Introduction to Rules

I. Introduction

Wooden Ships and Iron Men is a tactical simulation of naval warfare during the great age of sail. The game covers the period from 1776 to 1814 when the great square sail ships-of-the-line dominated the oceans and the speedy and durable American frigates gave world recognition to their young parent navy. The game is played by two or more players each commanding a ship, squadron, or whole fleet! Scenarios depict the famous naval engagements of the American and French Revolutions and the Napoleonic Wars. The game is also a kit from which other scenarios or any fictitious engagement may be designed.

Each counter represents a single ship and covers two hexes of the mapboard. Orders for movement are written for each ship on a “log”. Ships are then moved simultaneously over the mapboard. Any which foul or grapple may attempt to form boarding parties to take possession of the enemy’s craft by force. Ships may also fire at the opposing vessels hoping to reduce them to a state of surrender. Careful maneuvering and good fleet organization are essential to defeat the enemy and gain victory.

II. Components

A. Game Equipment

1. Mapboard consisting of two sections which can be joined together in a variety of ways to allow more freedom of movement.

2. Set of die-cut counters.

3. Advanced Tables Card.

4. Rules of play and scenario manual.

5. A “log” pad.

6. One die.

B. Mapboard

The 22" by 28" mapboard is the playing surface upon which the ships are maneuvered. The hexagonal grid printed on the mapboard is used to determine movement, firing ranges, and the positions of the ships. Each hex (hexagon) has an identification code, this being used to determine the initial placement of ships for the various scenarios. The code is also valuable in checking a ship’s movement. Portions of the board are sometimes used as juttings of land in certain scenarios, and will be defined as such in the applicable scenario. A wind direction hexagon is found at the lower lefthand corner. Each edge of the board is labeled by the wind direction numbers pointing toward it. The four edges are labeled in clockwise order, 1, 2–3, 4, 5–6.

C. Unit Counters

Included in the game is a sheet of die-cut counters which represent ships and markers of various types. These are the playing pieces used in the game. Each counter has a colored spot amidships to identify it and act as the ship’s colors. Red spots identify British ships; white spots identify French vessels; gold spots identify Spanish and Venetian ships; and light blue spots identify the American vessels. Printed on each counter is information needed to play the game. Examine the examples below:

Ship Classes: Each ship overview on the counter represents a class of ship. Classes denote different sizes and types of ships. NOTE: Care must be used to match the proper class counter for each ship being played. The size of a ship is indicated by the size of the class overview.

1. Turning Ability: The maximum number of 60 degree turns which that ship can make during the course of the Movement Execution Phase.

2. Battle Sail Speed: The maximum speed that a ship has under battle sails. (There are two speeds, 3 and 4).

3. Full Sail Speed: The lower righthand number represents a ship’s movement ability under an increased spread of sail. This speed is used in the Advanced Game only.

4. Stern: The stern of a ship is its rear section. This is the blunt end of the ship diagram on the counter.

5. Stern Hex: The hex that the stern and the rear half of the ship occupies.

6. Identification number: Each counter has a 4 digit number which is used to identify it with the ship that it represents. The first digit refers to the nationality of the vessel. The second digit refers to the class of ship. The last two digits serve to identify the counter as separate from any other.

   

   Nationality:
   1 (Red) = British
   2 (White) = French
   3 (Gold) = Spanish/Venetian
   4 (Light Blue) = American

7. Bow Hex: The hex that the bow and the forward half of the ship occupies.

8. Bow: The bow of a ship is its front. This is the pointed end of the ship diagram on the counter. The bow always points in the direction in which the ship is sailing.

D. Basic Game and Advanced/Optional Tables

1. The back of this manual contains the Basic Game Tables necessary for the play of the game. Each Table is identified and its use will be explained in the appropriate section of rules. Hereafter all Tables will be referred to in abbreviated form.

2. The Advanced/Optional Tables differ from the Basic Game Tables and are located on a separate card.

E. Log Sheet Pad

All the essential information needed for moving and firing ships is placed here.

III. Prepare For Play

A. Mapboard Set Up

1. A Scenario is selected from the Scenario section of this manual. All information necessary for the set-up is found in the scenario. It is better to start with single ship encounters and move on from there as experience is gained.

2. Remove from the counter sheet a counter of proper nationality and class for each ship to be played.

3. Lay the mapboard out and place each ship’s bow in the assigned bow hex and pointing in the numbered direction corresponding to the wind direction hex on the board.

4. The wind arrow counter is placed in the wind direction hex pointing to the proper numbered direction.

5. If the scenario has any land features involved, the hexes to be noted as land will be listed.

B. Log Sheet

A very important step must now be completed; filling out the log sheet. A player must fill out a “log” for each ship that he controls. All information for that ship necessary to the play of the game will be placed here. This information is found on the ship counter or in the ship’s Order of Battle, found in the scenarios. A diagram is given as an example of this procedure.

The ship counter and log above represent the starting Basic Game strength of the Constellation. Check her specifications on the Master Scenario Chart on Page 27 to ascertain how to correct fill out a ship’s log.

1.

The name of the ship and number of gun carried is placed on line 1.

2.

The identification number of counter to be used for the ship is put on line 2.

3.

The Class of ship is placed on line 3. Certain ships may be given a specific counter to use in the scenario. This will be indicate by giving the I.D. number in this section.

4., 5., 6., and 7.

On lines 4, 5, 6, and 7 place movement allowance for each attitude to wind. This information can be found in the Movement section of the Basic Game (Basic Game IV.A.3–4).

Ignore parenthesis for Basic Game as these spaces are intended for full-sail movement in the Advanced Game.

8.

The quality of crew manning the ship either elite, crack, average, green or poor is placed on line 8.

9.

The number of hull squares allotted for each ship is placed in section 9. All squares over this number are marked out.

10.

The number of crew squares allotted to each ship is placed in section 10. All crew squares are divided into sections. In the Order of Battle, the number of sections and number of crew squares per section will be given. Each crew section has a corresponding numbered row in the “log”. Squares not being used should be marked out.

11.

The number of gun squares allotted for each ship is placed in section 11. This section divides the guns into left and right broadsides (labeled L and R). Mark out the gun squares not being used.

12.

Section 12 is the Carronade section. This section is completed exactly like section 11. Carronades are special guns of limited range, hence the reason for separation from section 11.

13.

Section 13 is the Rigging section. Each line of squares represent one battle sail speed factor. The number of rigging squares per battle sail speed factor is given in the Order of Battle. Squares not being used are marked out.

14.

On the movement column (14) of the ship’s log, there is a load section. It is composed of two spaces, one marked L for left broadside; the other R for right broadside. In these spaces the type of shot for each broadside is to be marked. There are 4 types of shot to be used, roundshot, chainshot, grapeshot, and doubleshot. Each has advantages and disadvantages to be discussed later. You can load each broadside with one type of shot although both broadsides need not have the same type. The spaces in the load column are marked: R for roundshot, G for grapeshot, or D for doubleshot. For the basic game only roundshot is to be used.

15.

Section 15 denotes the move column. All movement for the ship will be placed here. No information is placed here at this time.

16.

The notes section (16) is the part of the moves column where special orders and notations are written. These notations will be explained in appropriate sections of the rules. No information is placed here at this time.

Basic Game Rules

I. Introduction

The Basic Game gives all the information needed to play a scenario in Wooden Ships and Iron Men. Once this section of the rules is completed, play of the game can begin. Later rule sections include an Advanced Game and an Optional Rules section which provide more realism and corresponding complexity. There is even an additional section of rules which allows players to design their own scenarios.

The rules outline for the Basic Game follows the sequence of play for each turn.

II. Sequence of Play

Once the game has been set up, play begins. The game is played in turns (representing approximately three minutes). Most scenarios have no limit to the number of turns contained therein. Each turn is divided into eight phases. The sequence of play for each turn is as follows:

1. Unfouling Phase: Make attempts to unfoul ships which were fouled on previous turns.

2. Movement Notation Phase: Players secretly write in the proposed movements for each ship on their log sheets.

3. Movement Execution Phase: When both players have completed their log notations, all simultaneously move exactly as their movement was written in the log. Retrace any possible collisions one hex at a time. if any collisions occur check for fouling.

4. Grappling and Ungrappling Phase: Make all attempts to grapple, avoid grappling, and ungrapple.

5. Boarding Preparation Phase: Write any boarding parties in the logs of the involved ships.

6. Combat Phase: Resolve all gunfire, and mark all hits on the hit boxes of the log sheet.

7. Melee Phase: Resolve all boarding actions, and mark all crew hits on the log sheet.

8. Load Phase: Load broadsides.

III. Unfouling Phase

Ships which have fouled their rigging (i.e., have entangled their rigging with that of other ships) on previous moves and have not been able to unfoul may attempt to unfoul. Ships attempting to unfoul use the Unfouling Table. Players need not attempt to unfoul if they do not wish to; however, they may roll one die for each of their ships that is fouled. If unfouling is successful, both ships that have unfouled may move normally on that turn. If a ship is fouled with more than one ship, a player may roll once for each fouled enemy ship.

If after the completion of all unfouling attempts, any ship still remains fouled to one or more enemy ships, it must wait till next turn to attempt to unfoul.

Successful Unfouling is noted by writing (F) in the notes section of the log.

IV. Movement Notation Phase

All ships are moved simultaneously. The move of each ship must be written secretly in the log before any ship can actually be moved on the mapboard.

A. Movement and Turning Allowance

1. Before writing orders, the movement allowance for each ship must be determined. This movement allowance is a combination of a ship’s battle sail speed and its attitude to the wind direction.

2. The battle sail speed of each ship is printed on the counter adjacent to the stern of the ship diagram (see Introduction to Rules II.C.2). All ships have a battle sail speed of either 3 or 4.

3. Along with the battle sail speed the attitude of the ship in relation to the wind must be determined. There are four attitudes to the wind for each ship, labeled A, B, C, D. Each letter represents a different position of the ship in relation to the direction that the wind is blowing. See diagram:

   

   

4. The movement allowance is now checked on one of these two charts:

   

   Examples:

   1. A ship with a battle sail speed of 3 starts the movement notation phase in attitude C in relation to wind direction. Its movement allowance is determined to be 1.

   2. A ship with a battle sail factor of 4 starts the movement notation phase in attitude A. Its movement allowance is 4.

5. The movement allowance is the maximum number of hexes a ship may move in a movement phase. A ship may only move into a hex toward which its bow is pointing; i.e., a ship can’t move sideways or backwards. (Exception: drift – Basic Game V.B.1). Each hex a ship’s bow enters costs one movement factor of its allowance. Once a ship has used all its factors, it must stop.

6. Movement factors may not be accumulated from one turn to another nor may it be transferred between ships.

7. A ship may use none, some or all of its movement factors available. The number of hexes a ship may move is up to the player within the limits of its movement allowance.

8. A ship may make only one 60 degree turn per hex in a movement execution phase. A 60 degree turn is equivalent to turning the bow to face an adjacent hexside. Since each ship counter occupies 2 hexes, as a ship’s bow is pivoted 60 degrees to point to a new hexside, the stern will swing into a new hex.

9. The turning ability number on the ship counter represents the maximum number of turns that ship may make in a movement execution phase. Remember all ships are limited to just one turn per hex, so each turn must be made in a different hex. Although it may seem impossible for some ships to ever exceed their turning ability maximum it does become relevant in the Advanced Game.

10. Each individual turn costs one movement factor of the allowance. (Exception: Basic Game IV.A.15).

11. A ship may never make a turn if the cost would cause that ship to exceed its movement allowance.

12. The movement allowance for each attitude to wind also limits the number of hexes a ship may move while in that particular attitude. Example: A ship with battle sail factor of 4 starting in attitude A has a movement allowance of 4. If it turns to attitude C, it may only move one hex in that direction as the movement allowance for this attitude is 1. It may turn back to attitude A after moving one hex in C and finish its move in A Attitude.

13. Rule 12 does not work both ways. A ship with battle sail speed of 3 starting her movement turn in Attitude B has a maximum movement allowance of 2 even if it moves to attitude A later in the movement phase.

14. Rule 12 does not limit the number of turns in any attitude (other than the limit of 1 per hex traversed), just the number of hexes into which a ship may move.

15. A ship which has a movement allowance of 0 may always turn in place 60 degrees. This is free.

16. A ship which turns into attitude D must immediately stop and may not move or turn for the remainder of the movement phase, even if it has movement factors remaining.

17. A ship’s movement allowance may never be reduced below 0.

B. Log Notations

1. All notations of the move column of the ship’s “log”. The column is divided into numbered sections corresponding to the turns. All notations are written in the appropriate turn section.

2. The number of hexes a ship is to move is written as a number.

3. Any turns made by the ship are written as an “R” for righthand turn of 60 degrees or as an “L” for a lefthand turn of 60 degrees.

   

   The ship is at A attitude to the wind and has a battlesail speed of 4. Its movement allowance is determined to be 4. The move notation in the “log” reads left turn 60°, forward 1 hex, right, turn 60°, forward 1 hex. This has completed the ship’s full allowance. After its first turn into attitude C, the maximum distance the ship could move in that direction was one hex. If it wished to remain in attitude C, it would have to end its move at that point. L1.

4. Notation must be specific and in the same order as that in which the ship will be moved.

5. After completion of all orders, logs must be opened for inspection by the other players. Exception: The load column of the log may never be inspected.

6. Orders must be written for each ship. If a player does not wish a ship to move, an “0” will be used as notation.

7. If a log sheet is incorrectly filled out and/or indicates an illegal move for a ship, end that ship’s movement at the point of the infraction.

8. Ships which are to enter the game on this turn have their movement noted in their “log’s” movement column. The first hex entered counts against their movement allowance.

V. Movement Execution Phase

A. Movement

1. All players move their ships simultaneously on the board.

2. Ships which are scheduled to enter, enter and move in this phase.

B. Drifting

This is a special type of movement. It may be voluntary or involuntary.

1. Whenever the bow hex of a ship does not change or is not plotted to change for two consecutive movement execution phases, during the second phase the ship will drift one hex in the direction the wind is blowing. Both the bow and the stern must be moved in this direction. This applies also to ships which are fouled or grappled together, if both ships are on at least their second consecutive movement execution phase without moving into another hex. Ships may turn in place and still fulfill drifting obligations (see Basic Game IV.A.15).

2. Ship of the line class vessels will drift one hex every other turn while drifting. Frigate and smaller class ships will drift one hex per turn while drifting. They will continue these rates until they voluntarily move at least one hex.

3. Ships which are fouled or grappled together cannot move or turn in place, they can only drift.

4. For each turn a ship is to drift, a “D” is written in the move column.

5. Ships which have lost all rigging-squares (become dismasted) drift with a special turning allowance.

   1. Dismasted ships with a turning ability of 1 must wait at least three consecutive turns while drifting before being able to make a 60 degree turn.

   2. Dismasted ships with a turning ability of 2 must wait at least two consecutive turns while drifting before being able to make a 60 degree turn.

   3. Dismasted ships with a turning ability of 3 must wait at least one turn while drifting before being able to make a 60 degree turn.

   4. If a dismasted ship makes a 60 degree turn while drifting, it must wait the same period before making another turn.

C. Collision

Ships that cross the course or position other ships (enemy or friendly) during movement phase may collide with the other ship.

1. To see if ships have collided, the players must retrace the courses of those ships involved one hex at a time. Remember, that a 60 degree turn counts the same as a hex moved into. If two or more ships are found to be in the same hex at the same time in their move, a collision takes place.

2. Only one ship can actually remain in collision hex. If the bow or stern of one ship is in the hex at the same point in movement when one or more other ships attempt to enter that hex, the ship occupying the hex remains. The other ship(s) move back to the hex(es) they occupied just prior to the collision. If the stern of a ship enters a hex in a turning maneuver at the same point in the movement phase as the bow of another ship, the bow enters the hex. The turning ship moves back to its previous position. In all other cases that might occur, roll a die for each ship involved, and let high man decide which ship must occupy the contested hex.

3. Ships will drift into a new hex on the last move of the phase.

4. Once a collision has occurred and the position of the collided ships have been determined, all movement ends for the ships involved, even if their logs have been plotted for further movement. Log notation must be changed to correspond with the actual move.

5. When a collision occurs, the rigging of the involved ships may entangle and be fouled, locking the ships together. For each collision, one of the involved players must roll a die. The result is found on the fouling table, and is implemented immediately. If the result is “ships are not fouled”, they may continue to move normally the next movement phase.

6. Fouled ships cannot move or turn in place. On the second movement phase after fouling they must drift.

7. Ships that are fouled may perform boarding maneuvers and melee that turn and/or any or all subsequent turns that they remain fouled.

8. The fact that a ship is fouled is indicated in the Notes section of the ship’s “log” by writing an “F”.

VI. Grappling and Ungrappling Phase

At the end of the movement execution phase, any ship that occupies a hex adjacent to a hex occupied by another ship, friendly or unfriendly, fouled or unfouled, may attempt to grapple.

A. Grappling

1. One or both ships may attempt to grapple.

2. A ship may attempt to grapple, once per turn, each ship to which it is adjacent.

3. If the involved ships are friendly, grappling and ungrappling is performed automatically without rolling a die.

4. If the adjacent ship is unfriendly, an attempt to grapple is made by rolling one die and consulting the Grappling Table.

5. Grappling attempts on the same ship can be made in each turn even if previously grappled.

6. As with fouled ships, grappled ships cannot move or turn in place. They can only drift.

7. Boarding parties can be formed and boarding actions fought between grappled ships.

8. The fact that a ship is grappled is indicated by writing a “G” in the notes section of the ship’s “log” for each successful grapple.

B. Ungrappling

1. After all attempts at grappling have been made in this phase, any ship which has been successfully grappled may attempt to ungrapple by rolling one die and consulting the Ungrappling Table.

2. A successful ungrapple negates all effects of the grappling. Each ungrappled ship may move normally the next turn.

3. On each turn that a ship is in a grappled state, it may attempt to ungrapple. If a ship is grappled more than once, it must ungrapple every successful grapple before it is free.

4. A ship may attempt to ungrapple once per turn each successful grapple.

5. If after completion of all ungrappling attempts, any ship still remains grappled to one or more enemy ships, it must wait till next turn to attempt to ungrapple.

6. Ungrappling is indicated by writing a “(G)” in the notes section of the ship’s log.

VII. Boarding Preparation Phase

Ships which have been fouled or successfully grappled may form boarding parties if desired. These parties may attempt to take over an enemy ship or defend against a take-over in the melee phase.

A. Boarding Party Formation

1. All boarding parties are formed by crew sections. All available crew squares in a crew section must be used.

2. From one to all sections may be delegated as a boarding party or parties as long as the following procedure is maintained:

   1. The lowest crew section with at least one undestroyed crew square must be used first.

   2. Any remaining crew sections desired as boarding parties must be chosen in order. A player may never skip a lower numbered crew section to choose a higher numbered crew section as a boarding party unless all lower numbered sections have already been chosen as such.

B. Boarding Preparation Procedure

1. Players secretly write down which crew sections are to be used for boarding in the notes section for all ships fouled and/or grappled. If the player does not desire to form any boarding parties “NBP” is written.

2. There are three types of boarding parties which may be formed: An offensive boarding party written as “OBP” a defensive boarding party written as “DBP”, and a transfer boarding party written as “TBP”. (These abbreviations will be used to denote the boarding party types hereafter in the rules). An “OBP” must melee in the Melee Phase. A “DBP” will melee only if attacked by an opposing “OBP”. A “TBP” is used only for transfer of crews between friendly ships.

3. To form a boarding party, the abbreviation for the type of boarding party desired is written in the Notes section plus each crew section number involved. More than one type boarding party may be formed per ship.

4. If there are several ships to which a boarding party could board at the same time, the “log” notation should also indicate the ship(s) to be boarded.

5. If all crew sections of a ship are used for boarding parties, that ship may not fire at all in the Combat Phase, or move in the next Movement Phase.

6. Transfer of crews is allowed to any friendly adjacent ship, not necessarily one fouled or grappled.

7. Transferred crews may not be used for melee or other purposes until the turn following the transfer. This applies even when the ship they are transferred to is engaged in melee during the turn of transfer.

8. “TBP’s” may be formed to board ships which one thinks will surrender. If, for any reason the ship does not surrender, no transfer is made and the crew section(s) involved may not be used in any other function for that turn.

VIII. Combat Phase

In this phase, ships may fire at enemy ships in their field of fire and within range. Firing is considered simultaneous and all firing is considered completed before results of combat are marked on the “log” sheets. Firing is done by broadsides of cannon.

A. Fire Determination

1. Each ship has a right and left (in Naval terminology, starboard and port) broadside. These broadsides are effective only from their side of the ship. Each broadside has a “play” or area over which its broadside firepower is effective. The play of each broadside is shown on the following diagram:

   

2. Each ship also has two fields of fire; one for each broadside. Any blocking of one field, has no effect, whatsoever, on the other field of fire.

3. The field of fire of each broadside is the area covered by the play of the broadside up to the limit of the ten hex firing range.

4. A ship may fire at a single enemy ship in a broadside’s field of fire subject to two conditions:

   1. The ship being fired upon must be the closest in number of hexes to the firing ship of all ships in the field of fire;

   2. If the “closest ship” happens to be a land hex, friendly ship, surrendered or captured ship, or a hulk, the field of fire is blocked and the ship may not fire that broadside in that turn.

5. If there is more than one ship or obstacle which qualifies as “closest ship”, the attacker may choose which is closest and fire at that ship.

6. Firing is noted on the log by drawing a slant line (“/”) through the last loading notation “R” on the broadside fired.

7. As firing is considered simultaneous, it may be carried out in any order. Hits will not be marked until after all firing is completed.

8. A ship may fire both broadsides during the same combat phase, if both sides are loaded.

9. Carronades are a special type of gun. They can only be fired at ships within the two hex range. Carronade gun squares are added to the regular broadside capability.

B. Fire Procedure

1. Count the number of hexes to the target by the shortest possible route. It may be to either the bow or stern hex, whichever is closest. This is the range.

2. In the gun section of the firing ship’s “log”, count the number of guns squares on the broadside firing. Do not include damaged gun squares in this count. Also, do not include carronade squares unless the range is two hexes or less.

3. Consult the range tables of the Hit Determination Table (HDT), cross gridding the number of gun squares firing with the range in hexes. The number found in this table is the number of the Hit Table to be used.

4. Check the HDT modifiers (ignore the advanced modifiers). These are variables that will increase or decrease the Hit Table. All modifiers are cumulative. If, after using all modifiers that apply, Table Zero or above has not been reached, the result is an automatic “miss”. If a table number higher than eight has been reached, use Table Eight, as this is the highest allowed.

5. The player firing now decides if the fire is to be aimed at the hull, or at the rigging. If the range is six hexes or more, the fire must be aimed at the rigging.

6. Consult the correct Hit Table, as determined in steps (3) and (4), in either the Hull or Rigging Effects Section, depending on the decision made in step (5), then roll one die. Crossgrid the number rolled with the proper Hit Table. The result gives the number and types of hits scored on the target.

7. There are four types of hits: H (Hull), G (Gun), C (Crew), and R (Rigging). At the end of the Combat Phase, the number and type of hits are marked off in the appropriate sections of the target ship’s “log”. Players may wish to keep track of these hits on a side sheet of paper until the end of the phase.

8. Grappled and/or fouled ships may not fire at each other’s rigging.

C. Hit Table Modifiers

1. Crew quality: Crew quality will increase or decrease the BHT as shown in the HDT depending on the number of gun squares being fired.

2. Raking: Raking (i.e., when one ship is in position to fire down the length of another one), will increase the BHT as shown in the HDT, depending on the number of gun squares firing. A ship is in a raking position anytime an opposing ship lies within the play of its broadside, but it lies outside the play of the opposing broadside.

3. Crew Losses: For each complete crew section wiped out or used for boarding, the Hit Table is decreased by one. If no crew sections are available for firing, the guns may not be fired.

4. Initial Broadside: The first time a ship fires a broadside, that broadside will be the most carefully loaded and aimed that it will fire. Each ship has two initial broadsides, one for each side of the ship. The initial broadside will increase the Hit Table as shown on the HDT, depending on the number of gun squares being fired in the broadside.

5. Captured Ship: When using the guns of a captured ship, the Hit Table is decreased by two tables. Ignore the crew loss modifier when firing from a captured ship.

D. Marking Hits and the Effects of Damage

Hits are marked on the “log” of the target ship with an “X”. The “log” has four major parts, each part corresponding to a type of hit on the Hit Table.

1. Hull Hits (“H”):

   1. Mark off one hull square per hull hit called for on the Hit Tables.

   2. When all of a ship’s hull squares have been marked off, that ship will “surrender by striking her colors”. The ship is considered to be in such danger of sinking that it cannot be sailed or the guns worked for the remainder of the game (even by a prize crew). None of the original crew can be removed from the ship (all are required to try to keep the ship afloat). Neither side is allowed to fire on a “struck” ship, although it can be boarded. Excess hull hits are treated as “misses”. The crew of a “surrender by striking” ship cannot participate in melees even if boarding parties have been formed. Place a strike marker on a ship which has “struck”.

      

2. Crew Hits (“C”):

   1. Mark off one crew square per crew hit called for on the Hit Tables. All crew hits must be taken out of the first section until all of its crew squares are gone, then from the second section, and finally from the third section.

   2. When all crew squares on a ship are marked off, the ship cannot be moved or be used in combat until more crew squares are put on board. Excess crew hits are treated as “misses”.

3. Gun Hits (“G”):

   1. Mark off one gun square per gun hit called for on the Hit Tables. When a gun hit is called for, and the ship has carronade squares available, the commander of the hit ship can mark off whichever type he chooses. Hits should be marked off the side closest to the firing ship, although if gun squares on the closer side are all marked off, gun squares on the opposite side are marked off. If, as in a rake, both sides of the target ship are equidistant to the firing ship, the target ship chooses which gun squares to mark off.

   2. If all gun squares are marked off, and no friendly ship of the same or larger class as the firing ship is within ten squares distance, the ship will surrender to the first enemy ship that can move into an adjacent hex and fire a broadside into it. The ten hex range is determined at the moment the broadside is fired. This is known as “surrender by firepower”. Excess gun hits are treated as hull hits.

4. Rigging Hits (“R”):

   1. Mark off one rigging square per rigging hit called for on the Hit Tables. The rigging squares are divided into either three sections (for ships with a battle sail speed of 3) or four sections (for ships with a battle sail speed of 4). All rigging hits are taken out of the first section until all rigging squares are gone there, then out of the second section, etc. Each complete rigging section marked off drops the ship’s movement allowance by one hex in all attitudes to the wind. When all rigging sections are gone, the ship cannot move.

   2. If all rigging squares are marked off, and no friendly ship of the same or larger class as the firing ship is within ten squares distance, the ship will surrender to the first enemy ship which can rake its hull. This is known as “surrender by immobility”. Excess rigging hits are treated as “misses”.

IX. Melee Phase

All ships which have not “surrendered” and have crew squares remaining in their boarding parties may now attempt to capture opposing ships, to defend themselves and/or to transfer to friendly ships. To determine the success of the boarding, melee must occur with the enemy’s “OBP” or “DBP”. Melee is fought simultaneously once per turn.

A. Transfer Procedure

1. Crew sections designated as “TBP” during the Boarding Preparation Phase may now transfer as ordered to any friendly adjacent ship.

2. Cross off the transferred crewsections on the “log” as if they were casualties, and make a note on a separate sheet of paper of the strengths of the transferred crew sections, and their present locations. Friendly crews ordered to transfer to ships which have “surrendered” in the Combat Phase may not transfer.

3. If crew sections are transferring to ships which have lost crew squares, they may permanently transfer by erasing one crew square for each square being transferred. Start erasing with the most recent crew square casualty and work back.

4. Crew sections transferred to a ship immediately assume the quality of the original crew. If a crew section is being transferred to a ship involved in melee, the crew may not participate in the melee nor return to the original ship, and surrenders with the rest of the non-meleeing crew if the ship surrenders in that turn.

B. Boarding Procedure

1. Ships which have formed “OBP’s” during the Boarding Preparation Phase must now attempt to have their “OBP’s” board and capture by melee the opposing enemy ships to which they have been ordered. Only “OBP’s” initiate melee.

2. If two opposing ships are simultaneously sending “OBP’s” to capture each other, both parties must melee.

3. If one of the opposing ships has ordered a “DBP”, melee occurs if she is attacked by an “OBP”. If the other ship has a “DBP”, “TBP”, or “NBP” then no melee occurs.

4. If an “OBP” (not “DBP”) boards a ship which has ordered a “NBP” or “TBP” only, that “OBP” automatically captures the ship without melee. The “TBP” would effect its transfer simultaneously.

5. If several “OBP’s” are boarding the same ship, their total melee strengths are added together.

6. If an “OBP” is ordered to board a ship which has ordered both an “OBP” and a “DBP”, the two “OBP’s” must melee first. If victorious the “OBP” must continue melee with the “DBP”.

7. If an enemy ship “surrenders” during the Combat Phase, an “OBP” intended for that ship may go aboard to act as prize crew.

C. Melee Procedure

1. Each crew square involved in a melee is worth a certain number of melee factors dependent on the ship’s crew quality. The number of combat factors each crew square is worth is given on the Crew Melee Strength Table. Each side multiplies the number of crew squares in the melee times the number of combat factors per crew square to find the Total Melee Strength (TMS) in the melee.

2. Melee is conducted simultaneously, each player rolling one die and consulting the Melee Resolution Table. The number rolled on the die is cross-gridded with his TMS. The result is the number of enemy crew squares to be marked off on the lowest crew section of the boarding party.

3. Once casualties have been removed, both players refigure their total number of surviving crew squares are recompute their TMS. Another melee round is fought. This continues for three rounds or until one side has a three-to-one or better advantage in TMS. When a three-to-one advantage occurs, the enemy boarding party is defeated and all its surviving crew squares become prisoners. The defeated ship must surrender. The victorious OBP is now considered to be on the deck of the ship the enemy boarding party came from. The ship is captured; and all other enemy crew squares on board also become prisoners.

4. Melee once initiated must continue until one ship surrenders, ships become ungrappled or unfouled, or both sides disengage by mutual consent. If after three rounds no conclusion is reached, melee must continue the next turn.

5. Crew sections already engaged in melee may not quit until one of the conditions in 4 above has been met. New crew sections may be added to the melee each turn if available.

6. A victorious “DBP” has the option of boarding the opposing ship. When the “DBP” boards it automatically changes status to “OBP” and must continue melee for the remaining rounds if necessary.

7. If two different crews are combined in melee, the controlling player selects where losses are taken.

D. Capturing Procedure

1. Any ship which surrenders in any of four ways either by “striking”, “firepower”, “melee” or “immobility” may be captured.

2. A ship which surrenders by melee is automatically captured by the victorious boarding party which is considered to be on the deck of the ship the enemy boarding party came from. It now becomes the prize crew.

3. A ship which surrenders by any other means is captured when either a “TBP” or “OBP” is placed aboard. The boarding party becomes the prize crew (see Basic Game VII.B.8).

4. Surrendered ships may not fire their guns, melee, or move as long as they are surrendered.

5. A prize crew runs the ship normally while on board. They can sail the ship, engage in melees, and fire and load the guns (but at two tables less than normal).

6. Once a ship is captured, the victorious player opens a new column on his “log” sheet for the captured ship, copying all information (including damage) from the old enemy “log”.

7. The original crew is still marked on the ship’s crew section of the “log”. The prize crew is kept on a separate sheet of paper.

8. If for any reason a prize crew leaves, or is eliminated, the ship returns to the control of the original owner.

9. At least one crew square of the prize crew is required for every six prisoner crew squares on a ship. If the numbers fall below this ratio, the prisoners immediately take over the ship, and the prize crew becomes prisoners.

10. The captured ship assumes the quality of the prize crew.

11. If a ship with a prize crew on board is fired upon, take all “odd” crew square losses (i.e., the first, third, fifth, etc. losses) that occurs in a Combat Phase from the prize crew and all “even” losses from the prisoners. Remember that ships with all hull squares marked out cannot be fired upon.

12. Ships which have “surrendered by striking” may never fire their guns nor sail even if captured. The prize crew can melee.

13. Ships that surrender automatically become friendly.

14. If at any time a ship which has surrendered other than by striking is within five hexes (inclusive) of a friendly ship at the beginning of the turn, it ceases to be surrendered and may begin normal functions the next turn. It does not lose any of its damage though. It is still subject to surrender if the necessary conditions occur again.

X. Loading Phase

Ships should have their broadsides loaded in the beginning of the scenario. Reloading of fired broadsides takes place in the last phase of the turn.

1. A ship can load one complete broadside per turn. Only one side can be loaded, not both.

2. A broadside can be loaded in the same turn that it is fired, and fired again during the following turn, or any later turn. Thus it is possible for the same broadside to be fired every turn.

3. In the Basic Game only roundshot may be fired. Reloading is indicated in the “log” by writing the letter “R” under the “R” or “L” column of the load section at the appropriate turn number.

4. A broadside may be fired even if there are no targets, but the advantage of initial broadside is lost.

XI. Victory Conditions

Victory conditions depend upon the scenario. Any special conditions will be written in the appropriate scenario. General victory conditions will be split into two categories – those for single ship scenarios and those for multi-ship scenarios.

A. Single Ship Victory Conditions

Single ship scenarios end when one ship “surrenders”. The other player is the victor. There is no time limit for this. Other situations that qualify are printed below:

1. If a player refuses to have combat and continually moves his ship out of the enemy’s ship’s range, he is considered the loser. This is not an explicit rule so some intelligence must be used to implement it. Its function is to keep partially damaged ships from attempting to draw by avoiding victory conditions.

2. If both ships “surrender” simultaneously, it is a draw.

3. Loss of all crew squares will automatically end the game with victory for the other side, even if that side “strikes”.

4. As soon as the victory conditions are met, the game ends at that point; and the turn is not completed.

B. Multi-Ship Victory Conditions

In Multi-ship scenarios, special victory conditions are printed with the scenario. Some general rules follow:

1. Each ship has a point value written in its order of battle.

2. Ships which strike give the opposing player that ship’s point value.

3. Ships which have been captured count twice the value to the opposing player.

4. At the end of the scenario, all points are counted and the player with the highest amount is declared the winner.

XII. Miscellaneous

Except for scenarios where land hexes are present, or where land is defined as being just off a certain edge of the mapboard, it should be possible for players to keep from sailing off the mapboard by the expedient of moving all counters a certain number of hexes in the same direction. This method maintains the ship’s relative positions to one another.

At other times when all ships have moved to one side of the board, it will be advantageous to merely lift the now unused half of the board and place it on the other side of the portion of the board now containing all vessels.

Advanced Game Rules

I. Introduction

Upon mastering the Basic Game rules, players may wish to advance to a more realistic and complex version. The Advanced Game offers just that with a set of rules which can easily be incorporated into the Basic Game.

All Basic Game rules apply to the Advanced Game unless stated otherwise.

A. Advanced Game Tables

The Advanced Tables card contains the set of tables to be used in the Advanced Game. Several of the Basic Game tables have been modified for the Advanced Game and adjustments in play must be made for this. New tables have been added and their functions will be explained in the appropriate section of the rules.

1. HDT Modifications:

   1. Rake: If a ship is raking, cross-index the range of the target with the number of guns firing on the range table. The number in parenthesis determines which Hit Table is to be used.

   2. Stern Rake: A bonus of +1 is added to a rake any time it is fired at a ship’s stern.

2. Hit Tables:

   1. The number of hit tables has been increased by two to Hit Table No. 10 in both the hull and rigging sections. If a firing ship’s Hit Table has been modified to a value greater than ten, resolve the attack as separate die rolls. Each die roll must be made on the highest table possible. (Example: The greatest modification for a firing ship is 20. This would allow the ship to fire twice on Hit Table 10 only and not in any other combination.)

   2. In each Hit Table, the 6 results are marked with an asterisk. These indicate a possible critical hit.

      1. If a 6 is rolled on any Hit Table, roll the die again adding the Hit Table number to the result. Index this value with the target aspect, (either hull or rigging), on the Critical Hit Table found on the inside back cover of the manual.

      2. Any Critical Hit damage acquired is applied after all other damage has been recorded at the end of the Combat Phase.

      3. All critical hit damage is cumulative.

      4. Some results are a function of one or more of the Optional rules. Those players not using the appropriate Optional rule, must ignore the result taking a “no effect” instead.

B. Log Modifications

1. The number of hull squares is increased to one and a half times the Basic Game value (rounded up). Gun, carronade, and crew values are twice as large as the Basic Game values. These changes are made while completing the log.

2. Each broadside and carronade section is sub-divided equally into a bow and stern section.

   

II. Sequence of Play

The expanded sequence of play is presented and should be followed in exact order. Each turn is composed of ten phases of play:

1. Wind Phase: Roll one die to determine wind change, and if so, how it will change. This is done every third turn.

2. Unfouling Phase: Make attempts to unfoul ships which were fouled on previous moves. Roll for sinking or exploding ships.

3. Movement Notation Phase: Movement is plotted secretly by all players on their ships “logs”. Anchoring, up-anchoring, and cutting anchors orders are written in the Notes section of “log”.

4. Movement Execution Phase: Each ship is moved exactly as ordered in the “log”. Retrace any possible collisions one hex at a time. Check for fouling.

5. Grappling and Ungrappling Phase: Attempt to grapple, avoid grappling, or ungrapple.

6. Boarding Preparation Phase: Write any boarding parties in the “logs” of the involved ships.

7. Combat Phase: Resolve all firing, and mark all hits in the “logs”. Determine if certain ships are to sink or explode.

8. Melee Phase: Resolve melee.

9. Load Phase: Reload broadsides – a variety of ammunition may now be used. Mark any repairs in notes section of the “log”; erase applicable squares if repairs are completed.

10. Full Sail Phase: Place or remove full sail counters on ships.

III. Wind Phase

Wind is no longer a constant factor in the game. Changes may occur in both direction and velocity.

A. Wind Numbers

Each scenario lists an initial wind direction number that indicates the direction in which the wind is blowing at the start of the game, a wind velocity number that represents the strength at which the wind is blowing, and a wind change number that determines any possible shift in wind direction and/or velocity.

1. The initial wind direction is recorded by moving the wind marker to the stated direction number on the wind direction hex.

2. The wind velocity is determined by checking the wind velocity number and indexing it with the proper velocity. There are eight types of velocity located in the Wind Effects Table. Each type has a corresponding wind velocity number: (0) becalmed, (1) light breeze, (2) moderate breeze, (3) normal breeze, (4) heavy breeze, (5) gale, (6) storm and (7) hurricane.

3. Wind change is determined in the wind phase of every third turn, i.e., turn three, six, nine, etc., by rolling a single die. If the number rolled equals or exceeds the wind change number, the wind changes as follows:

   1. A die is rolled again and the Wind Direction Changes Table is consulted. The wind arrow counter is then shifted as directed by this table.

   2. A die is rolled a third time and the Wind Velocity Changes Table is consulted. The velocity is shifted a step if applicable.

   3. If the wind velocity should increase a step from storm force to hurricane force, the game ends immediately. If the wind velocity should drop a step from light breeze force, all ships are becalmed and no movement other than turning in place is allowed until the wind velocity increases. Velocity cannot be reduce to less than zero.

   4. NOTE: Wind Velocity affects not only movement but full sail and fire capabilities of certain ships. These exceptions are noted underneath the Wind Effects Table.

B. Wind Effects

1. Wind Direction: Same effect as in the Basic Game.

2. Wind Velocity: The Wind Effects Table reflects the effects of different wind velocities upon various size ships. The Table compares the wind velocities to the class number of ship. Each class number is divided into an additional four columns; A, B, C, and D representing the four attitudes to wind. To determine the effect of wind velocity on a ship, cross index the velocity to the ship class number and wind attitude. The result is then subtracted from the ship’s movement allowance which becomes the new movement allowance for that turn. No allowance can be reduced to less than zero. (Example: A ship of 74 guns sailing with battle sails in B attitude to a wind of gale force, has a movement allowance of 2. Cross-indexing the class 2 B column with the gale row in the Wind Effects Table, a result of –1 is found. Subtracting 1 from its movement allowance of 2, the ship has a readjusted allowance of 1 for this turn). Although placed in the Advanced Game for convenience, this may be used as an Optional rule if desired.

IV. Unfouling Phase

This phase remains the same as in the Basic Game.

V. Movement Notation Phase

There are several additions and changes to this phase.

A. Full Sails

Full sails allow ships to increase their movement allowance by setting more sails than normally used in battle.

1. Like battle sail speed, each ship has a full sail speed that is given on each ship’s counter. There are three full sail speeds: 5, 6, and 7. The following diagrams give a ship’s movement allowance at full sail in relation to wind attitudes:

   

2. Note in each ship’s log each full sail movement allowance per attitude.

3. All rigging hits scored on full sail ships are doubled.

4. Any ship which loses the entire first section of rigging immediately removes his ship from full sail status. It may not use full sails for the remainder of the game unless it repairs its rigging so as to regain at least one rigging square in the first section. (See Advanced Game X.B).

5. A ship sets sail to full sail speed by placing a full sail marker on his ship. The procedure for placing and removing full sail counters is explained in Section XI of the Advanced Game. A player does not have to note full sails in the “log”.

   

B. Backing Sails

Ships that wish to stay in place for part of the movement execution phase may use the notation “B” (for “backing sails”) in the moves column of the “log”. The use of backing sails is important when trying to avoid collisions. Backing sails may be used in any part of the movement plot. For each movement factor of the movement allowance that a ship expends staying in place, a “B” must be written. Example: Two ships A and B have both been noted to move into the same hex:

A collision would occur in hex J20. If ship B had used the backing sails rule it could amend its movement plot to Moves “B B B 1”. Thus it would enter hex J20 on the last move of the phase thereby avoiding ship A which by that time had already passed through the hex. Note that each B written is equivalent to one movement factor expended.

C. Anchors

During the Movement Notation Phase, players may decide to anchor their ships by making the appropriate notation in the notes column of the ship’s log. The advantage to anchoring is that it improves the firing accuracy as a result of the steadier fire maintained from a more stable position. This rule may only be used in certain scenarios which will be so designated.

1. There are three types of anchoring: Ordinary anchoring, written “A”; anchored by bow, written “AB”; and anchored by stern, written “AS”. A ship may not be simultaneously anchored by more than one type of anchoring.

2. Anchoring does not go into effect the turn of noting it on the “log”, but the following turn. Ships may write their movement plot and continue operating normally the turn they decide to anchor. The following turn though, the ship must stop at anchor. Ordinary anchored ships may not move or turn in place.

3. Ships may also be anchored by “springs”. This was a system of cables attached to the anchors which enabled a ship to be turned while at anchor. A ship can anchor on “springs” by making notations of either “AS” (anchored by the stern), or “AB” (anchored by the bow). A ship anchored by its stern will pivot on its stern hex when turning, while a ship anchored by its bow will pivot on its bow hex when turning.

4. Ships on springs can be turned up to 120 degrees left or right during the movement execution phase. Ships being turned on springs cannot reload or fire during that phase, although repairs can be made and melees fought.

5. The effect of anchoring on firing is found in the Advanced modifiers of the HDT.

6. A ship can up-anchor by writing the symbol “(A)” in the notes column of the “log” for two consecutive turns. On the turn following the completion of this, the ship can resume normal maneuvering. During the two turns that a ship is up-anchoring, she cannot load or fire her guns, make repairs, or engage in melees. A ship is not considered anchored while up-anchoring.

7. A ship can cut anchors by writing “a” in the notes column of the “log”. The turn following this notation, the ship can resume normal maneuvering. Once a ship has cut its anchors, it cannot be anchored again.

D. Turning

Ships which did not move from their bow hex during the previous movement execution phase are limited in their movement by the following restrictions:

1. They must move at least one hex straight ahead before they may turn; or they may turn in place 60 degrees but can make no other movement.

2. They lose one turning factor of their turning allowance.

3. They may increase sail to full sail speed only if they move at least one hex in a straight line in the movement execution phase. No turning is allowed at any time during the move.

VI. Movement Execution Phase

This phase is identical to that of the Basic Game.

VII. Boarding Preparation Phase

This phase is identical to that of the Basic Game.

VIII. Combat Phase

This phase is conducted in the same manner as the Combat Phase in the Basic Game. However, each broadside must fire in a reduced field-of-fire, but may use additional types of ammunition.

A. Reduced Field-of-Fire

The ship’s field of fire in the Basic Game was simplified for the sake of playability. Ships actually had a more limited field at which a full broadside could be trained at a target, although certain sections could fire at targets outside of this field.

1. The play of guns is divided into 5 fields, numbered 1 through 5:

   

2. Fields 1, 2, and 3 cover hexes that can be hit by the entire broadside. Field 4 can be fired at only by the guns of the stern section. Field 5 can be fired at only by the guns of the bow section. (See Advanced Game I.B.2).

3. A ship may never fire at more than one target with a broadside even if just a section of the broadside is fired.

4. If only one section fires in an initial broadside, it is treated as if the entire initial broadside has been fired and the other section loses the advantage.

5. Blocked Fields of Fire

   1. If a ship fires at a target that lies within the field of the entire broadside, i.e., fields 1, 2, or 3, the ship must fire at the closest target as explained in the Basic Game.

   2. Ships cannot fire the stern section at a target in field 4 if there is a closer target in field 2 or 4. Ships may fire at a target in 4 if there are closer targets occupying fields 1, 3, and 5.

   3. Ships cannot fire the bow section at a target in field 5 if there is a closer target in field 3 or 5. Ships may fire at a target in field 5 if there are closer targets occupying fields 1, 2, or 4.

   4. NOTE: In many cases a ship will straddle two fields. For the purpose of determining fire, that ship occupies the lowest numbered field. For the purpose of determining line of sight, that ship occupies both fields. There are two exceptions to this rule:

      1. Ships firing at a target straddling fields 2 and 4 may not fire the stern section if there is a closer target occupying field 4. It may fire its bow section.

      2. Ships firing at a target straddling fields 5 and 3 may not fire the bow section if there is a closer target occupying field 5. It may fire its stern section.

6. Determination of field-of-fire is made independently of the determination of the range between two opposing ships.

   

   Example: Ships A and B are firing at each other. Determination of field-of-fire indicates that a full broadside may be fired by both ships as they mutually occupy each other’s field 3. Range determination indicates, though, that the closest range is two hexes counted through field 4. As both field-of-fire and range must be determined independently, each ship may fire at each other with full broadsides at a range of two hexes.

7. Gun hits are marked off in the section closest to the firing guns. If both sections are equidistant, then the defender chooses which gun squares are lost. If there are no guns left in that broadside hits are marked off on any unmarked gun squares of the defender’s choice. This includes carronades.

B. Types of Ammunition

Roundshot was not the only type of ammunition used on ship. Others were developed to cause different types of damage. Each had certain advantages and disadvantages. This rule covers several other types of ammunition and their capabilities as regards range, effectiveness, and loading times.

1. Roundshot: As roundshot is the only type of ammunition used in the Basic Game, there is no change in its use in the Advanced Game.

   1. The range of roundshot is still ten hexes.

   2. Roundshot does not modify the Hit Tables.

   3. One broadside may be loaded with roundshot in one turn.

2. Chainshot: This type of ammunition was used to destroy rigging in order to immobilize enemy vessels.

   1. Chainshot has a maximum range of three hexes.

   2. Chainshot increases the Basic Hit Table by the amount found in the chainshot section under Optional modifiers of HDT. Chainshot lacks the penetrating ability of shot, and “H” and “G” hits count as misses when it is used.

   3. Chainshot is loaded in one turn.

   4. The British may never fire chainshot.

3. Doubleshot: A highly effective type of ammunition when fired at close range, doubleshot was generally a double load of roundshot.

   1. Doubleshot has a range of just one hex.

   2. Doubleshot increases the Hit table number by the amount indicated in the Optional modifier of the HDT.

   3. Two moves are required to load doubleshot. “DS” is marked in the load section of the ship’s log for two consecutive turns. On the turn following this, the doubleshot may be fired. The other broadside may not be reloaded during either of the two turns. Once a ship has begun loading doubleshot, it is committed to firing it.

4. Grapeshot: Grapeshot is used exclusively against the enemy crew. Grape was composed of canister or langridge. It was ineffective against the ship itself but devastating against exposed crewmen.

   1. Grapeshot has a range of one hex.

   2. The Hit Tables are not used with grapeshot. Instead, the modified Hit Table number represents the number of crew squares destroyed.

   3. Only one turn is needed to load a broadside with grapeshot.

   4. Grapeshot cannot be fired against an opposing ship whose crew is in the second or later turn of melee with the firing ship.

5. Loaded ammunition cannot be changed without firing out the first type of shot.

6. Carronades always carry the same type of shot as the regular broadside even if the broadside has changed the type of shot before the carronades have fired.

7. If the target ship has a boarding party, it receives an additional crew square loss over and above the normal crew loss.

C. Sink and Explode

If any ship “surrenders by striking” in the Combat Phase, the possibility that it may sink or explode must be determined.

1. When all of a ship’s hull squares have been marked off, the enemy player rolls a die, and the Destroyed Hull Table is checked.

2. If the result indicates the ship “surrenders by striking” handle as in the Basic Game.

3. If the result indicates that the “surrendered” ship will sink, the ship does not sink immediately. Continue to roll the die once for that ship on each succeeding turn during the Unfouling Phase until a “6” is rolled. At that time the ship sinks and is removed from the mapboard. Place a sink marker on a ship about to sink.

   

4. If the result indicates that the “surrendered” ship will explode, it does not do so immediately. Continue to roll the die once for that ship on each succeeding turn during the Unfouling Phase until a “6” is rolled. At that time, the ship explodes, and is removed from the mapboard. The force of the exploding ship will damage every other ship located in an adjacent hex. This is handled by rolling the die, and consulting Hit Table number ten under the Rigging Section. Mark this damage on each adjacent ship or ships. Place an explode marker on a ship about to explode.

5. Ships which will explode or sink remain on the mapboard until they do so, but can take no further part in the battle. The crew cannot be taken off, repairs cannot be made, and the crew cannot melee or fire the guns. The ship cannot be sailed, although it will drift normally. It may not be captured.

6. Ships that will sink or explode cannot be “scuttled” so as to sink sooner than indicated on the die.

D. Rake

A ship which occupies the hex directly in front of the target ship’s bow or directly behind the target ship’s stern and which may bring its guns to bear may fire a rake even if return fire is possible.

IX. Melee Phase

The Melee Phase is identical to that of the Basic Game.

X. Reload Phase

A. Reloading

One broadside per ship may be reloaded with “R” (roundshot), “DS” (doubleshot), “CS” (chainshot), or “GS” (grapeshot).

B. Repairs

Ships which don’t load or fire guns, engage in melee, become involved in a collision, up-anchor, change from full sails to battle sails or vice-versa or expend any factors of its movement allowance to turn, may make repairs; provided there are at least two crew sections available. (The second section need not be complete). All repairs take three turns (not necessarily in sequence). In three turns, two hull, two rigging, or two gun squares can be repaired by simply erasing the “X” on the most recently marked squares. Repairs cannot be made on “surrendered” ships. Repairs in progress are listed in the Notes section of the ship’s “log”, in this phase by writing “RH” for hull repairs, “RG” for gun repairs, and “RR” for rigging repairs. The third repair of the same type is circled and the boxes erased. Only one type of repair may be made per turn.

XI. Full Sail Phase

During this phase a player may decide for each ship whether full sails should be added or dropped. Full sails are added by placing a full sail marker on the ship. Full sails are dropped by removing the full sails marker. The effect of this takes place immediately.

Optional Rules

I. Introduction

This section offers a set of optional rules that may be added in any combination to suit the player’s taste. Each optional rule adds greater scope and realism as well as complexity to play of the game.

II. Timed Moves

To make the game flow more quickly, use a timer to limit the writing of movement. Allow one minute to write for single-ship actions, two minutes for up to three ships per side, three minutes for up to six ships per side, and an additional three minutes for each additional six ships per side. Ships whose orders do not get written, move on a straight course their full movement allowance. 1, 2, and 3 minute timers may be purchased directly from Avalon Hill. Ask for a current Parts List.

III. Multi-Player Communication

During the age of sail, flags were used to communicate tactics to the ships of a fleet. This system was inefficient for three major reasons:

1. It took time to set up the coded message to be sent, delaying implementation of important tactics.
2. In the smoky haze of battle, it was often difficult, if not impossible for ships to discern the flags.
3. This system limited the number and variety of messages which could be sent.

To reflect this in multi-player games, the following rules may be used:

1. Messages between ships of the same fleet may be sent in writing only. This is done in the Movement Notation Phase.
2. Only one message per ship may be sent to the other ships of the fleet in that phase.
3. This option should be used with the “timed moves” option.
4. Players may also wish to forbid any communications between players commanding different squadrons of different nationalities, to simulate their difficulties in reading each other’s flag signaling system.

IV. Command Lag

The number of ships any flag officer of the period could actually control effectively was a squadron of six ships (often less). There would be a considerable “time-lag” between the time an admiral signaled a squadron not under his immediate control, and the time that squadron actually carried out his orders.

To simulate this loss of time in games where a single player is commanding more than one squadron, use the following rules:

1. A player must select a ship as his flag ship and divide the fleet into squadrons of six or less ships.
2. The player writes the moves for the ships in his immediate squadron from turn to turn in the normal manner.
3. The player writes the moves for the ships in other squadrons three turns in advance. Thus, at the start of the game, the player would write movement orders for these ships for turns one, two and three. After turn one was completed, he would write movement orders for these ships for turn four, etc.
4. Alternatively, all ships completely or partly within ten hexes of the flag ship can have their movement written from turn to turn. All other ships must have their movement written for three turns in advance.
   1. Ships, which had their movement written for three turns in advance, but end their turn within ten hexes of the flag ship, can have excess movement orders erased, and can be marked from turn to turn.
   2. Ships which find themselves over ten hexes from the flag ship, and which have had their previous movement marked from turn to turn, must have their movement marked for three turns in advance, the next movement notation phase.
5. If the flag ship surrenders, any movement for ships in that squadron must be marked for the next five turns. After these five turns have been completed, the player can designate a new flag ship and begin moving normally again.
6. In multi-player games, each player chooses a flag ship for the squadron that he controls.

V. Changing Wind Number

When changing wind direction and wind velocity, a player may roll the die a fourth time. This new number represents the new wind change number. It may not be rolled if the wind does not change in velocity or direction.

VI. Variable Wind Direction and Velocity

At the start of any scenario, a player may instead of accepting the historical wind factors roll a die 3 times for a new wind direction, wind velocity and wind change number. The new direction would correspond to the die roll compared to the wind direction hex on the mapboard. The wind velocity would be the match of the second die roll with the die roll column of the Wind Velocity Table. The third die roll would be the wind change number.

VII. Towing

A. A ship may tow another friendly ship.

B. Ships towing a ship of equal or inferior gun rating lose one hex of speed in all wind attitudes. Ships towing a ship of superior gun rating lose two hexes of speed in all wind attitudes.

C. A ship towing another ship in zero movement allowance attitude may still turn in place as in the Basic Game.

D. Towing Procedure

1. Maneuver the towing ship so that its stern is in the hex to which the bow of the ship to be towed is pointing. Indicate in the “log” that the ships are to be grappled.

2. The two ships can be maneuvered together on succeeding turns, the ship being towed moving directly in the wake of the other ship. Only one movement plot need be written.

3. Ungrappling notations in the “log” will end the tow.

VIII. Loss of Rigging

Although the rigging sections do not correspond exactly on a one-to-one basis with the masts of a ship, there is a positive correlation between the fact that a rigging section is lost and the actual material loss of a mast or part of same. Loss of masts upset the trim of a ship and caused a less stable firing platform. If a mast fell but did not break cleanly, the ship would be heeled to an extent that both broadsides were useless. The following rules allow for masts to effect the play of the game:

A. A ship with all rigging sections destroyed is -1 HT when firing for ships having up to 6 gun squares, and -2 HT when firing for ships with 7 or more gun squares.

B. In a phase in which a ship loses one or more entire rigging section(s), a die is immediately rolled for each section lost and the following table is consulted:

DIE NUMBER RESULTS

Mast hangs over

the side*

Mast fails free

2-6

*Additional Die Roll

1, 3, 5 - left broadside 2, 4, 6 - right broadside

If the mast fails free, the results of the mast loss are the same as the loss of a rigging section. If the mast hangs over the side, the ship cannot fire until it has been cut loose. The Unfouling Table is used, and one die roll per unfouling phase is allowed for attempts to cut the mast loose. The ship’s speed is reduced by one and may not turn until it is cut loose. Any adjacent ship within the play of the broadside over which the mast hangs must roll for fouling.

IX. Blocked Wind

When one ship is adjacent to another and lays directly between its bow or stern hex and the wind, the sails would tend to “blanket” or block off the wind to the second ship, thereby slowing it down.

A. If the ship blocking the wind is under full sails, the movement allowance of the ship blocked is cut by two hexes, for that turn. If the ship blocking the wind is under battle sails and has at least half its rigging squares left, the movement allowance of the ship blocked is cut by one hex for that turn.

B. A smaller ship could not block the wind of a larger ship as effectively as one the same size.

1. If a ship blocks the wind to a ship mounting 30 plus guns less than the blocking ship, the loss of speed, as described in A., is increased by one, for that turn. The reverse is also true. If a ship is blocking a ship with 30 plus more guns than that ship, the loss of speed described in A above is reduced by one for that turn.

2. If the difference in ratings between the two ships is 60 or more guns, the loss of speed in A above is varied by two as explained in B above.

X. Exploding Ships

As damage caused by exploding ships was a function of the ship’s size, a variable damage effect is herein incorporated. A ship exploding will cause damage to any adjacent ship on the Rigging Effects Table number double to her 1 hex range rake bonus, but in no case to exceed table 10. In addition No. 14 of the Critical Hits Table must be checked for fire damage.

XI. Running Aground

Each ship has a depth value. This value indicates the maximum depth of water in which that ship will run aground. If a ship enters a hex in which the water depth is equal or less than its depth value, it has run aground. The depths of shallow water hexes is given in the appropriate scenario.

A. When a ship runs aground, it stops all movement and may proceed no further that turn. Readjust the movement plot of the ship’s log to reflect the actual move.

B. Immediately roll a die. The resulting number indicates the relative difficulty of refloating the ship. On each succeeding turn during the reload phase, the die is rolled to see if the ship can be refloated. The die number rolled must exceed the number initially rolled, or the ship remains aground for another turn. If a “6” had been rolled initially, this would indicate that the ship cannot be refloated by ordinary means.

C. Ships that enter land hexes are considered to be destroyed.

D. Ships that are successfully refloated are moved back into the hex they occupied prior to running aground. They may move normally next turn.

E. Ships cannot fire their guns while aground.

XII. Casting the Lead

Ships often needed to measure depth of uncharted waters through which they intended to travel. Casting the lead was a method used to determine this.

A. Players can be assumed to be “casting the lead” for any ships which have moved a maximum of one hex in that movement phase. On request, the enemy player must tell the depth of water in all hexes adjacent to their ship.

B. Ships at anchor which turn 120 degrees have moved either stern or bow two hexes and cannot be considered to be -casting the lead.---

XIII. Optional Rake Determination

Ships qualify for raking only when they occupy a hex toward which the bow or stern of the target ship is pointing.

NOTE: There have been two different rules presented on rake determination. Each has certain advantages and disadvantages as to its application in the game system. None are totally accurate in their definition of rake. While the optional rake may appear to be the most realistic of the two it can only be applied at set points in time. On the other hand, the Basic Game rule, though it may not consistently present actual raking positions, does take into account the continual movement of ships in real battle.

Players are advised to bear this in mind when choosing which rule to use.

XIV. Fore and Aft Rigging

Allow ships which have fore and aft rigging (ships which are rigged with the type sails used by modern sailboats as opposed to the square sails in general use by warships in this period) to move one hex every second turn in D attitude to the wind. This rule takes into account the improved weatherliness of fore-and-aft sails. Ships which carry this special type of rigging will be stated as such in the scenario. Rigging hits are not doubled if a fore and aft rigged ship is at full sail.

XV. Special Rules

A. Copper Bottom

Some ships, especially during the Revolutionary period, did not have copper bottoming. This allowed marine invertebrates to attack to the hull and reduce the vessel’s speed. For those who wish to include this, the following rule is presented:

All ships designated as being at sea for at least three months and having no coppering will lose one movement factor of its allowance in all attitudes under Full Sails.

B. Scurvy

During the Revolutionary War period, Navies had not learned how to combat the disease scurvy. They avoided the effect of crew loss due to this and, other diseases on ships performance by increasing the size of the crews.

Ships designated as newly arrived on a foreign station or to a fleet will have one or two extra crew squares per section for the S.O.L. class ships and one extra crew square per section for frigate class ships.

Basic Game Tables

Hit tables

Melee tables

Fouled rigging tables

Grappling tables

If one ship was motionless during the movement phase subtract one from the die roll. If both ships were motionless during the movement phase subtract two from the die roll.

Advanced Game Tables

* The ship will explode or sink when a “6” is result of subsequent roll

Storm:

• Full sails not allowed.
• Ship classes Number 1 and Number 4 subtract 2 from Hit Table.
• Ship classes Number 2 and Number 3 subtract 1 from Hit Table.

Gale:

• Ship classes Number 5 and Number 6 cannot use full sails.
• Ship classes Number 1, Number 5, and Number 6 subtract 1 from Hit Table.

The Critical Hit Table

1. R: At range of 3 hexes or less, rake causes one rigging section to be lost. (See Optional Rules VIII for effect).

   H: No Effect

2. R: No Effect

   H: At range of 3 hexes or less, rake causes all gun and crew hits to be doubled.

3. R: No Effect

   H: No Effect

4. R: Fallen rigging obscures a gunnery section in the left broadside. Reduce Hit Table by 1 for the next three turns. Mark out two rigging squares.

   H: No Effect

5. R: No Effect

   H: Anchor cable severed. Anchored ships must note cut anchor in “log”. Ships may not anchor again.

6. R: Fallen rigging obscures a gunnery section in the right broadside. Reduce Hit Table by 1 for the next three turns. Mark out two rigging squares.

   H: No Effect

7. R: No Effect

   H: Crew is demoralized. Roll one die; add crew quality strength points. Subtract the number of lost crew sections. If the result is six or less, crew drops one rate in quality.

8. R: Mast fails. Mark out one rigging section. (See Optional Rules VIII for effect).

   H: Possible damage to steering. Roll one die. If a 1, 3, or 5 appears, turning ability number is permanently reduced by one.

9. R: No Effect

   H: No Effect

10. R: Rake causes one rigging section to be lost. (See Optional Rules VIII for effect).

    H: Same as 5 H

11. R: No Effect

    H: Magazine may explode. Roll one die. Add the range in number of hexes. If the result is four or less, ship explodes. (See Optional Rules X for effect of explosion).

12. R: No Effect

    H: Water line damage: One crew section must be permanently assigned to keep ship afloat for the remainder of the game.

13. R: Same as 10 R

    H: Rake causes double the crew and gun hits.

14. R: No Effect

    H: Fire breaks out. Roll one die. If a 6 is rolled fire is out of control and ship will explode. (See Optional Rules X for effect). Any other number rolled is the number of turns needed to put out fire. Hit Table reduced by same amount for duration of fire.

15. R: No Effect

    H: No Effect

16. R: Same as 8 R

    H: Same as 7 H

Results of Critical Hit Table determined at the end of the Combat phase after all regular damage has been recorded.

All results are cumulative.

Typesetting by MT, based on an earlier version by Kees Jan Koster.

Contribute at https://github.com/mtorpey/wooden-ships.