Wednesday saw the completion of this epic undertaking.
The Weather Column has started to engage the Van and Centre squadrons of the Combined Fleet.
The Van has attempted to turnaround so as to take part in the battle
(not something they did historically).
It has resulted in them entangling with the Centre
something that was bound to cause confusion.
The situation at the end of turn 7.
Collingwood has effectively destroyed the Rear Squadron of the Combined Fleet.
The Squadron of Observation (very top right) has completed its 360 degree turn
but is now having trouble catching up.
I think by ordering the 360 degree turn Villeneuve was aiming to time their engagement so they would fall upon Collingwood's rear.
As it was they were to live up to their name and mainly observed the action.
Nelson is in the act of crossing the head of the Combined Fleet and is busy picking off enemy ships using concentrated fire.
The Van and Centre are becoming increasing intermingled and blocking effective maneuver and fire.
End of Turn 8.
Collingwood is now coming up on the rear of the tangled Van and Centre squadrons.
A seagull's eye view.
While the lack of labels makes for a beautiful looking game,
it makes it a total bugger to play, only made worse by the intermingling.
The Combined Fleet has lost four or five ships.
Nelson's squadron has made its first kill.
End of turn 9.
End of Turn 9 as seen from the other side.
The Van and Centre are starting to take telling hits across numerous ships.
Their return fire is fairly ineffective.
We did try a boarding action, but it was fiasco.
Much better to blast away.
End of turn 10 and end of the game.
One of the Combined Fleet's ships had caught fire,
failed to put the fire out and it had spread to the magazine.
BOOM!!!
A hush fell over the battle bringing proceedings for that turn to a close.
A prefect ending.
The big 130-gun Santissima Trinidad in big trouble.
The Victory powering on to glory.
The explosion.
Last shot of the table from the other side for balance.
As before here is the AAR from James, less big picture, but way more detailed:
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