Quote:
Originally Posted by JAD_333
You're right, of course. However, one assumes that at the outset of a battle between unevenly matched ships, the more powerful one is the theoretical winner. We've been indulging in what-ifs, all of which are possible. But what-if occur during a battle. Now before the battle, would you as the captain of the Independence order it into battle one-on-one with the Victory, and I don't mean hail mary ranging shots, but up close and personal?  |
Im assuming that you mean the Constitution and Victory and the answer is a definate YES. The USN holds the Constitution very deeply as far as tradition and as far back as the Continental Navy's inception they were always outmatched by the British and French, ship for ship, gun for gun and especially in experience at sea and always went into battle none the less. We didnt always win but we didnt always loose either.
The smaller of the ships (Constitution) would need every tool in the box to out run and out manuver Victory and if smart concentrate her gunnery in the important places (more or less waterline and below and or rudder) or even perhaps draw her into the shallows hoping she would ground and then open full broadsides. As far as boarding parties go the advantage would certainly be Victory's. Constitution would have to sink her and certainly rule out boarding parties all together. Thanks.