Action Under Sail - Steve Birnie, Tabletop Games 1993

Action Under Sail is a set of rules for Naval Warfare covering the period of 1756 to 1815, which includes the Napoleonic era. The set includes data lists for most types of ships used by the following nations: America, Britain, Denmark, Netherlands, France, Portugal, Russia, Spain, Sweden and Turkey.

... "We like this set of rules, they are fast and make for an enjoyable but realistic game. The sailing rules are simple but believable, the combat system is easy to master. Recommended unless you are looking for a ruleset which tracks the position of every sailor throughout the entire battle" ...
 

Gameplay

The British squadron, lead by the third rate ship of the line HMS Venerable, finish off the pirate ship "The Black Crowes" off the coast of Portugal.  Sent to wipe out any pirates hunting these seas, the squadron have notched up various kills over the years expedition.

In this shot, the HMS Adamant finishes off the pirate ship with fireshot across the sails, causing wild fire across the whole ship!

As with most sea battles, the heavy smoke from the burning "Black Crowes" pirate ship brings unwanted sails in the far distance.  To far to see if friend or foe, the flagship orders the small frigates to investigate the oncoming sails.

The Spanish!  A warning to the main squadron body goes up and the battle begins.

Not renowned for tactics, the Spanish ships move towards the small, but quick moving, frigates, allowing the British main body to move into a flanking position.

With the pirate ship still burning in the distance, the small frigates know they are to be sacrificed for the good of the flagship.  Heading straight for the Spanish flagship, Santa Ana, the frigates make up quick ground to catch the flagship unprepared!

First volley goes to the British! "Hurrrahhh", cry the men of the HMS Meresman & Gallowglass as they let rip with there cannons into the large Spanish flagship.  sadly, the guns do little damage to the larger, and more robust, ships, with swift retaliation from the two leading Spanish squadron. 

The short cannon fire ends quickly for the two British frigates.

Having sacrificed themselves for the good of the squadron, the HMS Gallowglass has taken a pounding, with fire strewn across her sails, but the captain knows it has not been in vain.

With there flanks totally exposed, and unable to fire because of their sailing angle, the Spanish realise their mistake, but too late!  A heavy volley from all the British warships, with deadly accuracy, exacts a heavy toll on their ships.

Two Spanish ships of the line take heavy fire across their decks, causing fires to flare up across the rigging and lower compartments.  With a heavy load of gunpowder, the ships soon become ablaze. 

The British ships then move into a  closer orbit to finish of the two flagging Spanish ships, exacting revenge for their fallen shipmates in the flaming HMS Gallowglass.  The remaining Spanish ships flee for their lives as they witness the brutal skill of the sea hardened British sailors.

As the fleeing Spanish try to make ground away from the carnage, the British give off another volley to totally cripple both Spanish line ships, leaving the HMS Meresman to pick up any stragglers.

The pass through by the main British ships allows them to quickly pursue the fleeing Spanish.

The chase is on!

Having the wind to their sails, the main British body take after the fleeing Spanish.  As the Spanish ships burn quickly, the Meresman hovers to give the ailing crews time to abandon ship before finally sinking them.

Where will the battle next commence?