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Tuesday, August 10, 2004

The action between the St. Patrick and Delft and Schakerloo would be a good Privateers Bounty scenario

One incident that would be interesting to run as a Privateers Bounty scenario would be the capture of the St. Patrick (48 guns) by the Delft (34 guns) and Schakerloo (28 guns) on 5 February 1667 (Old style). The Malaga Merchant had been in company with the St. Patrick, but the captain fled the scene, leaving the St. Patrick to fend for herself. This is another case where the raw numbers would indicate that the St. Patrick should have been able to defeat the two Dutch frigates. Instead, the St. Patrick was beaten. Perhaps the St. Patrick's crew was poor. Supposedly, the St. Patrick put up a stiff fight, but that does not explain how she should have lost. Part of the explanation may be that boarders who fight fiercely can overcome a larger ship and crew. Lord Nelson proved that against the Spaniards, over a 100 years later. The French privateers consistently proved it true in the wars of the English and Spanish succession.

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