Convoy Action off Ushant - A Broadside and Ram Scenario

August 1872.

A convoy of French warships, stripped of their armament and loaded with arms and ammunition supplied by the United States, is approaching the port of Brest. In an attempt to slip through the British naval blockade, the two transports and their attached escort have sailed close inshore using a heavy sea fog to mask their approach. 

The wind has freshened at a critical point, just as the convoy nears the Ile d'Ouessant, revealing the three ships to a Royal Navy patrol squadron approaching from the South. However, the French have dispatched a powerful escorting force from Brest to rendezvous with the convoy and escort it safely into port.

Set Up

This scenario uses a 5' x 3' table. 

The French convoy enters on Turn 1 from the West. It consists of the Magenta and Solferino, both stripped of their main armament and reduced to AF 1. They are escorted by the Gloire, which is fully armed. The convoy Commodore AP rating is +1.

The Royal Navy squadron enters on Turn 2 from the South. It consists of up to 60 points of warships of the players choice. The squadron Commodore AP rating is +1.

The French escort squadron enters on Turn 3 from the East. It consists of 60 points of warships of the players choice, at least a third of which must be coastal defence vessels. The escort squadron Commodore AP rating is 0.

Special Rules

At the start of the game a heavy sea fog restricts visibility to 6''/12'' but will clear on a D6 roll of 4-6, which should be made from Turn 2 onward at the start of each turn. 

The Royal Navy squadron may only change from a reciprocal North-South patrol line if in visual detection range of an enemy ship. 

The French escort squadron must attempt to link up with the convoy but may divert to intercept the Royal Navy patrol if it is detected. 

If the identity of a group of ships is not detected they may not be fired upon until positive identification has taken place. This applies to all spotting whether by the French or British. 

If the fog clears, the visibility rules and restrictions will cease to apply.

 Objectives

The French must get the convoy off the Eastern end of the table to achieve a major victory. 

If only one of the transport ships makes it across the line, even if damaged or silenced, it will be a minor victory. Any other result for the French is a defeat.

The Royal Navy must shatter (sink) both transports for a major victory. 

Any other result is a minor defeat. If any Royal Navy ships are crippled or shattered and the transports both escape it will be a major defeat.