Linroth Sails The Americans To Victory!

Thirty-three sailors squared off throughout the week. Thirty-four single ship matches were played, twenty-two with 64-gun ships-of-the-line, eleven with 38-gun frigates, and one asymmetrical match, pitting an American 44-gun frigate against a British 64-gun ship of the line (the Brit won).

Eighteen players won one or more of the single ship duals to qualify to engage in two-on-two battles. They could choose from a variety of scenarios including two ships-of-the-line per side, two frigates per side, or a ship-of-the-line and a frigate vs the same.

Mark Linroth and Derek Whipple went on to win three-ship matches.

Among the oddities:

• In one match, there were six wind changes in the first fourteen turns of the game!
• One player suffered a critical hit, resulting in one of his own guns exploding.
• Several ships caught fire during the tournament, but none suffered a magazine explosion (alas). Generally, the damage control teams on ships this year were quite good, putting out fires before much damage was done.

The Fleet Action Round was a hypothetical battle between Admiral Nelson’s Mediterranean fleet and the French fleet under Admiral Brueys d’Aigalliers. Instead of catching the French fleet at the Nile, the Brits met the French in the open sea, after having suffered rigging damage in a storm.

The French had the wind but approached cautiously, maintaining good sailing order. The British used their time well to repair rigging damage. They needed the time, too, as they found it difficult to fully assemble for battle.

The battle was joined as the French ran into the center of the British line. The French flagship, the 120-gun L’Orient, was paired against a British 74 with a crack crew. The rivals traded broadside for broadside until the heavier French guns gained the advantage.

The Brit sought to carry the day by boarding. Her grappling was initially successful, but the French skillfully threw off the grapples. The Brit struck her colors on the following turn.

When time was called, the French had a narrow tactical victory.

One of the great things about this year’s tournament was the number of players who came close to qualifying for the playoffs. Bruce Cota, Jeff Miller, and Matthew Seitz ended the tournament less than ten tournament points out of contention.

Matthew was noteworthy as “Rookie of the Year” (or, better yet, “Midshipman of the Year”).

The Semifinal pitted Mike Polcen against Mark Linroth and Derek Whipple against Mark McCandless (a rematch of champions). Each player was given a choice of two elite American frigates, three crack British frigates, or four average French frigates.

All but one of the competitors chose the Americans. Mike chose the British but lost to Mark Linroth. Derek Whipple conceded a very close contest with Mark McCandless.

The Final was the Battle of the Marks, with Mark Linroth carrying the day.