Battle In The Baltic!

The first battle of the campaign was, oddly enough, a naval battle featuring the Russian Imperial Baltic Fleet attempting to escort some leased Swedish troop transports past the Prussians Royal Revenue Service's Import/Export Enforcement Squadron.  The rules were Sails of Glory, a game that I am fond of as it's easy to teach and not completely crazy in results.  The Prussian fleet was comprised of a 32 gun Frigate and four Sloops, the Russian fleet was one 38 gun Frigate, three 32 gun Frigates and four troop transports which were represented by various Ships of the Line (British third rates) which are easy to spot in the pictures.

The Russians had to move the transports diagonally across the table, the Prussians had to do as much damage to them as they could, that damage being taken out on the Russian troops cowering below decks.

I don't have any pictures of the start of the battle but the ones I do have show enough of the action that you should be able to follow along.  The Prussians split their force in two, with the main force (under Revenue Inspector First Class Darko von Franklin) cutting in on the port side of the Russian convoy, and the slightly smaller force (under Senior Customs Officer Second Class Gottfried Kaier) crossing the Russian T and then cutting in on to their starboard.

The Russian Fleet divided into two wings as well, both commanded by the fearsome 4th Cousin Twice Removed of the Czarina Geofundulous McHargski who, ably assisted by your humble correspondent who moved the Swedish transports running for safety, devised a plan that could be called "These Ships Should Have Rams" and proceeded to try and immobilize the Prussians by the expedient of running into them.

von Kaier Cuts In

The battle started poorly for the Prussians as their Sloop Alligator ran into two of the Russian Frigates but, due to spectacular seamanship, the inspiring presence of RIFC von Franklen, and some amazing poor luck by the Russian McHargski refused to strike!

The Alligator Does Her Duty

The battle continued with the Russian fleet gradually pummeling the Prussian Revenue Service into submission, you can see the Swedish transports running the gauntlet of Prussian fire all the while cursing the fate that caused these ships to be the ones leased to the Czarina.

As the battle wains in the distance the Alligator makes for port.

"Double schnapps rations for the crew, bosun!"

At least I had a good time and no one went home mad, so it was a good day all 'round.  What casualties the Prussians managed to do to the Russian troops will have to be seen...