The Battle of Kostas Channel

This was my way of celebrating International Naval Wargaming Day 2025 - a little late as I played the game on Sunday. Rules used were my own 'Block Galleys' set, available from the Rules page of the blog.

A small Holy Leauge squadron approaches the narrows between Postavtomatikos and Saronikos Isles on the Aegean Sea. They are past a great battle and low on ammunition. Their main goal is to allow the large lanterna to reach the safety of the opposite table corner.

At this moment everything seems calm around the islands...

But as soon as they reach the cape of Postavtomatikos Isle, three Ottoman galleys appear on the horizon. The Venetian galley Volpe Potente maneuvers south of Postavtomatikos Isle to intercept the galiot on the Ottoman right.

Perhaps the Turk is aware that the Christian galleys are low on ammunition as they commence long range fire. The Volpe Potente's guns fall silent as the forecastle receives a devastating hit.

The other two Christian galleys decide to run the gauntlet. The lanterna's firepower and soldiery are not to be underestimated... 

The lanterna rows into range and with a salvo takes out the Ottoman flagship's foremast and forecastle. The third shot is a miss and she's down to two more salvoes remaining. The Maltese galley on the right misses. 

At this point a fourth galley, lying in wait, appears on the Maltese Praedator Littoralis' right, and blasts into her right oar bank. 

With the words that would ring through the ages 'Cazzo bastardi!', the Venetians ram the small galiot. In the ensuing melee the Venetian soldiers overpower the galiot and free the galley slaves. 

Now the captured galiot turns nimbly and rams the Ottoman flagship! The Venetians and former slaves thirsting for revenge are already on board, sweeping away all resistance.

The lanterna's captain uses this moment to rush forward, exerting their own rowers to the last breath. They are safely out of harm's way and the remaining two Ottoman ships decide to head for safety; the Christian squadron is battered enough to let them be.

What could I say? The rules work just as intended - they are packed with action and the battle could have gone either way. A fun battle to be played, all done in about half an hour. 

It is one of the rare occasions when I don't have to make any amendments to my rules after a playtest.