Action off the Roche Bonne 27th May 1794

HMS Satyr has been shadowing a Squadron of French two deckers westwards from the Basque Roads.

27th May 1794

3 bells in the Morning Watch

Masthead view HMS Satyr

A wind change during the night Captain.  Mr Blair was on watch and you were not woken and informed.  Nor was Mr Pipesmoker or the Master.  Clegg gives you an "I told you so" look.   The First Officer is visibly annoyed with the young Lieutenant. 

The wind has come around to blow from the North East.  It has dropped to strength 4 (God Bless Admiral Beaufort)  The French Squadron have accordingly eluded you. 

Worse, dawn has revealed a large French Frigate bearing down on you.   Pipesmoker goes aloft himself and reports that she is a 36, "Audacieux"  or one of that class I believe Sir.   6 NM distant, coming on with all plain sail.  Pipesmoker also hails "She's run out sir, the cheeky beggar is keen."

  

HMS Satyr orders

Clear for action. Reduce sail to battle sail. Mr Clegg be so good as to set a course to bring us in at point blank range on her starboard side. We will give her a broadside and then cut across her stern and rake her.

Mr Pipesmoker will take charge of the gunnery. We will hold fire until at point blank. Double shot the guns if you please Mr Pipesmoker!

Lt Sheridan, I want your sharpshooters in the rigging. Have the rest of your men ready to sweep the enemy deck as I mean to bring us in close. If we have any swivel guns available use those as well. Target the quarter deck and wheel if you will.

We will close fast to save our rigging but I do not want to be drawn into trading broadsides. 

Mr Blair you will assist me on the quarterdeck. If we survive I mean to have words!

Ships Log

Satyr reduces to battle sail and runs out,

Audacieux also reduces to battle sail, but this is not done in the ordinary sloppy French fashion.  This ship has a seasoned crew, and has not been stuck in port during the Revolution.  It`s part of the French Caribbean Squadron, one of the food convoy escort.  

Satyr and Audacieux pass, Satyr's fire is into the hull, causing significant damage with the first broadside (three hull boxes two crew and three guns.  Why is Satyr shooting so low?)

The French fire has the unfortunate effect of removing the third Officer, although witnesses swear Lieutenant  Blair  ran below...

There is some spar damage on the main and mizzen.

The two ships circle, but a well timed jibe across the wind allows Satyr a shot into the French bow.  More damage to the French but it`s better timed and this time the French lose spars.

Another cross and the Frenchman's pumps have to work as he loses two more hull boxes leaving only two.  The French hull is cracking.  Dickie Attenborough Ships Gunner, is firing low!

A view of Satyr as she knocks sails down on the Frenchman.  The return fire kills Lieutenant Cameron   The ships Sailing master reports water in the bilges and has the pumps crewed.

But the Frenchman is done.  Audacieux begins to settle but does not strike.  Captain Quilp orders another broadside into her.   

With wreckage and men in the water Audacieux sinks by the stern, having broken open her hull.   Satyr has her pumps going and the First Officer wants to fother a sail over the hull damage.  "If we try to sail her she will ship water and settle Sir," the Master explains.   He seems a little upset that you broke his ship, and he did try to warm you about Blair...

Marked off the wrong sails boxes!

A costly victory.   A sea anchor is deployed and repairs begun.  24 hours!

(but we know that a French Squadron is around here somewhere, you may not have those hours)

The French Captain is fished out of the water and hands over his sword, don't know how he swam with it (You may return it if you are feeling honourable, but it's a nice one)

Lieutenant Blair has been confined to quarters by the First Lieutenant who found him hiding on the Orlop in a state of distress.

Preserved Parker is muttering about damage to his galley "which it is broken."  HMS Satyr is battered.

If its any consolation HMS Nymphe is in a far worse state!

Battle of Cape Machica, Biscay 1794

On course to complete a mission to destroy a French Frigate being refitted in the L`Adour River HMS Nymphe sights a French Frigate coming out of  Bayonne.

HMS Nymphe 27th May 1794

Dawn two bells in the forenoon watch
During the night the wind came around to the North East.  It means you have made excellent time.

Dr Davie Attenborough, Surgeon reports a case of  naked drunkenness in the orlop, Mr Georgio Osbourne Ships Purser.  

Attenborough confides in you "He's a Latin type Darling, all Hot Blooded."  He's obviously been at Mr Mudge's hidden stock of Old Ma Finnigan's.

At three bells, just as you have stood down the watch a sighting.  Young Thatcher goes aloft with his telescope and reports down "Its a French Frigate Sir.  A big 'un.  Excellent prize!  It may be Guillouet, a old Breton ship of 40 guns."  She's coming out of Bayonne!

A smug looking Pickwick (That's his only look really) points out that this is the very ship you came to destroy in the L`Adour River, "she`s been repaired!  That has to be a raw crew though sir!" 

The Frenchman puts his colours up in challenge.

27th May 1794, Three bells, Wind NE.

Battle stations. Well Mr Pickwick it would appear that we have the weather gauge  and the weather gods. Hard at him Mr Mudge, we’ll take him on our starboard then cut sharp across his stern for a rake. Gunners, you will have to reload in double quick time and much will depend on their efficiency. For England and for the prize!
(Quincy lights one of his small cigars and whistles a jaunty tune of his own devising.)

Ships Log

HMS Nymphe closes under battle sail.  Guillouet has issues with a raw crew but eventually clews up to something approaching battle sail.  She runs out her guns in the most haphazard unsynchronised Action Stations Captain Q has ever seen.  it offends his professional eye.

Nymphe runs out.  Her crew are professional jacks, well trained.

Being slightly closer to the wind Nymphe turns and delivers a double shot broadside almost into the bow.  The Frenchman is damaged, Her First Officer killed. Damage to her foremast and spars.

The Frenchman is big, she may even be a 44.

The two Frigates cross and Nymphe again manages an effective broadside, bringing down a mast, killing dozens of the French crew and setting fire to a poorly clewed up mainsail.

Although it should be noted that the Frenchman's own cannon may well have set fire to its own sails.

The French respond with much heavier fire, double shotted, killing the First Officer (His last word was "Basically..." and intimately wounding the gallant Captain Whitmore who bites his cigar in half.  

Hull damage is severe three guns are destroyed,  the Ships carpenter starts the pumps and tries to fit a patch. 

That Frenchman is carrying massive artillery!  32 pounders by heavens!

Nymphe plans its turn on the French stern.  The Frenchman's foremast is down and she cannot manoeuvre.  Midshipman Dresser grasps his Captain's wound and holds him aloft.  Lieutenant Thatcher reports that he has taken over the main deck guns in the absence of Mr Pickwick. 
He raises an eyebrow at the sight of a Midshipman grasping his Captain quite so firmly mid-battle.

HMS Nymphe turns on the Guillouet's stern.  Thatcher has reloaded all of the un-destroyed guns.  The British broadside runs the length of the Frenchman, killing more crew, including the French marine Officer, but we can clearly see now that she is on fire.

Captain Whitmore orders a stand clear, before he feints from his wound.

The French ship explodes and there is rigging damage on Nymphe, but no loss of life.

Captain Whitmore is sent down to the Orlop where Surgeon Attenborough informs him... "It's got to come off Captain!"

Mr Thatcher as the only surviving Lieutenant takes command.  It transpires that all of the Midshipmen apart from Dresser were also killed, and if Blythswick had still been aboard the dice of fate indicate that he too would be dead.  
The Papers will Love it
Admiral Howe will Love it
The King will Love it, in his more lucid moments

A glorious Victory
But the pumps are going and Nymphe is struggling.

Ah and a final piece of news, Mr Pickwick was been found almost alive and brought down to the orlop, in a state of distress from a skull wound.  The Surgeon performed a trepanning but the poor fellow has been rendered simple.  

HMS Satyr 25th May 1794

I deem it my duty to investigate the, as yet unconfirmed, report regarding the French convoy. Therefore I intend to look into the Basque Roads. I believe  a course close hauled on the larboard tack (SSW) should take us out of the bay. By tacking after clearing Belle Isle we should be able to set a course to put us due south of I. Dieu (chart attached)

HMS Satyr Ships Log
25th May 1794

    Middle watch: 0000 to 0400

Ship made ready in all respects for Sea.

  

   Morning watch: 0400 to 0800

Anchor hove short.  Broad reach WSW, out of Isle De Grois. 

0730 Ship sighted NE.  Steering SW.  12 miles.  British Frigate. 

   Forenoon watch: 0800 to 1200

Turned for the leg, ENE and Belle Isle.  Mr Clegg seems concerned that a squall could hit and embay the ship.  The wind is however holding SE at Strength 5.  The sea state has however changed to short. French Fishing smack stopped, and traded for fresh fish.  Mr Bookbinder trades some Rum and the crew freely chat.  Le Manche a frigate of 40 guns has been at Belle Isle, as well as two privateer corvettes. 

    Afternoon watch: 1200 to 1600

    South of Belle Isle.  Sighted the British merchantman Nancy.  Unbelievably it's that idiot Horatio Pugwash in Command.  He shows Mr Bookbinder orders from the Admiralty.  He expects to meet with Captain Whitmore this afternoon and you came as quite a shock to him.  A French Emigre Officer is aboard and Pue asks you to leave the situation alone.  The Government are sending guns to the Vendean Rebels, but it is a touchy political situation.  It seems you have stumbled upon Captain Quincy`s secret orders.

    First dog watch: 1600 to 1800

The Dog leg back into Biscay.  No Sightings

    Last dog watch: 1800 to 2000

Heading back for the Basque Roads.  French Merchantman the Alys, a sloop.  Hauls down as soon as she sees you. 

You will need to select an Officer to take charge of the prize, with five men to handle her back to Plymouth.  She is running a cargo of olive oil and wine from Bordeaux.  Alternately Pue points out that she could be useful as a small tender.

    First watch: 2000 to 0000

2130.  Dusk 46.00N 2.30W  Due South of the Roche Bonne

Clegg briefs you on the Basque Roads.  There are three passages into the anchorage (Where the anchor is on the chart... ahem)  The Southern passage is covered by a battery at the Chateau on the Isle Daix.   In many places there is no more than three fathoms except at high tide.  That will be tomorrow morning from 8am.  Satyr draws less than three fathoms but only just, at high tide there will be an extra two fathoms in the anchorage.   The French have had great three deckers in the Roads, but only by using the tide.  The North channel has the most water, but also has the Le Jart anchorage at its entrance, and it is a tight squeeze from there south into the anchorage.  The middle channel where the French usually anchor down has 10 to 15 fathoms but little sailing room.  Clegg has a French chart attached.  

If the convoy is expected here there will be activity in the anchorage and ashore in La Rochelle and at the Jart.  The Political Officer Lord Pue really wants to go look for himself.  There is something that man isn`t telling you.

Apart from the huge white rolling surf over the flat rock shelf of the Roche Bonne there is nothing to see.    Bookbinder fancifully points out that far in the future such a pace could be a major venue for a sport he calls "Surfing."  He probably needs to sleep!

Link to Clegg's Chart

Link to Clegg's Pilot book on the Basque Roads

HMS Nymphe Ships Log 25th May 1794

 HMS Nymphe orders for day of 25^th May 1794. Wind SE. Strength 5

Well Mr Pickwick It’s only a waning crescent tonight so we shall wait until sunrise to set these swarthy Frogs off in their boats, no point in adding insult to injury. Mr Rees-Mogg finish any jury rigging necessary on the Blaireau and attach the spare anchor.

I will assign Lt Blythswick to the Blaireau, he can compose an epic poem for the Admiral on the way, Black Dick will enjoy that (!)

So Mid. Flyte has gone missing has he? Well, well, what a shame. In the confusion of the action and in the half light, probably slipped and fell overboard. Tsk, tsk... what a dreadful pity, ah well, see if you can find his hat.

Mr Mudge steer SE. We shall tack up clear of the Isle de Groix and then SSE to Belle Isle. Keep a look out for the merchantman Saucy Nancy.

Ships Log 25th May 1794

Morning watch: 0400 to 0800

Mercifully you part company with Blytheswick at dawn, as he is regaling you with his ode "How Quincy boarded the Badger."   The Blaireau is a well founded ship and should bring a good sum in prize money.   With the shift in wind and the north running current you tack around the Isle de Grois before making a reach towards Belle Isle.  The Sea state is running shorter and that strength 5 means you can use all plain sail.

With the "Departure" of Midshipman Flyte crew morale is now excellent, and the prospect of earning yet more prize money has them "as keen as mustard" in Mr Mudge's words. 

    Forenoon watch: 0800 to 1200

Mudge is a little unsteady on his feet this morning.  Charitably this is probably because of his age, but Mr pickwick makes another search of the ship for Mudge`s stash of rum.

Dr Attenborough reports that he has stitched up the sailmaker's thumb.  Apparently he and Mudge were celebrating the capture of the Badger (Blaireau) last night and this morning he was careless cutting a patch.  Perhaps the forward sail locker should be searched for that rum...

    Afternoon watch: 1200 to 1600

Keen eyed young  Midshipman Howe reports the masts of a merchantman.  It's the Nancy and you come up to her at the beginning of the first dog watch.  Unbelievably it's that idiot Horatio Pugwash in command.  The "Emigre" Officer is the Compte du Pommesfrittes.  He insists, no INSISTS, that he be taken aboard your ship and given the best cabin, yours...

He demands, no DEMANDS, that he be landed at Auray.  Mudge shakes his head, and even Pickwick looks shocked.  That is a dangerous coastline, and shoals abound,  Pickwick explains, "They call that the Cote Suavage Sir!"  (Pickwick delights in telling you things you already know!)

    First dog watch: 1600 to 1800

Mudge comes up with an idea.   "There is a small fishing port called Haliguen non the Quiberon Peninsular Sir.  Its only three miles from the La Teignouse passage.  We could get in and drop the Monsewer and his muskets there, only a walk up the coast to Auray, or we could try to take the ship into the estuary and brave the currents, tides and rocks at Auray.  Or maybe just leave Pugwash to do it in the Nancy!"

As you approach the point you see into the anchorage at Le Palais.  A French Frigate.  Lt Thatcher starts dancing up and down the deck.  "She's big sir.  40 Guns or more.  It could be La Manche, she sank a British frigate at Brest a fortnight ago."

Mudge points out how high the Frenchman is riding in the water.  You have about five hours of daylight left Captain. 

Mudge's Private chart shows rocky shoals, including one called "the Pig."  He doesn't explain who Sarah Bernhardt is.

25th May: The Action off the Isle de Grois

The HMS Nymphe and HMS Satyr have both entered Quiberon bay.  Nymphe, slightly to the north, pauses before sailing into the Isle de Grois anchorage as dusk approaches.  Satyr, cautiously picks her way north in support.

The Isle de Grois Anchorage

The view from the masthead HMS Satyr

The Corvette (Left)  and Merchantman (Right)  HMS Nymphe is just beyond the Cats rocks.

HMS Nymphe cleared for action runs down onto the anchorage in battle sail 

The Nymphe uses her red, white and blue phases to close. 

A double shotted rake across the stern of the anchored Corvette. 

HMS Satyr running north before the wind

The Nymphe grapples alongside and Captain Quincy leads his boarders in person.

Come cheer up my lads, 'tis to Glory we steer..

The second Marshal Petain Club Post Captain campaign, the Biscay Cruise will be set in 1794.  A guide to the political events unfolding is available in the Naval Times, below.  The Napoleonic Naval rules used are the very detailed "Post Captain" by GQ3 These focus on small actions involving only a few vessels.  Last time we used 20 gun Sloops ofWar.  This time we have a promotion to Frigates.

In May 1794 Lord Howe sent two Frigates to look into Brest and ascertain the whereabouts of the French Fleet.  Admiral Villaret was still present in the French naval base, although he was expected to move out into the Atlantic to escort the vital food convoy from the West Indies into a French port.
Historically this situation led to one of Britain's greatest naval victories, although it was later overshadowed by Nelson's career as an Admiral.

Our Post Captains will be expected to complete Lord Howe's mission, and cruise down the Biscay coast dealing with encounters and events as they occur.  In the previous game the Channel Island Patrol, both Captains conducted a very sucessful introduction to the skills needed for command in the game.  This time the ships are bigger, as is the Campaign area.  The challenges will be larger too...