News flash

Sat, 29 Jan 2000 20:25:16

Reports are coming in that there has been a huge naval battle that has been going on all day today.

Initial reports are of the total destruction on convoys as well as the sinking of a number of warships, including battle ships.

A full report will be broadcast tomorrow when the participants are sober.

Regards

Brett

Sun, 30 Jan 2000 19:33:10

Through the haze, the light slowly dawned. As it rose, the sunlight gradually lifted the gloom until a great cry arose. Well, actually it was more like a great long moan - really. The AusBG awakened to the second day of battles.

The day before there was lots of battles and lots of boats on the water. Several new members and their new boats turned up and were fed to the wolves, but they came back smiling!

There was the Richealieu, Lutzow, South Dakota, Houston, Scharnhorst, DKM Sea Slug (a modified Cimerron), Neosho (Cimerron), two liberty's (the Lucky and the SS Viper), Tokyo Rose, Fujikowa Maru (a Mamiya), Wrath of Khan (a Mamiya), San Christofo (modified tramp), and The SS Hornet (a coastal tramp).

Numerous of these tasted the bitter taste of the bottom of the pond. (Fujikowa Maru, Sea Slug, Khan, Sodak, Lutzow, Lucky and a few - twice (Neosho, Tokyo Rose, etc) However a few successful convoy runs were completed, including some from the quickly refurbished sinkee's.

The skippers of the AusBG greeted the second day of the AGM battle with a moan, then slowly smiled. Yesterday, after the final battle for the day, the tired, sunburnt and very thirsty skippers headed back to various wardrooms for a clean up and to stock up on supplies. They then flowed back to the Bowning Ship Yards for repairs and refreshments. But first, the debrief occurred (ie. The AGM).

The icy cold bottles of the "emergency rations" beckoned, so the meeting was up (about 1845) and racing with a flying start. A fast furious pace was set and maintained. Any one waving a fly away was instantly put down as either a "mover" or "seconded by". The speed was helped by that a majority of the previous committee masochistically putting themselves up for reelection. Some new faces appeared and were quickly voted into a position or two, even one that wasn't there. General Business was quickly gone through (Bloody Flies!). Coming up to the 19 hurdles of the rules changes, the members were not given a chance to slow down, a blistering pace was set, which lasted till a particularly tall hurdle was reached. But this was quickly taken care of, by going around the side of it (We'll get back to that one later after some investigation). The smell coming from the galley quickly gave a fresh burst of energy to the members and the remaining rules flew right by!

Above and Above Right - Damage to the Khan

Before the committee members collapsed from exhaustion, they gasped "Meeting closed at 19.59" and were quickly revived by ample and numerous applications of liquid medicine and some good tasty BBQ-ed meat.

After a hearty meal every one moved into the Dock Yards, armed with liquid refreshments, and a huge effort was commenced in repairing the battlescarred boats. Everybody got stuck right in, and much work was done, everyone hopped in. So much so that boats that didn't need repairing - were! Nothing was impossible, re-wirings, re-planking, whatever - it was done. Ah, thirsty work though!

Eventually they ran out of boats (any boat!) to fix, so they dock yards slowly emptied, and they went onto some very fruitful and liquid discussions. Back to the bright light of day, Sunday. After a quick counting of bodies, (none unaccounted for), the fleet moved back to the Bowning Sea. A slightly depleted fleet hit the water for a couple of short but nasty (but fun!) battles.

The Wrath of Khan was renamed after its re-wiring, a changed ship - it became the Flatulence Maru. The sight of it . um .. "powering" through the water around the convoy route, with it's one second "bursts" of 50-knot speed, was . Unusual to see, to say the least.

Several ships were lost/sunk during the morning, some spectacularly. The Sodak went down in the deep part of the Sea, requiring the use of divers to find the float. But until the divers came upon the scene, the observers were treated to repeated displays of bubbles and "oil slick" (bottom muck, black and stinking!) rising from the murky depths.

The Richelieu, Neosho, "Lucky" and Flatulence Maru also bounced off the bottom, during the two short nasty battles. However some successful convoy runs made it through. The SS Hornet dodged and weaved through the battle, out turning everything on the water, as it had on the first day.

Left - South Dakota watches the Khan go down.

The members then packed up and cleaned up the Bowning Sea foreshore facilities, kindly provided by the owner. Much thanks was heaped onto him, and in return, he kindly invited all and sundry to return to battle any day! (Private motive is suspected - he gets to keep any boats left on the bottom - the Sodak divers worked hard!)

A good time was had by all, the Dock Yard did some brisk business and several new members came away with hulls, a membership receipt and a wonderful battle vision in their eyes!

(By Tony And Brett)

Trevor's Scharnhorst.

The Richelieu watches as the Neosho drives under.

Mon, 31 Jan 2000 11:05:32

Now that all the Skippers have finally gone home (Tony Collins and Khan Beaumont left at 0800 this morning to return to Melbourne) I can now complete my battle report.
As the news flash on Saturday night said there were some furious battles on Saturday.

The Khan Goes down

The local press was in attendance as was the local police Sargent, new members and other interested spectators. They all thought we were mad to build ships and sink them, but all want to come and see more battles. After a lot of rebuilding and repairs at the Bowning Ship Yard facilities that night the fleets were ready once again to contest their supremacy of the Bowning Sea on Sunday.

The Tokyo Rose loses it's superstructure.

The state of the fleets for Saturdays battles was the Axis Bill Kirwan's Richeleau, Trevor Gotte's Scharnhorst, Matt Burden's Deutschland, Bill Kirwan's Tokyo Rose Maru (a liberty), Brett Farquharson's Fugikowa Maru (a Mamiya), Khan Beaumont's Wrath of Khan (a Mamiya) and the Trevor Gotte's Turbo Slug (a Cimerron). The Allies were Anthony Burden's South Dakota, Steve Burden's Houston, Tony Collins Neosho (a Cimerron), Anthony Burden's Viper (a Liberty) Bob Booth's Lucky (a liberty) Barry Brown's SS Hornet (a tramp)

During the course of Saturdays battles there were 6 sinkings, with a number of beaching beachings due to mechanical problems or to stop from sinking.The score line was the Tokyo Rose Maru sunk twice (9th & 10^th sinking for her), the Wrath of Khan once, the Fujikowa Maru once (her 2nd) with a beaching, the Neosho once (her 6th sinking) and the Lucky (her 1st). The Richeleau, South Dakota, Turbo Slug (the last salvo to hit her disconnected the battery leads and she drifted to shore) and Deutschland and managed to beach before they sunk. The Viper, Hornet, Houston and Scharnhorst survived the day with small amounts of damage.

Khan Beaumont had his Wrath of Khan (a Mamiya) on the water for the first time and she was carrying a very valuable cargo as ballast, which a number of us claimed salvage right to if she sank. Khan was using bags of 50 cent pieces for his ballast instead of lead.

On Saturday night after the AGM and the BBQ tea and a few drinks to get the chill out of the bones (sounds good even if it was a nice warm summers night) the repair work began. Khan's boat need rewiring to replace his electronic speed control with a simple micro switch and resister type. Brett's boat needed a micro switch on the speed control replaced after the switch arm broke. All ships were patched out.

Only Brett's ship didn't make it to the battle on Sunday (he wanted to take photos) There were two all in Grand Melees with all warships and freighters on the water. The result was that all ships except the Scharnhorst, Turbo Slug, Houston, Deuschland and the Hornet were sunk at least once. The last battle was a slug fest with the Richeleau and South Dakota going down. The South Dakota went down in deep water (the float line wasn't long enough) which required a salvage diver (her Skipper Anthony) to go looking for her. One of our hosts John Pearsall was disappointed that Anthony salvaged the South Dakota. He has claimed rights to every thing left on the bottom of his dam. He thinks that would be the cheapest way to get a ship of his own.

Tony and Khan stayed at the Ship Yards for one more night so that Khan could build a Tirpitz hull for himself.

Revenge will be sweet!

Next time he battles he wants to defend himself and give as much as he gets. Also the Smith brothers Andrew and Dean (from Victoria) bought Cimerron and Liberty hulls

The Lutzow puts some into the Neosho

Its been suggested that another weekend battle be held at the Bowning Sea in the middle of the year.

All in all a great weekend, plenty of battles, good company, good refreshments and excellent facilities. Many thanks to the Pearsall family for the us of their dam (the Bowning Sea)

(By Brett.)

Left: The Neosho sails unmolested for a change. Center: A nice grouping in the bow of the Neosho. Right: The Neosho resting on the bottom again.

By Bill Kirwan.

What a fantastic weekend of Warship Combat at our AGM. Over the 1 and a half days of combat, there were 5 warships and about 9 transports and tankers, our best effort yet. Our host, John Pearsall and family, had prepared the site at the small village of Bowning, near Yass in NSW. John with his mate Brett Farquharson, had erected a tarpaulin for shade, cut the grass and built a launching platform on top of milk crates.

The Saturday saw 10 sinkings as each side set of its convoy runs with the other side in pursuit. Then there was an all-in battle with both sides Warships and merchantmen involved. The Allies clearly won that round. After lunch, another similar round had the Allies cleaning up the convoys with their better gunnery but the Axis gaining a few good hits in the all-in battle. Still with the Allies ahead, Anthony Burden's South Dakota and brother Stephen's Houston clearly the danger ships.

We adjourned to the Pub to book in for the night but never got passed the bar. 2 hours later we remembered the AGM and BBQ at Brett's and rushed through the business in hand, broke all records for the shortest AGM meeting! Then into the Barbeque proper and more drinks and now fully relaxed, set about repairing all ships in Brett's shed. Back to the hotel and more drinks and a game of snooker and bed (for some of us oldies).

Sunday, we arrived at Bretts to complete last repairs and back to the dam. The convoy runs won by the Allies with superior eyesight/gunnery. Another 6 sinkings. Now for the Last All-In Battle, caution would be thrown to the wind, the Mother of all Battles was about to begin! My Richelieu had earlier survived a 5 minute call and was retrieved just before it would have sunk. Frustrated Captain Anthony Burden of the USS South Dakota warned me "Kirwan, this time you are going down and in the deepest part of the pond!" Famous last words, almost as good as Titanic's - "Look at all that water"

Battle commenced with young Matt Burden's DKM Deutschland ramming me midships and dislodging Richelieu's lead ballast causing a bad list to starboard. Also, the ram had disconnected the pump which was now not working. Not a good start! A protracted duel between the Richelieu and South Dakota, with barrages at close range, was being enjoyed by the spectators and skippers with many hits on both ships. Then, the SD began to take water and list slightly to starboard and was in serious trouble. She sank in 17 feet of water, the site marked by CO2 bubbles as her superstructure drifted away. No float was seen.

Stephen Burden's USS Houston realised that my foredeck was dislodged and my list increasing and attacked me on the port side, safe from my guns which were unable to depress further to engage him. When he attacked on the starboard side, I was able to get off several salvos which eventually forced him to beach but the damage was done and the Richelieu was settling fast and I headed for the shore 20 metres away. The list was so bad that water was entering the open foredeck and my shouts of encouragement were drowned out by the chants of "sink, sink sink!" Two metres from the bank, the Richelieu sank and the floats deployed.

I was able to retrieve it and pull the remains out. It was the Richelieu's first sinking although she had been beached several times and declared sunk.

The rescue boat could not find the SD and Ant Burden stripped, and ignoring the leeches, ( these boats cost real money!) joined the boat. He dived several times and finally found the float 2 feet below the water. It had deployed but was too short for the depth there. All recorded on video for later enjoyment.

A very satisfying 2 days. Those that did not make it, missed out on something special. Trevor Gotte's Scharnhorst had battery problems on both days but he stayed and tried. We all left on a high and many of the spectators, some came up from Melbourne with Tony Collins and ended up buying hulls from Brett, are now committed to the hobby (seeing is believing). Most ships were reliable over the 2 days and we had about 20 sinkings from all that combat. This meeting was a huge improvement from our previous AGM Meeting and most ships were back in the water in time for the next battle. We are getting better.

Thanks to all who made this a great occasion. John Pearsall and family who provided the Site, Shelter and Toilet facilities, Brett and Lesley Farquharson who did the AGM and provide the BBQ and Anthony and Stephen Burden and Tony Collins who helped repair ships and keep the battles going. Also a thanks to Bob Booth who helped me launch and recover the very heavy Richelieu and saved my back.

By Bill Kirwan

Left: Brett and Anthony view damage to the Fugikowa Maru.

Right: Anthony and Steve Burden inspect damage to the SS Viper.

Well what a weekend of battling.....this was the third AusBG battle, where all members from around Australia try to make it to the battle and AGM. Sorry to keep you waiting guys, I kept on forgetting to bring in the results....

The turn out..14 ships.

AXIS Fleet

FNS Richelieu
DMK Deutschland
DMK Sharnhorst
INJ Tokoy Rose "Liberty Ship"
INS Lucky "Liberty Ship"
Khan "Mamiya"
Fujikowa Maru "Mamiya"

ALLIED Fleet

USS South Dakota
USS Huston
SS Viper "Liberty Ship"
SS Hornet "Tramp Steamer"
USS Neosho "Cimerron Tanker"

The results are....
"Cargo battles are run with warships from one side and cargo ships from the other, there is no protection for the cargo ships..."

Cargo Battle one Axis -2040 Allied +325

Allied ships sunk three out of the four axis cargo ships.

Cargo Battle two Axis -520 Allied +1840

All axis cargo ships were declared lost.

Battle Three Axis -2895 Allied -6640

Allied ships sunk SouthD and Neosho,
Axis ships sunk Deutchland

Points - Allied 2 points Axis 2 points

Cargo Battle four Axis -480 Allied +1500

Battle Five Axis +980 Allied +1780

Battle Six Axis -6280 Allied -6815

Points - Allied 3 points Axis 2 points

Most holes award....96(A) 3(O) 9(B) FNS Richelieu. 1Sink, 1Lost

Most Devastated.....32/5/7 USS SD "Sunk twice and lost once."

Over the weekend we saw heaps of sinks and laughter, as for the story telling, i lack tim macarty's flow, but i will work on it.....

Anthony

Above- INS Lucky going down.

Above : The Burden Fleet.

Hi all,

I was very disappointed to miss this years AGM, but starting a new job the week before meant that my carefully planned holidays were cancelled, my new employers were not keen for me to start taking days off in my first week :(

I have read with great interest the reports and looked with envy at the photos. Well done to all involved.

The Newcastle Battle Squadron is progressing, we have one transport already completed, a second nearing completion and two warships waiting for canon.

I am hoping that this year the hobby will continue to grow and strengthen. If you have any great ideas, (or not so great) please share them with the group, or email directly if you like.

From those who attended model shows last year, it might be worth while to start finding out the dates, so we can co-ordinate resources and start discussing what worked and what could be improved etc.

catch you all later
Glendon

The Damage to the SS Viper

Hello Everyone Down Under

It seems that there is a little bit of celebration going on down there (why else would you have to sober up)?

I take it that the Allieds and Axis once again met and that one was victorious (hint, probably not Allies). All of us up here in the good old USA Axis contingent wait with brushed teeth and flossed breath (new health kick you know) for the full report. John

W. Fox
BABG
Kittikami driver and Yamato builder

From: SCROCKS@aol.com
Date sent:Tue, 1 Feb 2000 12:36:37 EST
Subject: Wow !

To: bgrcwc@geeky1.ebtech.net

Look at them Aussies go. Wasn't too long ago they were just dreaming of building ships, guns, looking for places to battle, etc. Now they're off with a travelling battle show, coming to a pond near you soon. You guys have done WONDERS getting both fleets built and having regular and numerous battles. Congrats to you all. Keep up the GREAT work and keep on expanding.

You've all come along ways in a short time.

Barry
SCBG
Editor's Note :- Above is samples of the messages received from the US.

Above - The damage done to the Richelieu. Below - SoDak and Houston harass the Fujikowa.

Date sent: Sun, 13 Feb 2000 22:29:07 From: Bill Kirwan
Subject: 2nd Nationals Video

G'day Skippers,

I have received a video of our 2nd Nationals at Bowning. Should you want a copy, write to Shane Boydell, 4/32 Flinders St, Wagga Wagga, NSW, 2650. It will cost $10 posted. Or contact me, ph.0262883718 ah or email- I will need your postal address.

This video is excellent quality and a record of the full combat and repair sessions. Shane does not have a working ship yet (and the indications are it will be a long time) and is our full-time cameraman at the AGM/Nationals. The tape is evidence of the devious Allies's determination to sink the Richelieu by any means! It shows the Richelieu which was sinking, being 'made' to pursue an Allied transport, her Captain being convinced by the 'Allied' spectators that she could do this and still get home safely! Also shown is the criminal attempt by the Allied freighter Tramp's Captain Rod, to ram the defenceless and listing battleship as she was sinking. The Houston's shameful tactics of attacking the Richelieu's undefended port side will horrify decent viewers. Strong evidence for the court martial.

On a lighter note, the fantastic sinking of the South Dakota by the great Richelieu. The complete disappearance of this Allied vessel into the murky depths (17ft) with no survivors, and the stream of bubbles which marked the spot (until the gas ran out), will gladden the heart of all Axis Skippers. The end of this Scourge of the Seas was long overdue.

The appearance of the Battlecruiser Scharnhorst bodes well for the Axis Cause and our Fleet grows slowly. The fact that the Allies had to send in divers to recover sunken ships (recorded on video) is an indication of their desperation and shortage of fighting ships. The Burden Shipyards are in full production but the loss of experienced officers and crews will be harder to replace. However the new HMS Rodney may help their Cause. Next year, I believe the Iowa and Conte di Cavour will arrive from SA. This should even-out the Fleets.

This is an 2 hour video and would be very useful as a learning tool and a must to show at Model Shows for recruitment purposes.
(Editor's note - or just to watch it yourself!)

Bill Kirwan
ah, the sound of cracking balsa and tearing metal,
join the war game with real war damage!

The Bowning Sea

G'day Skippers,

As you know, we have our Nationals in January when we also hold the AGM - a good time as most members make the effort and come together, some covering long distances. Brett Farquaharson has proposed that we hold a mid-year Battle at the Bowning Sea, near Yass, NSW. The Canberra BG needs no excuse and will be there for sure. It may also be better for those who cannot get away in January and now have an incentive to prepare their ships for battle in June. We will stay in the old Pub overnight and have a ball.

These battles are a great way to meet the 'old' Hands at this hobby, (just as we picked Phil Sensibaugh's brains when he arrive from the

States) and you will learn more from this one meeting than all the chats or e-mails combined. No two skippers will prepare their ships the same way - no one is right or wrong. Each will see his priorities differently.

Trevor Gotte's main priority for his DKM Scharnhorst was to get his secondaries working-the cost was that he has a short sailing time. My Vichy Richelieu has very powerful A & B turrets but very vunerable at the stern. My power source must be addressed as well as it is unreliable and my turning circle - well, I normally take a cut-lunch with me when I turn. Ant Burden's USS South Dakota is, I think the best-balanced ship. It has good forward cannon and a wollop at the rear, it turns on a 5 cent piece and when he gets the rear cannon involved in his broadsides, then Axis, watchout!

Stephen Burden's USS Houston is a little terrier. This mongrel darts in and does a lot of damage with his effective guns and in fact, dispatched the wounded Richelieu at the Nationals. It's great advantage is that with its low waterline, one tends to think it is sinking and you disregard it, at your peril. Young Matt Burden's DKM Deutschland is a very good ship, which, if the rear turret was traversable and could be involved in broadsides like the SD, would be a bigger pain in the arse. Oh course as a Axis ship, his Allied Dad, Stephen is not in any hurry to do the modifications. So all ships have their strengths and weaknesses, some like the SD have more strengths than the others. It's main weakness is Ant :) (keep that body trim as you will have a lot more diving to do - oh, and extend your float line 2+ feet)

Try to make one of the "National Battles" if you can. You will get all  the help needed to get you onto the water where we will blow hell out of you. Then the Help is there again. Then Hell again and so on. There are no distinct groups of Allies/Axis here. We are all learning and dependent on one another. Once on the water, it's another thing! Perhaps this July battle could see the Tony Collins's Battleship HMS Rodney in action. Maybe 'Gadget' Gage can make the trip up from Adelaide with the USS Iowa or INS Conte di Cavour. Bob Booth's INS Italia might be there to give me a hand and Glendon Pryor's INS Roma might be ready.

Whatever, it will be a great time, so think ahead, get your transport finished and turn up. If you are constructing a warship, accelerate the work, put more men on the job, more money in the project - bugger the food and electricity! Get your priories right!

Bill Kirwan
ah, the sound of cracking balsa and tearing metal,
join the war game with real war damage!