Interesting Ship Concepts

[Carthaginian]

These are some of the 'concepts' I think I will chase with my little Navy.

First, a small torpedo vessel- reasonably fast, rather inexpensive, and designed to serve in protected waters more so than on the open sea. The torpedo launchers are turreted, re-loadable versions, much like those used by the Japanese in WWII.

Displacement:
   883 t light; 906 t standard; 1,000 t normal; 1,075 t full load

Dimensions: Length (overall / waterline) x beam x draught (normal/deep)
   (275.00 ft / 270.00 ft) x 28.00 ft x (9.50 / 10.03 ft)
   (83.82 m / 82.30 m) x 8.53 m  x (2.90 / 3.06 m)

Armament:
      6 - 1.00" / 25.4 mm 60.0 cal guns - 0.51lbs / 0.23kg shells, 1,500 per gun
     Machine guns in deck mounts, 1920 Model
     6 x Single mounts on sides, evenly spread
      6 raised mounts
      Weight of broadside 3 lbs / 1 kg
      Main Torpedoes
      9 - 18.0" / 458 mm, 16.50 ft / 5.03 m torpedoes - 0.960 t each, 8.636 t total
   In 3 sets of deck mounted carriage/fixed tubes

Machinery:
   Oil fired boilers, steam turbines,
   Direct drive, 2 shafts, 17,000 shp / 12,682 Kw = 28.04 kts
   Range 2,945nm at 14.00 kts
   Bunker at max displacement = 170 tons

Complement:
   88 - 115

Cost:
   £0.243 million / $0.972 million

Distribution of weights at normal displacement:
   Armament: 12 tons, 1.2 %
      - Guns: 1 tons, 0.1 %
      - Weapons: 11 tons, 1.1 %
   Machinery: 510 tons, 51.0 %
   Hull, fittings & equipment: 344 tons, 34.4 %
   Fuel, ammunition & stores: 117 tons, 11.7 %
   Miscellaneous weights: 17 tons, 1.7 %
      - Hull above water: 17 tons

Overall survivability and seakeeping ability:
   Survivability (Non-critical penetrating hits needed to sink ship):
     449 lbs / 204 Kg = 897.3 x 1.0 " / 25 mm shells or 0.4 torpedoes
   Stability (Unstable if below 1.00): 1.25
   Metacentric height 1.1 ft / 0.3 m
   Roll period: 11.2 seconds
   Steadiness   - As gun platform (Average = 50 %): 50 %
         - Recoil effect (Restricted arc if above 1.00): 0.01
   Seaboat quality  (Average = 1.00): 0.61

Hull form characteristics:
   Hull has a flush deck,
     a normal bow and a cruiser stern
   Block coefficient (normal/deep): 0.487 / 0.496
   Length to Beam Ratio: 9.64 : 1
   'Natural speed' for length: 16.43 kts
   Power going to wave formation at top speed: 68 %
   Trim (Max stability = 0, Max steadiness = 100): 82
   Bow angle (Positive = bow angles forward): 19.65 degrees
   Stern overhang: 0.00 ft / 0.00 m
   Freeboard (% = length of deck as a percentage of waterline length):
            Fore end,    Aft end
      - Forecastle:   20.00 %,  14.00 ft / 4.27 m,  11.00 ft / 3.35 m
      - Forward deck:   30.00 %,  11.00 ft / 3.35 m,  8.00 ft / 2.44 m
      - Aft deck:   30.00 %,  8.00 ft / 2.44 m,  8.50 ft / 2.59 m
      - Quarter deck:   20.00 %,  8.50 ft / 2.59 m,  9.00 ft / 2.74 m
      - Average freeboard:      9.52 ft / 2.90 m
   Ship tends to be wet forward

Ship space, strength and comments:
   Space   - Hull below water (magazines/engines, low = better): 167.4 %
      - Above water (accommodation/working, high = better): 91.4 %
   Waterplane Area: 4,980 Square feet or 463 Square metres
   Displacement factor (Displacement / loading): 83 %
   Structure weight / hull surface area: 42 lbs/sq ft or 206 Kg/sq metre
   Hull strength (Relative):
      - Cross-sectional: 0.95
      - Longitudinal: 1.48
      - Overall: 1.00
   Cramped machinery, storage, compartmentation space
   Adequate accommodation and workspace room
   Caution: Lacks seaworthiness - very limited seakeeping ability

[Carthaginian]

Darn forum keeps resizing images; click for full-size:


An interesting concept for a coast defense vessel... fast as a battlecruiser, outfitted with reloadable torpedo tubes on deck to allow it to engage capital ships in cramped quarters, and packing several 12-pounder quick-fire guns to deal with smaller vessels.

The art is a WIP, but it gives a very good idea of my nation's design preferences.

Code Select Expand

Merrion,  Torpedo Cruiser laid down 1920

Displacement:
1,747 t light; 1,805 t standard; 2,000 t normal; 2,156 t full load

Dimensions: Length (overall / waterline) x beam x draught (normal/deep)
(310.00 ft / 300.00 ft) x 35.00 ft x (14.00 / 14.80 ft)
(94.49 m / 91.44 m) x 10.67 m  x (4.27 / 4.51 m)

Armament:
      6 - 3.00" / 76.2 mm 45.0 cal guns - 12.00lbs / 5.44kg shells, 450 per gun
  Quick firing guns in deck mounts, 1920 Model
  4 x Single mounts on sides, forward deck aft
4 raised mounts
  2 x Single mounts on sides, aft deck centre
2 raised mounts
      Weight of broadside 72 lbs / 33 kg
      Main Torpedoes
      9 - 18.0" / 457 mm, 16.00 ft / 4.88 m torpedoes - 0.815 t each, 7.337 t total
In 3 sets of deck mounted centre rotating tubes
      2nd Torpedoes
      27 - 18.0" / 457 mm, 16.00 ft / 4.88 m torpedoes - 0.815 t each, 22.012 t total
In 1 sets of deck mounted carriage/fixed tubes

Armour:
   - Gun armour: Face (max) Other gunhouse (avg) Barbette/hoist (max)
Main: 1.00" / 25 mm       -       -

Machinery:
Oil fired boilers, steam turbines,
Geared drive, 2 shafts, 25,400 shp / 18,948 Kw = 28.10 kts
Range 4,070nm at 14.00 kts
Bunker at max displacement = 350 tons

Complement:
149 - 194

Cost:
£0.448 million / $1.792 million

Distribution of weights at normal displacement:
Armament: 58 tons, 2.9 %
   - Guns: 15 tons, 0.8 %
   - Weapons: 42 tons, 2.1 %
Armour: 13 tons, 0.7 %
   - Armament: 13 tons, 0.7 %
Machinery: 888 tons, 44.4 %
Hull, fittings & equipment: 694 tons, 34.7 %
Fuel, ammunition & stores: 253 tons, 12.6 %
Miscellaneous weights: 95 tons, 4.8 %
   - Hull below water: 20 tons
   - Hull above water: 50 tons
   - On freeboard deck: 15 tons
   - Above deck: 10 tons

Overall survivability and seakeeping ability:
Survivability (Non-critical penetrating hits needed to sink ship):
  1,154 lbs / 523 Kg = 85.5 x 3.0 " / 76 mm shells or 0.7 torpedoes
Stability (Unstable if below 1.00): 1.19
Metacentric height 1.4 ft / 0.4 m
Roll period: 12.3 seconds
Steadiness - As gun platform (Average = 50 %): 70 %
- Recoil effect (Restricted arc if above 1.00): 0.09
Seaboat quality  (Average = 1.00): 1.03

Hull form characteristics:
Hull has a flush deck,
  a normal bow and a cruiser stern
Block coefficient (normal/deep): 0.476 / 0.486
Length to Beam Ratio: 8.57 : 1
'Natural speed' for length: 17.32 kts
Power going to wave formation at top speed: 67 %
Trim (Max stability = 0, Max steadiness = 100): 68
Bow angle (Positive = bow angles forward): 22.84 degrees
Stern overhang: 2.00 ft / 0.61 m
Freeboard (% = length of deck as a percentage of waterline length):
Fore end, Aft end
   - Forecastle: 20.00 %,  19.00 ft / 5.79 m,  16.00 ft / 4.88 m
   - Forward deck: 30.00 %,  16.00 ft / 4.88 m,  14.00 ft / 4.27 m
   - Aft deck: 30.00 %,  14.00 ft / 4.27 m,  13.00 ft / 3.96 m
   - Quarter deck: 20.00 %,  13.00 ft / 3.96 m,  13.00 ft / 3.96 m
   - Average freeboard: 14.59 ft / 4.45 m
Ship tends to be wet forward

Ship space, strength and comments:
Space - Hull below water (magazines/engines, low = better): 150.2 %
- Above water (accommodation/working, high = better): 80.6 %
Waterplane Area: 6,848 Square feet or 636 Square metres
Displacement factor (Displacement / loading): 104 %
Structure weight / hull surface area: 53 lbs/sq ft or 257 Kg/sq metre
Hull strength (Relative):
- Cross-sectional: 0.87
- Longitudinal: 3.40
- Overall: 1.00
Cramped machinery, storage, compartmentation space
Cramped accommodation and workspace room
Ship has slow, easy roll, a good, steady gun platform

[Jefgte]

Good concept & drawing but,
I think that 3" guns are too light for a cruiser.

Jef

[Carthaginian]

Well, she's only 2000t normal- so she's more  like a large destroyer than a real cruiser.

[Jefgte]

I note too that you have no protection vs Giant bird-bats.
Add some 1" machine guns & protect all your artillery in light close mount.
Giant bird-bats live probably on unexplored islands...

[Carthaginian]

I note too that you have no protection vs Giant bird-bats.
Add some 1" machine guns & protect all your artillery in light close mount.
Giant bird-bats live probably on unexplored islands...

They will be added- but I got to find a place for them first!
Things are getting tight on this little girl.
I could probably put a a pair under the open bridge and two pair on the fantail.

[Carthaginian]

I'll just set this down here... nothing to see, move along.

[Jefgte]

Simple & Effective.
What are the principal characs of this nice BB ?


Jef

[Carthaginian]

She's a light battleship: 8x12", 10x5", 4x3", 10x1". Speed is moderate- 26 knots- and armor protection is as well- 10" main belt; she's faster than a real battleship, but slower than a cruiser. I was thinking about the 2nd-rate dreadnoughts of smaller powers like Spain when I designed her.

[Jefgte]

Useful to screen a 21kts BBs line & economical for a BC job.

Exellent

Jef

[Carthaginian]

The smallest thing I have ever made work in Springsharp.
Based on a historic Soviet river patrol boat.

Motor Gunboat, laid down 1920

Displacement:
   2 t light; 3 t standard; 3 t normal; 3 t full load

Dimensions: Length (overall / waterline) x beam x draught (normal/deep)
   (25.00 ft / 25.00 ft) x 5.00 ft x (1.50 / 1.54 ft)
   (7.62 m / 7.62 m) x 1.52 m  x (0.46 / 0.47 m)

Armament:
      1 - 1.00" / 25.4 mm 60.0 cal gun - 0.51lbs / 0.23kg shells, 1,400 per gun
     Machine gun in deck mount, 1920 Model
     1 x Single mount on centreline, aft deck forward
      Weight of broadside 1 lbs / 0 kg

Machinery:
   Diesel Internal combustion motors,
   Direct drive, 1 shaft, 25 shp / 19 Kw = 10.05 kts
   Range 100nm at 10.05 kts
   Bunker at max displacement = 0 tons

Complement:
   0 - 1

Cost:
   £0.001 million / $0.003 million

Distribution of weights at normal displacement:
   Armament: 0 tons, 5.5 %
      - Guns: 0 tons, 5.5 %
   Machinery: 1 tons, 29.6 %
   Hull, fittings & equipment: 1 tons, 45.8 %
   Fuel, ammunition & stores: 1 tons, 19.1 %
   Miscellaneous weights: 0 tons, 0.0 %

Overall survivability and seakeeping ability:
   Survivability (Non-critical penetrating hits needed to sink ship):
     3 lbs / 1 Kg = 6.4 x 1.0 " / 25 mm shells or 0.0 torpedoes
   Stability (Unstable if below 1.00): 1.09
   Metacentric height 0.1 ft / 0.0 m
   Roll period: 8.1 seconds
   Steadiness   - As gun platform (Average = 50 %): 50 %
         - Recoil effect (Restricted arc if above 1.00): 0.25
   Seaboat quality  (Average = 1.00): 0.83

Hull form characteristics:
   Hull has a flush deck,
     a normal bow and a cruiser stern
   Block coefficient (normal/deep): 0.550 / 0.553
   Length to Beam Ratio: 5.00 : 1
   'Natural speed' for length: 5.00 kts
   Power going to wave formation at top speed: 80 %
   Trim (Max stability = 0, Max steadiness = 100): 60
   Bow angle (Positive = bow angles forward): 0.00 degrees
   Stern overhang: 0.00 ft / 0.00 m
   Freeboard (% = length of deck as a percentage of waterline length):
            Fore end,    Aft end
      - Forecastle:   25.00 %,  3.50 ft / 1.07 m,  3.25 ft / 0.99 m
      - Forward deck:   30.00 %,  3.25 ft / 0.99 m,  3.00 ft / 0.91 m
      - Aft deck:   30.00 %,  3.00 ft / 0.91 m,  3.00 ft / 0.91 m
      - Quarter deck:   15.00 %,  3.00 ft / 0.91 m,  3.00 ft / 0.91 m
      - Average freeboard:      3.13 ft / 0.95 m
   Ship tends to be wet forward

Ship space, strength and comments:
   Space   - Hull below water (magazines/engines, low = better): 129.5 %
      - Above water (accommodation/working, high = better): Infinity
   Waterplane Area: 85 Square feet or 8 Square metres
   Displacement factor (Displacement / loading): 123 %
   Structure weight / hull surface area: 6 lbs/sq ft or 31 Kg/sq metre
   Hull strength (Relative):
      - Cross-sectional: 0.67
      - Longitudinal: 34.80
      - Overall: 1.00
   Cramped machinery, storage, compartmentation space
   Excellent accommodation and workspace room
   Poor seaboat, wet and uncomfortable, reduced performance in heavy weather

[Jefgte]

IMO, too small, really too small.

Plesiosaures could take this small craft for lunch...


Jef  ;)

[eltf177]

The smallest thing I have ever made work in Springsharp.

Complement:
   0 - 1

Even with one crew he's going to be very busy...

[Carthaginian]

The smallest thing I have ever made work in Springsharp.

Complement:
   0 - 1

Even with one crew he's going to be very busy...

eltf177:
Yeah- I think that the boats the Sovs built actually had a crew of 3. You're right that a single crewman would have his hands full if he needed to act under fire; though one man could certainly handle this boat- I've handled a 25-footer alone before, and it's not really that hard... till you have to tie off alone in a swift channel.

Jef
NO DOUBT! That's why she's built to stay in rivers and sheltered waters where anti-wildlife nets would prevent the bigger and badder of the local life forms from ripping her to shreds!

[eltf177]

Yeah- I think that the boats the Sovs built actually had a crew of 3. You're right that a single crewman would have his hands full if he needed to act under fire; though one man could certainly handle this boat- I've handled a 25-footer alone before, and it's not really that hard... till you have to tie off alone in a swift channel.

I've no doubt one man could handle it, but not drive the boat and fire the gun at the same time. A gunner is an absolute must.