Kiss Me Hardy, Blockade Runner

 Another small ships scenario, using Too Fat Lardies “Kiss Me Hardy” rules, with the “To Covert Glory” supplement, by Chris Stoeson.

A small French merchantman “Baignoire”, has succeeded in breaking the Royal Navy blockade and has reached the West Indies. She has rendezvoused with two French Navy Brigs (Génie (12) and Pandour (12)), before continuing her onward journey.

Sadly for the French, the sails of the Merchantman have been spotted by the RN Sloop Sealark, who has relayed the sighting to the RN Frigate HMS Surprise, both of whom are now closing on the Merchant vessel’s location.

The French Merchantmen started stationary to the North of the Island, located at the centre of the table, while the French Brigs entered from the West side. The aim was to exit the table at the East side, South of a second island.

The Frigate HMS Surprise (24) and the Schooner Sealark (12) entered from the South, headed for the Eastern side of the island.

While the merchantman Baignoire worked slowly around the South-East side of the central island, the Brig Génie ran quickly down to join her. The Brig Pandour meanwhile attempted to work around the South-West side of the island, but finding the headwinds too strong, switched to following Génie.

HMS Surprise, with Sealark in company, ran toward the South-East side of the island, aiming to cut-off the French merchantman. Baignoire, realising that she was in danger of trying to work around the headland, without the support of either of the brigs, sheared off, to wear around to the West, to buy time.

While Génie eventually succeeded in reaching a screening position for Baignoire, the Brig Pandour unfortunately ran foul of HMS Surprise. What ensued, was a one sided boarding action, with Surprise’s 160 crew swarming over the deck of Pandour. But this all took time!

So, it was left to the Schooner Sealark to try to head-off the Brig Génie and Baignoire, which she managed remarkably well.

Having secured Pandour, HMS Surprise then set off in pursuit of Baignoire. Unfortunately, Baignoire’s small and rather poor crew, was struggling with a shift in the wind. They only managed to sort themselves out, to try to work around the headland of the second island, when HMS Surprise arrived. Running out her broadside of ten 6lb cannons, Surprise caused Baignoire to haul down her colours. Another RN Victory!