Hold Fast

Scenario III: Vengeance is Mine

by Timothy S. Gerritsen

February 2nd, 1800 United States vs. France

USS Constellation (38 Gun 5th Rate) vs. Vengeance (52 Gun 4th Rate)

OVERVIEW:

Almost exactly a year after her battle with the Insurgente, the Constellation and Captain Truxton found themselves in the French waters between Guadeloupe and Nevis. Truxton came upon a ship he believed to be a fat merchant ship, ripe for the plucking, but was surprised to discover that she was in fact the heavy French Frigate Vengeance, under the command of Captain Citizen Pitot, who, despite his size advantage, decided to flee engagement. The chase lasted into the night, at which time the Constellation engaged her larger foe in a nighttime engagement that lasted several hours.

Setup: Open Ocean
Wind Direction: NW

The engagement began with both vessels astride each other, heading SE at a speed of 3. Place the Constitution 4" directly to port of the Vengeance.

Special Rules:

This is a night time engagement. If either ship manages to remain more than 10" away from the other for a full turn, the engagement is over.

AIM:

French- The French Captain must aim at the Constellation's masts.
American- The American Captain must aim at the Vengeance's hull. Victory Conditions: Duel

HISTORIC OUTCOME:

Despite the superior weight of guns of the French vessel, the Constellation did far more damage than she received. The French struck colors three times, but in the darkness, Truxton did not see the signal. Constellation moved in to take her enemy as a prize but as she began to turn in, her mainmast was destroyed. The Vengeance, though a battered wreck, took this opportunity to escape into the darkness. The Americans had won a clear victory against a larger foe, but Truxton was disappointed that his prey escaped to repair herself at Curacao. Captain Citizen Pitot either to save his own neck from his superiors, or in genuine awe of the ferocity of the American attack mistakenly reported that he had survived an encounter with an American ship of the line.

Hold Fast Rules for the Age of Sail

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© Copyright 2004 Hal Thinglum
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