Firearms in a Fantasy World

Chapter 121: Decisive Battle 2

Translator: Cinder Translations

...

"Are all the cannons ready?" Captain Quik of the Hope shouted loudly.

"They're all set, Captain! Ready to fire at any moment!" responded the gunnery officer promptly.

At this point, the weather had turned cold, with high seas and low temperatures causing monsoon winds to blow from the land towards the sea. This put the Alden fleet, departing from the port, in a superior windward position, while the pirate fleet was downwind.

Quik shouted, "Men, we're in a superior position now. We must seize this opportunity!"

A wind-sail warship equipped with cannons had several advantages when in a windward position. The sea breeze tilted the ship, causing the cannons on the side facing the enemy to angle slightly downward, making it easier to hit near the waterline of enemy ships.

Furthermore, ships in the windward position suffered less from smoke after firing, making aiming and reloading easier, unlike ships downwind, which were affected by both their own and the enemy's smoke.

However, being in the windward position also had its drawbacks. For ships with multiple decks of cannons, the tilted hull during large waves could prevent the lower deck cannons from being used effectively, drastically reducing firepower.

On the other hand, the downwind position had its advantages. If a ship in the downwind position couldn't win, it could take advantage of the wind to escape, as pursuers would struggle to catch up. However, for a ship in the windward position, escaping was not so easy if they couldn't hold out.

Overall, ships in the windward position had a much greater probability of sinking their opponents, reflecting the strategic positioning of naval forces. This contrasted with an interesting comparison from the Age of Exploration on Earth.

In history, as a land power, France's navy mostly played secondary roles like covering landings or escorting merchant ships. They rarely engaged in decisive battles because their missions prevented them from lingering in combat. Therefore, French naval strategy often involved seizing the downwind position and then retreating after a few volleys.

Meanwhile, France's arch-enemy at the time, England, maintained a glorious tradition of always seeking the windward position. Pursuing a policy of dual strength, England's naval power dominated the world for two centuries. For them, naval battles were about annihilating the enemy, so their vast fleets usually endeavored to sink enemy ships.

As the two sides drew closer, Quik took over the helmsman's duties. The Hope needed to adjust its angle to align its broadside cannons with the pirate ships. Steering with the wind was a risky maneuver, and in such a critical moment, Quik chose to steer personally.

On the port side, gunners held their breath, eyes fixed on the distant pirate ships, awaiting the gunnery officer's command.

...

On the pirate fleet's side, Captain Jaden and others gradually made out the Alden Navy's formation, with the distinctive Hope at the forefront.

"Is that the legendary strange ship? Indeed, I can't see any oars," Jaden, a qualified pirate with a great interest in maritime matters, began to get excited upon seeing the Hope. The medicine he had just taken began to take effect, giving him a strong surge of confidence, dispelling any initial panic from encountering the Alden Navy head-on.

Now, Jaden's mind was filled with thoughts of how to capture that strange ship as one of his prized possessions.

"Have the slaves row harder! Everyone, prepare for boarding action!" the pirate chief ordered loudly, eager to shred the enemy into pieces.