Continuing on in our Buccaneer Campaign of the 17th Century, an English Sloop was caught by surprise off the coast of the Dutch colony of Sint Maarten, which the English Captain had incorrectly identified as English! It raised anchor in an attempt to flee the oncoming French Privateer Sloop (slightly faster) and a Dutch Heavy Bark (same speed, but not in photo yet). Realizing he couldn't outrun at least one of his adversaries, the English Captain (top) began maneuvering into the wind (coming from the loser right) and fired a broadside in an attempt to damage the Frenchman's rigging (lower). No hits were made however...
With the Englishman moving away again (onto a second table...and I forgot to bring two sea-mats! The joke became the sea was turning grey because of an oncoming storm!), the Frenchman fires a volley, and scores two hits! The Englishman takes some damage to his rigging, not enough to slow him down, yet...
Sailing into the wind (and making several successful tacts through the wind), and leaving the French Sloop (top) behind temporarily, the Englishman (right) is now forced to engage the arriving Dutchman (left), but again misses...
Just when it appears that the Englishman might pull away, the Dutch Captain takes a gamble of his own, steering into the wind. He makes his Advance Sailing test, and successfully grapples with the English Sloop!
The English Captain doesn't wait for the Dutch however and leads a small band of his own Sea Dogs which succeeds in downing a Dutch Zeelieden...
The English Militia now succeed in firing a volley into the Dutch Kapers (right) at the stern of their ship, bringing down one!
But the Dutch get the final revenge when their Zeelieden (who outnumber the Sea Dogs) fight back and take down tow of the three Sea Dogs! The English Captain then surrenders, drawing the engagement to a conclusion...
While the game took a while to really get going with a lot of sailing and long-range cannon fire, when the Dutch Captain aggressively pressed against his adversary, it became an exciting finish with the boarding conflict. Another enjoyment installment.
May your loot be vast, and your luck golden, til next time...
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