Treasure Galleon

The Treasure fleets of the Spanish empire have all but vanished from the waters of the Caribbean in the turn of the 18th century. The once unfettered, gold laden, ships majestically road the trade winds to Espania propping up a decadent and bloated monarchy. Now the rare sighting of these antiquated warships sends buccaneers and governors alike into a gold educed delirium to claim what treasures await the bold, brave, and blood thirsty.

(Editor and Builders note: This ship was modified from a prefabricated purchased model. There just isn't a good selection of Galleons out there. I also wanted to see how easy it was to convert a display model to a gaming piece.)

The Brig Newton

The Brig Newton has served the Halley Family of Derbyshire's foreign interests for nearly eight years. Her proctor Alexander, second son to Edmond Halley Sr. a successful and very wealthy soap manufacturer, named the vessel after an obscure mathematician his elder brother met at Cambridge. Her first venture to Turkey retrieved a rich bounty of dried dates, spice, and tea that netted a enormous profit despite Moorish blockades of Istanbul. Recognized by the British East India Company, Alex was chartered to relocate labor from the markets of Guinea to Hispaniola. After a deadly out break of cholera , the HMS Newton has fallen victim to the universal fourth law of motion. No movement is possible until acted on by sufficient investment.

Reef Raft

Only a destitute sailor would brave the tumultuous moods of the Caribbean on nothing more than a little lashed wood.
These waters are full of desperate Seamen.

Galleon Reef

The Wreck of the Galleon Monja Azul
The Royal Spanish Trade Galleon Monja Azul has served as a navigational marker, reverent shrine and occasional target practice for almost a hundred years. Perched on a craggy sandbar like a sentinel, the image of a Catholic Nun watches over the narrow passage that provides a precarious channel to the Spanish discovered Las Vírgenes, now under the protectorate of the royal Navy. When most protestant crews encounter the petrified sister for the first time and inquire for her name in English, a round of guilty snickers arise from the name "Blue Nun".

More Pictures from Border Wars

Wider angle shots of the Table.

Fifteen Miniatures on a Lead Man's Chest (Boarder Wars)

Here thar' be pirates.
Kansas city saw the first run of the game I've been putting together for over a year now. The whole project is only about a third done, lacking still several ships and two more boards of equal size. One man's ambition is another man's madness. For size comparison next to this 1500mm pirate is the game-board stretching out a meager 28ft by 8ft. This sounds like an absurd adjective for size but a 26 inch long Ship of the line needs a lot of room to grove.

Land-lubbers about to get their feet wet. Some more than others.

The Pirate's Code isn't a complex mater but it does take a bit of explaining from Mr. Christian.

Strangely in both encounters the British Ship of the line fared poorly to the French frigate.

The lone inhabitant on this deserted isle is Salty Al, a saltwater American crocodile. He enjoys long strolls along the beach, the sound of the surf, mixers with the natives, puppies or anything else unlucky enough to wash up on shore.

Galleon Beach is little more than a sand bar but the pilfered wreckage of a Spanish trade ship serves as a warning to those who misjudge its merciless reefs.

Fort-Nicanville

Cannibal Island

Port Manteau

Rogues' Gallery of our Brethren of the Coast
(Dressing the part)

Prize WinnersA prize vessel from Old Glory Shipyards was awarded to the most Successful player, the captain of the French Frigate who used a burning schooner to ignite the British ship of the line.

"The BBopp Award"
The unluckiest captain by popular vote was awarded a 5th of Captain Morgan's Spiced Rum and a set of pink child floaties after having his merchant ship taken as a prize by pirates. Left adrift on the damaged pirate sloop where upon rowing to a pygmy savage infested island his remaining crew recovered a lost Inca treasure. After loading it into the longboat his remaining crew were eaten by Cannibals. Alone the Captain in the longboat pulled for the closest French port. Just yards from shore he was intercepted by cutthroat smugglers where he was challenged to an honor duel for the treasure. Consequently both combatants were Mortally wounded. The crew now without leadership mutinied and left with the treasure never to be seen again.

Honorable mention
This young entrepreneur received the Capt. Jack award for opening a catering service for the local cannibals.

Credit where Credit be owed
Camera Work: Robert Steve Hobbs
Location provided By HMGS-HA (Border Wars) Organizer:Brian Beale
Transportation and logistics: Grady"Caisson" West
Assembly, movers, assistant plot developers and Island inhabitants: Shelby"Shanghai"West, Brian"Broadside"Bopp, Cody " Cannonade" Dillon.
Press Ganged into service for last minute painting:
Sherron"What the hell is dry brushing?" Christian
Carrol " I call it Art!" Tuttle,
Tim "They Call me Tim" McCollum
Matt "Beat to Quarters" Rose
Alex "14 shades of Brown" McDonald

Next Port Of Call :

Recruits!