Kiss Me, Hardy

Following the series of games refighting the Battle of First Manassas, the gaming table fell silent while travel and other duties intervened.  Returning, work begins on creating the next ACW battle to bring to the table.  In the meantime, I was lucky enough to experience a new wargaming adventure.

What was this adventure?

Sailing ship action on the High Seas!

After discovering that Vol lives within about an hour's drive (see A Miniatures Hobby Room), we scheduled a game to bring his lovely models to a gaming table near me.  With my gaming table clear, Vol brought along all of the necessary ingredients for a squadron-sized action.  Each of his ships is a masterpiece in craftsmanship.  While they look fragile, Vol assured me that they were quite study.  After seeing one or two vessels knocked over without ill effect, my confidence grew that they could sustain the rigors of wargaming.

The setting was the War of 1812 pitting the English against the Americans.  Each squadron mustered three frigates and a sloop.  We rolled for sides and Vol took command of the American squadron.  The rules in play were Kiss Me, Hardy by Too Fat Lardies.  New rules to me but armed with a rulebook, templates, and several QRS, we dove in.

Let's see how my maiden voyage unfolded.

An island was plopped down on the middle of the table and the two squadrons were laid out.  Wind direction was unknown at this point so we held our breath as the wind was rolled up.  The British had the wind while the Americans found themselves dead into the wind! 

British squadron in foreground.

Fate dealt the Americans a cruel hand from the start.

Attempting to turn out of the wind, the American flagship, Constitution, sustains damage while losing its foremast.  An auspicious start to the battle!  The remainder of the American squadron suffers no damage as it turns out of the wind to engage the British.  The British squadron turns to meet the enemy.

The two squadrons turn to engage.

While three of the four British ships turn to cross the American formation, the Amphitrite sails on.  I am still working out how to maneuver these beauties but I will catch on quickly.  The Shannon and Indefatigable unleash their initial port broadsides into the American ships.  The action is on!  

The British turn to engage

while the Amphitrite sails on. 

Initial broadsides unleashed!

Whoops!
I placed the firing markers incorrectly the first time.
Corrections made on the second broadsides.

The Amphitrite, isolated, receives a broadside from the Constellation.  That hurts!  Luckily, the Chesapeake swings in behind the Constellation and her guns are masked.

Broadside from the Constellation.

Chesapeake's guns are masked by the Constellation.

Having received a weak broadside from the Constellation, Amphitrite turns to evade.  The captain of the Amphitrite is skilled. He maneuvers to cross the bow of both British ships.  With one devastating bow rake, Constellation suffers mightily.  The remainder of the British squadron turns to get back into action.  

Crossing the 'T'!

14 hits out of 18 on the Constellation!

The Americans are getting hit from both fore and aft.  The Shannon gives Chesapeake a stern rake.  Having received a near-crippling salvo from Amphitrite, Constellation circles about and delivers a broadside into Amphitrite.  The American gunnery is not as effective as British fire on this day.   

Shannon rakes the Chesapeake!

Constellation blasts Amphitrite.

As the two squadrons jockey for position, Amphitrite comes about and delivers another broadside into Constellation.  At close range the Amphitrite is fearsome.  Constellation is rocked again!  In the separate action farther north, the American sloop is pounded by the British ships.  She strikes her colors!

Amphitrite comes about.

Constellation is raked again!

To compound matters, Chesapeake swings around to sandwich Amphitrite between herself and Constellation.  Unfortunately for the Americans, the British fire first!  Broadsides from Amphitrite rip into both Chesapeake and Constellation. 

Both broadsides rip into the Americans!

With the American sloop out of action, the British focus on the hobbled Constitution.  Encircling the vessel, Shannon and Indefatigable give her some lead.  With her speed slowed, Constitution is in serious trouble.  

The Royal Navy closes in on Constitution fore and aft

giving her a pounding!

With the crippling damage sustained, the Americans bring few guns to bear against their adversary. The Amphitrite slips through the closing noose.  With one more broadside into the American squadron, a series of failures sees the Americans strike their colors one after the other.  The action is over.  

With no arc of fire and few guns,
Amphitrite slips through the American trap. 

One more broadside to finish off the American will to fight.

The British see victory in their first engagement.  Hooray!

The action Vol presented was interesting and engaging.  I picked up the essence of the rules relatively quickly and soon figured out how to best maneuver my squadron.  The key to the British victory may have been cast at the outset when the American squadron, through a cruel act of fate, found themselves dead into the wind.  The British seized upon this bit of misfortune and penalized the Americans severely.  Great fun!

Did Vol take it easy on me in my first game? 

Thank you, Vol!