An Improved Board Game.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 21st Dec., 1594-Accepted, 26th Jan., 1895
An Improved Board Game.
I, ROBERT BENNETT, of 2 Townwall Street, Dover, Kent, Shipping Agent, do
hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to
be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement:-
This invention relates to an improved board game, and has for object to provide
an amusing and instructive game representing a naval engagement, to be played
with a board and a number of figures.
And in order that this my invention may be the more readily understood,
reference is made to the appended sheet of illustrative drawings, wherein :-
Fig. 1, is a plan view of the board, and
Figs. 2 and 3 perspective views of examples of the figures employed in the
game.
Referring to the drawings, a is a folding or other board or table, divided by a
boundary line a' across the centre to denominate the portions of such board or
table belonging to the respective players.
Each balf of the board or table a is sub-divided into an equal number of
divisions or squares, which may be marked to denote the positions which the
figures employed in playing the game, are to take up.
Some of the squares or divisions in each half of the board or table aforesaid,
are preferably of different size to the others, to accommodate the larger figures.
Across the centre of the board or table, upon the dividing line a' three thick
lines a representing rocks, are employed similar rocks being represented by the
four parallel lines a at right-angles to the first-mentioned rocks a', space being
left between the opposing ends of the rocks a' a' sufficient to allow a figure being
moved between such opposing ends.
A suitable number of figures b and c are provided, such figures preferably being
given the forms of ships' hulls as shewn, the bottoms of same being flat.
The figures c, one of which is illustrated by Fig. 3, represents merchantmen,
while the ships bare men-of-war, transverse slots being provided in the upper parts
or decks of same, in which fit side-projecting pieces 6' representing guns, the
centres. of same being raised to enable the players to readily grasp them with
the fingers.
These men-of-war b are divided into several classes, such as ships of two guns,
ships of four guns, and so on, according to the number of squares or divisions
allotted to the men-of-war, and in playing the game, the said men-of-war are allotted
stations upon the board in accordance with the number of guns that they carry, as
for instance a man-of-war of two guns would be placed upon one of the squares or
divisions marked M.W. 2, and a ship of six guns upon a square marked M. W. 6.
Of course the rules and manner of playing the game are capable of considerable
variation, but the following set of rules and method of playing are convenient, and
will suffice as an illustration.
The figures b and c are arranged upon the board or table a in their respective
positions, that is to say, the merchantmen c are placed upon the squares or divisions
marked M, and the men-of-war b placed upon the squares or divisions marked M.W.,
the number of guns each man-of-war carries determining the position of the latter
upon this portion of the board or table, as beforementioned.

page_text: The object of the game is the capturing by the two players, of one another's
merchantmen, each player being compelled to move in turn.
The merchantmen c can be moved three squares or divisions forward or three
sidewise, but must not be moved backward, nor can one merchantman take another
merchantman or a man-of-war. They also cannot be moved upon a square or
division occupied by any other vessel, and can be taken off the board upon arriving
in the enemy's waters, the player being allowed a man-of-war of two guns for each
merchantman so arriving, or he (or she) can increase any of his (or her) men-of-
war, by two guns in lieu thereof, this man-of-war being compelled then to take up
its position at the original station.
No player can at any time have more than two men-of-war of six guns, two of
four guns, and two of two guns, except when a man-of-war attacked by another
man-of-war, loses some guns.
Men-of-war can be moved as many squares or divisions, as they possess, in any
direction, but no vessel, whether man-of-war or merchantman, can pass over the
rocks a a³, and men-of-war must move each time to the full extent of the number
of guns carried by them, passing twice over a square or division in the same move,
being prohibited.
All moves must be made across a line, and not diagonally, except through the
openings & between the ends of the rocks a² a³.
No man-of-war can pass that of an enemy within range, without attacking
him, unless the latter cannot be approached, as for instance if protected by a
merchantman; men-of-war however, are not bound to attack except upon the above
conditions.
Should a man-of-war attack an enemy's man-of-war on the enemy's ground, both
ships lose to the extent of the guns carried by the attacking vessel.
Should a man-of-war attack an enemy's man-of-war upon its own ground, the
latter ship only, loses to extent of the guns of attacking vessel.
A merchantman cannot pass within range of a man-of-war belonging to the
enemy, of more than two guns, but is allowed to pass a man-of-war of two guns.
Passing over any line is considered moving one square or division.
A player can have for each merchantman arriving in the enemy's waters, two
additional merchantmen, in lieu of two guns, the said additional merchantmen being
placed in position on one of the squares or divisions farthest removed from the
centre line a'.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. The improved board game, substantially as described and as illustrated.
2. In a game such as described, the use of a board or table divided into squares
or divisions, and having rocks indicated thereon, together with suitable numerals
and letters, in combination with figures representing ships for moving upon such
board or table, substantially as described and as illustrated by the accompanying
.drawings.
Dated this 21st day of December 1894.
HUGHES & YOUNG,
23, Coleman Street, E.C.