The Alexander at Bay - Devon Wargames Group

[carojon]

One of the games played earlier this month at the DWG was a scenario recreating the action in November 1794 that saw the loss of HMS Alexander 74-guns, in the Bay of Biscay.



In what proved to be an enthralling game of twists and turns with the weather playing its part as well, we ended up with a surprise at the close.



If you would like to see how the game played out, then follow the link to the club blog.

https://devonwargames.blogspot.com/2023/04/the-alexander-at-bay-all-at-sea-with.html

and if you are interested in my thoughts about the design of this scenario then just follow the link to JJ's

https://jjwargames.blogspot.com/2023/04/all-at-sea-scenario-design-thoughts-for.html

JJ

[CapnJim]

Wow.  Those British seamen must have had huge balls....and I don't mean the iron kind... 

[carojon]

Hi,
Well if you’re referring to the scenario then yes, the result was a complete surprise, as just before the fateful strike roll of the Droits de l’Homme, I was just chatting with the player commanding the British, and we were both agreeing that it looked like despite his best efforts the French were about to seal the deal as the Jean Bart’s crew came storming onto the upper deck of the Alexander unopposed.

I think on most occasions the French would have won, which, I think, makes this a reasonable simulation of the historical event, but still presents both players with an opportunity to change things in their favour and in this case make the best of some very changeable Biscay weather.

That said, the Alexander put up a fierce two hour fight historically, taking on three opponents, inflicting around 450 casualties for 40 of her own, so was no push over and explains why Rear-Admiral Bligh, as he was when he got home, was cleared at his subsequent court-martial for the loss of his ship to the enemy.

Cheers
JJ