sailing, sailing ...
Tuesday
night saw several opening actions, notably the reenactment of
the Battle of Lake Erie. Arthur Davis tried to match Commodore
Perry's victory and Keith Hunsinger sought to preserve British
honor.
Keith split the American line and sank the Niagara. Arthur
countered by savaging the Lady Prevost and Detroit. After a maneuvering
duel, the Lawrence and Queen Charlote sank each other with simultaneous
broadsides. Five ships sailed; five ships sank!
Friday saw John Setear earn the "Captain Butcher"
certificate for losing 50% of his crew in a single ship match
without even fighting a melee.
On Saturday, Arthur Davis received the "Admiral Suffren"
certificate, as best squadron commander. (Suffren was a skilled
French Admiral who outsailed the British in the 1780's.)
Keith
Hunsinger was awarded the "John Paul Jones" certificate
as best single ship captain. Keith was undefeated when he had
to depart for a family emergency.
Saturday's Fleet Action saw a War of 1812 raid by American
frigates and small craft on Halifax to destroy or capture British
transports carrying infantry bound for North American service.
The harbor was defended by British frigates and shore batteries,
ably commanded by Michael McKibbin.
American admiral Arthur Davis sent the Yankee frigates dashing
for the anchored transports. Taking more than one for the team,
Arthur closed with the batteries and silenced one on his first
pass.
British captain Ben Groulx sailed his ships into the teeth
of fast approaching Americans in defense of a transport. He soon
found himself overwhelmed in a "target rich environment."
Doug Porterfield and Scott Cornett did their duty by dispatching
Ben's ships and capturing the transport.
A second transport was shot to pieces by combined American
broadsides.
Ed Majeski's schooner took on British Tim Hitchings' 40 gun
frigate. After capturing the schooner with ease, rather than
waste crew on such a small prize, Tim sent them back to the frigate.
Ed's ship then received the not-so-kind attention of gunnery
from Tim and John Setear.
Despite British treachery, the day belonged to the Americans.
The final duel saw Yank Joe Pabis finish off John's frigate,
only to have it explode. The blast tore into Joe's sails and
set his ship afire. Joe's crew doused the fire and hacked a hanging
mast free.
Tim and Arthur advanced to the final, squaring off with squadrons
of ships of the line. Adept sailing and gunnery gave Arthur his
first wood and the Lord Nelson certificate.
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