Pirate Kingship.

Chapter 62: "T" tactics, hit the target with one shot

"That looks like... a pirate ship?"

Gus had rushed to the mainmast at the first possible moment and saw the outline of the dark shadow clearly.

[Golden Deer] spread the fore-and-aft sail and pulled the turning halyard to change the foremast square sail into a fore-and-aft sail, completing the attitude adjustment from "starboard tack-to-close sailing into the wind".

Go against the wind.

The huge black shadow on the opposite side was riding on the cold current along the nearby ice field, and the two sides soon met face to face.

Byron was also able to see clearly that the black shadow that seemed to have experienced a brutal massacre and exuded a strong smell of blood was actually a pirate ship.

The ship flying the black pirate flag maintained a "sail brake" state.

The sails on the foremast and mainmast are spread in opposite directions, and the mainmast generates a thrust opposite to the direction of travel, braking the sailboat.

There is no need to drop anchor, and you can achieve relative wind stillness, allowing the sailboat to drift slowly with the wind direction and ocean currents.

When there is an emergency, the sail can be quickly adjusted to the windward angle using the turning halyard to restore maneuverability and engage in combat as soon as possible.

Looking at its current state, it seemed as if it was killed completely by an unknown enemy before the crew could react and switch to combat mode.

"This is the Rainbow, which left the port yesterday along with a dozen privateers and the best 'confidant' candidate!"

When the distance was close enough to see the somewhat tattered pirate flag, Byron couldn't help but exclaimed in surprise.

The [Ship Log] in his eyes clearly records the information of every ship he has seen.

Just one glance at the rainbow pirate flag on the mast and he immediately recognized the identity of the ship.

It was the moment when they could clearly observe each other.

The privateering ship Rainbow on the opposite side suddenly "woken up" like a frightened beast.

The sail that was opened in the opposite direction returned to its original position instantly, catching the level 5 wind blowing from the north, and rushed towards the Golden Deer with great momentum.

No signals were sent during this period, nor was there the slightest intention to communicate.

The pirates even shouted excitedly when there was no pirate ship to plunder normally.

What's even more strange is that when the boat moves, the surrounding mist also moves with it, as if the mist came from the boat itself.

clang!clang!clang!
Second mate Gus on the mast immediately sounded the alarm.

Byron immediately issued an order:

"First level combat readiness! All crew members immediately take up combat positions!"

The opponent's ship was in a favorable windward direction, while their ship was just leeward.

How similar is this to the confrontation between the "Man-eating Shark" and the "Severe"?
Moreover, there was no change in wind speed to save the situation this time. The Rainbow, which was in the upper hand, had the help of ocean currents, which could increase its speed by at least one knot.

The Rainbow's advantage is even greater than that of the Severe.

But the crew members on the Golden Deer who had experienced that battle showed no fear at this time, and their eyes were filled with excitement.

This privateer was nothing more than a pirate ship converted from a small armed merchant ship, and was not much stronger than the original "Man-eating Shark".

Even though the current situation seems a little weird, they firmly believe that they will be the winner!
Would they be afraid of being hunted down while driving the world's fastest three-masted sailing ship?

It's a joke.

Byron also calmly gave the order:

"Order: Get to the upper wind, maneuver into the wind, and go around to the windward of the Rainbow."

There is no doubt that "seizing the upper hand" is the only way to fight single-ship duels and fleet decisive battles in the era of sail.

It is easier to attack the enemy below the waterline, the wind increases the range of the artillery shells, and the wake creates powerful maneuverability. Everyone wants these benefits.

In the past, it was impossible to get the full-rigged [Man-eating Shark] with only square sails, but now it is no problem to get the [Golden Deer] equipped with two huge longitudinal sails.

"The sail is long, and we're heading three compass points north by west. Sail close to the wind and show it what it means to be the best in the world!"

The longitudinal sail can be aligned with the wind at 30-40°, while the transom sail can only be aligned at 60°, combined with its own title special effects.

The Golden Deer is now like a team of light cavalry fighting a group of heavy infantry.

There is sufficient mobility to support the powerful tactics of "when the enemy advances, we retreat; when the enemy retreats, we pursue; when the enemy stays, we harass; when the enemy is tired, we attack."

"As ordered!"

Rigger Thomas immediately instructed the riggers to adjust the sails using the dense white rigging ropes on the ship to face the wind at the best angle.

The Rainbow at ten o'clock also obviously understood the intention of the Golden Deer, and pulled its sail to the limit according to inertial thinking. It used a tactical action of "adjusting with the wind" and also began to sail against the wind.

The Rainbow was 5 nautical miles northwest, circling upwind at an angle of 60°, while approaching the Golden Deer.

The Golden Deer was also facing the wind at an angle of about 35° (11.25° per compass point).

Before the battle, the two pirate ships were like two leaves dancing in the wind, zigzagging forward and getting closer and closer.

It is an eternal truth that whoever has better windward maneuverability will gain the upper hand.

The Rainbow gradually realized that something was wrong. Its wind-fighting efficiency was totally incomparable to that of the Golden Deer, which was of similar size?!

As if he was risking his life, he adjusted the direction again, trying to use the square sail to speed up and rush towards the Golden Deer with the wind.

"Grab the 'T' for me! Blast its ass!"

The Golden Deer was not afraid at all, and cut in to the west with great agility, brushing past its stern.

"The cannon batteries were loaded with solid shells, and the carronades were loaded with shotgun shells.

Target the stern building, shooting from front to back.

Three, two, one, fire! "

When the distance was within 200 meters, Byron decisively ordered all long-range cannons to fire.

"Fire!"

The first mate and the gunner shouted together, and the roar echoed throughout the ship.

boom! boom! boom!
Orange-red flames flashed one after another.

The seven 6-pound guns on the port side fired in turn, and one after another, the hot cast iron shells penetrated into the tall poop of the Rainbow.

Whether it is a merchant ship or a warship, the stern is full of officers' bedrooms, or a large living area consisting of cabins and balconies.

These exquisite yet fragile "glass curtain walls" are not much stronger than a layer of window paper in the face of naval gunfire.

The spherical projectiles that passed through the stern of the ship could not be stopped at all.

They all bounced and screamed across the entire gun deck of the privateer, penetrating front to back and smashing everything there.

Or it would strike the deck or beams, sending out a rain of deadly fragments.

That’s the beauty of grabbing the “T”.

You act as the "horizontal" ship, using your side with artillery fire to face the other side's stern or bow, which has no weapons and very weak defense.

Deal tons of damage easily, hit the target with one shot!
The bloody smell from the privateering ship became stronger and stronger, causing the man-eating sharks lurking in the sea to become restless.

However, the people on the Golden Deer did not hear any human voices. Instead, they heard a sharp cry coming from the cabin.

"Continue to reload. We will circle back to the windward side of the enemy ship and fire another 'T' salvo at the bow of the enemy ship."

Byron waved his hand.

Having the advantage of mobility is the capital for being willful.

The advantage in mobility allowed him to take risks and adopt more dangerous tactics, thereby achieving overwhelming combat results.

The significance of sea trials is not only to test the performance of the ship, but also to explore a set of combat plans suitable for the ship.

In the future, the "Tudor Hybrid" will take into account "long-range" artillery battles beyond 200 meters, but will pay more attention to short-range artillery battles of about 100 meters.

At this attack distance, the 32-pound carronade has absolute firepower dominance.

However, the Rainbow is not completely a target that can be easily manipulated. Although its speed is slow, its turning radius is also smaller.

He successfully avoided the disaster and turned his windward side towards the Golden Hind.

When they passed each other at a close distance of 100 meters, Byron, holding the trump card in his hand, looked fearless and shouted orders to the artillery crew:
"Carronades, prepare to clear the enemy's open decks! Three, two!"

Just as the flintlock igniter in the gunner's hand had fallen onto the caron powder pool.

On the opposite deck, a figure wearing prisoner uniform but with eyes replaced by blood-red silver coins also waved.

Boom boom boom.
Billowing smoke rose up.

But the six guns on the open deck of the Rainbow did not fire normal shells, but six oversized parasites - whale lice!

(End of this chapter)