Napoleon's Gloire: HMS Semaphore

[Mad Doc Morris]

Tying in with the first episode of our Gloire games, we may proudly present a sequel. We used a slightly modified scenario from Under the Black Flag. Hope you enjoy it!

Northern Spain, late summer 1813
After escaping from Santa Catalina - and the unwanted escort by Sharpe & Harper - Captain Jonathan E. Derby is joined by seaman Nagle and his loyal companion, old mastiff Jupiter. Finally the plan seems to come together as the French are in complete confusion and Derby has word from his squadron patrolling off shore, awaiting his command. No army buggers needed to get the job done!
Now Derby hurries to reach one of these new semaphore towers the French installed along the coastline. Fortunately its crew has abandoned their post to join De la Vére at Santa Catalina - but stupidly they've taken the manuals for the semaphore with them. Instantly Derby decides to sign to his comrades at sea by arousing a good old signal beacon on the rooftop. All what's needed is some brushwood to ignite the fire.

Derby and his fellows fan out...



...just as some suspicious French crewmen are returning.



Derby sets Jupiter on stunned Sergeant Délétre who refuses to shoot at animals (he'll soon live to rue it).



In the meantime Derby & Nagle are searching the woods and are immediately rewarded with some fine flammable materials.





The action barely started Sharpe & Harper arrive on the scene, not willing to fail their mission whatever Derby's own plans may be. But as they find British breeding in danger all animosities are forgotten.



Forthwith Harper opens fire on a French crewman who tries to sneak up the tower.
But in hurry the shot is wasted.



Derby reaches the door, the firewood shouldered and briskly climbs up the ladder to the roof....



... where he comes under fire from the pistol-armed crewman.
Lucky John, he misses.



Sharpe displaces poor Jupiter in fighting Sgt. Délétre - respectively what the dog has left. Repeatedly repulsed (and only one step away from another world) Délétre finally perishes under Sharpe's deadly blows.



Seeing his Captain in no imminent danger, Nagle drops the paper and intercepts another Frenchman who's carrying a waterfilled bucket. Before the villain might foil Derby's plan he's faced by the grim seaman.



Meanwhile Jupiter has to cope with another crewman who's joined the fighting around the tower. But suddenly Capitaine de la Vére, hardly recovered from his wounds but driven by desire for vengeance, enters the stage. He's ready and eager to topple British fortune at last second.



Although, hate is a bad advisor - De la Vére, trying to jump over a low stonewall and directly into the fight, stumbles and falls.



At the same time Derby ignites the bonfire, setting the whole semaphore ablaze.
De la Vére rises and, realizing what's going on, cries out: "You a' on ma liste, Capitaine!" But now there are bigger problems to be resolved. Therefore De la Vére leaves the scene, once more deeply ashamed.



With great delight Captain Derby watches the ships coming into the bay and mumbles: "See ye, ol' Frog..."

[PeteMurray]

What a great game! A very clever adaptation of the Stockade scenario, and your semaphore tower is extremely cunning!

I salute you, sir.

[Operator5]

Terrain looks great!

My favorite moment has to be De la Vére tripping as he leaps into battle. Next time, he should recover fully before seeking vengeance. 

[Vanvlak]

Grand! And I agree the semaphore is terrific 

[flytime]

At least as good as the first one.! Thank you kindly fpr that cool game report!

[Malamute]

wonderful stuff

[Mad Doc Morris]

Thank you very much, mates!

I have to admit that the semaphore is a makeshift which was built during an evening's session, a very long evening. The planned scenery didn't arrive in time, so I had to slap this one together. That changed the whole scenario only hours before the game started. Never do that at home!   
That's only to explain the lack of details and the somewhat awkward design. Whatever, update maybe next time.
To make things worse, since the landing parties are now on their way, seemingly I need to paint a whole bunch of sea soldiers. Maybe also some new Frenchmen - I already had to use my pirate scum for this game, and voltigeurs once again would be too easy...

[Chairface]

Very very nice! Where are the Sharpe and Harper from?

[Mad Doc Morris]

Thank you, Chairface!
Sharpe & Harper were (for now?) limited giveaways with TFL's Sharp Practice ruleset, produced by Alban Miniatures to go along with their Peninsular range. Think there's a link on this forum, too.

[Westfalia Chris]

"And whistle all the airs of that infernal nonsense Semaphore!"



Great report. Looks like you had a good deal of fun. The semaphore tower is, of course, superb, particularly for a "stand-in" piece. I love the wood effect (well, it´s real wood, but it looks super).

[odd duck]

Love it ! :-*great photos great scenery! and great write up! Thanks for sharing

[Aaron]

Great report, scenery, and painting! Who makes the naval officers?

[Mad Doc Morris]

Thanks again, guys. Glad you like it - although I missed to take an overall shot of the board to give an impression where which figure started. Marked for the next time.

Chris, you got it! Exactly what was meant. *whistling the theme*

Aaron, Nagle is from Foundry's Landing Party blister (Baker stuff - grrr ) and Mr Derby started as a supernumerary  of the Hessian garrison command from the Perry's AWI range. Took me by surprise that these guys wore uniforms very similar to later Royal Navy dress. And the pose was so tempting...

[Aaron]

Thanks. I am picking up some Britannia officers a friend kindly grabbed at Historicon, but I am always on the lookout for more sources!