A Spanish interlude?

Today, I was lucky enough to get a game of Sails of Glory - so many people had dropped out of the planned Wars of the Roses game, there was only Ian and me left...and he needed the practice to get more familiar with the game system.

For today's game, we chose 2 Royal Navy 74's, I had H.M.S. Superb...

...while Ian had H.M.S. Goliath.

We used the points system to determine the enemy force and got 2 Spanish ships, Argonauta, a 74, and Sirena, a frigate. These would be run by the AI.

The Spanish started, heading as close to the wind as possible without 'Going in Irons', with Argonauta in the lead.

 We left a lot of space behind for Sirena as she went faster than Argonauta, and we didn't want her ramming the 74's stern!

 On the other side, I led with Superb, followed by Ian's Goliath. On Ian's suggestion, we went to full sail to try and cross the Spanish 'T'.

We, too, sailed as close to the wind as we could, though our ships were not as able as the Spanish to head upwind!

We were still far apart, so still had time to get the advantage of the wind. 

 The Spanish were falling behind in our race to get upwind, would our plan work? 

We had a quick break here to chat to Andy, and Steve (right  in pic below) 

We were getting closer now, would both sides continue on course, or break and attack?  

 The situation as we got within 2 rulers distance of each other.  

We were going to get the wind advantage! 

 Argonauta turned into the wind and fired at Goliath.

 Superb got a close range shot which caused a leak and broke a mast! We exchanged musketry, and even though out gunned I came off best!

 Argonauta was damaged, but not critically.  

 The water damage could be pumped out, if she had the crew, and time!

 Taken aback, Goliath raked her decks!

As she limped away, I got a lucky stern rake on her, that set her afire, but little else! 

Sirena had turned with Argonauta, and now turned downwind, avoiding us. 

 Argonauta was in a sorry state.

 As we turned to follow the wounded Argonauta, Sirena turned quickly, and eschewing a front broadside on Superb, raked Goliath, hitting a mast!

My answering broadside damaged the frigate a bit!  (Goliath was unable to attack as she was fixing her mast damage.)

 But Sirena was still battle-worthy!

Argonauta was getting her fires, leaks and damage under control at last. 

 Sirena bravely exchanged musketry with both R.N. ships, but came off worst.

Her crew status was getting worrying! 

Argonauta was half wrecked... 

My Superb was only scratched... 

Goliath, now repaired 

 Back to the battle...both sides reloaded as fast as they could!

 Argonauta was heading back towards us.

 Would she be able to help the outgunned Sirena?

 Goliath got a stern rake on her...

 Sirena lost the musket duel again...

The brave little ship was forced to strike her colours! 

 Argonauta, too late to save Sirena, got caught by a crushing broadside by Superb! - it started a fire and a leak, broke a mast and lots of box damage.

I even got some musket play on her crew...

 She could not deal with such catastrophic damage.... 

 ...and at the next turn start, struck her colours too! 

On our side, Goliath was not badly damaged... 

....Superb was minimally damaged... 

We put prize crews on the 2 Spaniards and helped make them seaworthy. 

And sailed home rejoicing!