is an extraordinary weekend of play in Bordeaux we were invited. The "Morpion" sloop of his most gracious Majesty, Louis the XIV th , Commander Captain Gregory de la Houssaye, is his first weapons.
Here are some excerpts from his adventure from his diary and narrative of a few survivors.
Plan:
The French general staff, under the authority of the Governor Huchehault Toulvarère, decided that the first objective is the conquest of the archipelago, across the Caribbean in Port-Louis.
This archipelago was in fact a strategic interest since it could allow a water supply and food unlimited. Its proximity to Port-Louis was another advantage. The governor of Port-Louis could then monetize or deny access according to the interests of the Crown. Order was also given to preserve the English Crown for any aggression on our part. The
"Morpion" was to land a naval contingent of troops (Lieutenant Teiz command), some guns and how to fortify the whole.
The French fleet and privateers (two pirate ships that have allegiance to the Crown) was split in two. The vessels were the lightest cover the landing, while the heavier should protect them by drawing a line of battle between the British colony and archipelago.
Captain John Bleizh aboard his small cutter was to explore the surprising Skull Island in search of the wreckage concealing alleged fabulous treasures.
Soon, a privateer, the "Skeletor", recently agreed with the Crown, began to go it alone (which is still very surprising for a boat ^ ^) by landing on an island infested with cannibalistic tribes. He was looking for clues about the location of the treasure. (For his own account, we learn later)
The landing of Lieutenant Teiz:
The "Morpion" then sailed from Port Louis with a large reinforcement crew and infantry (not including the force Expeditionary: Lieutenant Teiz, 15 men and 2 guns).
The downwind made us very quickly reach the goal. The transfer of men in the boats and landing operations went well, but it soon became apparent that the archipelago was inhabited by Carib Indians. It is with little loss that Lieutenant Teiz conquered the main island. He was determined to stick to it, leaving the other inhabited land to the natives (which would have further complicated the task of potential new invaders) but they did not heard that. Armed with blowguns and bows, they fought harassment. He had to exterminate them 
grape-shot and even make a second landing to eradicate their threat. (The size of the Crown of France was then considered by the extermination of the primitive, what we see later, it was not totally illegitimate). Further north, the French cruisers, composed of heavier vessels, found that the British fleet had deserted its waters to melt on the mark more pirates in the North, leaving the colony discovered.
The invasion of the British colony (or: when an operation estimated easily degenerates):
The remoteness of the English fleet and contrary winds, removing any possibility of quick reinforcements for the colony. After a brief council, captains in attendance said that such an opportunity was seized, he rushed to the southern part of the unfortunate city, away from the citadel but still defended by a few guns scattered. The first ship
see him casting his boat, close to the coast, causing many drowned. The second vessel, also landed two boats, then came the Morpion with a boat over. Did not count on the betrayal of the "Skeletor".
The treachery of "Skeletor"
soon completed its investigations on the island of cannibals, the master of "Skeletor" rally his ship had sailed and had to get perpendicular to the back of "Tic Tac Toe." Flying its flag pirate, he delivered a devastating first broadside, rear. The splendid "Morpion" was virtually helpless in the hull punctured in several places, the rig drilled the crew mutilated and guns reversed.
Abandoning his boat, Captain de la Houssaye was tack immediately and did respond. The broadside, although less powerful, is not sufficient to neutralize the attacker, but at least it would save the honor of France. From there it would have no salvation but in flight, handy louse, sailed right over the Port-Louis, in the grip of the guns of the citadel.
The starboard planking was devastated, drilled just above the waterline. The boat, about to sink, managed to rally the Port-Louis, and might pass the rest of the week to refit. With a team tripled because of
his numerous crew, carpenters and the port. He could start next week while his captain Houssaye dallied with the niece of the governor. The sad end of the expeditionary force "Morpion" against the English town:
Dropped by the "Morpion" on the run, the second landing and his team had reached the shore. That is where they could attend the second massacre by the infamous pirate ship "Skeletor". The ship, at anchor, will remain, like a deserted pier, several days in front of the English city. His survivors struggled with all others, to conquer the city. The Englishman
deceitful, sending clouds of women assaulting invaders in easy maneuvering delayed. Cannibals, who had left their island consider themselves betrayed by the Captain of Skeletor ", then proposed a deal: the corpses against their English assistance. Unable to face a new threat, the poor lieutenant had no choice but to accept. So it's elbow to elbow they progressed towards the outskirts of the colony.
A drama never comes alone, hungry cannibals took advantage of the night of the intoxication of the quota to kill and devour all the lieutenant and his men decreasing the strength of French in fourth place. Another French company had been able to land after the departure of "Skeletor". This is mainly due to the infamous commander of this ship that the operation against the British colony was a failure that first day (retirement "Morpion" annihilation of the second French vessel, and then landing deception cannibals).
repairs and a fresh start:
freshly refueled and repaired, "Morpion" was again ready to sail from Fort Louis.
Its captain was eager for revenge and was well intended to take revenge on all those browsers treacherous Caribbean (yet he knew not the killing of his expeditionary force). It would now blow for blow. After Clotirisse wrenching farewells with the niece of Governor Gregoire de la Houssaye returned to sea, sailing towards the North-East.
Taking the "Morning Star" English galleon (20 guns, 4 carronades)
Very quickly, the lookout saw a numerous fleet away. She sported flags English and English. The combined fleet was the gold fleet. The English governor had hired the English privateers to escort the fleet. While the "Morpion" under full sail, approaching a dramatic event occurred. One of the two leading vessel suddenly hoisted the
black flag and veered to fire on the British vessel with which he sailed together. Drawing red ball, he immediately began to fire before he even attacked by the rest of the fleet. Taking advantage of the confusion, De la Houssaye, powered into the back of English, her initial dispatching a volley from close range from behind. The grabs were launched in the wake before the crew, yet many of the "Morpion" rushing to the assault.
The fight on the British ship was bitter. These elite soldiers had time to shoot their carronades (in fact, swivel guns) preferring to abandon their vessel on fire.
A quarter of the French crew had remained on the "brat" and happily, because when the fire propageau a vessel to another, it could be controlled.
Fighting still continued when the fire became uncontrollable on English. The melee, still confused, continued on French as the two crews were fleeing the furnace. Both ships remained entangled in the greatest satisfaction of English who hoped to die in driving the French in their loss. The "Morpion" however, managed to detach at a time when he went past master of English. With five prisoners and a brilliant victory in the collision on a ship of 1 st rank, he would return to port.
Left to itself, the wreck of the English flame was sunk by the other Anglo-English n'explosât to prevent it in their midst. The
"Morpion" had drifted for much control and could end up in turn in the middle of Anglo-English. He veered toward the luff to luff Port Louis, hounded by the dreaded Captain James Wolf polacre and another English side, who took him to target.
Caught in a row from the front and from behind the frail French sloop would not last long as enjoying a twist of fate (A halyard torn from mature burst through the English fell on the captain's head), the second had the idea to simulate a ship's takeover by the British prisoners.
We staged a brief battle, and we hoisted the English flag. If the cunning enough to deceive the two English ships that were in front, it is not enough to lure the polacre who delivered from behind a last tack before the "Morpion" not rushing into the harbor of Port Louis. Fortunately, this broadside did no damage to extra edge.
The defense of the port Louis - Threats of landing.
At that time, eight allied ships, pirates, English and English (the "TicTacToe") converging from north and east to the French colony.
the port, we understood nothing of what was going off. What was the sloop, the figure so well known to locals, wearing British flag and who was shot by another English ship? Fortunately he was wearing in the masthead the blue flag, secret code agreed, meaning "peaceful." So, do any of the French batteries fired on enemy ships either.
While we mobilized the militia and the French retaliated with different strengths lined enemy, the "Morpion" slaughtered its sails and sank to the bottom of the cove, protected by an island blows enemies to the west and covered by the guns of the fort.
in the enemy ranks, the vessels were cruising in the utmost distress. Some prefer to tack, rather than risk their ships in the crowd (or maybe unsure of the reliability of this coalition too broad).
Aboard "Morpion" everything was very very fast too. Anchored in the cove it was now hauling on the back to shoot his port side to accommodate large and imprudent would maintain their attempted invasion.
The English prisoners under threat helped to unload a few cannons lined the opposite to strengthen coastal defenses. A floating battery was fitted to extend that which now formed the brat turned pontoon, moored to the bank and held by strong upward.
The first spacecraft to venture deal with this device was the "Black Pearl" a formidable (and feared!) Galleon pirate who received a severe fly, knocking him a few spars, disarming him some guns and many men. The coast, the governor was still trying to preserve vessels not overtly hostile to save his colony. Thus the "Black Pearl" to respond to refrained avoid another wave of iron. He tacked o take off in turn.
The third was to introduce another pirate who is entering law anchor directly to the creek and threw his men in boats to effect a landing precipitate. The "Morpion" sank two of four boats whose occupants eventually had to swim.
Never mind! Last act!
Locked deep in his port, "Morpion" secured and transformed floating battery, could no longer be of any use, unable to sail the short term.
Part of his crew had landed in town to lend a hand to another part of the garrison was firing from all sides with all the guns available on the oncoming enemy. Captain De la Houssaye at the head of a prize crew rushed to the abandoned pirate ship at anchor. with the help of some fishermen he went and took a crew to turn back the heavy ship
ready to go into battle ... but
all that remain to be written for the day
came across this last act so
and ashore
hackers managed to take some fortifications
advanced
forcing the governor to
open fire on his own city.
A truce and a backup was given to the pirates, now isolated on the island to prevent further damage.
The colony was saved.
So mixed results for Gregory. Not for personal enrichment, a life devoted to defending the conquests of his country against the English, an aborted landing, a good win over an Englishman to be destroyed and taken timely a pirate ship in the pay of English.
G régoire of H oussaye. C apitaine the cutter " L M e orpion"
0 comments:
Post a Comment