North Channel: Naval Conflict Between the USS Ranger and the HMS Drake During the American Revolutionary War - 1778

On April 24th, 1778 along The North Channel between Ireland and Scotland --Captain John Paul Jones of the USS Ranger set out to seize and capture a Royal Navy ship just outside the town of Carrickfergus. That ship was the HMS Drake, captained by George Burden. Jones immediately had the upper hand, in both firepower and maneuverability. The Ranger was built as a warship while the Drake was simply a merchant ship outfitted with 4-pound cannons. Not to mention, Jones had the upper hand in knowledge of the enemy ship, given to him by an area local Lieut.Dobbs. During the ensuing attack, the Ranger inflicted devastating damage to her opponent--killing its captain in the process. The ships fought in close range combat, but never close enough for boarding actions. In the end, Jones succeeded in capturing the Drake and as a result, gained international fame.

North Channel is a simple table-top “postcard” wargame of ship-to-ship combat for two players. One player will take on the role of the American ship the USS Ranger, while the other takes on the role of the HMS Drake. The American player will have the upper hand with higher firepower, a larger crew, and a sturdier hull (as it was historically). The British player will have to be smart (and lucky) in order to outmaneuver their enemy, and not succumb to the USS Ranger.

Will you be able to change history?

—description from the publisher