Duel off Cape Brig

"We can report a most unusual action that has occurred in the South Sea, off the coast of the Sothland Republic in the region of Cape Brig. The length of the action was only short, but was a first in maritime history. In the action, for the first time, two revenue ships, each from opposing nations, engaged in a one-on-one naval duel. Naturally, our Confederate ship, the C.S.R.S Observant, of the Vigilant-class for those of you who are interested in such things, was victorious, with the loss of only three of her crew, whilst the Eastern ship, the U.S.R.S Pursuer, of the Chaser-class, was surrender and has been brought back by the victor, for which Edwardson has been hailed. Observant had been investing the presence of Unionist privateers within the region, when she encountered the Pursuer. Even in unexpected circumstances our maritime forces are winning battles in the South Sea, and it will not be long before the Eastern ships are swept from our waters. The Pursuant is currently undergoing restoration work, so expect to see her sailing under Confederate colours in the not too distant future."

- An announcer on a Confederate war news report, during a segment involving the duel

The Duel off Cape Brig (subsequently, also known as the First Battle of Cape Brig following the later Battle of Cape Brig) was a small action which took place early in the Earth Civil War, as well as the South Sea Campaign, off the coast of the Southland Republic, one of the 10 founding states of the Confederacy, in the region of Cape Brig, on Sothland's south coast.

In the hours prior to the duel the CSRS Observant, a ship of the Confederate States Revenue Service, a branch of the Confederate Treasury Department responsible for the collection of import duties from foreign ships and the prevention of smuggling and piracy, was patrolling the area, investigating reports of Unionist privateers, which had been raiding Confederate shipping in the region.

At just after midday on the 22nd of New Year, Year 1 After Confederate Independence (22nd day of the first month of 21 BBY) Captain Robert M. Edwardson, commander of the Observant, noticed a similar sized ship approaching him from the east. As the ship got closer he spied the ensign of the Union States Revenue Service, and from reports of Union government shipping movements in the region deduced it to be the Pursuer, a Chaser-class Revenue Ship under the command of Captain George N. MacKinley.

Recognising that the Pursuer was attempting to initiate hostile action Edwardson immediately ordered Helmsman Henry Y. Oliver to swing hard to starboard in order to broadside the ship. As soon as the Pursuer got into range Edwardson ordered all guns to open fire, peppering the Pursuer with shells.

The gunners of the Observant were pretty accurate, and most of the shells hit the Pursuer, taking heavy damage the Pursuer was disabled in short order, after a shell hit the bridge, killing MacKinley and most within it, the Pursuer was able to fire a few rounds in return, one which hit the front of the Observant and killed 3 crewmen.

After the bridge was taken out the Pursuer surrendered, Edwardson ordered his ship to cease fire and accepted the surrender, Edwardson had the survivors picked up and was going to order the Pursuer sunk when Martin David, Edwardson's second-in-command, convinced him to instead bring the Pursuer back to the Confederacy, stating that not only would Edwardson be hailed for his actions, but it would also give the comparatively small service another ship to add to its roster.

Accepting David's plan, Edwardson had the Pursuer tethered to the Observant and brought deeper into Confederate territory, he made for Port Banks, the Revenue Service's main base. Upon arrival he was hailed for his victory and his war trophy, the Pursuer was put into dry-dock and restored, entering service 5 months later as the CSRS Pursuer, flying the ensign of the Confederate States Revenue Service.