Fort Royal 1781

 After the Easter break we retake our caribbean campaign with the battle of Fort Royal, where a bigger french squadron has just relieved the forces blockaded in the island, picking them up in the bay and then sailing against a british fleet that is keeping the distance. Despite being outnumbered, admiral Hood has an ace up his sleeve: all his ships are bottom coppered and so move 5 cmt more than the enemy vessels.

 Brits grab the inititative and move to cut the enemy van

 Aboard HMS Barfleur, Hood observes warily De Grasse and his flag, the Ville de Paris

 Three french ships detach from the main line

 As the vanguard turns the T, the rest of the briton line engages the enemy closer

 The weeling ships concentrate their fire

 The french rear chases the last enemy ships

 The british vanguard disintegrates into individual fights

 All alone, a french ship strikes, the fire takes hold of the hulk which will blow up in two turns

 Chaos engulfs the vanguards

 The fire reaches the powder magazine

 And the ship explodes into a massive fireball

 As daylight dwindles the english pile in on two isolated ships making them strike

 Overview at the end of the battle

 The british rear was running away

The outcome: three french lost for no british casualties, 12-0

Bells ring in London when news of the victory are published