A British naval squadron fights on the Spanish Main

A Naval Engagement on the Spanish Main

A 1/2000 scale age of sail naval wargame fought on Saturday, August 2, 2008

A squadron was sent from England to interrupt the flow of commerce from the Caribbean to France's allies in Spain. In turn, a Spanish squadron of superior strength was dispatched to put an end to enemy predations. The British had been on the run until day before yesterday, when the largest the Spanish vessel, Santa Rosa, ventured upon an uncharted coral strand that did grievous harm to her seaworthiness. She was towed to a nearby island for repair, and where a shore battery at the town affords a measure of protection. The British ships now approach the island with the objective of dispatching the disabled and beached man-o-war, and engaging the ships providing for her security.

This battle was played by the Gourmet Wargaming Club in Santa Rosa, California, with 1/2000 scale sailing ships using the Heart of Oak rule set.

In the orders of battle, below, each ship has a armament rating in parentheses. The first number is long gun factors, the second is carronade factors (with a much shorter range) for use with Heart of Oak.

British Order of Battle

Active, fifth rate, 38 guns (4/3)

Ambuscade, fifth rate, 32 guns (4/2)

Amazon, fifth rate, 40 guns

Coventry, brig (0/2)

Also one small local coaster captured as a prize, which can be used as a fireship, should you so choose.

Spanish Order of Battle

Beached: Santa Rosa, 74 guns. The captain is landing his long guns and setting up a shore battery, which is not yet complete (4 long gun factors).

The squadron: Mariposa, 40 guns (6/5); Mahonsa, 34 guns (4/1); Gaviota, corvette, 14 guns (2/2).

At the town, under local command (no communication with squadron): Delfin brig, 6 guns (2/1); Ciempies, galley, (1/0); a shore battery near town with 6 long gun factors

Detached: Serifina, 32 guns; Acuacitas, xebec, dispatch ship from Havana

A view from the British approach (5 vessels near table edge) towards the channel, guarded by 3 Spanish vessels.	Another view of the table top. The British ships are entering the table on the far left.	The Spanish are guarding a careened ship of the line, the Santa Rosa, seen on the beach at top middle.	A close-up of the Spanish frigates at the channel's mouth: the Mariposa, Mahonsa, and Gaviota.	And here is a close-up of the Santa Rosa, on her side. Her guns have been dismounted to form a battery, at right. The small building, left, is a storehouse that contains the powder and shot for the cannons.
A fine vessel, the Santa Rosa, scratchbuilt specially for this occasion.	A Spanish galley, Ciempies, patrols near the mouth of the river, providing protection for the small town.	The British squadron, a motley collection of vessels. The smallest ship, at left, is a captured coastal vessel that has been secretly converted to a fire ship. She has only a skeleton crew aboard to keep her moving forward to launch her against the Santa Rosa on the beach.	The larger British ships, Active, Ambuscade, and Amazon, move quickly with the wind, attempting to bring their guns to rake the decks of the enemy.	The British line, with smaller ships behind. The latter are Coventry (a brig) followed by the aptly-named coaster Prometheus.
Sails are sighted on the horizon, and 2 more Spanish ships come into view: the xebec Acuacitas (top), and the Serifina.	Our combat photographer engages his subject with a tripod reminiscent of a sea monster.	Keeping track of our ships and our rules.	The Active (front) and Ambuscade in all their glory.	The Spanish Mariposa (right) is just fast enough to cross in front of the Active to strike the first blow. A cacophony of cannon fire interupts the soft breezes.
The Active has her revenge as she rakes the Mariposa with deadly fire--twice.	Consulting with the chef is an important part of maritime operations. Bless her!	A Jamaican chicken dish worthy of the table of Neptune himself!	And a fine gourmet cole slaw completes the experience. There is still dessert for later...	The Mariposa (center, with smoke) strikes her colors after absorbing one too many British roundshot. The Amazon, bottom left, has red-hot port guns.
An overall view of the battle. The Spanish Serifina and Acuacitas are arriving at bottom right, while the British Ambuscade heads for the Santa Rosa, at top.	Another view of the action.	The Prometheus, left, slowly sails towards her intended destination at top right.	The gallery Ciempies turns about to make for the Santa Rosa.	Desultory fire is exchanged between the Amazon and Active (middle left), and the Mahonsa (near the island) and the Acuacitas (bottom right). The corvette Gaviota can be seen sailing away with a broken rudder just above the island.
Foiled! The diminutive Prometheus suddenly finds a fast-moving Serifina hard on her tail. Things are not looking good for the British fire ship.	Success! The Ambuscade manages to put some well-placed shots into the enemy storehouse on shore, setting off the powder. Now the shore battery is hamstrung.	We take a quick break for a fine chocolatey dessert. The British commander gets an extra piece of cake, which turns out to make all the difference at the end of the game.	What would a naval game be without a surgeon and cabin boy?	Good food, good company, alcoholic beverages, and air-conditioning. These ingredients create a tasty gourmet gaming dish.
A stroke of luck! The quick Serifina comes alongside the Prometheus to dispatch her with a quick broadside, only to find the tables turned. The small ship blossoms into a huge explosion that utterly destroys the Spanish vessel.	As the crippled corvette Gaviota (right) sails away as the brig Delfin sails as fast as she can back to the Santa Rosa.	A line of British ships sails towards the beached Santa Rosa to punch her hull full of holes. The battle is over.	Brave men tower above a small, steamy island. The heat of the day added to the general ambience; we always strive for the most accurate simulation!