[Basil Dreadflint]

This story is based more on historical fact than the last one was. Not all of it is true, but a bit of it is.

The year is 1722. The Spanish are claiming most of the new world as their own. King Philip V has levied a tax on all goods returning from the New World so that 20%, or 1/5, of all goods are paid as tax. Spanish fleets go back to Spain every year or two, heavily loaded. Some carry treasure, some carry other things. Some typical treasures are gold from Columbia. Diamonds and Emeralds from Peru and Venezuela. And Silver from Mexico. Goods are,: native artifacts, cloth, exotic fruits and foods, including Sugarcane and Rum.

The normal procedure for a fleet is for all the ships from different starting points meet up in Havana, Cuba, and travel from there together. They ride the Gulf Stream up along the coast of Florida, past the Spanish stronghold of Saint Augustine, and further up the coast, until the Gulf stream turns east. They can ride the currents most all the way back to Europe and safe haven in Spain.

At this point in time, the French and the Spanish pretty much get along. While not particularly allies, they will sometimes band together for protection. The normal time to leave the Caribbean is early Spring. The fleets want to be away from the Caribbean before hurricane season kicks in.

Our Story:

It has been 2 years since any Spanish ships have left Vera Cruz, New Spain (Mexico.) There are 4 ships there ready to set sail.
It has only been one year since any ships have left any of the other major ports. There are two ships coming from Columbia, 1 in Venezuela, 2 French warships in New Orleans, and 4 Spanish ships already in Havana. One of the ships in Havana is also a warship. All the ships are ready to leave their respective ports to meet up with the ships that are in Havana for the trip across the ocean.

The four ships in Vera Cruz are the El Cozerone, the Santa Marianna, and the Corazon, all owned by the Spanish Government, and the Utopia, a privately owned ship sailing under the Spanish flag. Their route is to leave Vera Cruz, head north along the New Spain coast, go past Padre Island, and stay close to the shore line until they get to New Orleans to meet up with the French warships. Once they all meet up, they will sail to the Dry Tortugas, along to Key West, and then to Havana. These ships have the furthest to travel to get to Havana. So they have to be the first to set sail, if they are going to make the journey before hurricane season.

The two French warships, are actually troop ships that have brought men and supplies to New Orleans. They have been laden with goods for return to France, but also contracted to supply protection to the Spanish ships from Vera Cruz until they get to Cuba, and then for the entire rest of the fleet as it crosses the ocean. They are the Fior Do Mar, and the Conceptione.

The two ships in Columbia are the San Sabastian, and the Espadarte. Their path is to sail north to what is now known as Jamaica, then go between Cuba and Haiti, and along the coast of Cuba until they get to Havana.


The ship leaving Venezuela, the Ribeira Grande, is the smallest of all the ships joining the fleet. As such, it does not carry near as many men, nor as much supplies. It's route is going to take it all along the West Indie's island chain. It will pass by, or stop at, Martinique, Guadelupe, St. Martin, and Pueto Rico before heading west to meet up in Havana. This is a long route to take, but it provides plenty of places to get supplies, and also lots of protection. This ship will have to leave in plenty of time to meet up, or it will be forced to decide to wait in Havana for another year, or to sail alone.

Of the four ships that are already at Cuba, the Cidada Velha, the Lucayan, the Maria de la Limpia have all been there for a fairly long time. They are well maintained and in good repair. The fourth ship, the Maravillas, has only just arrived a short time ago, and has only had time to do minor repair work. Her captain is hoping to get a lot done while waiting for the rest of the fleet to arrive. The Maria de la Limpia is the Spanish warship, and will be the designated Capitana (Captain's Ship, or lead vessel) in the fleet for the journey as they all leave Cuba.


It is ealry February, and the first of the ships to set sail are the four from Vera Cruz, since they have the longest voyage.


For this story, I would like to set some basic rules:
1) As the story progresses, individual ships can be captured or sunk. But you can't just post "I captured the Espadarte and took all the cargo." That makes the story too short. There will have to be prolonged battles, shifts and twists to the story. I will be the one to say if a ship is captured or sunk. As such, I won't be on either side. I will be neutral. Any postings that I make will be just to add to the story line.
2) Try to do things to enhance the story. Don't just add a line in order to change the score. Put some plot into it. If you can add something true to the period, or an actual place, that's all the better.
3) Don't just add story that involves yourself. Nature, weather, islands, other people, etc. can all play a part in it.
4) We will start at 50 again. This time the end is when we reach either 85, and the ships remaining hit port in Spain, or if the score goes to 15, and all the ships are either sunk or captured and looted.
5) I already have an outline as to which ships are carrying what type of cargo. I will "award" cargo as rewards for helping, trade, or as booty for capturing the ships.
6) At least one, if not more than one, ship has "Uncounted" or "off the books" cargo on board. This was done to "avoid" paying taxes on it, but it can also be used as trade, barter, reward for helping, or to increase the size of the booty if you capture it. Again, I already have this all written down, so I can determine if/when ayone gets any of it.


I am neutral! Score is 50!

Let's really have some fun with this one!