© Warlord Games

GAMING THE AWI WITH BLACK SEAS THEME THE REVOLUTION ON THE HIGH SEAS From the outset of the American Revolution, the newly formed Congress recognised the requirement for the newly independ- ent states to have a navy. The foe they faced was the most powerful naval force on the earth at the time: the Royal Navy. By David Davies

n a time of poor roads and no rail PLAYING THE REVOLUTION AT SEA transportation, river and coastal While the Americans were limited in The British likewise do not yet have transportation were key to trade. the size of their fleet, the British faced the experience they would earn in While the British did have some similar issues. They simply couldn’t the decades to come. Thus, they also supply lines from the loyalist areas be everywhere at once, and nor were do not have the ‘Drilled’ special rule Ithey controlled, they were primarily their larger ships suitable for naviga- from page 78 of the rulebook. They reliant on supplies and materials from tion up the larger rivers or for opera- should have the ‘Admiralty’ special across the Atlantic, which made them tions close in to the shore. Interdiction, rule, however. Likewise, their ships vulnerable to privateers. Colonial ef- patrol, and convoy duties were left to should be limited to , , forts were at first haphazard, but grow- the more manoeuvrable and and frigates, as most of the time the ing experience (and help from abroad) smaller unrated vessels. Americans would outrun the larger allowed the Americans to 'redirect' ships of the line (USS Randolf vs HMS much-needed supplies to their hands. Rule adaptations Yarmouth being the only exception). The was drawn up from scratch. The rules for the French remain un- As such, it does not changed, but they too have a limit on enjoy the ‘Drilled’ ship size. They captured several Brit- rule from page 84 ish prizes when they joined the war, of the Black Seas rulebook, nor the taking them into service. ‘Over Fitted’ rule, as heavy guns were in short supply. Instead, Terrain wise, many of the engage- they should have ‘Maritime ments happened close to land or in Pilot’ and should reroll all the larger river systems, so terrain skill tests for sandbanks, should be plentiful. Fortifications shoals, or shorelines (page 37 were few and mostly improvised – so of the rulebook). no fortresses or Martello towers.

The squadrons were SCENARIO – AMERICAN SEA WOLVES made up of gunboats, sloops, galleys, brigs, AND THE IRISH LINEN and converted mer- There were rich pickings in letters chantmen. The few of marque; some 2,000 were issued frigates that were built by the Continental Congress during should be classed as the American War of Independence. sixth-rates with perhaps American privateers used whatever one fifth-rate. None ships they could, often repurposing were the ‘super frigates’ captured ships. There were also loyalist US Navy, so leave the privateers fighting for the Crown, which Constitution at home! makes actions even more interesting.

John Paul Jones, privateer extraordi- Wargames, Soldiers & Strategy 110 x 1 naire, attacks the HMS Serapis during the 1779 Battle of Head. © Anne S. K. Brown Military Collection A group of American privateers intercept British merchants on their way to the colonies with supplies for the war.

American privateering wasn’t limited Setup Special rules to the shores of the Eastern Seaboard. Use the setup for the “Chance En- The British vessels may not fire unless Using northern and the Dutch counter” scenario from page 40 of the fired upon unless they pass a skill test; Republic as safe havens, they raided Black Seas rulebook. If you are using they will otherwise assume the closing shipping along the British coastline. other systems, place the American vessels are friendly. American priva- and British ships opposite each other. teers would typically only hoist their In early 1777, the USS Lexington joined colours at the last minute. The Ameri- the Reprisal and Dolphin to raid the The American squadron consists of: cans have the ‘Privateer’ upgrade. Irish Sea, attempting to intercept the • USS Lexington (16-gun ) Irish linen fleet due to leave Dublin in • USS Reprisal (18-gun ) Victory June. The three American ships cap- • USS Dolphin (10-gun ) This is a straight fight, with the option tured in successive actions two ships, to capture enemy ships as per the sce- nine brigs, two schooners, and five The British merchant squadron con- nario. The side with the least destroyed other vessels. Eight were kept as prizes, sists of: or captured ships wins. WS&S three were let go, and seven were sunk. • 2x brigs (18-gun) • Small merchant vessel The American Revolution is a rich pe- The 70-gun third-rate HMS Burford (inexperienced) riod for naval skirmishes and battles. was ordered to hunt down the priva- © Warlord Games teers. When it was sighted, the Ameri- can ships split up and escaped, as Re- prisal caught the Burford’s attention.

So successful was the raid that the British threatened the French with war if they continued to permit safe harbour for the privateers. France expelled the privateers, leaving the ships to their fate. Dolphin was hand- ed over to the British as it had failed to leave port in time, Lexington was captured by HMS Agile (a 10-gun cutter), and Reprisal was wrecked at- tempting to return to the Colonies.

This scenario represents one of the many actions the three American privateers undertook against British An American is caught in rough seas as it searches along the Irish coastline for signs of the linen fleet. merchant shipping.

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