Lead Adventure Forum
Miniatures Adventure => Age of the Big Battalions => Topic started by: cataphractarius on 29 October 2017, 01:24:35 AM
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The year is 1878. Russian forces have swept into the European possessions of the Ottoman empire, pushing towards Constantinople. HM Government sends a squadron of warships to Constantinople to prevent the Russians from taking the city. A surprise attack by a flotilla of Russian torpedo boats inflicts serious losses on the British squadron, which has to retreat back down the narrows. While Russian forces have so far failed to capture the Ottoman capital, HM government has sent a declaration of war, while plans for maior operations in the Baltic are under preparation at the Admiralty.
For an initial intelligence-gathering mission a small gunboat is sent to the Latvian coast. HMS Boxer, a Beacon-class gunboat which had been commissioned only weeks before for a deployment in China, now cruises off Liepaja.
Unbeknownst to the British Commander in charge of HMS Boxer, a Russian coastal defence ironclad is present in Liepaja - an Uragan-class monitor! When the Russian warship steams out to challenge the enemy gunboat, the British Commander, in the best tradition of the service, enters a fight that some might consider to be slightly one-sided.
Then again, however, HMS Boxer has a 7in RML firing Palliser ammunition - and its gun captain prides himself of having the best gun crew in the service under his command.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/KEHFe0EVF_xJvm-ZU_idGeQezP_aV4OiDWrgFg67InUlxc3lU56a4xikZM0ZPIy0LyQFVu90aMf9ICLFnzleO8gctqOvjw2EwyQ6TAoaZ7BmJQsOrgZp7URE72cs4ckW_8kI9Vjim7bPXGqs1g5ncO7a7dNP2dZFOQImsk4igP3PS7NLXz4deo5kMv3YvgTkATqgvybnUKHKQh6u9Eoe3VWk9dkUy83TG4HbzcIMxjDJOj_bpjoBUXif9LcnyYyROAn2zFjk_31mcgVkfNNuGPr9DRFoqclltCbitAm4qb4LfFCZSdMR6kxxsuPTaJoluy4WAk25UMZCFn2aWMkIMNX7raYO-VC73GjP7gBtpleQFXlIFQlzIs5-db73EqElPyzXn17d1LqY0BIMHB8MiEBD8bVZOdo5JAHOkyIZob9hsTcnsoIp-etrZRWaLeESVuLaJtWE6ttrm6UX3x9jn7pqisLcFq2ZB-RJDYzp67WKb4SOay4hsOjC6PCRBgchLXeoaor5B8M_g49FnCUkySTKqT34nKom5UF28d_-93dT0ZSWWRFC2NE5lfJlnI2SrWrIEZ6Yi07veOsd6LRKl7_eqqRKiEl5hgK3sEkX3IbadefZCYXzlKSbPpXosKRdcHFQrfykZ7c7lDE5kCVePbvn3txhe2D94g=w713-h885-no)
Both sides open fire - and as things usually happen in these cases, little worth mentioning happens.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/4EOLmAjkOTtYZaBTdoeD4rgC3TRWogr1E8orbSWOSQqcb_aDWhlfMZg7H34lhH9Q7ixabCx2WRA2iKh3e0vESFu_qRtP7m86Tz1hO2Qd7bjPb1ycQGyV3V3FP1hx3RqKMIk3q2rGWsdeBoclMPB4ail576W-TPrcoI6FWqueo5oBo2XqtZvinruiI9Ss9bFQIejKcjORi65msqCIk2hucZh7ZASnTt-ga0upQpN7KeqWX9Qbzvvu0SCctfIUfXlisri9hWpRo4mUGljs7Ow4JvzLoIxBowr3q0v98JdpqCmB03GPCvj4dZjttr2ST4X_rAttftoPaslSXCAlyNXkIObfQlu4Fv72XJpjnweZFvtNfdIjKDEM1751MThMZDI5MhsyRB-mTNusHrfMVGX59VmMtnCYYLONQu0Ex3zAafRUZ87Xn6E1MlXbMnyjsacAdm-AnYb1UjvNEbo_5H_6EIVg5n9AcI31qHkrCcoWqhVeCOk9TEOKlFQXnCto6vDhwJYZ6KfnYdsDaD6YoU-L0j9nA75yBsd85c4S21hK-qm86viwicVBHXlYXQvmDIbCLYrTJWQKy8czGLs48XQxcP7fvVjmypvcJynIhA_HXu3OxvIDApTp0mM2NC8AiSeJpQeDIDmiQ7cGHZJZ1jYqMXvN_OGVybKaKg=w1024-h804-no)
Soon, however, the Russian captain ralizes that reloading his big guns takes some time - time the British gunners use to throw Palliser bolts at him!
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/GeAR5ISfG9vznUdobI0PUSpMFRkNehyCJvSLDO4mkuc3wI9crsre8iCDG-_zq4xYO9N3KcoXzP7r1QjBsxn6xv9RlnRFo-5pTK8fAIgHhrDLC8bXnovuqX5waBt5mOni8yuYmuzFO63QUOGdHG_9Sw7MFaW-G1J6U7OGHXBYEoDn1FDEgdJ70zGkO6FVWUA97xamM0Be36zUvs8mNAlD--sQQfUGchh0yDPad2B1MiXWkDzXL3gspPFN-dmxCvn6o4Wnre_ItMi9raxmYRftneAn4TF8msh25BLkUB7aEL22138WCmnZXAXWvwmd9PaRInv2v6DM80PPM5Csgx6yJ_D5qlYyM4CyTu01QubCW4ze7FMHLoNlAlBafYtpSX5XpPsXovAFmBs-PQoZL3cxuy5MZXrliOKlq-4cKvUNV5kFTgfEntsdvu0p4YRSNZ6lIRwGQTd6Q-tooIDnRqgcmhaXVqIBRBO7_sec2PLRHecVW85b0QggCMbSDe2niMoh0YDSa2cWGYfHRo303z-1g3YbrHRsg2Q7IWsWcUPD6ns5z23FE-h_l4ftvy-EL-8jmspgFowiUwRiT0Togluf6e25zJpYjeYUGMBacqzHu6JDxEwTwJnoPF_hKI6kTCNAYh1Hdi_pmf0B8cQgRMaNI7RP_teRgLbJCQ=w1024-h546-no)
HMS Boxer firing a broadside. The model (based on a BAY hull) is still missing a largeish number of details.
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(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/_Kr-i0hiQjdpUWdb6MUgROYqIA_qsBRM-FkQy9q33PVIa4aA7f-tA6OKg5TKv6F4UaVdsKI8fD-pHy1TtKiElODhKgS76Z5Qv8pg6Ydg6S35MCe4MMjjMHTBc-0qQxdb-az_0BDhopcfYdiwCB8fGZ0Z3EoQhrcmqeup4DgELO2QEjfCv7s347HmC1fCcvOqXn4_gjJDVpiXx8kqUcbgGcT02XrlRKoIEC7ETDfF3VuTbQj0N15nr-8PBtAnwgGCV275CD5GxObCTO_8MSLx7qJm8cgbdQRnB_AtiDiyq8KaBBw_Rs2DtHTKWwnEdKLLRZnErTQsBECPv9a5qBZamej-4c63WmsEu5RzhCxiGwkJZkWXSU9c3KkRsAGyDyL_MOxeXImIwWSGP07YVPzikvx0o1atTF9X4mSdvGl4oKzZI-zkdNzMhWtqLlDrSStvcwZR1WyPJsc4CmxoJOpirCbFgDsZOyVBWz0QNHqjCcQrx2GykR3Giw7Q0HZUghijLprvo_1g5pwT4q-TEmqJ9jkvJUdALwlPuua_jtx1rPkG0197B0P5Lxy2hhGos3gyVVgOfrgJfTPviM1Fcf8aW0HEUUTbbVks_p8klYetCPRRq4IX9LaONXWvAXG1ts6Qo6pB806KXE--A_QNVEu72vFC8q41JPSQFg=w696-h886-no)
Again the big guns of the monitor speak, and this time they take their toll - the 68pdr gun is put out of action and the base of the foremast takes a hit.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/zH3EC-oL2FHd7ZQ-6iSUTruevuHEYFcNjU3_wPp5ZuoDXhZ6CUsUtbK_jD-_Aizeqx43wUpFrR-sT6RfooHKM1mLInpHPu8Ow_carRACRmCGaf9do52wgFnsB_lgKxKAPWppIJTpriyrs0Fwq7zAu6t_HahcTzgRhSbNGlNhNttOi6to_UW5_JyYTyH7eTRrsADGPX8-6iTEVJZWvbjCearZTAJaC-HgNGA4HTIic2aSBoIE77PBqzYNuOUnYKdUWA0do51dv6cCAxr1AnAl_U96s5kMkBSmaOPQn_FKD3X4GyQHZjWpI7km4ghkCadmZIoK2IyXXSoclafwWCotzmuCQCRi2ccTa_vgQIh41xunPUNTyVtPmOP6omnQ1T_P1ZV6XLz3zeV6naXDpDXQcp9yWh6ZXZ1sCJ-SFkiEPep6vVjUu9zF14e8n7IzT3exAxPRw_ypQW_whbgsWuqSvpVVlnr88gTdPoCxdxOLDWik1gCX9Tcz8sHLoPtO2EgFA_lMroBjE5VmQm40G5gLlyqPtfojHPU_II5EY0HGlGDjQGkAlAHtokf_7MIuZnwHWz7nC843xLauEOS58It24U45k5kQjid6l3BzXU14E4XONdtDeFqMVCXAMGbsG3OkRBEVu-rUp8ofUM1p4uk4f0fkuVGCHIe6YQ=w795-h885-no)
Obviously, the only course of action to take for the British Commander is to turn towards the enemy!
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/S1EONDD1Vwc_Ba2uUzoOmVOvMB5Ha2H9qlCBaUSBdw5zwhvnGHO8VMQkVr_X9LIrrtx78WyEeOhfHCOdoIUMOdQtpMyg07JoVOlCk_StzEgLwrPpYhKPoOjovYsj9Kejkio2w03iJxH9ksV0zYZCi-iwGVyyUlE4-WP4lzEK-8oZVBSIVe7ipk5Tm1qW1owa_5LFXZkNsWcJKXSStfUqoaSyfXhz3m5TTHbB2N9uWvnq3tkeJtrreU4_xhfsSzkthl3NrPlQNrfeIiXAuy7xrYt9esezZ_rrAY7KBPJ5eygkXE225Aql8LllSIYW4b0HIgTXWawfEDQC2Sc0vVC-FA77nupKb9EOwK9fEzkC6o5q_JCZjLYq-6w6J4vu5PZySfPQs2NJxqf7ptP6O1UI3fo5_eAMvCK9g6LZ6z-9vuFsDeveaucJjLHBv89jaGXlDVKetXwTNgvH7mFL87wLTZr52QIVeNOkHjDWOLv8gQIngDg6q0VjZ-QeaI0qdCCj3mSBqZShWU2ZaCcjq58blQJeEbBZkCY_weY3cPp8k6i-RAlsyAO4p9aXoqT6fCEVUzTsRharkXQ5TQq-mP_N3_upj_PsIPucLMqPAX2woGY4M6YMWsBy9tUyT9QqEAOAfr-2JouxgI2vVZ8Xk9hxks6QKoXBj-wE1A=w996-h885-no)
Which allows the Russian monitor to blast another two big holes into the British ship at point blank range! However...
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(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/zSnOzoj_iudsH-9FF4_OMboECYUIzp4LpwZSV4bsBnTwdeMWBBeO9fVPYUhuze1oPUl8obHl8IgCyO1hWuO0Ugb4efvCfvxdcAQ9ol7ng5LRwGUXpRtIYREzukd074pb32W8aJ7C2tcWkD73s-aMCwPHUylzW5QGXrHNTMxIlYX96HsJlHTghHI1EbRMiETM2B1mPWcgqMxSZJh_2TScP5GHVGUvBd1W6O-a3OC-yaMm4VU0ab5xORmIZaaG8BJrZ3CcPzk91m9bWGS7paUaQBV4vUeyoS2CknFISkukkUM9hBIL9bbEngVjtO2i99DSUAvcwl5KEj59psq5OZnRGN6x7SIlW7qya8XLnRMMcpZp5Fj-ILVmTLX-Zyq2srKRpIjLJqrU8o6KgQfOUvb3yMxaeIlIu3BjPfBfvMOnh7f1PMjPqlnPPNWwzGrGReUQziS22R4lQ7HxbEkPkq16e3CozzrGqoMMs1ab5v13VinFNB5-vYmrYvGSreywHfeDUI2YhkKxu_pROTTLPTvL3C6EAl3ExU2r8aJD-iMyoML3Eb_K3Cv7fhkkACDm9wBH-UGvQDwXXESnTMfrlmywIx_kxP0uXSpPKmMKsvawJ3SR3jD5P5U4xanPFpJF05aaf7c5NbhUmbfyueyH0I_JxWYbwu_MAM0r0A=w1022-h885-no)
“... Grapple her stern and bow.
They have asked for the steel. They shall have it now;
Out cutlasses and board!
They cleared the monitor end to end,
From conning-tower to hold.
They fought as they fought in Nelson’s fleet;
They were stripped to the waist, they were bare to the feet,
As it was in the days of old."
After a brief fight the Russian ship struck her colours - quite an achievement for a small gunboat!
In all, quite an enjoyable hour. The ships, by the way, are 1/600; HMS Boxer, as mentioned, based on a BAY hull, the Uragan is scratchbuilt. Both still are considerably lacking in the details department, but from three feet away they look acceptable.
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Very nice, especially the scratch-built monitor!
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:o
Looks very good (cool !!!!). Tell me please is this battle was historically?
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I like the models and the sea action, congrats!
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Thanks!
@Khmorg: There was a Russian war scare in 1878, and HM government did indeed send a squadron; for about a week or so there was genuine fear of a maior war breaking out, but in the end nothing came out of it.
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Yes!! I was told about it when I was with a tourist excursion in Kronstadt! The forts constructed in an artificial manner reliably closed the shipping channel.. ;)
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Truly excellent
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Once again HMS Boxer had ventured close to the Russian shore to gather further intelligence about Russian forces in the area. High-spirited due to his recent success in taking an Uragan-class monitor, the Commander of HMS Boxer has nevertheless been aware of the potential danger the presence of Russian coast guard ironclads presents.
Therefore, while the arrival of ADM Taffrail Stormer in his flagship HMS Scorpion - which has been transferred from the West Indian station directly to the B Baltic, where it is supposed to be eminently useful due to its comparatively shallow draught - marks the end of the commander's independence, he nevertheless welcomes the heavy punch HMS Scorpion can bring into any future confrontation.
Which happens to be just around the corner, as the Russian navy has not only one, but several Uragan-class monitors tasked with guarding the Baltic coast. With the harbour of Liepaja now effectively blockaded, an attempt is made at opening it up again by dispersing any Royal Navy ships present.
For the first attempt a Russian monitor has been given some support in the shape of a gunboat, which Russian high command deems more than sufficient to counter any Royal Navy gunboat.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/k1DyGv2ikl7iYTaJNdft6MLwGe70xbB0jmCowHbwK03a9we7vhKkVIUWZ8HEoF7tSSdAkD9n5cASGk_AuIxFr1FDKywEfuO4ehNI5zHCz6hEbqJjN_VckMHXL-1m0FbkoWEED97UxB-uNZPF8hm67fD0723n9Z2pgalKbL1hPKBuh_HvQ1EFfzj7gZHbpgR2aCzvaZ5BVksP9MnXUiqhG4JdNu5mfjFix2r32CsvF6FdOPco40VpQD9tcnvhtD9z0fi2-1wpTyKrd7sHOyRTpZ-LxM7zn9F3Ae8ZewmtXEmwpmPh3pvmuiqLP91I8hi5e_KEJDAM5jym8ZlqKpForQdl5mWToR0MihO-2InDtJ74jiKBWDnEFSwmBZZ5YHnx8nWKm4mBCSVyWFdsSfkV7s7Pj7U9G_IUMV3qXaKU06AkkYooMcckSHnks2_pgSgNgkV7K9uDsF_Gy0SncTWsvq4yzHFqXpbMH_wNYe0s9-v_PEM3N0c8oPmFuJ-qB66C6rW9OiAdK8ph3R6-g2B8qLLZniHxmTvLEJmmzY_m-0iEnb4M-hF5p_COWAdZVcagYuNcFYHcv-p-UauokCn3rhwDEvMFq6nriaE4sDr6eVuZcmrmbDCKpT2T_aB3XE_ZcsUO0GgCWbnTuJav0F9R11GQx99-dEMQ-w=s931-no)
There is some surprise as the Russian captain in charge of the two ships realizes that he is up against two warships, one of which is an ironclad. However, undeterred by the new threat the Russian ships move foward in a neat line, while the British formation looks slightly, well, fuddled.
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(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/yEwUqL5pxLwKGj5a4SyEQhJrIDCxxdoAVxR69hdtbj2kDYK1KOKGABdBEWKPDb6Du5vJnKX0ir8vzRVgOUdAiIN8vTuM22jG-eiSCFZpj3rxCzHn8TAn3C5BaqdJ_UnD3rmgc-0c_xiKJOWOMRHEFeCoXlnfBPa7nSmv50xDCFtPmEyGIcmd11KYmwC8WVjybyFlNZ_NGA6E7A27bbkptWK5H6NNK008yvO83J0TLGXm0HZNF2lbVEgNp0kXOPK-sWveoQZCYb9a2XmUv2Lk0QYJbjRNQzLOQv2y0bkhim52BeMH6ejGxitbFpK0YjPlg2KF6e8SPU18V6F2duEXCSG4Q_3RbOqzLsFkO-4Vs1pWOdhk5CW-Zq6H8Y_HHaGfNGRUY7lFiSfUeBMvQnMc-JKnrphfFH53X0P2LJPQJLt-6BKGvbFR11x-9_dEGyQCNjI2DalASRoYExCTepJSLQ01h0XXYjGSJo_QSDfrirY7VRQNOsvqkE94lXahMNm-5SL8Grx2cLBYeAHixWO40Rvk-ZmGoBEzMwrWb1JgX-26oZY9iohajqCr_GOUs3kwlaU1ls3i_y9CasVI_cQLqECCqZbsx5fvU0C9EkTi3OatqLl7e3nB-VKVhCgh6CoM8hqBL7AIg7w8WngcGlNRVB5IfANeH27mPg=w1024-h782-no)
Both sides begin to exchange shots, although - as things usually tend to be - inititally the gunnery is rather ineffective.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/b61_v5DQlBwyffGl-A8USCZvfqe1FPst2ddZmbVtbROuMT7LsAiLw3PcStidQigUJ_WEODPXFpe3AdSpC95b9pNDkBz6WU-byJBvmowM-tbo3iFmEC-RynAmJOUAhQhZaTy-UmBkuWQMYQ7QsDSkazVJHFipxOGg2n_OJjoXYVjaEwujhJ-UnmdejoRCJf9XTkxAy5Ycc_j2GlyAePsKAnauZW8sZq7dHLrqsyU6NWaNaYoFRXkEG_Ws4FUZEkU09ybj5cQc8IGTVNbNE2grzcjrTRRqBqybKUJr3cEg22uH9Cj5GyX2zKgfLXM0tzi6vLI18_uh3gM4Z63ZPbodbT_gFH7HZhJV4RAID3HbRlQ8NwQoVKv3-qZq2GH3IJbysIeEzBAnIS4BN_51dEmxPihWcpgMveLT55zZSirfuyDVE50PeJaZFhz4lG7CRfAW6qaGhKuKlBoDj04VGmP8nZvBpHJwC9Vm-asr1JIx7lZ-PqGhiWgewBiDdZlcSXTTp-eCG0-svzjVpFJTDhYnJno3R-_-t8pRT38sw7zrWW0l111IRhYimVQE3VRX4j5CCtlrw5gErD-ssGRF4oGYFBUoDW23fI6Ox6xa94q3cWPpbQoMODcRRt5WoFtoj2iwqVWC3ubMIK_DSOMLwfEsF7o38h32rpvA5Q=w963-h931-no)
The Russian ships continue in a nice linear formation, but HMS Scorpion due to its superior speed manages to edge forward threatening to cross the Russian T, while HMS Boxer lurks somewhat in the back ...
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/JWQmwaqMJLmJW80v2BwFbhAAKsWgcZndKVZ619wOBSfvKKCh_r0RfeQChHm4hsxyCwAdvSoXjXE3Ox59JvsMb1vMcAcdg3i_RSS01V5hrduqjXZSSYMtT9gL1ye2WYP3BS5IHeeGbPLDkR9dXrtPNKZuAHKbXVyEatyyUmNc4GX12BDIh5gq6zTSPP6VI4Eh3DKKbeKo90aW36jcP_dnOA623cMehSz-AUAd8fTFnQFZDlxBTsUMh8WaT6m2VcN1Tb7aWHLHW4IH23XKvgJfXjFZmhqWhcw-rPRUHzaLZ7PkvVbAhCpSOnxzEglf5X7sTKS7RvzYAmncCcROG3ZlCKDfEYhSLmDTwo7vFISLa-KTD2ME4_d0HOu2mC2gjKjqB35aHU6VV226YuwKg4DtxRxGGhAAALsDmRZxvWZnT6JSemHNuZAOh2r36efPdiirzMDwTylXaMDx0LLwxRV3xVpC0B8u7dnLcW1xwCogS7SU8-_4xdTshFI6zU5tLsXwGFGOSQiEo1CdfJ1WCilJGspzqzVffv8Gw8hRmzAfM8hjU2scqhB--qzTsbkgR6znGRCWqVY99FAL2ZViqS6307jN_bEWlurtlYgeW0JqK0ZD9ZwCAmaE_zcPQDYm997ABPL_C0y2LjMor-eLAjgZGBcNAOKi-RkLDw=w1024-h920-no)
Time for the Russian ships to swing off to port. Apart from some minor damage everything is so far in order, indeed, a lucky shot carries HMS Scorpion's mizzen away. Note however that HMS Boxer is turning to port, trying to get behind the Russian formation.
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(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/4y-4x4SsN3pj1aP8-uH9VT6D6pluTDV9JMLlZ-IhGBdrbGI6xK2SrAIfbBtkJIbJcnwdlZpxIeygMlTgAJPPtYHr4lnwoAwR9jbCt7fhJreSFHpSHL8gwRM3Kzo8H4b4Nq2v8chdBX91_R_8IV96YEPASIC2tGP1aQE4f5xb9z-7uXbSrLMIRD4G8bUTV4MJZZFZADO8eWGIMsRgHjKR1rmW39vi6clcsF8WweNdtvq24lHdMDZ8xxcJ-LD8jwEMc4UtnrXnXQheDotUYhVeOIYt2qFvYPqu9LcI6QWK0c8C3pxlknT4cs0fCMUeIo2_3imA6aQCnf-XgIKCWaL8lC5jmDONhjWuoWu1snRPY5EceugUIJhWCXIHbwSS-26k3c2rqEtmWz0n48o0YIiJO7hjE1s2zL7HTIQOzahppojSS_hb4snlNhqtgWA9IOd3IxkjQSYxz3GBypbwIpXJhvclEA5KXa969ub5-YDHvfqURupzp0AC1frd2iml94TiyOdcSzCF-ycMbl5hePD7hVp8brzrSRD6CUy8fSzDu16KyQZ6DXtDAMFbBJkxclgoJKQUhx3gEsD4-yktL_f8VzKuJ3rPCEWDBfcpaZTOc_RrKFRycS5ZnBHDEimQORFvwDkqDGmSO0pYDvartTqyXYWHiPyQowTaMQ=w776-h931-no)
A fierce gunnery duel erupts between HMS Scorpion and the two Russian ships; the British ironclad suffers little damage, while the Russian monitor's deck is pierced, with red-hot shell fragments wreaking havock in the section below, luckily without further consequences for the ship.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/qvPEkjE6KM-PwvkJYGcBfGGbl6DpQ56nDm8qrSQVL9BWMskB-OtZiNiJCK4HvRGGrGluTB1xSw2-u398aNpd0LAWpvS6oUElF5vSdBRsgD1sBH2CtUgcrWeOAcyEe_YpOcxcntAde6yYJAWh7InBwRKEcxK5EoWWopwImy1ffTbzIWuo3BnTEu7q7oCwjElIgg-7nNwYCjA48izJyeI1D9H507n_EMp_f0N3sUJ-SjEiGrMo4nkOqY2-tKb2fubYFGZuKPxjWomT6y9zMOyYyUv7h93rTuZGixHG_OycK50T2y8BgLfWpTs12TxScvBTmGeqUt6NISYjRnubEOECxAGf65PDibjBijyELIk8PJpYLiFJZkTXRq2TpZ2yWs_l652FGKizamGl4jkdi-YKb1ATVrEse-Zd6hMPYdcBn7TIG72L9jTMt3ZEIRLGf2QZSLWEuJHscvaXOVSL6mZUskcwjCi70GV45oELWK4LHWd_kvk0DcE4wz2eytGHNOA2LeFnZsqIMwHF9g_KcCpxOj-pG8vyWpzhNB0NGnzMC07G4HboeUcDRHkqYOm1PsX83i_gj579uCBaWvSaZTC2Uzux-evejoLvUgafGEFPZ_SIHT8q0VjltdkV3ns0Gs3u1mK1WF6fPT9kFxH13zwNUfTdqa336kC5xg=w1024-h647-no)
HMS Boxer then starts to fire at the Russian monitor from astern. While its 68pdr explodes, the 7in RML manages to damage Russian ship's magazine - one further hit and it will go up in flames!
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/jzhPFemmBMi6JzI17F4ixPEtYcJ7ncDQTsm4YpSCTW2ulQmjUhexENI6T2uE3norUGgp3hq9UlTrvlSv6Hr7Nwr64VqZoK7KfNSu49y0JPAkrJiO2rvytgGanm6avDtbMMunRuLSNdC174sSDUXYwNF0LLWDCaMDOV5fAj5dTT7UiYQRFzQ-FRQlN1mYgDIPEBkphBZ1g5YX3RG4c9zgL-fa2LKAqY2yUqby071TR4a7TSf2JIBKNb9qofpRvwNKMfyR0ssDbl0H3GTisBOLjmMQXLhvpD9ksF-ION2IJ4--pzNZaSmbxjApxtMyREOTuPUEpYvvm5O0-VieENmL8gwLieZBr80g9p7sx_hzxHauVIoWxMzT_6DBcxSf5PAJy2z_SIht4tZgaqnLvyH4yyS7QhBMTyzm5xg-tfdcXiLQUBiGuvsudTo1-l4_PYOQbF41J5q4jhYo9QL4WlI3HfGGk9J7Nf8KR2I8pxZe-SuYqVqF1PbSgZ-wtExJ2pcuygr4LmsM2GODxbV4a4SeAGPQGWqWGLxLiiY2PeWEFHq7JKhFFaZGzqx3Zw7ZdABajrt1CgMOo9gAw0S3DeFSSMoiSPy8wO_3iUf41IsYaZHVBzion-1NfQmEc2aZGkFKhmH3Ht_Wk0hTi3dz_GSdP3Xjt1zcA1cVZg=w738-h931-no)
Even more troubling however is the situation of the gunboat - due to some truly atrocious handling it somehow gets in between the monitor and HMS Scorpion. As a result, the British ironclad can open up at the wooden gunboat at point blank range ...
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/CVY_vO4AhXPN7R5n3IaknZ-oEs1cO5b3PUGA0hRDE_ra6LVuoZQGpjp3viX2LG2paWbC59cV2XFPt_38ra7zJveelZM4gCZbLQN2HGEiIvuYGsD5NhQWyvgOy2QG50hyCKJfeaoW_f3jDHWNnJ94qTL-uQitsBUi8aq2IUIPbtE451LJotEBVS7UqNi_h-gIQr3x5elmCDpaQJ1EUP7G9evk3afx3bIAOz0Jdpu8K2578ethvfjZqzxsX-mRv_IysZO6yZ_iRHxc_DSE4yC2AwIUq2czNa7tRBr4Jgq-wdlpdXeby1zBywxQ364LPNBX26OrzJqqiJbeqz_rUH9wNHolVkWTZxiuETwtj-dxXs46xyPA-obHGEMSdo5aU2DTNN_tY3hyJfBM7j5UBit2SGDR8ofDTQiUxouyDqrdzWya2eEq7yNImGgTB9OQPgEM2o9a0nEETLV5uLhPEeqLuubo7cUR-Fk6eNo-Th4bD22bM8aZDcpQgCgxTdL1OyZ_PLd1VsqT8UgtDGXTc-QxVIiif3EyBOZzc9jt0_hh6z6SyKzbmFu02UCNwbwsbCjT3rxKZnsmTYODdXTNjIGUGK6j7lSFDfuTY63Z96elXwHQ4_eAae5hkZI75VXexN8hZ2zR_U9BQrLKDYMOVTIVojNWdRS2gqronw=w633-h932-no)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/qoqFtP9jO4eaW4kLfKvR3WrM4tPVvdbsg9u4T4_qnDOysUeXh7Jm67RifaIoHnS8ZxovVg_SsuR8fOuTm35wr-jqAVxJvtcPk25OsZT0un3JdrzJ0BjQFxEBHD3p1YPVgN44DFeYVnwPNOWAkZCAus5hD_fPts3njEWIqvCpbpUmh-4gS7IAhd2snJN6VNdggtjvJcj-uUVRsgcPiTa3OnSNkPj5dRwk4GBtB6cD46yjiFY565fcBggsYMTYI4BegddlgjhTFkK9aFEkKSpOGyJ5LUFwwpCxd6XsQ7sTw-tR-e-jdY1j2zEBcxOuWhkH_xH9t_e3pSHQegMI5nRZRGRbJxctykstQUy0n3kaEY1ZtqUgvMfzy5t9RnCVSOuAhlS0fqWB8RDgDa0FTSlGiB9LZ285qKa31TCOBcJpDtXJULua1PYqRShPjKkV7SUpl3nFJU7jkewkNkrGolL4XbbgVi4Ulg48EHqFVGZHoIfxiRV5IhzSKwcZWcLCnx4bjG92Ufqgab4ts_fs54KLqwi-Jn-x9l9YQE3w5qt72W-Yx9d_3wzNEnb5BNtDPnd28WmQMzjS8BOz3YSuNd42AFZbi7bGSH77qfJmagNbYvR0yUvcP734Zo8MT9tGeJT3gLV0JZ_sdbDKhY3wxCPsD2Efr5z_T0x7cQ=w1024-h592-no)
... basically blowing it out of the water! One broadside leaves the gunboat dead in the water, with all guns out of action and a fire starting in two places [note: the damage on the weapons effects sheet is mostly the result of one broadside; only the foremast was shot away earlier in the engagement]. The monitor frantically tries to get behind the gunboat in order to fire at HMS Scorpion, still under fire from HMS Boxer.
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(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/D7KgAoNJac7i7bNhKFjN_tfu7o_Cx0ZWg8u1dmg9xie7MtON3_jYpUZq8VGaTc_-C7w0dNq0D2My12Ur2oyQ6s33IxGBDt-W7hSGrX7n8zwnN2ooPKNs6LyfgdFFcXjYbLHL2Kjj0oq8ayGxzUcjbNvuhcZRcEyLnUPBRcLoB5ii_Pg4AiN9zvY6bgq9U0IYeEfL3b_T8aRNh0P9ihAmmkUF_r9txpmpIi0qSpmB5sTvwhxFRtcZPs3iLm-G5znO8can7H3poanBd5q31cAodQ26pWCuaP7UXKdhcA9eOT9K6fav8UxtAIENRPLEUjbCim41a0uqxV7AFxEMzL7m-_OUl8Lne6qwarhPPDt4UXorDil7qbvFvr6NttzF0FuJaNeI_SmRvc_6IkcHmxVOTPBeJS5QMyZUvDhTUhvWHHu5HFUbj4iTlfKU3R6t-SVO5JoHedE3WlVYkISEcXa16EwSI1C_1GpYtcSJ5fYo4dlulNcKOGXvjX4MudpkKaNKC_E2yfZYH4DLfuZ7zfwqK0WkURO28zl-Bw1_CjyBpFxUke9to6UhotN3Jbom5ZKzuiJWbMLHDDCGpoMbOYPdErC6Kb_x0PRViEyyqfmPZVLe_GPQv505cIuZl70wiO8ELWmXBdR276Q6eGjb8FlPgP0onFqSASzAAA=w1024-h824-no)
HMS Scorpion continues to move in a circle around the gunboat, while the Russian monitor turns anti-clockwise into the direction of HMS Boxer.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/ou9BP6JoF0f5RDxdHeTCrvIqYvJL4OiA1q8ITiMLKtTN1UbWTEXJrpp0rE04q63XCXdUEiZ0u-2EqIv-Yl60oXx_nw5FoUCGTJoK2dE37r7VxEhdNIGE12o7t37lHQi-IVuqVb3GmkW51nfO6aWnS2eHQp3GydQa5GXeRnY3aYLOGFg7ph43wDEc6nTm7bJaICaeiXbX9pDymACGUgeVx7RqM0gfKFr_Oaaqb-Aa7Eay3uF9sXYy8eFdvVWliwRlkUnGyt5TWm1rAB0Gx5-fed8RLYL841yttA-kL9BHIaF53Wc9_1o_vZweGj6kT17HAGJaGP9Jjv2Sxg_nss3CtuZDDVmkNC0tlY8ySQefWreFqIOQF3HKY04CsVEuN9r_rPzjVqItEbEdGbnyZ4GwZXIJJ2zY_jQX5gIPOwbnS9OGQceF8Bn1dI8EomyoucdaaOnWmlip8zDtyleAEmnecN87_cBXs3YnFlJf4oWkTNlc_VKxIZti-QPMVGrTAvF2E4HcniW110zMqqfFMviZjrFC60RpdWlguCkE0oALXhQiW814fP6V3t04noLs72YMZXFnigA_tZZl-XHBhkM_LhAASdWQa6GSXSYtr3qJTTpEEmRKlkbi71HDso9E4Et_Oz5dmvVsm8-R3J0WCRacmRRx7liPImpWug=w1024-h675-no)
Another broadside sends the gunboat finally to the bottom, while HMS Boxer and the monitor close in ...
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/z76BNEytumBx8Vd3Tmi_ar49GGhi5CAQfHXAB-7VsylU6hGWwwxevsK3oCyPjotw_o5Pbuc69lDcBWtmqJRX_n-dQqEg64sXrfXmPtkVHPHR-zKyJGoQ6at5u7_Lk3MW6VDC5nzfuwEB8gEaWYwf5Z0BiUyNWoP1YOKu4YkWKefV1QA5SspPhAAvtrcNziHdKV5IipOLLxen4exBB4qYRgghnSt0rVvJLfwcWnBFaMJX45Mz2QnDAjMyVHtMneYkdnYrIyFpyBJDxJoYzYvnVQPf8IQ1rlj1lcPijFlCGXYeDVZX89rHS-om6MLUMfXZaxTpI4-5d7FfRSAoAFjOCVidXae1bLD6DgnaqKmg6zxl6fZcHbIb7hqL8V8puJByzUwDzCakiOXKj3FPL8pX48RGB-crOiE1D0jPFmv8d8mITLUjqd_vJi9C9StUDdEune55H75BfHdnNTdpn_uPpBczhrP-rVxlZRqhHSRLZx95pQsBMzfjMFfMKpbTcaE9j4ft-oz9-c-yTjyollXp2ZMrHxmYS8x9WC7yMMEH74LbMvy9a-k8KTzcS7XCbO_OIkTL_99cE1cbZSAEoLsTqtb7w2ooK6J6i378Srv36SxRlLAo3Gox3fN-F-LMdNP7ZaNh_BpKWdv-x3GtP8NdZ5lI6Q_Hy_XGjg=w832-h931-no)
... and then history repeats itself with bluejackets streaming over the side of HMS Boxer capturing the Russian ironclad. The battle ends with a complete British victory and another Russian ironclad captured!
All models again 1/600, HMS Boxer and the Russian monitor as before, HMS Scorpion a conversion of a Thoroughbred model, the Russian gunboat actually USS Unadilla, also a Thoroughbred model. Rules used are "Well done, Condor!", a homemade set of rules for naval warfare in the 1860-1880 period.
Again, great fun in all (well, rather about as much fun as being thrashed by six-year-old can be...); both ADM Stormer and the Russians will definitely return, probably with more ships...
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Are those homebrew rules? Looks fun! :)
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Indeed - "Well done, Condor!" was the attempt at producing a set of fast-play rules for the 1860-1880 period that my sons can understand.
Unfortunately, seriously underestimating their ingenuity, the rules are now slightly complex in places, the rules having grown along the lines of "What happens if I do this?". What originally was simply a game of gunnery now has mechanisms for ramming, boarding, fire spreading on board etc, and keeps evolving (the other day I made the mistake of telling them about spar torpedos - now we need rules for spar torpedo boats...).
It's still good fun, though.
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Great write-up! Eager to see more of your games! Cheers!
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Thanks - there were 10 Uragan-class monitors in all, so the Russian will definitely return and try to contest the seas again!