310 lines
12 KiB
Perl
310 lines
12 KiB
Perl
.TH Concept "Ship Types"
|
|
.NA Ship-types "Description of different types of ships."
|
|
.LV Basic
|
|
Some of the ships currently available in Empire are:
|
|
.s1
|
|
.nf
|
|
torpedo-boat These ships have been misrepresented in Empire. They were
|
|
designed to kill large ships by swarming them and launching
|
|
torpedoes. In fact, they were projected to be so effective
|
|
that the French 'Jeune Ecole' (Young School) of naval officers
|
|
advocated abandoning battleships entirely, saying that they
|
|
would be helpless in the face of the torpedo-boat. In reality,
|
|
the torpedo boat was limited by it's short range, deficient
|
|
sea-keeping ability, and the battleship's quick acquisition of
|
|
numerous light quick-firing guns and machine guns. They were
|
|
effective when used in large numbers, but tended to die a lot.
|
|
|
|
destroyer These include three kinds of ships. First is the 1880-1910
|
|
destroyers, originally 'torpedo-boat destroyers', and meant to
|
|
be cheap ships to screen the battleships. Second is the
|
|
1910-1950 version, meant to kill submarines with sonar and
|
|
depth-charges. Lastly is the 1950-1965 destroyer, an all around
|
|
ship, with ASW and ASuW (anti-surface armament). After that,
|
|
they type mostly died out, as it had gotten too large.
|
|
|
|
frigate Originally, these were ships of about 200-400t, with a crew
|
|
of 200-500, armed with from 30-50 large cannon plus numerous
|
|
small cannon. They were intended to scout for ships of the
|
|
line, and protect/destroy commerce. After about 1860, the type
|
|
died out entirely, and was replaced by light cruisers. In the
|
|
1960's, the type was resurrected for a new class of ASW (anti
|
|
submarine warfare) ships of small-medium size.
|
|
|
|
light cruiser The class came into existence in the 1860-1905 period to provide
|
|
fast ships suitable for extended deployment in far-away places.
|
|
They were intended to out-class local defense boats, and not
|
|
much else. Much was sacrificed to give them long-term speed
|
|
end endurance. They were not intended to have a role in a major
|
|
battle.
|
|
|
|
heavy cruiser This class has a dual role. It was intended to reinforce the
|
|
light cruisers in the colonies, providing a heavier punch and
|
|
more armor, and also to be scouting elements in major fleet
|
|
battles.
|
|
|
|
ship-of-the-line
|
|
pre-dreadnought
|
|
dreadnought
|
|
battleship While the names change, the purpose remained the same: a ship
|
|
that brings heavy guns close to the enemy and destroys him. It
|
|
also was much used for off-shore bombardment, and for ships
|
|
of the line, minor invasions. (A complement of 300-400 marines
|
|
and 600 sailors allowed a ship of the line to land up to 750
|
|
fighting men at any desired point. Small squadrons of these
|
|
ships could (and did) take over towns, attack fortresses by
|
|
surprise, and generally make life miserable for the defense).
|
|
|
|
The pre-dreadnought was a battleship with a limited number
|
|
(usually 4) of heavy guns, numerous lighter guns ('secondary'
|
|
and 'tertiary' armament), and heavy armor on vital portions
|
|
of the ship. They were hard to kill, even for themselves, as
|
|
they had only a few guns that could penetrate the armor of
|
|
their peers.
|
|
|
|
The dreadnought was introduced in an article in Jane's Fighting
|
|
Ships by an Italian designer, who received permission to publish
|
|
his design after the Italian government decided that it was
|
|
too large and expensive for them. The design/concept was seized
|
|
upon by First Sea Lord Jacky Fisher, who rushed completion of
|
|
the first ship, the Dreadnought, through in only 1 year. (An
|
|
amazing feat and a major record) The Dreadnought gave its
|
|
name to the entire type of ship, having 8-12 large calibre
|
|
guns, few secondary & tertiary weapons, and good armor. (As
|
|
can be guessed, the threat posed by torpedo boats had diminished
|
|
considerably, mostly with the quiet abandonment of the policy
|
|
of close blockade, and the advent of the destroyer)
|
|
|
|
The battleship of the 1918-1945 period was faster, and carried
|
|
a new AA capacity, especially in the latter years of the period.
|
|
|
|
After 1945, the class died out (except for 4 ships)
|
|
|
|
For our purposes, a battleship 1 is a ship of the line, a
|
|
battleship 2 is a pre-dreadnought, a battleship 3 is a
|
|
dreadnought, and a battleship 4 is what was called a battleship
|
|
or (sometimes) super-dreadnought.
|
|
|
|
battlecruiser These special ships existed in the 1905-1920 period, prior to
|
|
the widespread introduction of oil fuel. They had full battle-
|
|
ship guns, and a large speed advantage over the battleships,
|
|
but very little armor. They were initially the pet project of
|
|
First Sea Lord Jacky Fisher, who intended them to both kill
|
|
the heavy/armored cruisers of the time, and to scout for the
|
|
battleships. With their heavy armament (and name), their
|
|
function inevitably blurred, and they were used in combat
|
|
against full-fledged battleships, where they died like flies.
|
|
With this (and with the introduction of oil fuel, which made
|
|
battleships their equal in speed), they were phased out.
|
|
|
|
ASW cruiser These ships came into being in the 1965-present period in
|
|
response to a need for a large ASW ship to carry ASW helicopters
|
|
and command equipment. It typically carries full ASW armament,
|
|
as well as a minor ASuW capability.
|
|
|
|
missile boat
|
|
missile frigate
|
|
missile cruiser These ships range in size from 100t missile boats (the modern
|
|
replacement for the torpedo-boat) to the 6000-8000t missile
|
|
cruiser. They all are designed to bring missiles to bear on
|
|
the enemy. (The first successful missile boats were Egyptian,
|
|
and used against the Israelis in the 1967 Arab-Israeli war)
|
|
|
|
The missile frigate and cruiser also serve as SAM ships.
|
|
|
|
landing craft These ships are relatively unique, being used mainly in the
|
|
1942-1950 period. Before that, landings were carried out by
|
|
frigates, ships-of-the-line, light & heavy cruisers, &
|
|
pre-dreadnoughts, all of which could land a large number of
|
|
men. With the introduction of the concept of beach-defense by
|
|
the Germans, these ships were invented to get large numbers of
|
|
men on the beaches quickly. After 1950, their functions were
|
|
largely assumed by the helicopter.
|
|
|
|
aircraft carrier
|
|
light carrier
|
|
escort carrier These ships are designed for various purposes. At first,
|
|
carriers concentrated on scouting for the battleships. Later,
|
|
it was proved that airplanes could sink battleships (Thanks to
|
|
Billy Mitchell here), and the emphasis moved to all-around sea
|
|
control. Still later, with the disappearance of the battleship,
|
|
a large power-projection capacity was added.
|
|
|
|
Light carriers were simply smaller versions of the large or
|
|
'fleet' carriers, and were used for the same duties.
|
|
|
|
Escort carriers were usually hastily converted merchantmen,
|
|
and carried small numbers of fighters and ASW planes. (Some
|
|
merchantment, in fact, were equipped with 1 fighter and a
|
|
temporary catapult. When threatened by enemy planes, the
|
|
fighter took off. When it was done, it ditched, and the pilot
|
|
was (theoretically) picked up by the merchant ship's convoy.
|
|
This was used several times, and worked!)
|
|
|
|
submarine The submarine was originally intended, in the 1900-1910 period,
|
|
to fill the same role as the torpedo boat, using stealth to
|
|
get to the battleships instead of speed. It was a strictly
|
|
defensive weapon, without much speed or endurance.
|
|
|
|
In the 1910-1925 period, the sub was much enlarged, and use in
|
|
a combination anti-battleship (sank at least 20)/anti-commerce
|
|
role. Endurance was much improved, and the sub could now
|
|
operate a long distance from its home port.
|
|
|
|
In the 1925-1945 period, the sub steadily grew large and more
|
|
capable, gaining mostly in speed, sonar ability, and endurance.
|
|
|
|
After 1945, nuclear power vastly increased the subs endurance,
|
|
making it effectively infinite. Sonar was also vastly improved,
|
|
and removed the reliance upon the periscope. The subs armament
|
|
was also vastly improved with the addition of the SLM & SLBM.
|
|
|
|
minesweeper Usually converted fishing vessels, small, and expendable. They
|
|
found and destroyed mines with a variety of tricks, including
|
|
cables & magnetism.
|
|
.fi
|
|
.s1
|
|
These units types differ in their fundamental
|
|
capabilities; some can fire guns, some cannot;
|
|
each has it's own specific abilities & roles.
|
|
The capabilities of each ship are given by the show command.
|
|
The headings are as follows. For the building data:
|
|
.s1
|
|
.EX show ship build
|
|
.s1
|
|
.in \w'avail\0\0'u
|
|
.L lcm
|
|
The lcm required to build the ship.
|
|
.L hcm
|
|
The hcm required to build the ship.
|
|
.L avail
|
|
The avail (work) required to build the ship.
|
|
.L tech
|
|
The minimum technology required to build the ship.
|
|
.L $
|
|
The cost of the ship.
|
|
.in
|
|
.s1
|
|
The headings for the stats listing are
|
|
.s1
|
|
.EX show ship stats
|
|
.s1
|
|
.in \w'spy\0\0'u
|
|
.L def
|
|
defensive armament of the ship
|
|
.L spd
|
|
the distance/mu for moving (in relative units)
|
|
.L vis
|
|
how visible the ship is, (relative units)
|
|
.L spy
|
|
how far the ship can see, (i.e. how good the
|
|
communication equipment is), again in relative units
|
|
.L rng
|
|
twice the distance the guns can fire,
|
|
The range formula is (rng/2) * ((tech + 50) / (tech + 200))
|
|
.L fir
|
|
the number of guns the ship can fire at once
|
|
.L lnd
|
|
The number of land units the ship can carry. No ship can carry 'heavy'
|
|
units. Only surface supply ships can carry units that are not 'light'.
|
|
Submarines that can't normally carry
|
|
land units can carry up to two spies.
|
|
.L pln
|
|
The number of 'light' planes the ship can carry.
|
|
.L hel
|
|
The number of helicopters the ship can carry. (If the SHIPCHOPPER option is
|
|
enabled)
|
|
.L xpl
|
|
The number of extra-light planes the ship can carry. (If the XLIGHT option is
|
|
enabled)
|
|
.in
|
|
.s1
|
|
Each ship can carry a certain amount of products and has certain
|
|
capabilities. These are listed under the cargoes & abilities section.
|
|
The cargoes give the number of each product that can be carried.
|
|
The abilities are as follows.
|
|
.s1
|
|
.EX show ship capabilities
|
|
.s1
|
|
.in \w'anti-missile\0\0'u
|
|
.L fish
|
|
The vessel will accumulate food by fishing
|
|
.L torp
|
|
The vessel can fire torpedoes.
|
|
.L dchrg
|
|
The vessel can drop depth charges
|
|
.L plane
|
|
The vessel can carry planes with the light attribute set.
|
|
.L miss
|
|
The vessel can carry missiles.
|
|
.L oil
|
|
The vessel can drill for oil
|
|
.L sonar
|
|
The vessel has sonar capabilities to detect submarines
|
|
.L mine
|
|
The vessel can lay mines
|
|
.L sweep
|
|
The vessel can sweep the sector for mines and recover them
|
|
.L sub
|
|
The vessel is a submarine
|
|
.L spy
|
|
The vessel can engage in spying activities
|
|
.L land
|
|
The vessel can be used as a landing craft. (see info assault)
|
|
.L semi-land
|
|
The vessel can be used as a semi-landing craft. (see info assault)
|
|
.L sub-torp
|
|
The vessel can torpedo submarines
|
|
.L trade
|
|
The vessel is a trade ship.
|
|
.L supply
|
|
The vessel can supply other units.
|
|
Unless the vessel is a submarine, it can load non-light land units.
|
|
.L canal
|
|
The vessel can navigate canals (see info \*QSector-types\*U).
|
|
.L anti-missile
|
|
The vessel will intercept enemy marine missiles (see \*Qinfo Hitchance\*U).
|
|
.in
|
|
.s1
|
|
Some examples of the output:
|
|
.s1
|
|
.EX show ship build
|
|
.NF
|
|
lcm hcm avail tech $
|
|
fishing boat 1 25 15 12 0 $300
|
|
cargo ship 1 60 40 29 0 $500
|
|
ore ship 1 60 40 29 0 $500
|
|
slave ship 1 60 40 29 0 $500
|
|
passenger ship 1 60 40 29 0 $500
|
|
trade ship 1 200 100 81 0 $2500
|
|
frigate 30 30 19 0 $600
|
|
battleship 1 50 50 31 0 $800
|
|
.FI
|
|
.s1
|
|
.EX show ship stats
|
|
.NF
|
|
s v s r f h x p l
|
|
p i p n i e p l n
|
|
def d s y g r l l n d
|
|
fishing boat 1 10 10 15 2 0 0 0 0 0 0
|
|
cargo ship 1 20 10 35 3 0 0 0 1 0 0
|
|
ore ship 1 20 10 35 3 0 0 0 1 0 0
|
|
slave ship 20 10 35 3 0 0 0 1 0 0
|
|
trade ship 1 20 10 35 3 0 0 0 1 0 0
|
|
frigate 50 25 25 3 1 1 0 1 0 2
|
|
.FI
|
|
.s1
|
|
.EX show ship cap
|
|
.NF
|
|
cargos & capabilities
|
|
fishing boat 1 300c 10m 900f 15u fish
|
|
cargo ship 1 600c 50m 300s 50g 900f 1400l 900h 250u supply
|
|
ore ship 1 30c 5m 990i 990d 200f 45u 990r
|
|
slave ship 20c 80m 200f 1200u
|
|
trade ship 1 50c 50m 100f trade
|
|
frigate 60m 10s 2g 60f semi-land
|
|
battleship 1 120m 20s 4g 120f semi-land
|
|
fishing boat 2 300c 10m 900f 15u fish
|
|
.FI
|
|
.s1
|
|
.SA "coastwatch, fire, load, lookout, mine, navigate, tend, torpedo, fly, show, Trade-ships, Ships, Sector-types"
|