This
week’s game at Hugh Wilson’s was another test to try out my draft 1860-1870
period Ironclad naval rules. I had revised the
initiative and movement system whilst I was on holiday in Majorca this year. There were 10 players involved while I umpired
and explained the rules. The table was 13ft by 5ft - my thanks to Hugh for creating the seascape.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuWjyoiSOaEykfxN-fcxOfG7_FIULsHyzesTJtXqs3OMqyamssEagWInlSO1f150qrreCvZVlCOQWV5kZFiehvRBUYmts701nzCxOYZrxcWD1JJfkqLwbgVWta2M_jEKpzfQz4Pu1pQtep/s1600/IMG_6903.JPG) |
Overall view at start of game - US gunboats steam into action - Monitors enter thru 2nd strait |
This
fictional scenario involved a Union force attacking a confederate bay with 2
harbours. Their objectives were to
suppress the coast defences, capture a commerce raider which was trying to
break out to the sea, and blockade the 2 harbours.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1l4RAlenw_QwfHs25jdR8y6Q_r10hAaU8tkwmvAn7oxEnvtRLj89dsHNAQywH0QpobFMzWPszBcTltL5Na9-Gz98aOcQrZMgeT_sMjZy5WhJ0BmGWT9oWCXxb8wvOWXNmv3cFfHcZGUUM/s1600/IMG_6909.JPG) |
Union gunboats manuevre away from the CSS ironclads |
The
Union had 6 monitors and 5 gunboats versus 6 Confederate ironclads and 4 cotton
clad rams/gunboats supporting a large coastal fort and 2 shore batteries.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTtcyUf5jIJ68rRq_JM6cZYcfvb6kzh3Q6R7GtzzbXIis4Omoy7b62DK7wxYb6oheTsHNBxas5dXedQwznX5Pru3Td4-BNDyimrh70V4FFnWn3xMMpUMC6rxHa9DthznexeMywT2jqU3-G/s1600/IMG_6910.JPG) |
Action underway - Fort Sumter and it's supporting rams face the monitors |
The
game went well and no obvious problems were found with the rules though I think
I may look at increasing the effect of ramming.
At the end of the game no ships had been sunk but 3 ships and the
impressive Fort Sumter lookalike had struck their colours and another 4 ships broke
of action and fled. In the end it was a
marginal Union victory. Our next game will be another test of these rules.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3s_qIx8q5R7tXam83oLa2z9EPwSQz3497cVtshoEBAaIB8mQ3Bni_y2KUtQvv_BnnE-ggBtLGCbvNxvLNDVctcmX_wh7Kn4niLPAPoKRDOfJ_sInnXrfWQXLe9v6407DNIYpces0q6n0J/s1600/IMG_6911.JPG) |
USS Tecumseh rammed twice in a single turn |
All my photos with descriptions at
https://www.flickr.com/photos/bill26048/sets/72157646444523236/