Napoleonic Naval by Zoom

Jim (at table): French: 2 1st rates & 2 3rd rates, all regular crews.
Dale (in Canbaerra by Zoom):  British: 1 2nd rate & 3 3rd rates, all elite crews.
Rules: Camp Cromwell's Men o' War.

The fleets started close hauled on opposite tacks.

The French turned off the wind while the Brits continued to windward.

The French run down past the island. The Brits turn off the wind.

There is a clockwise wind shift & the fleets sail apart as the French go round the island.

The wind shift gave the Brits the weather guage but they continue to sail away as the beat to windward.

As the fleets converge the French turn off the wind, but going upwind it takes longer for them to get their rear ships up than the Brits & Brits have 3 ships firing to 2.

The French flagship was forced to break off with severe damage, then the 2nd French ship caught the converging British fire & soon also had the break off.  Then there were only 2 French ships in action v. 4 british.  They too turned & fled downwind.  The French were fortunate to have avoided serious rigging damage & were able to escape.  So though they sunk or captured no ships it was a clear British victory.

Having work thru Zoom didn't seem to reduce Dale's ability to sail.  His patience in sailing on after the first pass, then doubling back with the weather guage paid off big.  The French on the other hand stayed close hauled for at least 1 turn too long as the ships came back together.