State of the Fleets

Over the weekend at Huzzah several people asked me how many ships I had at this point and I decided that I should probably do an inventory because honestly I wasn't sure. Well I still don't know for sure(haven't counted the small stuff) but I can speak to the major fleets British, Spanish and French. 

The Royal Navy 1 Ship Sloop, 12 Frigates, 1 4th Rate, 3 small 3rd Rates, 11 large 3rd Rates, 4 2nd Rates, and 2 1st Rates. There are also quite a few Brigs, cutters and Indiamen not pictured here.

The Spanish Armada 1 Schooner, 1 Brig, 2 Frigates, 2 Small 3rd rates, 4 Large 3rd rates (2 more in the Painting queue) and 3 1st Rates including the Princessa Evelyn which with it s purple paint scheme may or may not see the table (but I do have one more spanish 1st rate in the painting queue)

The French 3 Brigs, 1 Corvette/Sloop, 6 Frigates, 14 Large 3rd rates, 2 1st rates. 

Over the weekend I had 35 ships of the Line battling each other about as big a fight as I want to run without a co-gamemaster.  If someone wants to run Trafalgar or First of June or some other mad project let me know and we can see how much we need to add to the Order of Battle . 

 

Cape Finisterre at Huzzah!

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I day tripped up to Huzzah to run the battle of  Cape Finisterre for Huzzah! 2023 "Turning Points". I picked this battle because it resulted in Napoleon turning his back in an invasion of England and heading off to Austria instead.  The French and Spanish had the weather gage turning south east as the English are turning Northwest. 

Artist/engraver/cartographer: Engraved by Ch. Dyonnet; Drawn by A.H. Dufour . Provenance: "Atlas de l'histoire du consulat et de L'Empire", Dressé et Dessiné Sous la direction de M. Thiers, Par MM. A. Dufour et Duvotenay; Published by Paulin, Lheureux et Cie, Paris. Type: Antique engraved map

Deployment was based off the map above. 

My players had all the aggression both sides wished their leaders had possessed in 1805. The six Spanish ships split into two squadrons in an attempt to envelope the leading English Ships. Meanwhile half the French fleet moved north and east while the other half split in two part of it moving to assist the Spanish and part of it heading south east to cut through the rear of the English line. 

The leading English ships HMS Hero and HMS Ajax where soon in trouble and hero slipped beneath the waves while Ajax was forced to strike it's colors. 

The English where giving as well as taking punishment as the Spanish flagship Argunata sank to relentless English gunnery.

The English van was battered on both sides by the Spanish though it was not a one sided affair and more ships came up to support both sides.

French gunnery joined the Spanish as the Epannia was forced out of line and moved to join the southern most French squadron. 

At this point the fighting became hand to hand with Formidable grappling HMS Triumph and forcing her to strike. She was the grappled by S Barflure. The Spanish where not to be left out with three of their ship America, San Rafael and Terrible all grappling HMS Agamemnon.  

Barflure eventually overcame Formidable but Agamemnon though she over came one attacker was overwhelmed. The HMS Glory passed close along the tangled ships and fired in to them at point blank range with devastating results. San Rafael and Agamemnon slipped beneath the waves while America was left crippled. The British press reported Agamemnon sank bue to Spanish not English fire....

HMS Defiance was mauled by the French and would probably strike if another turn or two had been played but Swiftsure was battered and forced to strike.

Let's look at the score.  HMS Ajax was Captured by the French but Formidable was taken by the English. The Allies lost Argonauta, America and San Rafael sunk, while Swiftsure and Firme where forced to strike, in addition Terrible and Pluton took significant damage(below half). Several other allied ships suffered minor to moderate damage. On the English side, Hero and Agamemnon were sunk, HMS is Triumph was forced to strike and had only two hull left so she is probably scuttled, Barfleur, Malta, and Defiance significantly damaged (below half) Additionally Dragon and Glory are Damage but still fully able to fight.  The allies have 10 ships that are still more or less fully combat capable while the English have 7 (both side include ships with some damage). 

             Allied vs English

Captured     1 vs 1

Sunk             3 vs  2

Struck           2 vs 1

Damaged   6 vs 5 (all types) 

Over all I would call this a Minor English victory.  Both Sides are battered but the English Government probably won't sack the British Admiral as they did historically.  I suspect the French ships run to Ferrol with thier prize though they might be able to try again the next day if they felt specially aggressive.  Napoleon probably still heads to Austria as I don't see the French pushing on to Brest after this mauling. 

Ships for Cape Finisterre at Huzzah con

 Like most GMs I've been under the gun to get things ready for the convention.  I'm happy to say I have the ships ready to go. All are Simon Mann files printed by Arofan

Three English 64 gun ships of the line ready for action.

Glad to finally have some 64s as they say a lot of service in American Waters. The file is based on the Intrepid class a design from the late 1760s but that was still in use into the Napoleonic Wars. 

Another Spanish 64 joins the fleet the same San Fulgencio class as my previous Spanish 64.  They are a more modern design from the late 1780s. 

Finally a large Spanish ship of the line of the San Juan Neptuno class. 

Another great sturn for this one the San Juan Neptuno where a much admired class of ships as I understand and sculpt on these are excellent.

First San Fulgecio class 64 gun Ship of the line

 Another ship prined at my friend Arofan's "Palache" Shipard.  The File is from Simmon Mann's Mann O War Miniatures  The ship is excellent. 

This was one of best print of this batch the railing of the poop deck coming out clean enough that is was able to stay and how abbout that lanter?!

Unlike some other prints she even has a figure head of sorts (not super crisp but clear). I've always liked 64s for some reason and I am glad I am finaly adding some to my fleet.  

I've got several additonal ships nearing compleation fro Huzzah.con hope I see some of you there

Cape Finister Play test at Wicked Gaming

I'm running Cape Finisterre this year at Huzzah and I got to run a play test at Wicked Gaming in Peterborough NH. The map above shows the action as recorded by a Spanish Maritime museum. Frank and John played the English while Landon and John both new to the game played the French w Spanish.

We begin the action with both fleets turning to close with each other. The Allied fleet has the weather gage. 

The two leading Spanish ships head south while the third turns east and the French line follows her. HMS Orion took fire from all three Spanish ships. The wind shifted from the northeast to due west forcing English ships to tack furiously.

Orion finds herself isolated talking French fire.

Orion thunders back as the Spanish ships Argunata and San Justo find themselves facing the rest of the English van. 

Ships make individual turns as the fight becomes a melee. Orion is hit repeatedly and her crew stikes and anchors to deal with a fire.

The Spanish Monarca hammered repeatedly by the English sinks. Argunata is boarded by Ajax but wins only to be boarded again and then hit by friendly fire. This is too much Argunata strikes.

Meanwhile the rest of the French are coming up. Fougueux is raked by HMS Revenge and strikes but Tonnent stern rakes Revenge inflicting terrible damage.  At this point we are out of time one two English ships struck but both would be recovered. The English sank one Spanish ship and captured another and would probably capture one French ship. 5 French ships are in good order while almost all the English have been hit and some badly hit badly. It's a bit of a draw and a messy one at that, possibly messier than the historical battle. My fog rules played well and everyone had fun a good day of gaming.

Fog Banks for Cape Finisterre

 I put these together for my upcoming games at Wicked Gaming center and Huzzah 202

Nothing fancy just some cotton balls on cardboard. I'll want more but these should do for Saturday at Wicked Gaming center

Historical Miniatures Game Day, Saturday, 6 May, 2023
Wicked Gaming Center, Peterborough, New Hampshire

The next in our series of bi-monthly historical miniatures game days. We're a couple of days early for VE Day, but we had to celebrate it! Veterans and newcomers alike can spend a day in good company, killing toy soldiers with other toy soldiers! The event will start at 10 AM and run until 5 PM, with games in two sessions, covering a range of historical periods. Gamers of all ages and skill levels are welcome!

Wicked Gaming Center is located at 70 Hancock Road, Peterborough, NH 03458. They can be contacted at (603) 933-9948. Queries regarding the event should be e-mailed to the organizers at ilg21@yahoo.com.
Game Schedule

Below is the tentative game schedule (more games may be added). We will allow players to reserve spaces in particular games, but walk-ins will also be welcome. Admission is free! Reservations for specific games should be directed to the organizers at ilg21@yahoo.com.
10:00 AM - 1:00 PM EST

[GA01] Stukas, Sailors, and Sabers at Stalingrad: The Cossacks Ride!: Lead a charge of mounted Cossacks - or the countercharge by the Savoia Cavalleria - as the Red Army throws everything from machine-gun armed chariots (yes, the kind drawn by horses) to attack boats carrying Naval Infantry (in their pretty striped shirts) in a December offensive to crack the Fascist grip on Stalingrad.

No experience is necessary; rules will be taught. Tweens and teens welcome.Rules: Flames of War
Scale: 15mm Miniatures
Number of Players: 2-6
Game Master: Mark McLaughlin
Game Length: 3 hours



[GA02] Cape Finisterre: July 1805 - England is under threat of invasion. "The Oceans are battlefields." A combined Fleet of 20 French and Spanish is destined for Breast to join up with more French ships, to secure a crossing of the channel. Fifteen ships of the Royal Navy have moved to intercept them... outnumbered and out of position to leeward, the English must close and do enough damage to force the Allied fleet to turn back. The English public expects nothing less than an overwhelming victory. Can you deliver?Rules: Black Seas (Modified)
Scale: 1:700 Naval Miniatures
Number of Players: 2-6
Game Master: Adam Carriere
Game Length: 3 hours

[GA03] Crossing the Lines: It is 1691. The French king Louis XIV has been at war with the Holy Roman Empire for his entire life, and one of the battlefields is in northern Italy. One of his most able opponents is Prince Eugene of Savoy. Having pushed back the French offensive into Piedmont, he is now conducting an invasion of France itself. In this scenario, the Imperialists and their allies attempt to force the entrenched "lines" the Sun King's troops have built to stop them.Rules: More Like Foxes than Lyons (Computer-Assisted)
Scale: 28mm Miniatures
Number of Players: 2-4
Game Master: Arofan Gregory
Game Length: 3 hours

2:00 PM - 5:00 PM EST

[GA11] (Kampfgruppe Commander): TO BE DETERMINEDRules: Kampfgruppe Commander III
Scale: 15mm Miniatures
Number of Players: 2-6
Game Master: Dave Soucy
Game Length: 3 hours



[GA12] The Approach to Sarajevo: In 1878, a large Austro-Hungarian army launched a two-pronged invasion of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Although little opposition was anticipated, they were faced by more than 70,000 tribesmen and (illegally) a portion of the Turkish army stationed in the area. This scenario depicts a minor action on the approach to Sarajevo, where a desperate battle was fought during the campaign. Here, the defenders attempt to keep an Austro-Hungarian column from moving into position on the lead-up to the attack on the castle at Sarajevo.Rules: Republic & Empire (computer-assisted)
Scale: 25mm Miniatures
Number of Players: 2-4
Game Master: Arofan Gregory
Game Length: 3 hours



[GA13] Battle of the Denmark Strait: HMS Hood and Prince of Wales intercept Bismark and Prinz Eugen while the German ships attempt to break out into the Atlantic on 24 May, 1941, through the Denmark Strait.Rules: Naval Theater (homebrew)
Scale: 1/2400
Number of Players: 2-4
Game Master: Frank Shepherd
Game Length: 3 hoursHistorical Miniatures Game Day, Saturday, 6 May, 2023Wicked Gaming Center, Peterborough, New HampshireThe next in our series of bi-monthly historical miniatures game days. We're a couple of days early for VE Day, but we had to celebrate it! Veterans and newcomers alike can spend a day in good company, killing toy soldiers with other toy soldiers! The event will start at 10 AM and run until 5 PM, with games in two sessions, covering a range of historical periods. Gamers of all ages and skill levels are welcome!
Wicked Gaming Center is located at 70 Hancock Road, Peterborough, NH 03458. They can be contacted at (603) 933-9948. Queries regarding the event should be e-mailed to the organizers at ilg21@yahoo.com.
Game Schedule
Below is the tentative game schedule (more games may be added). We will allow players to reserve spaces in particular games, but walk-ins will also be welcome. Admission is free! Reservations for specific games should be directed to the organizers at ilg21@yahoo.com.


10:00 AM - 1:00 PM EST
[GA01] Stukas, Sailors, and Sabers at Stalingrad: The Cossacks Ride!: Lead a charge of mounted Cossacks - or the countercharge by the Savoia Cavalleria - as the Red Army throws everything from machine-gun armed chariots (yes, the kind drawn by horses) to attack boats carrying Naval Infantry (in their pretty striped shirts) in a December offensive to crack the Fascist grip on Stalingrad.


No experience is necessary; rules will be taught. Tweens and teens welcome.


Rules: Flames of War
Scale: 15mm Miniatures
Number of Players: 2-6
Game Master: Mark McLaughlin
Game Length: 3 hours

[GA02] Cape Finisterre: July 1805 - England is under threat of invasion. "The Oceans are battlefields." A combined Fleet of 20 French and Spanish is destined for Breast to join up with more French ships, to secure a crossing of the channel. Fifteen ships of the Royal Navy have moved to intercept them... outnumbered and out of position to leeward, the English must close and do enough damage to force the Allied fleet to turn back. The English public expects nothing less than an overwhelming victory. Can you deliver?

Rules: Black Seas (Modified)
Scale: 1:700 Naval Miniatures
Number of Players: 2-6
Game Master: Adam Carriere
Game Length: 3 hours

[GA03] Crossing the Lines: It is 1691. The French king Louis XIV has been at war with the Holy Roman Empire for his entire life, and one of the battlefields is in northern Italy. One of his most able opponents is Prince Eugene of Savoy. Having pushed back the French offensive into Piedmont, he is now conducting an invasion of France itself. In this scenario, the Imperialists and their allies attempt to force the entrenched "lines" the Sun King's troops have built to stop them.


Rules: More Like Foxes than Lyons (Computer-Assisted)
Scale: 28mm Miniatures
Number of Players: 2-4
Game Master: Arofan Gregory
Game Length: 3 hours


2:00 PM - 5:00 PM EST
[GA11] (Kampfgruppe Commander): TO BE DETERMINED


Rules: Kampfgruppe Commander III
Scale: 15mm Miniatures
Number of Players: 2-6
Game Master: Dave Soucy
Game Length: 3 hours

[GA12] The Approach to Sarajevo: In 1878, a large Austro-Hungarian army launched a two-pronged invasion of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Although little opposition was anticipated, they were faced by more than 70,000 tribesmen and (illegally) a portion of the Turkish army stationed in the area. This scenario depicts a minor action on the approach to Sarajevo, where a desperate battle was fought during the campaign. Here, the defenders attempt to keep an Austro-Hungarian column from moving into position on the lead-up to the attack on the castle at Sarajevo.

Rules: Republic & Empire (computer-assisted)
Scale: 25mm Miniatures
Number of Players: 2-4
Game Master: Arofan Gregory
Game Length: 3 hours

[GA13] Battle of the Denmark Strait: HMS Hood and Prince of Wales intercept Bismark and Prinz Eugen while the German ships attempt to break out into the Atlantic on 24 May, 1941, through the Denmark Strait.

Rules: Naval Theater (homebrew)
Scale: 1/2400
Number of Players: 2-4
Game Master: Frank Shepherd
Game Length: 3 hours