Info: Ship-types

Level
Basic

Ship-types
Description of different types of ships.

Some of the ships currently available in Empire are:

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 battleship 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 rigates, 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.

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: [##:##] Command : show ship build The headings for the stats listing are [##:##] Command : show ship stats 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. [##:##] Command : show ship capabilities Some examples of the output: [##:##] Command : show ship build
 * lcm  The lcm required to build the ship.
 * hcm  The hcm required to build the ship.
 * avail  The avail (work) required to build the ship.
 * tech  The minimum technology required to build the ship.
 * $  The cost of the ship.
 * def  defensive armament of the ship
 * spd  the distance/mu for moving (in relative units)
 * vis  how visible the ship is, (relative units)
 * spy  how far the ship can see, (i.e. how good the communication equipment is), again in relative units
 * rng  twice  the  distance  the  guns  can fire, The range formula is (rng/2) * ((tech + 50) / (tech + 200))
 * fir  the number of guns the ship can fire at once
 * 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.
 * pln  The number of 'light' planes the ship can carry.
 * hel  The  number of helicopters the ship can carry. (If the SHIPCHOPPER option is enabled)
 * xpl  The number of extra-light planes the  ship  can  carry.  (If  the  XLIGHT option is enabled)
 * fish  The vessel will accumulate food by fishing
 * torp  The vessel can fire torpedoes.
 * dchrg  The vessel can drop depth charges
 * plane  The vessel can carry planes with the light attribute set.
 * miss  The vessel can carry missiles.
 * oil  The vessel can drill for oil
 * sonar  The vessel has sonar capabilities to detect submarines
 * mine  The vessel can lay mines
 * sweep  The vessel can sweep the sector for mines and recover them
 * sub  The vessel is a submarine
 * land  The vessel can be used as a landing craft. (see Info: assault)
 * semi-land  The  vessel  can  be  used  as  a  semi-landing craft. (see Info: assault)
 * sub-torp  The vessel can torpedo submarines
 * trade  The vessel is a trade ship.
 * supply  The vessel can supply other units.  Unless the vessel is a  submarine, it can load non-light land units.
 * canal  The vessel can navigate canals (see Info: Sector-types).
 * anti-missile  The  vessel  will  intercept  enemy  marine  missiles (see Info: Hitchance).

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

[##:##] Command : show ship stats

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

[##:##] Command : show ship cap

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