Two San Juan Nepomuceno Class

 These are a Pair of San Jan Nepomuceno Ships of the line Printed by Arofan from Simon Mann's excellent files. 

These were considered solid ships of the line admired by many for their sailing qualities and strong construction. 

The Name sake of the class the San Jan Nepomunceno (some times called Neptuno by the English) had a brave crew. One of the last to strike at Trafalgar after being totally battered  into submission.

Spanish First Rate one of los Meregildos

The ship has been on my hobby desk for way too long. I was trying a new aproach to rigging that didn't work out and I had to touch it up and start over... it took me a while to get back to it.  

This is a Simmon Mann print done for me by Arofan. Its a Santa Anna class though I preffer to call them by their informal name Los Meregildos 

The ships were build in Ferrol and Havana at the two great Spanish shipyards. 

I added a few small bits from an old Warlor kit to added lanters to the quaterdeck these were too fine to in the print file to survie the clean up process.  

First San Fulgecio class 64 gun Ship of the line

 Another ship prined at my friend Arofan's "Palache" Shipard.  The File is from Simmon Mann's Mann O War Miniatures  The ship is excellent. 

This was one of best print of this batch the railing of the poop deck coming out clean enough that is was able to stay and how abbout that lanter?!

Unlike some other prints she even has a figure head of sorts (not super crisp but clear). I've always liked 64s for some reason and I am glad I am finaly adding some to my fleet.  

I've got several additonal ships nearing compleation fro Huzzah.con hope I see some of you there

Privateer Azul

My latest ship inspired by the Aubrey–Maturin novels (technically a brig as Jack would be quick to point out). The Spanish Privateer/Blockade Runner Azul. 

In the book the Azul is a brigantine but I thought she would do brig instead (as I didn't really wan to build the correct rig) 

This is probably a brighter blue than was described in the book but mine will probably be more privateer than blockage runner.

A belated Happy Thanksgiving to all my readers. 

Spanish Ship of the Line San Justo: 12th Annual Analog Hobbies Painting Challenge (9)

Another naval offering the San Justo from the Spanish Ships of Renowned set. (For a better history see JJ's excellent blog) She was built in 1779 and took part in the Spanish actions of the AWI including the the siege of Gibraltar.

Her figure head is my best effort at something like the Spanish arms. After the American Revolution the San Justo was put in ordinary but was refitted in 1790 as a result of the Nootka crisis

 

She was put back into action for the Napoleonic Wars though as with other ship in this collection her actions where hardly glorious. Indeed it seems that the San Justo was unengaged at Cape Finisterre and barely fought at Trafalgar. She was one of the 11 Ships of the allied fleet to make it back to to Cadiz.


A 3rd rate is 15 points and despite he lackluster combat record San Justo is certainly a Nautical entry so I should another 20 points for Perelandra.


A fine looking vessel even if her battle record hardly makes a ship of renown! Excellent work on the rigging and stern gallery.

Nuestra Señora de la Santísima Trinidad 45 points 12th Annual Analogue Hobbies Painting Challenge (3)

Some ships are truly legendary and the Nuestra Señora de la Santísima Trinidad usually called just the "Santisima Trinidad."

Originally built as a 112 gun 3 deck ship of the line (First rate in English reckoning) in 1769. At some (possibly 1795) point she was increased to 130 or 136 or 140 guns. The best information I can find on her armament is 3decks.org which says she had 136 guns and 4 swivel guns which no one would count as part of her rating.

Her 4th Deck was actually just her spar-deck blanked over so it was flush allowing her to carry extra guns. This gave her a few extra guns but also made her top-heavy and ponderous indeed one of her nicknames was: "El Ponderoso" (another nick name was El Escorial de los mares royal palace of the sea... not a name that say "Battle Ready")

She fought in the American helping capture 55 ships out of a 63 ship convoy defended by the Royal Navy.

She faced the Royal Navy again in the Battle of Saint Vincent where she was forced strike but the English fail to take possession of her and two Spanish ships managed to rescue her. She was not so lucky at Trafalgar where just ahead of the French Flagship she was a high priority target. She was again dismasted and this time captured and then sank in the Trafalgar storm. Her reputation as one of the "most powerful warships" is probably over blown.

The French Ocean class was larger and with "only 120 guns" had a broad side only slightly lighter than the Santisima Trinidad. Her lack of Carronades meant that smaller British Ships of Line where much closer in strength than a simple count of guns would indicate. Still her massive size must must have made her an intimidating sight. 1st Rate ships of the line are 25 Points (or where last year) and the "no moon" add an extra 20 points.

Great work on this gin palace Adam. The Spanish navy had some fine ships and also some fine officers, but were sadly let down by their ministers and their choice of allies. However if you do things early in the Revolutionary period you can ally the Brits and Spanish as they blockade Toulon.

Black Seas: the French battle a Spanish and Danish fleet

 I had some medical appointments in the morning so I took a full day off and met John for a game of Black Seas.  John's ships had been stuck in Montreal because of covid so this was our first Black Seas game in a while.

John's fleet included three sturdy 5th rate frigates, two of which had extra Carronades as well. He also had a sturdy Sixth rate (Xebec) and a pair of Sturdy Brig's. Finally he had a Sturdy 1st rate with a Master Gunner and a veteran rating too! John also took a full load of upgrades for his ships (several were lucky and so forth)

My fleet had a sturdy first rate and three sturdy 3rd rates, with trained Marines. My force was rounded out with a pair of 5th rates both with the Sturdy and Steel lined hull upgrades. All of my ships where rated average. 

The game started well for me. John hit Bucentaur with two broadsides but I slipped between the Frigates and smashed both hard. 

A very cheeky brig hit Bucentaur and landed a critical taking me out of the fight for a bit as the crew focused on firefighting duties.

But Bucentaur 's consorts are closing I an Redoubtable sets the brig ablaze in it's turn. Off to a good start but John's Leviathan hasn't entered the fray yet.

One of the Spanish frigates ranging ahead of her 1st rate consort crosses the T of the Redoubtable.

L'Orient following in the wake of the burning Bucentaur smashes the Xebec and damages the Danish frigate forcing it to strike.

Redoubtable is in trouble raked by the Spanish Frigate the two ships then collided...

This left Redoubtable unable to return fire when the Spanish first rate comes along side 

Redoubtable is crushed by the Leviathan's fire sinking beneath the waves.

Agele and L'Orient fire on the Spanish 1sr rate. Agele is hit in turn it rudder shot away

The first rates circle each other exchanging fire. 

French and Spanish ship converge a Spanish brigs and a frigate fire into L'Orient but are taken down by French frigates.

John's Leviathan Raked by Bucentaur and hit again by L'Orient is driven to strike but her final broadside hits L'Orient's rudder and the ship runs aground on one of the islands. One Spanish Frigate escapes but there other ships have struck or sunk. I lost Redoubtable and L'Orient was reduced to 30 points John's veteran 1st rate almost turned the tide on its own. The game was great fun and look forward to more.