Two things, windward or the lee, this is coming from the side the wind is blowing FROM. Alee, is the side the wind is blowing TO.
WHEN ATTACKING A SHIP that is equal or greater in strength, approaching it from the lee seems to be advantageous. However, there is a notable disadvantage when evading oncoming shot. You come about into a headwind and luff, the wind even tries to swing your bow back toward the enemy giving him your full broadside at which to aim.
I recommend when attacking a well-manned, well-gunned ship, one attack from alee, or downwind. These vessels don't seem to appreciate being fired upon and will try to gain a position on you. This means they'll come toward you. Have your sails reefed to maintain as stable a firing position as you can. As they approach, and especially if you have a gunnery expert aboard, you'll get at least two shots before they're close enough for you to have to evade. The first shot will be roundshot, and the target ship will try to evade this. Make a guess, using the wind rose as your aid, which tack he'll take to avoid your fire, and lead the shot in that direction. More often than not, he'll sail into your fire. Landing this volley then slows his speed and retards his ability to steer somewhat.
Then, load up with chainshot. Keep an eye on the distance between your ship and his. You don't want to be boarded until you've reduced his crew somewhat. Unload a volley of chainshot, as you do unfurl your sails and turn in a line abeam with his (go in the same direction he is as he comes toward you.) In variably he'll give chase. This is what you want, and now you see why you'd rather be downwind of him. Some of the chainshot will land, further injuring his power, usually not all, but you only need one or two knots more speed than he to finish him off at this point.
As he pursues, you gain some distance between you. Reef your sails pivot and give him another dose of chainshot. Make sure you stay still long enough for all your guns to fire, but as the cannons fire, again unfurl your sails...then pivot and flee once more. After two good doses of chainshot in this segment of the battle, with 20 or more guns, he should be dismasted, his rigging fouling his decks and hanging over his gunports, and should be no longer able to fire back. If you aren't landing full volleys, some cannon missed, then he might need one more dose.
When he's dismasted, sail back upwind (tacking rather arduously) keeping clear of him and rake his decks with grapeshot until his crew is sufficiently reduced for you to board effectively, turn into him and claim your prize. Grapeshot - crew reduction device.
ATTACKING MERCHANTMEN, or barqs, they'll try to run. Their best bet is to keep distance between you and try to outlast you until nightfall. Approach these ships from the lee. Take as direct a line as you can and don't let them nickle-and-dime you with meager cannon fire. Try not to lose guns with these hits because if you let them hit you too much, even though you beat them, they probably won't have enough guns to take to make up for the ones you lose and you'll end up down on both crew and cannon, though you're up on booty. Most of these ships are out-manned and out-gunned and will haul down their colors as soon as they see they don't have a chance in a fight.
REMEMBER: Whenever possible (hopefully always) when you come about, turn away from the opponent, not toward him. When he's fully gunned, always try to keep perpendicular (sp?) to his stern (rear). As you approach, all he has to do is pivot and have you bow-on in a full broadside, so try to angle your approach to well behind his stern.
Your rate of fire depends on your having enough crewmen to load your guns. You're in good shape with a four-to-one ration, below that you're on your way to becoming a sitting duck, i.e. 20 guns, eighty guys; 30 guns, 120 guys. Of course, with that ratio and a gunnery expert, you're hell-on-sails.
You use those arrow buttons; left-right. Don't forget the up arrow unfurls your sails, the down one reefs them. These are your accelerator and brakes. You turn faster with reefed sails, you gain speed with them unfurled. Don't wait until your shots land before you begin maneuvers. Work the two sets of buttons in coordination with each other. It takes time to complete maneuvers. There is no instant response, so get your crew working those sails and guns in tandem - WITH each other. You'll get the timing down soon enough.
As you take roundshot hits from a target you're advancing upon, you lose guns and crew, little by little in most cases, radically with well-provisioned war vessels. As this happens, your own maneuvering retards, your rate of fire slows and the damage you do becomes less. Try not to get hit by full discharges from your enemy. Even if you have to turn INTO the oncoming fire, your ship's profile becomes thinner and fewer shots hit than would otherwise be the case.
Remember, too. You asked for it, or nobody would be trying to blow you to bits, so don't forget the aggression that got you into the fight to begin with. Just don't go charging in like a bull.
The only time you should charge straight up to a ship and board is when your crew is decidedly HAPPY, and you can fence. I've taken ships with three times my strength in this way. But, you take a lot of fire, and you could be blown to smithereens before you get close enough to board.
Throw caution to the wind, and use good shiphandling with well-aimed fire and we won't be sendin' no sad letters home to your ma!
Argh!
Airsaw |
