Black Seas: the French battle a Spanish and Danish fleet

 I had some medical appointments in the morning so I took a full day off and met John for a game of Black Seas.  John's ships had been stuck in Montreal because of covid so this was our first Black Seas game in a while.

John's fleet included three sturdy 5th rate frigates, two of which had extra Carronades as well. He also had a sturdy Sixth rate (Xebec) and a pair of Sturdy Brig's. Finally he had a Sturdy 1st rate with a Master Gunner and a veteran rating too! John also took a full load of upgrades for his ships (several were lucky and so forth)

My fleet had a sturdy first rate and three sturdy 3rd rates, with trained Marines. My force was rounded out with a pair of 5th rates both with the Sturdy and Steel lined hull upgrades. All of my ships where rated average. 

The game started well for me. John hit Bucentaur with two broadsides but I slipped between the Frigates and smashed both hard. 

A very cheeky brig hit Bucentaur and landed a critical taking me out of the fight for a bit as the crew focused on firefighting duties.

But Bucentaur 's consorts are closing I an Redoubtable sets the brig ablaze in it's turn. Off to a good start but John's Leviathan hasn't entered the fray yet.

One of the Spanish frigates ranging ahead of her 1st rate consort crosses the T of the Redoubtable.

L'Orient following in the wake of the burning Bucentaur smashes the Xebec and damages the Danish frigate forcing it to strike.

Redoubtable is in trouble raked by the Spanish Frigate the two ships then collided...

This left Redoubtable unable to return fire when the Spanish first rate comes along side 

Redoubtable is crushed by the Leviathan's fire sinking beneath the waves.

Agele and L'Orient fire on the Spanish 1sr rate. Agele is hit in turn it rudder shot away

The first rates circle each other exchanging fire. 

French and Spanish ship converge a Spanish brigs and a frigate fire into L'Orient but are taken down by French frigates.

John's Leviathan Raked by Bucentaur and hit again by L'Orient is driven to strike but her final broadside hits L'Orient's rudder and the ship runs aground on one of the islands. One Spanish Frigate escapes but there other ships have struck or sunk. I lost Redoubtable and L'Orient was reduced to 30 points John's veteran 1st rate almost turned the tide on its own. The game was great fun and look forward to more.