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...
The Spanish Navy was beset by mixed fortunes in the Age of Sail, achieving great victories and major defeats in an interesting balance. Particularly during the Napoleonic era, Spanish allegiances were subject to fluctuations, oftentimes at odds with the British, yet allying with them when the situation suited (such as their rejection of Napoleon in 1808 -...
The Naval Act of 1794 established a permanent standing navy on 27 March 1794, in the US. Prior to this, a US Naval military presence had been left wanting for 10 years. By October 1797, the first three of six frigates launched; the USS United States, USS Constellation, and USS Constitution. Between 1798 and 99, several engagements took place between the US...
USS Constitution was one of six Heavy Frigates commissioned by the United States Congress in 1794 to protect American shipping against Barbary Pirates in the Mediterranean. These frigates were designed to outmatch the frigates of any other nation while remaining nimble enough to slip away from larger ships-of-the-line. These six frigates (Chesapeake...
This box set outfits you with three French Navy Third-Rate-Ships-of-the-line. Building upon the superb third rate plastic sprues, the box contains additional metal components to make the following famous vessels, all of which were present at the Battle of Trafalgar! Indomptable- A Tonnant-class 80-gun ship of the line, Indomptable was laid down in 1788 and...
Merchant vessels were not designed for combat. They were slow lumbering vessels designed to have a large capacity for transporting goods but at the sacrifice of manoeuvrability. In Black Seas there are many scenarios that necessitate the use of merchant vessels. Scenario 4 - Blood & Plunder! (Page 41 Black Seas rulebook), see two opposing privateer fleets...
This box set outfits you with three Royal Navy Third-Rate-Ships-of-the-line. Building upon the superb third rate plastic sprues, the box contains additional metal components to make the following famous vessels, all of which were present at the Battle of Trafalgar! HMS Bellerophon - This 74 gun third rate has a long and storied history, serving during the...
Schooners are two-masted vessels with both masts having loose footed sails rigged on gaff and two or more headsails (staysails rigged in front of the fore mast). They were not designed for combat, being built mainly for cargo, passenger and fishing purposes. During the Napoleonic era, Schooners were used to communicate dispatches, rather than divert more...