The League of Augsburg

The Big One... Part 1 Getting organized

by augsburgeroberst
Cruising off the Dutch coast - d'Estrees White Squadron with the English Red and Blue behind.

I have been motivating myself with the thought of a large-scale fleet type battle for a while. As I have split my painting efforts between English, Dutch, French, Barbary and Chinese vessels I had to find something that would allow me to maximize the number of models on the table within a historical...
Posted in 17th century naval campaign, Restoration and Dutch Wars, Scenarios, The High Seas, Wargaming

Naval campaign game 5: All hands to the oars!

by augsburgeroberst
Darkness and fog - ideal for an escape bid from a potentially hostile harbour

November 23rd, 1688: Copenhagen

Chaos reigns supreme in England. The invasion by Willem of Orange less than three weeks previously has caused the army to disintegrate. The naval service is in turmoil, torn between loyalty to its old commander in chief and King, the officers and men weigh the options for their individual...
Posted in 17th century naval campaign, Limerick, Restoration and Dutch Wars, Scenarios, The Glorious Revolution, The High Seas, Wargaming

Lucky connections or coincidence?

by augsburgeroberst



Not only did I get to sail across the very spots that Spragge, De Ruyter et al manouevred  and battled with their fleets in the 17th century, I managed to make several other tangible connections with my periods of interest during the annual sojourn to Antwerp.

Spanish Gate at Breda Castle.. some irony in the title - the Spaniards left a water gap in their defences

The girls wanted a stop off en...
Posted in 17th century naval campaign, News, Restoration and Dutch Wars, The Great Northern War, Travel, Warfare Miniatures, Wargaming

Naval campaign game 4: Tocht's raid April 1664

by augsburgeroberst
Set up
Tocht's squadron has sailed down the Channel and is approaching Plymouth. Several English warships are at anchor in the open waters south of the Hoe. Tocht has a mind to destroy as many vessels as possible. He has not spotted any sail in the Channel thus far and nothing significant is moving around the squadron at anchor. It is difficult to tell what size and state of readiness the enemy...
Posted in 17th century naval campaign, Restoration and Dutch Wars, Scenarios, The High Seas, Wargaming

Naval Campaign game 3: Baert's Baptism!

by augsburgeroberst
March 19, 1689
Scenario name: Schomberg's reinforcements
Baert has word of a troop convoy bound for either Hoylake or Belfast. It is carrying English and Dutch soldiers to Ireland to fight King Louis's cousin James II. His ships left Dunkirk three days ago and are approaching the convoy from the north and windward. He is ordered to sink or capture as many of the transports as possible. The convoy is...
Posted in 17th century naval campaign, Ireland, Restoration and Dutch Wars, The High Seas, Wargaming

Naval campaign game 2: Free trade? De Ruyter's first scenario

by augsburgeroberst

Set up


Peter's Dutch squadron under legendary commander Michiel de Ruyter has its first outing.

De Ruyter - September 1664 off the Gold Coast/Ghana
Scenario name: Free trade?


The Dutch East India Company (VOC) has been building trade via Gold Coast ports for several years. The English have become increasingly interested in bolstering their cash strapped economy and its own Royal Africa Company has...
Posted in 17th century naval campaign, Restoration and Dutch Wars, Scenarios, The High Seas, Wargaming

Naval Campaign game 1: Sovereign of the Seas?

by augsburgeroberst
14th February 1665: Off the Isle of Wight
Scenario name: Sovereign of the Seas

His Majesty King Charles II demands that every foreign vessel passing through English waters acknowledges his position as Sovereign of the Seas. In so doing each ship must lower its colours when an English warship is within sight. Although not at war, tension with France is mounting due to its support for the Dutch...
Posted in 17th century naval campaign, Restoration and Dutch Wars, Scenarios, The High Seas, Wargaming