Kiss Me Hardy – Catch the Pidgeon, 3rd Feb 22

Commodore Simone looked around his command. The mighty 2^nd Rate, Bucenture (98) and the Tonnant (80), formed the core of his fleet. To starboard were the frigates Glorie (40) and Venus (40) and beyond them, the diminutive merchant vessel, Pidgeon, carrying the gold reserves from the puppet Portuguese government. He would have been happier with the gold onboard his flagship, but the Governor had insisted on using the Pidgeon. He was also worried about the frigate commander, Capitaine Tonee. When the fleet was making ready to sail, he had been nowhere to be found, but a tour of the local bordellos had eventually unearthed him, in concert with Capitaine Chriss. Both claimed never to have heard any communications.

The previous night’s storm had blown the blockading Royal Navy fleet off station, so Simone had a chance to sneak away with the Pidgeon. However, the delay in finding Capitaine Tonee had allowed the Royal Navy to return. Still, the fleet had raised anchor and Simone hoped to escape ahead of the returning British.

Offshore, Commodore Roberto anxiously watched the sails on the French fleet. The storm had blown his fleet off station, but they were running West again, ready to catch the French. Inshore was his main squadron, comprising Ajax (74) and Antelope (40). To port were the frigates Shannon (40) and Diamond (40), under Captain David. Although outgunned, Roberto was sure that Royal Navy skill and determination would see them through.

Ajax & Antelope sailed past Saint Neotee head, on a converging course with the emerging French fleet, while the frigates attempted to overhaul the heavier ships-of-the-line and cut off the escape of the Pidgeon. As the big ships of the line came into range, both sides started firing at each other’s rigging. However, Ajax was getting the worse of it, facing 50% more guns. Sails and rigging were soon rapidly flying off her, but she was also managing to slow Bucenture, so the central fight was turning into a bloody short range pounding. However, the French frigates then turned South-West, effectively crossing ahead of Ajax, adding their fire to Ajax’s predicament. However, Captain David had by then managed to work Shannon and Diamond around the North of the French frigates, quickly pounding Glorie with raking fire. Glorie’s brave attempt to ram and board Shannon was bloodily repulsed, resulting her striking her colours.

The captain of the Pidgeon, horrified by the nightmare of gunfire and smoke ahead of him, hauled around on a Southerly course, attempting to cross behind the British fleet. Antelope, seeing this danger, hauled around to try to catch the Pidgeon. Despite some excellent seamanship, in hauling up to the Pidgeon and the tacking within feet of her wake, Antelope was taking too much fire from Tonnant, who after seeing Pidgeon’s furious change of course, was working around, in order to cover her retreat.

At this point, capture of the Pidgeon seemed unlikely and with night falling, the British retired with their prize, Glorie. The French Tonnant and Venus, escorted Pidgeon away, while Bucenture slipped back into port, for repairs and to put Commodore Simone to bed! A fine French victory, although at the cost of a frigate.

Hopes that the British frigates could take up the chase were dashed by Venus dashing between the two Royal Navy frigates and simultaneously delivering two broadsides, at point blank range, into both Shannon and Diamond, before slipping away ahead of any response! The luck did not appear to be with the British today!