My absolute favorite set of wargames to play is fleet-level engagement. In outer space, or WWII, or the Age of Sail, or Galleys. It doesn’t matter, I enjoy fleet battles. When one of the famous naval battles from history hits my calendar, I am going to do a scenario about it.

The Battle of Ushant was about as close to a non-battle as possible. The French were instructed to avoid battle at all costs, while the British failed to properly engage. We will simulate what might have happened had the sides actually engaged.

Great Britain
Augustus Keppel 2470 Total Guns
30 Ships of the Line
– 15 74 Third Rates
– 1 80 Third Rate
– 7 64 Third Rates
– 6 2nd Rates
– 1 First Rate
6 Frigates
– 1 32 Gun
– 4 28 Gun
– 1 20 Gun
Two Fire Ships
One Sloop

France
Comte D’ Orvilliers 2322 Total Guns
30 Ships of the Line
– 12 74 Third Rates
– 11 64 Third Rates
– 2 80 Third Rate
– 1 70 Third Rate
– 1 Second Rate
– 1 First Rate
– 2 Fourth Rate
7 Frigates all 32s
6 Corvets Totaling 52 Guns

Wargame Rules
Black Seas or Other Rulset
Table Size 16×8
Players 2-8
No Terrain

Wargame
You can fight this battle two ways, either A go at it as admirals. The French should have superior mobility but inferior firepower.
The other option is that historically, the French needed to tack across the British line of battle to escape to the open ocean. Set the weather gauge between the two fleets, and the French must flee without losing any of their ships of the line.