Extract from the Naval Chronicle dated 30th April 1803

These are the recollections of an observer at the battle, and are a true reflection of these historic events as far as memory and age allow.

This great naval battle was fought off Quorn Hall point in the Loughborough Seas between Britain and the allied fleets of France and Spain which resulted in an allied victory and suppression of Britain's naval pride.

The British combatants were lead by Admiral Sir Andy Neill (formally of his majesties cavalry) with squadrons lead by our honourable Captains Trevor Brown, Robert Hague and with later support by Paul Simms.

Their illustrious foes were lead by the famous Yorkshire French Admiral Barry Daniels (survivor of the terror and Madame Guillotine) with support from the honourable Captain Mike Coffey, with suitable Spanish support from Rear Admiral Von David Grenz (apparently of Germanic origin).

The following ships were involved in the battle:

	Guns	Rate	Command	Hull Strength
British
Temeraire	98	2^nd	Admiral Andy	22
Tonnant	80	3^rd	Captain Bob	20
Leviathan	74L	3^rd	Captain Bob	18
Agamemnon	64	3^rd	Captain Trevor	12
Euryalus	36	5^th	Captain Trevor	8
Surprise	28	6^th	Captain Andy (alias Aubrey)	4
Syrene	102	1^st	Captain Paul	24
French
L�Orient	120	1^st	Admiral Count Barry	26
Belligueux	64	3^rd	Captain Mike	12
Hermione	36	5^th	Captain Mike	8
Hortense	36	5^th	Captain Barry	8
Guerrier	40	5^th	Captain Dave	8
Spanish
Santisima Trinidad	136	1^st	Admiral Don David	28
San Justo	74	3^rd	Captain Mike	14

The battle was fought over a period of 5 and half hours starting at 11:00 with all ships turning away from battle about 4:30 with a view to immediate refreshment after a long day at the guns.

After reading the Articles of War taken from the Rod Langton rulebook �Signal Close Action� all ships were cleared for action and prepared for the coming battle. The wind was from the East and with advantageous manoeuvring of the dice the British gained the weather gauge attacking from the NEE. The Allies had to contend with entering from the SSW.

The opening moves started slow with the British keen to take advantage of the weather gauge and the allies proceeding cautiously.

The British advanced with Leviathan out in front looking to break the allied line at some point, however poor use of signal flags at this time confused the British line and its intentions. This was not helped when in turn 5 Agamemnon collided with the flagship Temeraire due to a lapse in seamanship skills with the ability dice.

This caused both to heave to and take some damage to rigging before managing to break free and get underway again next turn. This meant than Leviathan and Tonnant out in front, slowly pulled away.

Meanwhile the British frigates moved off in a Southerly direction intent on attacking the allied frigates and following the observed collision and confusion of constant signals from the flagship the distance between the frigates was seen to rapidly increase.

The Allies during this period steadily proceeded in a Northerly direction intent on placing themselves alongside the enemy. Santisima Trinidad led the way with Belligeux, and L�Orient following. The frigates were just hoving into sight and on a parallel course further to the East.

Leviathan continued to take consistent damage to rigging during the approach with fire initially from Santisima Trinidad but the others joining in as their guns came to bear.

A rather regrettable incident occurred during the British approach with the flagship firing upon one of the frigates, the Surprise, due to a mistake with the orders. Obviously this came as a big surprise to the frigate�s company as it is only a small 28 gunner not capable taking so serious a damage this early. A report has been sent to the Admiralty Board; censure of the Admiral is anticipated.

As with all things at sea the unpredictable happened with a drop off in the wind which reduced the sailing speed of all vessels about an hour into the battle. This was to happen again about an hour later significantly reducing headway under easy sails to about one third.

The action continued with the Leviathan, now with its rigging shredded, turning in front of the allied line and having to increase sail to maintain headway. She then successively took fire from Belligeux and L�Orient and virtually came to a halt.

At the same time the other British ships of the line where moving in on the allied line and were making for the flagship L�Orient. All the line ships were now taking and handing out a punishing array of shot hitting both the hull and rigging of each other. The frigates had by now started to engage and the poor Surprise started to take more damage. A general melee was developing and confused intermingling of the ships was observed.

At this time the Tonnant ran onto L�Orient and tried to board her, she was eventually supported by Leviathan and towards the end of the battle by Agamemnon but to no avail. Despite desperate fighting with sharpened dice and lots of griping shouts they were unable to take L�Orient. The flagship bravely fought on trying all the time to break free but despite the pleas of the Admiral for renewed effort with the dice, over many turns, it proved impossible.

As the Agamemnon came up and tried to support the boarding L�Orient finally succeeded in breaking free and a further furious cannonade commenced with significant damage to the three British ships from a double broadside but with L�Orient still taking punishment.

Reinforcements started to arrive for the British in the form of Syrene coming in from the North and despite putting on full sail closing with the enemy was slow. Captain Paul had been desperately delayed due to having to water and provision in the port of Leeds. Spanish reinforcements also began to arrive in the form the San Justo but again the lack of wind meant she was unable to close and had to content herself with some long range cannonading. Too late the wind increased and gave small respite to some of the ships with rigging damage allowing them to get underway, particularly Leviathan

The frigate action was getting hot with Hermine getting hit in the rudder and becoming unmanageable she moved away down wind to get away from the action and jury rig some sort of steering capability. It is reported she finally made port with some rejoicing having thought to be lost.

The frigate Guerrier was pounded and finally stuck her colours, she was then boarded and taken by Surprise (good old Lucky Jack) much to the joy of the British. However Temeraire, without any support was at this time trying to exchange fire with Santisima Trinidad and taking much shot between wind and water.

Belligeux was coming up all the while and eventually Temeraire was taking fire from the two ships. After a valiant but futile attempt at escape she was run upon by the Santisima Trinidad, the elite Spaniards (is there such a thing) taking the ship in the final moments of the battle.

Thus was the closing stage of the battle with the Allies claiming victory, the British retiring to regroup and perhaps to seek a little help from Nelson next time, but all requiring some form of much needed refreshment.

The battle over all due honour and respect was shown to enemy and fiends alike and all were ready and prepared for the next encounter of the greatest period of naval warfare under sail.

The final reckoning was:

	Guns	HDCs Lost	RDCs Lost	Outcome
British
Temeraire	98	6	0	Captured
Tonnant	80	0	1
Leviathan	74L	2	2
Agamemnon	64	0	0
Euryalus	36	0	0
Surprise	28	0	1
Syrene	102	0	1
French
L�Orient	120	0	1
Belligueux	64	0	1
Hermione	36	0	0	Rudder Smashed
Hortense	36	1	0
Guerrier	40	2	0	Struck and Captured
Spanish
Santisima Trinidad	136	2	0
San Justo	74	0	0

Your special naval observer: Tony Hodgson.

THE SONS OF SIMON DE MONTFORT

The Battle of Quorn Point

Extract from the Naval Chronicle dated 30th April 1803

The club wishes to congratulate Tony Hodgson and Bob Hague for their sterling work in presenting and umpiring this superb day's gaming.