A 3rd rate ship, as defined by the British rating system, was a ship of the line which mounted between 64-80 guns. Usually, this would mean two gun decks. Despite their relative size and power compared to larger 1st and 2nd rates, it was considered that 3rd rates maintained an effective, perhaps even superior balance between sailing ability, firepower and...
1st Rate ships of the line were extremely large and powerful and were a true display of a Navy's power. They were, however, expensive to operate, so their service use was limited in times of peace. In the carronade era, a 1st Rate ship-of-the-line was defined as mounting no less than 100 guns. A French Navy 1st Rate can, when using the national special...
The French Navy has a history of highs and lows, both in terms of successes in battle and in the number and quality of its ships. In the mid-1700s, after the defeats of the Seven Years’ War, the French Navy was at a nadir. However, due to the efforts of Louis XV and later Louis XVI, France rebuilt and reinforced its fleets with well-designed and well-built...
Frigates Frigates were perhaps the hardest-worked of warship types during the Age of Sail. A small warship with a perfect balance of speed, armament and resilience that made it one of the perfect vessels for single-ship action and privateering against merchant ships. It usually had one main gun deck as well as the guns positioned on the top decks. These...
A gunboat squadron is like a gnat in comparison to the larger ships-of-the-line. Nevertheless, they have a useful place in the fleet. A gunboat would typically have only a single mast with square-rigged sails, mounting between one and three fixed cannons. Fleets of all navies kept gunboats on hand. They could be useful in shallower waters, as with only a...
HMS Royal Sovereign was a 1st Rate Ship-of-the-Line of the Royal Navy, bearing 100 guns. She was launched from Plymouth Dockyard in 1786 and developed somewhat of a poor reputation from her crew, supposedly dubbed "West Country Wagon" owing to poor manoeuvrability and speed. Prior to her famous role at the Battle of Trafalgar, she participated in the...
HMS Victory was a terrible and awe-inspiring sight to both enemies and allies. It has become one of the most famous ships in the world and is still in commission in the Royal Navy to this day; as of 2019 a total of 241 years of service. In the Game H.M.S Victory is a potent force on the tabletop. Aside from a formidable array of weaponry and fantastic...
Orient was of the Océan-class of ships. These were a series of 118-gun three-decker ships of the line of the French Navy, designed by engineer Jacques-Noël Sané. Launched on July 20, 1791, she was originally named the Dauphin Royal, but having come into service during a time of great political upheaval, she was promptly renamed. As a tribute to a political...
A Royal Navy 1st rate is a particularly dangerous foe in Black Seas, especially true when using the National Special Rules. In the game, 1st rates have the best access to customisation and upgrade options. Combine certain upgrades (we're fans of Master Gunner) with the British 'Drilled' special rule and your 1st rate will truly be an unstoppable force -...
By the late 1700s, Great Britain had established itself as the most prominent and powerful navy of the time. This was mostly due to the discipline and commitment of its sailors, and the quality of the training for its leadership positions. The only way to rise through the ranks of the Royal Navy was to prove your mettle in action and bypassing gruelling...
The Santisima Trinidad (officially named Nuestra Señora de la Santísima Trinidad) was a Spanish first-rate ship of the line. This number of guns increased over the years. At launch in 1769, she had 112 guns, though this number gradually increased. between 1795 and 1796 she was upgraded to 130 guns, and in 1802 this number was increased to 140. Following...
Smuggler’s Run puts two players at the heart of this black market, running contraband in and out of the British Isles. Create your own smuggling company and outwit the authorities in the name of trade and profit! Smuggler’s Run is a two-player campaign where two rival smuggling companies compete to ferry the most contraband into the United Kingdom. Both...