The Quiberon Cruise: Action in the Baye d'Hadierne

H M Brig Fearless

Commissioned Officers
Commanding: Lieutenant Harry Farthingdale (Prudent)
Midshipman  Lucky Jack Quilp  (Cocksure)
Midshipman  Young Quentin Whitemoore (Slighly deaf)
Warrant Officers
Ships Master and Pilot (Masters Mate) Drinkwater  (Over Clever)
Gunner's mate   Ancient Nell McTurk (A loud fellow)
Carpenter's mate Willie Wood  (Dimwit)
Surgeon's mate Sam Saw (Lovie)
Petty Officers
Sail maker  Simon Stitch
Rope maker  Henry Hemp 
Clerk: Preserved Catchmole
Quartermaster  Walter Wheel
Quatermaster's Mate Sammy Spoke
Bosun's mate  Kev Kosh
Coxswain  Larry Launch
Marine Sergeant, Rod Ram,
Corporal Sid Shout
and fourteen men.
Seamen
Able Seamen  x 10
Ordinary Seamen  x 10
Landsmen  x 10

Orders and Crew assignments
  
Crew assignment
Standard tasks
Sail Trim
Low Gun
Mid Gun
Up'r Gun
Lt Gun
Pumps
Repair
Surplus

Repair codes:  
• G = Gun  •  P = Pumps  
•  R = Rigging  •  Rud = Rudder  
•  W = Wheel   

Extended tasks: 
• CS = Change Sail  1GT
• DA = Drop Anchor  1GT
• LC = Load Cargo 4GT
• LT = Load Troops   2GT
• MS = Make Sail  1GT
• PC = Prize Crew 2GT
• RA = Raise an Anchor 2GT
• RB = Recover Boats    5GT    
• RT = Rig Tow  2 GT
• SG = Shift Gun  2GT
• SS = Set Spring  3GT
• UC/T = Unload Cargo / Troops 2GT

Day One  Sighting during the Morning Watch, Baye d'Hadierne. Orders Hoist the challenge Beat to Quarters Midshipman to the masthead with telescope The enemy is the Guêpe (Wasp) A Breton Privateer out of Quimper.

The sighting is at 2000 yards slightly over 1 NM.  The challenge signals are interpreted as hostile, and both captains plan to close. 
The French are seeking to board.  The British are seeking to close to carronade range.

Quality of both crews is Regular, as are both Captains.

Guêpe is bearing 6 points to larboard in a Westerly wind. (ie she is heading SE)  Fearless is crossing at 90 degrees, Fearless is placed off centre table.  The Frenchman goes on the edge at 66cm.

I'm using my cruel seas board map for this hame

Both ships start at Easy sail, in a weak Force 3 Westerly wind.

Fearless has the weather gauge and therefore initiative. 

Both Captains order clear for action and assign crew.  Each turn has three phases, red, white and blue, during which ships move according to initiative.  The Frenchman turns point by point, deducting MF, to head directly South.

Both ships assign crew to reduce to Battle sail.  The British Brig is faster, 7MF vs 8MF.  They move the crew to the guns, load and run out, the French Captain orders  double shot.  The French plan to close and board.  They carry a much larger Privateer crew, but these Carronade Brigs are new and the French may be in for a shock

In the fourth Movement phase the two ships close, with the British turning to run down on the enemy, using the weather gauge. 

Those big 24 pdr bow chasers knock the French Privateer about.  

I can only fire them both because I`m running straight at him.

The French reply, their double shotted 8 pdr guns take down two of my rigging points and a crew point.  Work for Sam Saw, my Surgeon.

A double shotted Frenchman?

The Fearless gets one last close range shot with the bow chasers, before slewing around to fire the main armament of carronades.  The Privateer is battered and loses Hull and Crew points.  Her Captain sends crew to the pumps.  

British wear around point by point to bring them parallel, while the French jibe across the wind (risky).  The Frenchman closes to attempt to board.  

Both ships are closing fast port side on.  Fearless gets an unexpected opportunity to fire the port bow chaser, before sending the crew to the carronades.  Hull damage on the wasp is becoming severe.  Her last chance will be a boarding action.

The French fail to grapple.  Fearless shoots her carronades into the privater's hull at point blank range.  The Guêpe is wrecked and sinking.

With three men killed and two injured Fearless effects repairs and moves on to explore the roads at Quimper, passing the Maelsrom and the Devil's Teeth rocks.

A good start to the cruise.