The Quasi-War

 

Its been a long time since we played Black Seas; but the first of our Naval themed evenings yesterday was the perfect opportunity to wheel it out again. The Quasi War is little known but raged around the globe so is a good setting for speculative scenarios without too many awkward questions as to your sources!

The French squadron, led by June, was fairly traditional: a frigate for scouting and liaison and 3 Third Rate line of battle ships:

The USN did things a little differently! We were fortunate to have a guest player Saravan visit us from Adelaide, so he was quickly pressed into command of the US light frigate squadron seen below in the van. Daniel led the US Fleet's 'heavy frigates' line of battle in the foreground below: 

All three players were Black Seas novices so I acted as umpire and explained the rules. I assured everyone that the wind changed direction infrequently and encouraged everyone to clap on all sail, intending to speed up the advance to battle...

Of course the wind promptly changed, clapping all of the French ships in irons! June took this philosophically, and, having wisely refrained from putting on too much sail, got off fairly lightly with half her fleet tacking out of the wind and the remainder anchoring. However the French formation was broken up and her frigate Themis nearly sailed off the edge of the world and spent the rest of the game attempting to claw around and rejoin the squadron!

The two US squadrons lost no time in taking advantage and splitting up the French battleships yet further, and closing to boarding range... 

However there was nothing wrong with the French gunnery and the Yankees paid for their impudence - even Old Ironsides was set ablaze. At such close quarters, the fire spread from ship to ship. Understandably perhaps, crew after crew refused to board!

A series of further close range broadsides sent the USS United States to Davy Jones' locker. 

As the fleets passed through each other and drew apart, whilst the US had lost a heavy frigate, a couple of the French 74s were also badly damaged, mainly by fire. Despite my rusty application of the rules it was a hard fought and exciting game!