74's? I have seen and done this before, but is the risk worth the gain? If the 1st British ships had been demasted what effect would that have had on the movement of the second ship? I have not played these rules so I don't know the effects. Again, great looking game. Thanks

Rogues1,

One of the advantages of solo play is to try tactics. This game I wanted to experiment with line abreast vs line ahead. You are right, the Brits took a big risk, but it paid big rewards getting in 4 broadsides to 2……causing "Pluton's" main mast to fall.

Thanks so much for the comment.

God bless,
John T.

Very nice report John!

I'm like seeing some good Post Captain games. 😀

Huzzah!

Great report and a beautiful looking game. I too am interested to know how you found the rules – from what I've read they can be a little counter-intuitive (not a bad thing, which is why I'm interested!)

Nick

And how long did the game take to play?

Bozkashi Jones.

My apologies Nick for taking so long to reply. I just now noticed that additional comments were on this thread.

I found these "Post Captain" rules by reading the threads on this forum. I owe a special thanks to BrianW and Stew art for their help.

Nick, I'm not sure I understand why "Post Captain" is a little counter-intuitive. The rules are well written and understandable to me. Now, as with all new rule sets, there was a learning curve, but after the first game I had the rules well in hand.

As to how long the playing took. I play solo, so this game was played a turn or two at a time, then I'd break for the day. So I can't give a total time on the clock in hours and minutes. It was a relatively quick battle of only six (6) turns. The two French 74s struck their colors rather quickly after receiving 1/3 hull factor loses, which require a Command Check. Both French captains struck their colors with high number D12 die rolls on the very first Command Checks. War is Hell!

Depending on the number of ships in the battle and number of players will certainly dictate the time a game takes. Maybe some of the others who have participated in multi-player games can give you a rough time reference.

Thanks for your comments and questions.

God bless,
John T.