Fearless and the Papillon.

 

Mr Bowles Sir, is this fellow wearing a Primark top?

The great three decker Papillon has been struggling north against the Gale.   In this sea state her lower ports are awash, compromising her fighting power.  In company with the liner is a merchant ship, the Macron of Boulogne with a cargo of black powder.

The Game

Fearless comes on table under full sails 

The three decker and powder ship are crabbing north into the wind at short sail.

Even at long range it's worth keeping some distance.   The three decker let's rip.  No hits but that is scary.

Fearless uses the weather gauge to keep its distance from the slowly crabbing larger ships

The three decker has a red turning angle but tries to cross the wind .  It uses its stern chaser guns to try a shot.   Fearless puts a ball into the merchant ship with its bow chasers.

Moving at full sail Fearless swings behind the Merchant and looses a broadside.  Only one chance for this. 

Fearless shoots the rudder of the Merchantman away.  I like the fact that damage in Black Seas usually only lasts a turn. Fearless must now get clear before that three decker can fire.

And the French Captain ponderously orders the bows over.  It comes really close to that shoal.

But Fearless gets her spankers up and escapes towards the table edge.

Essentially game over.  Fearless only got close by using the weather gauge,  and has lost that now.  At full sail she flees southwards along the Breton coast.

A short game but I think Fearless achieved all it could.  18 guns against 100 guns is no contest.  Perhaps I need a squadron of 74s to subdue that beast of a ship.