Feeding the Anaconda, one piece at a time....Late Summer, 1864...Game number 60, Part 2

Battle is joined!

Sketch Map of the opening positions of the two sides - the cartography department is very much a work in progress!

The ship data cards - again, this is also very much a work in progress. The various numbers will be explained as the game develops.

Entering the Sawless Channel the Union squadron, in tight formation with the U.S.S. New Glory leading, turn to engage the waiting Confederate ironclad.

Meanwhile, the Rebels wait patiently although unknown to the Union the C.S.S. Secessionist is quietly manoeuvring into the channel in readiness.

Turn 1. No fires or floods to roll for (phase 1) nor any firing as the range is too great. Initiative (phase 3) rolls were 4 for the Union and 5 for the Confederates meaning the Union move their ships first. After all the movement has been completed the effect of the current is taken in to consideration so all ships (except for the anchored Southern Belle) move one hex towards the Confederate baseline.

The action opens with the Confederates concentrating their fire on the lead Union ship - the U.S.S. New Glory

Turn 2. No floods or fires to roll for so it is straight onto the firing which is treated as simultaneous. Only the Confederate ships were able to fire with each ship rolling 3d6 to hit (GF3 for the broadside of the Southern Belle and the same the forward guns of the Secessionist). Both ships opened fire on the U.S.S. New Glory at range 6 (needing 6s to hit) for the Secessionist and 5 (needing 5s or 6s to hit) for the Southern Belle. Initiative was 5 for the Union and 1 for the Confederates so they moved first.

The strident crack of naval artillery rolled across the channel as not one but two Confedrate ironclads opened fire - both at the U.S.S. New Glory. Admiral Dursley was aghast, what had appeared to be a straightforward mission had now become much more complicated. He needed to get his full broadside into action and so ordered the helm swung hard over to the starboard. This would achieve two things - one good and one definitely not so good. The U.S.S. New Glory would be able to fully engage the rapidly closing rebel ship but in doing so would in turn be under fire from both ironclads. As the great ship ponderously answered the helm Dursley could not help but notice that the second Rebel ironclad, the one nearest the headland, did not appear to moving.

The C.S.S. Secessionist, in her haste to cross the front of the Southern Belle, forgot to allow for the current and so instead of having her on her port beam was now heading directly for her. Fortunately there was plenty of sea room although this meant the Secessionist, in order to avoid a collision, would be steaming into the heart of the Union fleet!

Probably against conventional wisdom the U.S.S. New Glory swings around to engage the Confederates - manoeuvring dangerously close to both ships

Turn 3. Again, no floods or fires so straight to the shooting. Once again the Southern Belle blazed away at the U.S.S. New Glory but to no effect. The Union ship’s luck did not last though as she was battered by the Secessionist. Two of her three firing dice scored potential hits (she rolled a 6, a 4 and a 1 needing at range two 4 or above) and for damage she rolled a 6 and a 4. The 4 scored a single damage point whilst the 6 meant two points of damage - one off the flotation point and one of the forward gun factor.

Only the U.S.S. New Glory and the U.S.S. Senator would be able to fire. Starting with the flagship she rolled 4d6 scoring a 6, a 4 and a pair of 3s meaning two potential hits on the Secessionist. There were no modifiers for penetration versus armour (both were 3) so the two dice rolled came up with a 5 and a 3 meaning one point of damage was scored against the rebel ship.The U.S.S. Senator opened fire on the Southern Belle at range 4 and scored two hits from four. Again, no modifiers for penetration versus armour (4 in both cases) and the damage roll came up with a 5 and 4 meaning two points of damage scored. 

For initiative the Union rolled a 5 whilst the Confederates rolled a 2 meaning they moved first.

Admiral Dursley surveyed the battered flank of his flagship and offered up a silent prayer that it was not a whole lot worse. Both rebel ironclads had fired at him and he was now caught executing a turn against the current with both enemy ships within conversational distance. His ship was not out of danger yet but help had arrived in the shape of the U.S.S. Coeur D’Alene (again he silently offered up a prayer of thanks for her speed) and between the two of them they should be able to best the more mobile of the two enemy ships.

The C.S.S. Secessionist had troubles of her own as the not one but two Yankee warships were hanging off her stern and about to administer a royal battering. All her captain could do was to take it and hope he could swing his ship around to engage the enemy from a far better position.

More by luck than judgement the C.S.S. Secessionist is suddenly receiving the attention of two Union ships at point blank range!

Turn 4. Still no floods or fires to deal with so on with the shooting. The Southern Belle, ignoring the looming bulk of the U.S.S. New Glory off her bow, engaged the U.S.S. Senator at a range of 3 scoring a 6, a 5 and a1 so two potential hits. Penetration and armour are equal so no modifier and dice came up with a 6 and 2 meaning two points of damage.

The Secessionist continues to engage the New Glory, this time at point blank range. Her shooting was off as she scored but a single potential hit - a 5 and two 2s when she needed 3s or above. There were no modifiers for penetration and armour as both were the same value. The score was a 3 so no damage was scored. The U.S.S. New Glory was certainly riding her luck!

The U.S.S. Senator fired at the Southern Belle at a range of 3 scoring two potential hits  - she rolled a 2, a 3, a 4 and a 5 whilst needing 4 or above. Straight damage rolls gave up a pair of 5s meaning two points of damage. U.S.S. New Glory now gave her undivided attention to the Secessionist. Despite only needing 3 or above for a potential hit she only managed to roll a 3, a pair of 2s and a 1. The damage roll was a 6 meaning that two points of damage had been inflicted (these were taken off the flotation points). Next was the U.S.S. Coeur D’Alene, again at the Secessionist. She rolled 2d6 to hit and scored a 6 and a 1. The damage roll was a 6 and as her penetration factor was equal to that of the rebel ship no modifiers were applied meaning a further 2 points of damage. These were applied to the forward and aft gun factors meaning that the ship now had but a single gunnery factor to use in these arcs.

For initiative the Union rolled 6 whilst the Confederates rolled a 2 meaning once again they moved first.

“Now it’s my turn!” Rear Admiral Dursley muttered under his breath as his ship wallowed and juddered to a halt as a result of applying full reverse to the engines. He reasoned that by doing so the current would take him further downstream so that he could get some sea room to get back into the fight. His captain had tried to reason with him - sitting stationary next to an enemy ironclad was not something one should readily entertain - but Dursley was in no mood to argue “Damn it sir, my order will be obeyed!” Meanwhile the Coeur D’ Alene continued to dog the rebel ironclad that both her and the New Glory had just scored telling hits against. “Come on D’Alene!” He said to no one in particular, so caught up in the moment was he.

Aboard the U.S.S. Senator the dull metallic clang was heard as a hit was felt from the rebel ironclad. 

The Secessionist had opened the range from the Union flagship although was still be harried by second ship in the line. She had taken a pounding and was taking on water but so far was still full of fight and was readying to return to the fray. 

As the action spreads out the U.S.S. Coeur D’ Alene bears down at full speed on the C.S.S. Secessionist - both ships braced for impact! Meanwhile the U.S.S. New Glory stares threateningly at the C.S.S. Southern Belle whilst waiting on the current to help her out.

Turn 5. Still no floods or fires so back to the guns. The Coeur D’Alene, in her eagerness to engage the rebel ironclad she had been chasing was now in the unenviable position of being too close so that her broadside could not be brought to bear. Without hesitation she then opened fire at the Southern Belle and promptly scored a single hit. The roll for effect was a miserable 1. The New Glory resumed it fire against the retreating Secessionist and scored a single hit with again a miserable 1 for effect. Next up was the Senator firing at the Southern Belle scoring with a couple of 5s. For damage yet more bad luck in that rolls of a 1 and 2 were made. 

The Southern Belle returned fire at the Senator and scored 2 6s and a 5! Even scores for modifiers and for damage rolled a further 2 6s and a 1! Four more damage points scored against the hapless monitor!

The Secessionist engaged the Coeur D’Alene at point blank range and rolled 3 6s to hit! The damage rolls were 3 2s and to each was added a 2 for the penetration/armour modifier - the firing ship was +3 whilst the  defenders armour value was 1. The adjusted score was 3 4s meaning that 3 points of damage were scored - a damaging blow.

Initiative was a 1 for the Union and 6 for the Confederates so the Union moved first.

The Coeur D’Alene was moving too quickly to be able to take avoiding action and so ran into the Confederate ironclad. Despite the horrible grating and screeching of metal on metal no damage was inflicted as the Union ship effectively slid off her enemy. As the Union ship was not ram equipped only 2d6 were rolled and both scored 2s meaning no damage.

Rear Admiral Dursley’s gamble appeared to be working. As the current dragged his ponderous vessel away from the stubbornly static enemy ironclad he gave the order to his captain to be ready to move off. The U.S.S Senator was circling round to engage the static enemy whilst he was going after the other enemy ship in concert with the Coeur D’Alene. She had just attempted to ram the enemy ironclad albeit with little discernible effect. He was well aware that all of his ships had taken damage but there was still plenty of fight left in them.

Aboard the C.S.S. Secessionist was a frenzy of activity as repair crews hustled and bustled whilst the ship pulled away from her antagonists. Considering the battering she had received everything was still functioning and although her forward and aft facing guns had been reduced in effect, as much by crew casualties as anything else, her captain was confident they could still fight hard - especially given the salvo they had just poured into the pursuing Union ship. Her first order if business though was to get back to the Southern Belle to render what support she could.

After having rammed the C.S.S. Secessionist and inflicted no damage the U.S.S. Coeur D’ Alene suffers a mortal blow from the retiring enemy ship.

Turn 6. No floods or fires so back to the guns once more. The Coeur D’ Alene raked the stern of the Secessionist and scored a single hit. This was converted into a damage point that the rebel took from his flotation points. The Senator fired once again at the Southern Belle scoring two hits which converted into two points of damage. The New Glory was able to fire at the Secessionist but missed.

The Secessionist fired her single aft gun at the Coeur D’ Alene and rolled a magnificent 6. This was then followed by a further 6 for damage to which was added +2 due to the penetration/armour modifier. This came to 8 meaning that a special hit was scored. The subsequent special effect roll was a three which equalled engine damage reducing her speed by 2! This was a deadly blow as her speed had already been reduced from 4 to 3 and so now it was 1 - which would not be sufficient for her to be able to negotiate the current upstream!

The Southern Belle, with its single forward facing gun fired at the Senator and missed.

Initiative was rolled with 4 for the Union and 6 for the Confederates meaning that the Union moved first.

Disaster had struck the Union squadron! The gallant Coeur D’ Alene had taken a damaging hit to her engines and her speed had been reduced to a crawl - barely sufficient to hold station in the current let alone work her way back upstream. Her options were limited in that she could attempt to work around the Kingsville Point to pick up the current from the Yawdew which should take her out to sea. She would be hugely vulnerable to Confederate interference though unless escorted. Dursley was frustrated by this turn of events - not because he was gaining the upper hand against his enemy - as the landings would have to be postponed until such a time as the channel had been cleared. The squadron was downstream of the Confederate anchored ironclad with one of their number in sore need of assistance. 

His decision was made. Reluctantly they would break off the action, form up on the injured Coeur D’Alene and escort her to home and safety. They would pass around Shepherd’s Island standing well out to sea and, weather permitting, would take her under tow. Dursley did not expect any enemy interference.

The captain of the C.S.S. Secessionist noted the great gouts of steam enveloping the Union ship with grim satisfaction. Naturally he could not know the full extent of her damage but he was experienced enough to understand that whatever it was it was enough to take her out of the fight. His own ship was damaged and he reasoned that the Union would want to ensure that their crippled charge would get back safely - they certainly would not want it falling into enemy hands. He would take the Secessionist back to the Southern Belle to see how she had fared.

The engine room of the Coeur D’ Alene was a wreck. Steam was gushing out from various places and the cries of the wounded added to the infernal din. Her captain had already signalled of their plight to the flagship and whilst they had some motive power for the present he could only allow the current to take his ship away from the action.

The commander of the Southern Belle stood on the top deck of his command to see the Union squadron heading away. He heard a ragged cheer coming from the gun deck. His ship may not be able to move but she could still pack a punch. They had won the first round against the Union but he knew that they would be back and in greater numbers. For now though, he would join his men and celebrate as best as they could.

End Game. The U.S.S. Coeur D’Alene (second from right) limps slowly away from the action - the current in the Sawless Channel providing most of her motive power - whilst the remaining Union ships move to support her. The C.S.S. Secessionist (top right) circles warily in the distance.

This was the first action fought using my ‘ACW naval rules mash up’ and I have to say that I think it went rather well! The action felt like it had the right level of ‘pace’ to it and the all important period ‘feel’. There are a few tweaks I need to make and also tidying up a few things but nothing major. The models looked (IMHO) really good and once I have improved the terrain aspect it will look even better.

Once I have a chance to think about the nuts and bolts of the rules I will detail my observations in the next post but for now all I can say is that I could think of worse ways to spend a wet Tuesday afternoon!

Feeding the Anaconda, one piece at a time....Late Summer, 1864...Game number 60, Part 1

A crudely penned map of the area prepared by the cartography section assigned to General Dursley. The Union landing was to be made at Lonesome Bay. The vanguard of the force would sweep Sawless Channel, swing around Kingsville point and then engage Fort Purepoint.

By the middle of 1864 for the most part the Union had secured control of the mighty Missenhitti river but with so many smaller waterways feeding into it - primarily from the Confederate side - it was a challenge keeping this vital artery open. Every transport needed an escort against the ever present threat of Confederate raiders both on land and occasionally from their remaining naval forces. A major boost to the Confederate cause was the breakout and escape of three ironclads that were able to fight their way to the main rebel base of Immobile Bay. The escape of the C.S.S. Secessionist, O’Hara and Butler was seen as a major failure in the Washington press but privately the Union command were pleased that these three powerful ships were now where they could keep a close eye on them. 

The Missenhitti flows into the Gulf of Mexico and is joined by two other rivers also emptying into a fifty mile section of coastline known locally as Trois Bouches. The two other rivers  flow into what is in effect a second estuary and these are the Yawdew and the Semaht respectively - named after two rival tribes of native Americans. 

Although the Semaht is by far and away the larger of the two rivers of more immediate interest to the Union forces was the Yawdew. To begin with it was the closer of the two rivers but more importantly, it contained a substantial naval dockyard at New Chatham, second only in size to that within the main base of Immobile Bay. If it could be secured or neutralised it would be a major blow to the Confederacy as the only outlet to the sea would then be via Immobile Bay.

Since reaching the Gulf via the Missenhitti the Union forces had fought their way along the coastline and had evicted the Confederates from a number of positions. The sole remaining rebel outpost was now located on the small island - known locally as Shepherds Island - in the mouth of the Yawdew. Whilst capturing the island would not stop the Confederates from using Immobile Bay it would deprive them of the use of New Chatham as the island effectively controlled the approaches to the river.

Shepherd’s Island was a bleak and depressing place, with the sole redeeming feature of having a relatively modern fort based on the outskirts of the principal town of the island - Purepoint -and a small harbour facility able to take ocean going ships. The Confederates were under no illusions as to the strategic importance of the island but by late 1864 lacked much in the way of material and manpower to maintain the fortifications to their fullest potential. So it was decided that it was to be held for as long as was practical but certainly not to the last man.

The island had one weakness in that the entire northern side facing the mainland was rolling farmland and completely unprotected. As long as this area was in friendly hands it was not a problem except that at that stage of the war the Confederates had largely abandoned the entire region. This meant that the whole of the island’s northern face was open to an enemy landing should they choose to do so. The stretch of water separating Shepherd’s Island from the mainland was tidal and traversable by ocean going ships. It was broadest at its western end and narrowed considerably as it met the Yawdew river, close by the protecting guns of Fort Purepoint.

By the middle of  1864 the Union forces had perfected the technique of waterborne assault and so it was a common sight to see a couple of transports laden with troops being escorted by warships disembarking a short distance from an objective and then, in conjunction with a naval bombardment, successfully capturing it. Having virtual naval superiority meant that for the most part Union forces could strike where they liked. The Confederates were very mindful of this and so made extensive use of shore batteries and remote operated mines - called torpedoes - as well as the ever present threat of their remaining ironclads.

The Union had resolved to capture Fort Purepoint and so made their plans accordingly. A landing was to be made on the undefended northern side of Shepherd’s Island so the fort could taken from the landward approaches. This had to made towards the eastern end of the island as the nearest landfall was for the most part low lying marshland. A sweep by warships in advance of the landing was to be undertaken in order to silence any land or floating batteries that may be in place and to provide cover should one of the Confederate ironclads be operating in the vicinity.  

The Confederates were well aware that Shepherd’s Island was the next likely target for the Union so they made there dispositions accordingly and as best as they were able. Not one but two ironclads were sent from Immobile Bay to the small harbour at Purepoint with orders to watch the channel between the north coast and the mainland and to intercept any enemy forces present. This was sound in theory but it failed to take into consideration the parlous condition of the engines of one of the two ironclads detailed for the task.

On board the U.S.S. New Glory....

Rear Admiral Dursley exuded confidence as his command steamed towards the channel to the north of Shepherd’s Island. The U.S.S. Glory, in company with the U.S.S. Coeur D’ Alene and the monitor, the U.S.S. Senator was a powerful force, more than sufficient to handle anything the Rebels were likely to have to hand. For sure he had heard the rumours that a pair of ironclads had been sent over from Immobile Bay to defend the island but he was certain that the firepower his three ships carried would be more than enough to ‘settle their cotton picking hash’ as he was wont to say. His task was to clear the channel of any enemy and then to engage Fort Purepoint. Whilst this was happening the transports would be unloading troops to assault the fort from the rear. He was aware that the channel to the east of the island offshore from the fort featured numerous sandbars so care would be needed. Indeed, the U.S.S. Richard Montgomery had run aground on such a sandbar and broke her back. Her cargo of munitions was gratefully salvaged by the Confederate garrison, along with other desperately needed supplies.

As the U.S.S. New Glory steamed into the entrance of the channel all eyes suddenly looked due east as a lookout cried ‘Smoke ahead starboard!’ It appeared that the rebels were coming out after all. 

Fort Purepoint, commander’s office....

General Abe. L. Boded surveyed the map of his command and drew mightily on his cigar, a present from the Yankee ship the U.S.S Richard Montgomery, along with whisky he enjoyed during these planning sessions. His was an easy task. Essentially he had to wait until told to evacuate at which time he would be heading into Immobile Bay along with however many of his men and their material could be gotten away. Given the relative paucity of his command this should be straightforward enough as any determined Union attack was bound to succeed. He had the transports ready for loading and instant departure so could move in a hurry if required.

He was aware that the Union ships were on their way - his coast watchers were very effective, which was just as well as very little else was - and that he now had at his disposal the wherewithal to at least give the Union ships a bloody nose. The arrival a few days  previously of the ironclads C.S.S. Secessionist and the C.S.S. Southern Belle was a welcome reinforcement even though it would only be delaying the inevitable. Then came the news that the Southern Belle had suffered an irreparable engine failure. 

Under normal circumstances the small harbour at Purepoint would be able to cater for such a mechanical emergency but most of the available equipment and trained engineers had been sent to Immobile Bay. Chief Engineer Scott, despite his best efforts, was unable to improvise anything by way of a repair. ‘The engine canna take it’ was his stock reply when asked of the status of his charge.

Boded knew that the Union would expect to meet ironclads so ironclads he would give them. Whatever his shortcomings as an individual Boded was no mean commander and so he settled on a cunning plan. The C.S.S. Southern Belle would be towed into position in the north channel and there anchored. Her boilers would be alight so clouds of smoke would give the impression that a warships was on the move (luckily there was a light breeze to further the impressions of a ship in motion). She would be covered on three sides by some tethered mines and the C.S.S. Secessionist would be lurking out of sight to the east. The guns on the Southern Belle would be well placed to be able to cover the approaches to the only place that any transports could unload.

It was simple and would certainly give any Union attempt to force the channel pause for thought. Boded was well satisfied with his stratagem and so gave the appropriate orders to set his plan in motion.

The trap was set.

To be Continued....

“Pook’s Turtles’ and the C.S.S. Missouri

 

A city class gunboat - in this case the Baron de Kalb

A plan of C.S.S. Missouri. The overall shape is very similar to that the of the city class gunboat so that is all the excuse I need!

Part one of my three part game report has been drafted and is merely waiting for me to colour in the map! I wanted to use this so that the action can be seen in geographical context as it is quite important fo the scenario. I hope to get this finished this evening to post either later today or, more likely, in the morning.

Warbases have contacted me so they are on the case with my bits and pieces which is great news. In the meantime I have started work on a further three models all of which will be built identically up to the fitting out stage. 

I am building two of ‘Pook’s Turtles’ - the city class gunboat - and also the C.S.S. Missouri which overall looks pretty similar in shape and profile. True she only has a single funnel and mounts rather less artillery than the Union vessels but I am building her anyway. The finished model will look quite different with the paint job in any event but the core construction - the hull and casemate will be the same.

These three models, together with the six planned paddle steamers will be the lot for this phase of the ACW project. I will have a core of 24 models and so anything further can be built as and when required. In fact I see this as being a good way to maintain an ongoing interest in the project as it means that ‘freshening it up with something new’ will be easily achievable and fun to do.

That is the plan anyways!

Russo Turkish Tinkering

The original model (of which there are two). Nothing wrong with it and yet.... 

....by adding to the sailing rig and applying some white trim to the hull it looks a whole lot more business like.

In advance of the resumption of ship building once my order from Warbases arrives I spent some time thinking about the models I want to build for the Russo Turkish half of the project. Whilst I have settled on the Turkish order of battle there was something nagging away at me in respect of the first two models I have built - the two river monitors of the Luft - u Celil class.

I built these two models with a reduced sailing rig but after further research decided that they need a little more in the way of spars. The option I have chosen reflects something of a compromise but given that the Turkish navy of the period seemed to be several steps behind the curve in respect of how ships were handled and maintained I certainly think it does not look out of place. I also took the opportunity to add a little detailing in respect of painting and so they now grace some rather fetching white trim - again this has been seen on a number of contemporary prints and pictures etc.

A closer look

Taking it all into consideration it has certainly perked the two models up rather nicely and I think they look far better in their current configuration. I will certainly incorporate the white trim on the next batch of models I build for this project.

We’re only making plans for....Martin!

The three drawings to the right (3, 4 and 5) are the key three layers of the hull of the Mesudiye - there will be two plain templates under these making five layers in all. The lighter lines on drawing 3 give a good top down view. The two on the left are for the Feth - i - Bulend and her sister - these will be built up in the same way but with only a single plain template making four layers. I have the necessary templates for this class except for the two illustrated. They are smaller ships so by reducing the height if helps to differentiate them as I am not being too pedantic about scaling.

Mesudiye as originally built - her sister ship was taken over by the Royal Navy as H.M.S. Superb

The above shows to good effect the layering technique I am using. It is a time honoured, tried and tested method for building up a hull shape!

The plans for the Muin - i - Zaffir - note the double sponsons. Again these will be built up in three layers with a single complete piece as the base layer. 

A plan of the sister ship of the Muin - i - Zaffir. You can see how my model will be using a different overall hull form as it is fuller at the bow and stern

In the immortal words of C3 PO “Thank the maker!’ Or in this case thanks to Martin and Diane at Warbases who are now back in the custom order business. I cannot tell you how pleased I am about this as by the addition of some selective custom cut pieces I should be able to more or less finish the building for the ACW and Russo Turkish War projects.

The pictures are above are the rather crude plans I have drawn up for the hull section for three of the Turkish ironclads I shall be building. It is rather unusual for me in that I have owned and painted all three types but in their rebuilt Balkan and WW1 guises but never in their original form. As ever these will not be to scale in that they are very much in the ‘based upon’ mould rather than the historically accurate.

Producing the hulls for these models will be very straightforward once I have the pieces from Warbases. The most time consuming part will be making the masts but even that is quite straightforward albeit fiddly.

First up though will be the remaining ACW models.

All good fun!

Where we are or the state of the Union

 One of ‘Pook’s Turtles’ in action

As I have now reached the point where I can go no further with the models for both the ACW and the Russo Turkish War I figured it would a good point to take stock and think about the next phase of the projects in more detail. In truth I could push on by improvising the pieces I need but as these are being cut by Warbases I may as well wait and make construction that little bit easier!

For the ACW the plan is to build another six side wheel paddle steamers - 3 for each side - of which four are under construction and awaiting parts from Warbases (which have now been ordered) to finish. There will be a couple of ‘Pook’s Turtles’ in the mix and then some screw gunboat types. The eagle-eyed amongst you will no doubt have noticed that his will take me beyond the original estimate of 24 models. This is not a problem as the figure of 24 models was always going to be the core of the collection - specific models could then be added as and when required. I like the idea of a couple stern wheelers but need to get my head around the rear wheel and how best to represent it.

For the Russo Turkish War I have four gunboats to build for the Turks along with six ironclads. With the two monitors already built that will give me twelve Turkish ships. For the Russians I shall be building two gunboats, six spar torpedo boats, three armed merchant types and of course a couple of circular gunboats - simply because I can! I rather like the idea of adding some later ironclads in to the Russian fleet but will have to see.

For the moment though I need to focus on getting the models on the table so over the course of the next few days battle will be joined.

In respect of the games I shall be running going forwards I have decided to work to the following format.

There will be three blog posts. The first will cover the background and will set the scene. The second will be the game itself whilst the third will cover the after action ‘wash up’ with thoughts on the rules and similar.

I want to adopt this approach as it means I can focus on each part in more detail - the purple prose can run freely!

‘Big Wheels Keep on Turning....’

First of the Union paddle steamers....

....in company with the first of the Confederates.

Ready for action along the rivers and in the swampy bayous.

 Slightly ahead of schedule the final two completed models for the ACW project are now completed (and with flags!). I have a change on mind about these as originally I was going to build half a dozen or so paddle steamers and purposely leave them I flagged so that I could use them for whichever side needed them. Instead I am going to flag them and as a result each side will now have three side wheelers. I may pop in a couple of sternwheelers at some point but have not decided yet.

These two are definitely gunboat looking but are not consciously modelled on any particular vessel. They are representative of the types pressed into service by both sides and used along the rivers and in the swampy bayous.

I have gone as far as I can for the moment with the ACW ships although I have a further four models under construction. Warbases are back in action on the custom order front next week so I can get the parts I need to finish these as well as those for the Russo Turkish collection.

I have now built and completed 15 models for the ACW and have a further 9 to make to complete the collection.

For now though, my thoughts need to turn to the impending action I am planning to run and set along the approached to the Confederate stronghold of Immobile Bay.