March 7, Caliphate of Cairo, Port SudanThe 4 modern freighters, leased from Agrival Shipping line by the governement of the Caliphate left the port in the early morning.
snippets from the newpapers.
Quote" At last, after the 4 years of dissent, our Caliphs and the new rulers of Firenj have agreed on the reunion of 300 families.
It is not right for the worldly rulers to keep married men and women from each other just because the situation was not adressed in the sharia, nor in the holiest of Books, the Koran.
The patriarchs of those families, officers of the caliphate army, now officers in the Firenj army have petitioned time on time to be reunited with their families. And only a few have opted for a return to the Caliphate. As Emperor Thrawn inspires loyalty ,what the former caliph couldn't"
Quote"The preparing of the chests ,chisseled and ornamented was a sight to behold. Every pallet secured by the best ropes. The army elite guards on allert. We couldn't take pictures. What is in those chest that fill the hold of the SS Dali. If the rumors are right, wealth.
The wealth being robbed from the Caliphate by the leaving traitors. Why take worldly possesions to hell?"
March 10th, 'Tortugas Island'
"Captain! This just came in. Four Caliphate freighters loaded with gold are coming our way!"
Captain Sparrow turned from the quarterdeck as the messenger came running in.
"Most interesting, set sail men we have a convoy to catch!"
A nfew minutes later a sleek black sailing ship silently glided from the harbor, at its mast was a French flag, the Black Pearl was on the prowl...
Paris march 9th
Premier, it's confirmed. The Caliphate has opened the conclusion of the talks.
Thank you agent orange. What are the results?
The Caliphate wants Firenj back as an ally, now they have seen that the genius of Thrawn can't be taken with force.
The feeble tries from the outside to recrute the Caliphate have failed. That surprises me.
Any problems you anticipate?
Not directly. But what is the wish of France?
France wishes a Caliphate that doesn't claim the Suez Canal, and a Firenj that is strong enough to occupy a part of the NS fleet.
Then I advice the sending of an escort. The waters were the convoy will be are heavely contested. And the NS has powerfull groups there.
March 11th, War Operations Room
"I don't like this. It looks too suspicious."
"What do you mean?"
"It smells fishy. The Caliph doesn't send such a high value target so openly, and they certainly don't broadcast it. Here you can't send a cat without the whole world knowing but there secrecy reigns. It just looks to...weak."
"Hmm what can we do? Captain Sparrow has already sailed."
"Good question, what units do we have in the area?"
"The Special Cruiser Manta is scheduled to arrive in Tortugas later this week. Alliance and Constitution where to deploy there but not untill the fall."
"How about the New Amsterdam squadron?"
"They are all at port, can probably sail by tommorow."
"That's Sydney a Tuna and three Cods right? Ok this is what we are going to do..."
March 9th Tricomalee Fleet base
Orders from Paris, Admiral.
Yes ensign?
Dispatch 2nd scout group. Shadowing valuable cargoships from the Caliphate to Firenj. Coordinates xxxx xxxx, eta xx xx xxxx xx xx
The fun begins, ah it is nice to read things and know that I don't hae to think of an In game response.
I don't need an in-game response either, but that's a function of geography in my case.
It'll be interesting to see how this shapes out. Are New Switzerland and Firanj being in a formal state of war?
QuoteThe two mothers watched the playing children with some concern. They could swim, inchAllah, but this ocean was vast. It wouldn't do to loose a little one to its watery embrace and one of them admonished her oldest son to keep his brothers and sisters away from the sideboard. They sat in the companiable silence that 10 years of marriage had developed, each wrapped up in her cloak and her own thoughts but they were both thinking the same thing. Close to 5 years had they not seen their husband and what house had he prepared them they didn't know. But know they did that their lives would never be the same again and that maybe -maybe ! inchAllah !!- riches would await them who had toiled so hard in the land where they were born and who dreamt of a better life for their children.
The sailors circumvented the children, many a one smiling benignly as he watched the tykes at play, and went about their work. The next-to-eldest boy Al-Habib had developed an interest in their doings, and a grizzled sailor had taken to teach the 9-year-old the odd bit of sea-lore whenever he could. Now he was pointing at the companions of the ship: "Ye see lad, there is 4 of us. We like to travel in group for numbers mean safety. See how we keep our distance though, as to give all of us enough leeway to manouver when needed."
"What would make it needed Abu Chalid ?"
"Bad weather. Or the presence of bad people."
"Why bad people ?"
"People as would like to steal what is in our ships my boy."
The youngster blanced, "Not my mothers !"
But the old man shook his head: "Your mothers would be the least on their list. Oh, I wouldn't say they wouldn't fetch a nice price on a slave-market, and you and yer siblings as well, but it is the cargo we carry that is valuable to them. Cargo won't speak me-boy, cargo can't tell they've been taken."
He smiled at the boy's anxious face. "But that won't likely happen. This be a big ocean, and there be four of us. Our Silver Cloud is the fastest and can outrun many a pirate, who would prefer to take the slower ones. That is why you and your families are on this vessel and not on the others. Naaah, you be safe young Ali. This be a biiig ocean and we but small tiny vessels in it. Hard pressed any pirate would be to find us if he was looking at all." He leaned closer to the boy and whispered: "There might be others coming soon, to make our numbers bigger, strangers though but we can trust them. In the next port we call we may be approached by them. And they may have guns to protect us too. You and yours will be safe enough 'till you reach Firenj."
"But how can you trust those others ? They are kafr are they not ?"
"Money buys a kafr's loyalty where the True Faith would guarantee that of a Muslem, " the old sailor grinned, "and I'm not altogether sure that the god they worship wouldn't be the face stamped on a coin."
with thanks to Phoenix
No real in-game response from the Netherlands either, but when the commander of the Nederlands-Indië naval squadrons learns about these event, he will increase the amounts of patrols into the Indian ocean, as well as increased vigilance after suspected pirates in the Indonesian straits (as well as the straits between Indonesia and Firenj).
Somewhere of Java
The Prince of Wales silently surveyed his fleet. His own flagship Sydney, the cruisers Tarpon, Hake, Balao, and Perch, the light cruiser Scycilia, and five Fritz class destroyers, all in all a nice powerful fleet. However intelligence had picked up the possibility of French intervention, and the French had some powerful ships available, among them some of their newer cruisers. If he was going to be able to pull of his mission he was going to need a good plan. Something unconventional could do the trick. A smile spread across his face as a plan came to mind.
"Luitenant how are the destroyers fixed for coal?"
"Sir they can reach Keeling Isl without a problem and two colliers are supposed to be waiting for us there."
"Very well, get me the Captain."
"Aye aye, Sir."
A few minutes later the fleet turned a few points south, a course that would take them out of regular shipping lanes, allow them to mantain optimum cruising speed...
Meanwhile - In the Chimara Palace.
"My lord, intelligence reports a large Swiss naval force has left their local holding and has headed off to the northwest."
"How large of a force?"
"Four protected cruisers, one light cruiser, one large protected cruiser, and reportedly five destroyers".
"Something has their interest no doubt."
"Shall we send a force to locate and destroy them?"
"No. They are many days out by now. Place the fleets on alert. Ready to dispatch Justice and Resolve for extended operations."
"Yes, my Lord."
March 12. Noon, slight overcast ,4 beaufort west wind.
On the French large cruiser Terrible.
Capitaine, we have visual contact, the 4 merchants are on scedule. 15° to port, distance 14000 yards.
Helm, change course bearing 330°, get us behind those merchants, keep distance steady according visibility.
The destroyers can rteach Keeling island without problem, but the coaliers won't arrive until a few days later - they have to leave from NS harbors due to the short notice, load up with coal, and coaler are not really known anout their high speed.
Quote from: P³D on May 03, 2007, 12:40:25 AM
The destroyers can rteach Keeling island without problem, but the coaliers won't arrive until a few days later - they have to leave from NS harbors due to the short notice, load up with coal, and coaler are not really known anout their high speed.
Well it is possible that the New Swiss would charter civilian ships from Batavia (Java), Bengkulu (Sumatra) or Cilacap (java), then the ships would have on 1/3 of the way to travell. Time equals money, but money equals time, so if they pay a civilian enogh, i think it will go very fast to get the coal to keeling. unloading it in a place without a real harbour is of course something else... ;)
Chartering a merchant on very short notice- in hours- will take 2 routes. Tramps without a job, or ships with a job. The tramps without a job won't be the best ships around, and the ships that have work won't be cheap. They have to make up for the lost client, potential fines, lost image, and lost time unloading/reloading.
And, the ports you give ,Korpen, are not in the middle of coal rich enviroments.
Quote from: maddox on May 03, 2007, 01:15:23 AM
Chartering a merchant on very short notice- in hours- will take 2 routes. Tramps without a job, or ships with a job. The tramps without a job won't be the best ships around, and the ships that have work won't be cheap. They have to make up for the lost client, potential fines, lost image, and lost time unloading/reloading.
And, the ports you give ,Korpen, are not in the middle of coal rich enviroments.
South Sumatra has major coal deposits, i keep track of my colonies (but the deposits are young, so it is not the best coal in the world). I never said it would be cheap to charter, but like i wrote, money equals time, if you pay enough it can go fast.
But that would rule out any form of secrecy of course.
I do love the way you think Korpen.
Can't wait untill those destroyers try to reach a good speed on low grade coal. The black corps in the stoke rooms will curse the frugiality of their governement.
Quote from: maddox on May 03, 2007, 06:43:49 AM
I do love the way you think Korpen.
Can't wait untill those destroyers try to reach a good speed on low grade coal. The black corps in the stoke rooms will curse the frugiality of their governement.
Yes, but that is not MY problem. :)
And considering Batavia is one of the larger cities in Asia, it is possible to get better coal there (if necessary bribe you your to the naval stock there, but that would not improve the relations with the Netherlands).
March 17 1907 on SS Dali
Captain, we have those 2 big warships on our tail again. And as before, only a glimpse was seen before they took a bit more distance. The guess is that their lookouts heve just that bit more range due the better binoculars and the higher vantage point? But why shadowing us?
First mate, I wish I knew. With our cargo, the addition of 2 escorting warships would be a good pirate deterent. If we would be traveling North American waters, I would say Captian Harlock was following us, to see if we're pirates, or if he knew about the cargo, as a lure. But alas, Agrival Lines aren't welcome in those waters atm.
That I never understood captian. What is going on?
Officialy, Our employer Agrival is being accused of being the worst criminal since Kaïn. At least by Rohan, DKB and a few others. France was a short time in the same position, but after the fall of El Dorado and the death of Premier Palpaté that changed.
Unofficialy, the rumors are that some of the merchant ships Agrival owns aren't merchants. But why he didn't send one of these with us, is another question then.
I myself can't find any fault in our employer. Our wages are among the best in the job, never got payed late. And the benefits he gives are also a good iniative to stay in his employ.
Probably jealousy of other shipping magnates then.
Must be something like that. But that doesn't change the fact we have 2 warships on our tail, ones that don't react on the signals we give, and stay just out of view. But in these waters, after us recoaling in Matara, they have to be French. They probably did recoal in the big fleet base at Tricomalee and are following us again.
But why captain?
Thats easier to guess. France is getting back on the feet after the turbulent 1905,and they want better relations with Firenj. What could result in a better relation with the Caliphate too.
What I don't understand is their reluctance to close up and sail in convoy.
*********************************************************************************
March 19 00 10 hours. On SS Silver Cloud. Bearing 135°
This is going to be fun. In a few hours we're going to cross the equator, and we have 3 pollywogs in our own ranks, and the passengers.
Hold your horses mate, the passengers are of a very strict faith, and they will not understand what's going on. We are blessed that their aren't any adult men amongs them. Because I have seen sailors being murdered because they talked to females. Or then piles of cloth you can call female.
Why do you think we have 4 nurses with us? And why these are armed?
Armed? I didn't knew that... And why? Also, good point, why 4 nurses? I know that 1 or 2 other ships have a ships doctor and a nurse. But those carry more passengers.
Its simple, you less than gifted shellback. The faith of the passengers is the Islam. And that faith mandates that females only have social interaction with females of the family unprotected by the veil,and only can appear without that veil with to their husband and sons. It is a severe crime to talk to those females as non relative, that can be punished with death for the talker and the female.
That is why we aren't allowed to come close, and why Joe was flogged.
And that is why our employer has assigned 4 guards to ensure that those females won't come in contact with us. Each of the nurses do carry a concealed gun. And are instructed to use it if one of us is trying to get to "close". Joe was very lucky to be dragged to the captain and recieving a flogging.
How do you know all this?
I'm second mate, unmarried, and called a salty dog more than once. The passengers are off limits, but Nitika is a healty woman... I just leave the rest of the stuff to your imagination, Able seaman Green. And, this stays between us. Any rumor, any insinuation and you're up for a meeting with mister Plate.
Who's mister plate?And Nikita?
Nikita is the unofficial head of the nurses. And mister plate is the brother of mister Armor. (showing his hands, what are tatoed with a patern of rivets, and kriss crossed with scars)
Oh, that Nikita. The one with the Russian accent, that very big woman with.... Oh ,man she's a head taller than you and probably 25 kg heavier.
;D Yes.
Aboard the NSS Manta, Aka Pike, Aka Van der Dekken, Aka...
"Convoy sighted Captain. Four merchants ahead with what looks like two warships behind."
"Warships? keep us as far away as possible, our orders are too shadow and avoid detection. During the night we will take a closer look."
The Cod...err Carp...err Mata class cruiser heeled away from the incoming convoy. Speed was dropped to avoid smoke, and a new flag was hoisted. She was now the Indian cruiser Akbar...
March 19 18 00
Capitaine, we have visitors bearing 50°, they turned away after being spotted.
They must have seen us, and if friendly, no reason to turn away. Helm, change course, 15° starboard, increase speed 18 kts, bring us up between the convoy and the visitors. Parallel course when we catch up. Equal speed at distance 8000 yards
Matelot, when we get confirmed visual, blink the convoy our identity.
Stop the Ritual of Crossing the Equator, we can do without those barrels of engine grease on the deck
Should there be an...altercation...the Reich might find itself in a sticky position when it comes to a diplomatic response, due to the involvement of a certain Herr Mars...
(He does complicate things sometimes doesn't he? ;D)
Should there be an incident, Rohan will have very little political interest in it since it takes place on the far side of the planet, and the parties involved are know to be adviserial towards each other. (It might take a military interest as to the results and tactics used as a learning experiance.)
March 19th 1800
"Increasing smoke Captain, I'm sure they detected us."
"Time to sunset?"
"Seven minutes."
"Distance?"
"Estimated fifteen miles."
"Very well, hard to starboard course change 180, speed fourteen knots. That shouls take us out of their path, darkness is falling soon, they will lose us then."
March 18th
Prince William finaly smiled. The latest wireless had brought good news, there would be no need for deception. The convoy was on time and the latest intelligence made his job a whole lot easier. Captain Sparrow might not like the changes but then he was just a pawn. One day out of Keeling, two to three more days to go...
IC
March 19 18 05 hours
SS Dali
First mate, the 2 warships trailing us are making more smoke, I think we'll going to learn who they are, and how friendly.
Keep an eye on them, I'll send another lookout. There must be a reason why they stop trailing us.
18 20 hours
I know those ships, holy mother, first mate, you'll want the captain on the bridge. We have been followed by the 2 huge French cruisers.
WHAT? Why? How.... Oh shit, Captain!!!!!!!!
18 22 hours.. On the bridge of SS Dali.
First mate, you interrupted my dinner. Any explanation why?
Yes captain. I think we're toast. Those 2 ships that followed , those are the 2 fast French monstercruisers Terrible en Indomptable. And I can imagine only 1 reason for that. We're as far as our trip will take us from land. And thats ideal to get our cargo.
There's something to that. Blink the others to get some distance. And be prepared to scatter. Get all the stokers ready to shovel as if their life depends on in. Something is going on, and I do not like it.
It's worse captain, our radio recieved messages, but they can't be read. And the transmitter is out, the last spare platines are gone. Our marconist believes those messages are coded. And only warships do that, and not without reason.
18 30 hours, Bridge of Terrible
Capitaine, the visitors dropped from sight. Still no confirmation of identity. But we recieved garbled marconi messages. One of the signals had good strength, but was equaly unreadable.
That rules out a normal merchant, or a simple pirate. If the strong signal comes for the visitor.
The convoy is splitting up.... Only the lead ship, identified as SS Dali is keeping speed and course.
They come into heliograph distance. Blink them.
18 40 hours, Bridge of SS Dali
Captain, we got a lightmessage from the MN cruiser Terrible. They are escorting us, and they spotted another ship that turned tail when they spotted us and the cruisers. They also ask to assemble the convoy again.
Do so. We don't want any trouble from those 2.
March 20 1907. Dawn
SS Dali
Good morning captain. How can I serve breakfast?
Steward, I could use a strong coffee, bread and salted bacon, including the gravy.
And your "lemon juice"?
Of course steward. Of course.
I have to inform you that the passengers are afraid of the 2 French battleships that joined us.
Battleships?Oh, the 2 cruisers. I must admit, I slept better since I know those two bigger mothers are around
March 20
"Captain we are sure, the two warships have joined the convoy."
"Well that complicates stuff, bring us down a couple of knots, with dawn coming we can't risk detection. Whats the ETA for the New Amsterdam squadron?"
"ETA is 0400 tommorow morning. Captain Sparrow should show up later today..."
Could this be speed up a bit?
Well waiting on Maddox but I can speed it up a little.
"D***!" Captain Sparrow wasnt happy, not only the NSN but also the French where involved and the French had brought two armored cruisers. Now he was being asked to go by the convoy on broad daylight. Well at least some heavier NSN units where coming.
March 20, 2200 hrs
The 'merchant' ship 'Mary Celeste' slowly sailed along, a group of ships had just appeared in its path.
"Captain! Ships on the horizon!"
"Whats their course does it conflict with ours?"
"Working on it...no we will pass sometime before them."
"Slow down a bit we dont want that to happen..."
March 22, Dawn
NM Terrible
Captain, multiple smokeplumes spotted. Ships on high speed, identification impossible.
Full speed, intercept course, whatever they are, they aren't needed with the convoy. Train guns as soon as possible.
March 22
"So two Terrible class cruisers, and four merchants in close formation. We should thank Captain Sparrow for his timely intelligence."
"Captain Sparrow would prefer something more tanglible."
"But thanks are cheaper."
"Smoke on the horizon Captain! Someone's in a hurry!"
"Message from Manta! Terrible class cruisers accelerating in your direction!"
"D***! Signal the fleet initiate plan, make sure Manta get's it. Break out the naval ensign. Bring us to battle stations."
Aboard the ships of the Amsterdam Fleet the blue and white civil ensign of New Switzerland rose...
OOC The ships are deployed in two lines. The Tuna leads the line closest to the convoy with the Cods in line astern. Sydney leads the second line with the destroyers in line astern. Scycilia trails behind both lines.
Aboard Manta
"Captain, signals from Sydney, initiate."
"Very well, you know what to do..."
Suddenyl a flash of light could be seen aboard Manta, the cruiser had brust into flames and thick black smoke could be seen rising from it.
"Fire in the quarterdeck!"
"D***!, Signal on the clear CQD, Indian Navy Cruiser Akbar requesting assistance CQD!"
march 22 just after dawn (5°S 90° E)
Large Protected Cruiser MN Terrible.
WTF is an Indian Cruiser doing here? And why is he running smokeless? If we didn't accelarate to investigate the plumes on the horizon, we never would have known.
Capitaine, that looks like an ACM cruiser, and the Indian Navy doesn't have those in use.
Correct, we bought their last one. Heliograph, signal an urgent request for an explanation. Train main guns, and Marconiroom, signal Indomptable to join. Try to raise Tricomalee or Touranne, investigation of a suspect cruiser.
That cruiser, couldn't that be one of the last ones of the ACM on the lose?
An Agrival one? I doubt that. I rather think an independent pirate. The Admirality was right to send us with the Caliphate convoy.
But who the other plumes are, I don't know, they seem to evade.
Capitaine, the cruiser blinked back, they claim to be the Indian cruiser Akbar, on extended patrol.
I don't believe it for a moment. But we'll have a surefire way to prove that. Invite the captain for a brunch.
Blinking capitaine.
WOW, what happened?
Methinks I am becoming confused. But that's okay, I'm just a spectator.
You have a right to be. Manta is behind the convoy away from where Terrible is heading, and she is spewing so much smoke from her 'fire' that I doubt precise recognition of the disguised warship is possible.
From East to West the situation is as follows, Swiss Fleet, intercepting French Cruisers, convoy, Manta.
Oh and Maddox the Swiss fleet is not evading...
Depends on the amount of smoke, the wind direction, and the orientation of the Manta relative to the French...
Anyway, carry on: curious to see whether this ends up FUBAR or not.
Heliograph and marconi in concert
QuoteCruiser Akbar, do you need assistance?
Cruiser Akbar, Do you need assistance?
Indomptable, secure the flank, this situation doesn't feel right. Watch the new commers. I want an identification as soon as possible, like yesterday.
Capitaine, Akbar doesn't slow down. Nor can't I see damage that corresponds to such an explosion, if it was intern.No reply over the Marconi. We do recieve other messages, but those are unreadeble. No reply over by blinker.
The newcommers are Swiss at high speed.Merde, merde merde. Would they dare? Attack us? Or the Convoy? Marconi ,try to reach Tricomalee or Touranne. At least give them an situation scetch. Blink to Indomptable, " warn off the NS, use Marconi or heliograph, divert them to the Indian Cruiser Akbar".
Sound battlestations, put us between the NS arrivals and the convoy. Flank speed.
Aboard Manta,
"All stop!"
"Sir Terible signaling! Cruiser Akbar, do you need assistance?"
"Do we look like we need assitance? Of course we need assistance. Make sure they get that, and pop of a few more star shells. Hopefully the wind will cooperate."
***
Aboard Sydney, speed 10kts
"Indomptable warning us of, there seems to be an Indian cruiser in distress somewhere around."
"Why would we care about any Indian, we have bigger game to catch, signal prepared response, go to battlestations."
QuoteIndomptable, this is the NSS Sydney, we have information that the International Master Criminal Agrival Mars is aboard one of the merchants, we have orders to stop and search the convoy and arrest him. We will proceed on our mission, do not interfere.
OOC The Tuna and Cods are still on line astern, Scycilia has joined them astern. Sydney is to one side and halfway between them, the destroyers are in line abreast next to Sydney and are not visible.
Indomptable.
Capitaine, we got an uncoded marconi from Sidney. They state that Agrival is on one of the merchants.
What a load of crock. But we'll play that game too. Reply this
Quote"Aknowledged New Swiss Cruiser Sidney. We're escorting Agrival to his trial. Thanks for the warning."
Blink Terrible. "NS flottilla is a trap"
Terrible.
Message from Capitaine Gilliard. "NS flottila is a trap". Akbar is aknowledging. They need assistance. Capitaine, Akbar shows more explosions on the aft deck. More smoke and flashes. Speed isn't dropping, nor is any damage to the hull seen.Tell Akbar that help is under way . Keep a very watchfull eye at that fake Indian cruiser. Warn me immediatly if the status changes. Any identifications on the NS flottila?
No captain, but it's a large flottila. So close to Firenj or Dutch waters.... No fucking way that's coincidence.
Blink Indomptable, "Honneur ou Mort".
People, I think we're in for a ride.
Change course, oblique angle towards the NS, train the aft main gun, and take carefull aim. The biggest one first. Hold your fire untill, if a NW sailor sneezes , it's playtime.
150nm south west of Siberut aboard the sloop HNLMS Java.
"Captain, we just received a CQD from and Indian cruiser Akbar, followed by lots of messages in both code and clear", most likely from several ships"
"So something is happening, but what? -Helm, take us towards that position, and radioman, relay those messages to the other ships, we are here to keep an eye on the sealanes, and a take a look we will"
Sydney,
"Nice comeback but a lot of BS, it takes two to tangle, signal her..."
QuoteIf I understand correctly, two French cruisers are escorting Agrival to his trial from Egypt to Australia, in four of his own ships? If that is the case we are willing to take over the escort role, but first we must check to make sure he is aboard. Thank you for your concern.
"Lets give them time to decipher that, meanwhile we proceed straight ahead. All guns loaded with white* and green shells**?"
"Aye, aye Sir!"
*Phosporous shells
**Chlorine shells
OOC I assume the convoy is proceeding ESE.
Manta is about 15,000yds WNW of it, she is stopped, listing, and spewing out a large amount of smoke.
The Fleet is heading due W at 10kts, its located about 10-15,000yds due E of the convoy. All guns are trained on the French ship. They appear to take no notice of the French warship except to reply.
Finally Captain Sparrow is about 40,000 yds due N of the Convoy doing nothing.
Korpen, from what direction is Java aproaching? It might be important.
Maddox, can you give the ranges from your cruisers to the Fleet and Manta?
Quick chart of how the NS ships are deployed:
PC/T
PC/C
FRE CC/S F F F F F
PC/C
PC/C
LC/S
Note that the Fritz class destroyers are not visible.
Java & Friends will be approching from ENE.
Plan of battle is send to the moderators. Now it's just waiting. Unless.
QuoteNew Swiss Flottilla, Do not approach the convoy. We repeat, do not approach the Firenj Convoy.
Situation on Manta, stopped, listing to port, still spewing out smoke, firefighting teams can be seen on deck. Obcenities are being spewed (inc signal lamps and flags) in the general direction of Terrible. Maddox what is the distance from her to Terrible?
***
Aboard Sydney
"Hmmm they don't want to play...very well send the following."
QuoteBy the laws of the seas we have the right to stop and search any potential pirate. Im pretty sure you wouldn't cause an International Indcident during the Hauge Treaty would you? It would look bad for France coming right after the Dover Straits...we will proceed with our mission.
"There that should touch them." Captain Williams once agained grinned. "Signal the fleet, Do not fire unless fired upon but if they mean to have a battle let it begin here."
Situation Fleet, no change, they are continuing to ignoring the French cruiser except to point the guns at it. Guns are loaded with Phosporous and Chlorine shells, however the rest of the ammo is stadard APC rounds. Maddox what is the distance from Indomptable to the Fleet?
What does that 'FRE' mean?
And are you sure about APC shells?
French, shows how my ships are positioned in relation to Indomptable.
I was just distinguishing them from the other 'special' rounds, however Sydney and the Tuna both carry APC rounds (Capped in the case of Tuna's 10" guns)
Distance between convoy and Terrible and Indomptable is 5K yards If Manta is behind the convoy, distance is much farther.
Quote"New Swiss Flottilla , do not approach the Firenj Convoy. Do Not cross the 10 K yards distance.
This convoy is under French protection.No New Swiss harrasment is tolerated."
a small , apperantly non authorised blinker gives an extra message.
Quote"Go ahead, make our day"
A non coded marconi is send at low power, but shortly after repeated with more power from another source. (Terribles marconi is damaged, and Indomptables only works sporadicaly and also on low power and is only transmitting at short range. SS Dali repeats)Quote" Firenj Convoy harrased, New Swiss Flottila is taking agressive stance. French cruisers Terrible and Indomptable under orders of Paris are defending."
QuoteHNLMS Java SS Dali we are reciving you stop heading towards your position stop
That puts my fleet about 5,000 yds from the two cruisers, right?
"Sir we are picking wireless signals from the two cruisers, they are relaying something."
"Let them, others will handle that, first lets deal with these frogs."
QuoteWe did not get your last message can you repeat?
"We play dumb, we have firepower on our side and the closer we get the better."
The Fleet continues towards the convoy at 10kts, at that rate range will be 1,000yds in 10 minutes...
OOCYes, that means 5000 yards, the range the French cruisers know they will achive a good hit rate.
Course is oblique , so the aft guns are unmasked, but the profile is still as small as possible.
IC
Terrible ,Bridge
Bastards. They really want to provoke. Fire a 140 as a warning when they pass 10500 yards. But be sure it's way off.
Repeat the warning Marconi and Heliograph . Let Indomptable repeat it too.
Quote"New Swiss Flottilla , do not approach the Firenj Convoy. Do Not cross the 10 K yards distance.
This convoy is under French protection. No New Swiss harrasment is tolerated."
Marconi, we need confirmation, could you raise Touranne or Tricomalee?
No Capitaine , but we got a faint signal that could be an answer to one of our messages. SS Dali is repeating our messages. But their transmitter is less powerfull than ours.(the marconi operator doesn't realise his or Indomptables signal is faint . Could be a damaged antenna wire, a clogged spark gap generator or even a dead cell in the battery.)
It'll be interesting to see if, in fact, Agrival is in this convoy, or if the Swiss even think he is...
Well the ships are Agrival's...
"Sir! Another ship is broadcasting!"
"Let me see...D*** the politicians are going to have some work, if any of the French try to broadcast again jam them. Now lets deal with the Frogs."
QuoteNo parlevou francei, but we speak English! BTW I heard the bounty for Agrival is pretty good, you boys want it? No wonder you dont look happy. Oh we don't make days, we finish them. You know I think I have just sighted a pirate on the horizon, aren't you supposed to be protecting the convoy?
"Nice Captain!"
"The plan is..."
"They fired!"
"Warning shot, got that on camera?"
"We did!"
"Perfect, if they fire again we shoot and shoot to kill. Everyone knows the plan? Then carry on, oh and increase speed a bit we'll need it."
Fleet is slowly increasing speed to 15 kts. The course of both groups has probably brought them to 3,000yds by now.
Manta is doing nothing but appearing to be sinking.
Smoke has appeared to the North.
Bridge of Terrible.
Capitaine
They are crossing the 5000 yards mark.... They still play the idiots they are.Wait,
Helm get us as close as possible, play chicken... lets see who flinches..... the bunch of cowardly mountaineers or the sailors of the biggest empire on earth.
Marconi, keep on repeating the warning....
Heliograph, signal the large cruiser especialy.
QuoteBack off our you'll feel hot shell, you cannot be that idioticaly to risk war with France
..
(the rest is moderators only.... will be filled in after the plans unfold)
"By God Gridley! I didn't know they had cold shells? Did you? Are we risking war with France? Hmm I wonder what Rohan will say when they find out who supports Agrival, after all we do know who sunk Bismark. It'll look bad on their resume if they fire first, but they have no choice.
They're closing us? The more the merrier. We have some loudspeakers don't we? Let's get a jolly tune up there."
Don't you just love irony? ;D Nothing better than going into battle to the tune of an Irish Folk song!
Can the data on the French ships be found anywhere?
At the moment i have no idea if the French ships are protected cruisers with 10cm guns, or battlecruisers with a bunch of 33cm guns...
The French ships are two 14000t cruisers with 2x275mm and zillion smaller guns.
Ah, yes, I remember dealing with one of them...t'was a bit of a pain.
Guess I'll hold off on further news postings of my own until we see just what you guys have ended up doing.
The unholy trio Gloire, Terrible and Indomptable were real white elephants.
Well known, and utterly laughable. No belt armor, nu upper armor, no armored ends, only a hefty deck armor, like any good protected cruiser, but build battleship sized.
Everything is sacrifised for the laughable speed of 22 kts, but the longest range in the MN 10 000 nm @10 kts- with unfouled bottoms and with good coal
Weapons are also strange. 2 single 275 turrets on ends-6" armor all over- , but the 16 140mm guns in casemates are annoying, as well the 16 70mm QF guns, also casemated. Without armor ...
The 16 47mm QF guns in deck mounts have an important role to beat of TB's...
Gloire is rusting, still heavy damaged, in Touranne (original on Tahiti, but alas, that is disappeared, so therefor the change to Touranne)
This damage was caused by the tenacious Gran Colombian cruisers protecting the convoy with "alternative" Darien Canal workers from the MK.
No funding was freed for the repair of Gloire as the time of troubles approached...
Somewhat unconventional, to be sure, but from the perspective of the two protected cruisers facing Gloire, a white elephant is still an elephant.
Interestingly this will probably be the 'Last Battle of the Large Protected Cruisers'! Sydney is herself a large protected cruiser.
Bridge of Sidney
"Sir! Form Tarpon! Torpedoes sighted!"
"Damn the French! Skip formalities give it to them!"
BOOM, BOOM
"Sir Tarpon..oh my God! They got Marlin!"
Two columns of water could be seen rising from the sides of both ships.
From the five Swiss ships came return fire in the form of chemical shells.
"Hit Sir! They are hitting back! They have also launched torpedoes!"
"Takes us around Tarpon and Marlin I want to get into firing position. Radio home have been attacked by French units, T & M damaged, am attacking."
"Aye, aye Sir!"
WANNG
"Damage control!"
"Nothing maj..."
KAWAMM
Commander William slowly picked himself up from the wrekage of the bridge. The Captain was dead and most of his staff was wounded, the pilot was slumped over the wheel. By some miracle he, himself was uninjured.
"Sailor! Get over here take the wheel and follow directions, leave the pilot you can't help him. This is the Admiral I have the conn."
WANGG
"Damn! We got hit by a torpedo."
"Sir! Look!"
From Terrible rose four stacks of water, the torpedoes had arrived! But that was not all, two more struck Indomitable! For hundreds of Swiss sailors there was but one thought 'Rache'...
"Damage control!"
"Sir! Engine and boiler room flooding, we are working on repairing the damage."
"Very well. Signal Balao keep on the chase, sink them all! Signal Fritz, come along. Luitenant the ship is yours, I continue the chase."
"Give them hell commander!... Oh my God, Scycilia has disintegrated!"
.
.
.
Damage control continued the fight for Sydney. However for now the water was winning. Indomatable and Terible both where sinking. Marlin had sunk, and Tarpon was still fighting.
Bridge of Fritz
"Signal Balao, have command, target is now convoy, let not one escape, signal Manta resume chase. Signal Captain Sparrow, plenty of rum, interested? Signal three destroyers, pick up survivors, Swiss first, French second.
Captain straight ahead we have a convoy to catch."
Sydney would sink later that day but for now there was a new target...four unescorted transports. The battle had been costly but it had been won!
OOC
Terrible (sunk, torpedoes)
Indomptable (sunk, torpedoes)
NSS Sydney (flag,sunk, torpedoes)
NSS Tarpon (sunk, torpedoes)
NSS Marlin (sunk, torpedoes)
NSS Scycilia, (sunk, gunfire)
NSS Perch (75% damage, engine damaged, gunfire)
NSS Balao
5x Fritz class
March 22 8 30 am
SS Dali ,Bridge. The crew still in shock. The unofficial French escorts raced by, challenged a complete battlefleet to protect them and got obliterated for the trouble. A fierce sea battle and a lot of explosions later.
(Desertfox's report is accurate from the NS point of view)The captain, regaining his wits when he sees destroyers swing their bows purposly towards his small convoy of 3 ships.
Damn Joe, his insistence of helping the burning Indian cruiser.Oh well, it's done for, the New Swiss won't be friendly after the bloody nose and balls they got from the French. Get the passengers to their cabins and be ready for the worst. We can't run and we assurdely can't fight.
Marconi, send this
Quote" CQD CQD Merchant convoy harrased stop
New Swiss warships stop
French escorts destroyed coordinates 5°01" S 90°E"
The bridge of SS Silver Cloud (picking up speed towards Akbar)
First mate peering trought a telescope
Captain, the fire on Akbar is being extinguished. I can't see more damage than scorched deck planks on the poop deck And I swear I see New Swiss uniforms on the bridge. They are observing us.Oh Shit.... Warn Dali, are we in signaling range.
No captain, smoke from the battle is still obscuring view.I warned we needed a stronger marconi. But no, it was to expensive that large set like Dali carries "why would you need a strong transmitter? Dali has one, and it's not the idea that you lose sight of each other. A small set will do, and be glad you get a transmitter or reciever. 80% of the ships on sea don't have any " Danm cheapscate of a shipping agent. Beancounter...
Quote from: Desertfox on May 17, 2007, 08:09:49 PM
Terrible (sunk, torpedoes)
Indomptable (sunk, torpedoes)
NSS Sydney (flag,sunk, torpedoes)
NSS Tarpon (sunk, torpedoes)
NSS Marlin (sunk, torpedoes)
NSS Scycilia, (sunk, gunfire)
NSS Perch (75% damage, engine damaged, gunfire)
NSS Balao
5x Fritz class
This is the reason why you should turn away when you are in torpedoe range, then you will not be hit! :)
(as the chance that a torpedo of this era will detonate when striking a target at under 40 degrees is almost zero.)
All these details depend on the simulation. Now I have some better idea how to consider some of the issues mentioned.
Quote from: P³D on May 18, 2007, 04:27:58 AM
All these details depend on the simulation. Now I have some better idea how to consider some of the issues mentioned.
While i doubt it would meet our needs, it might give some ideas.
Pre-Dreadnought naval warfare:
http://www.wtj.com/games/battlefleet_1900/
But you maybe already have seen it?
My main mistake was not giving fixed underwater torpedo tubes enough respect, or maybe Im right and the French just got extremly lucky. Round #1 Four shots, four hits, half my line gone. Round #2 Tubes loaded in one minute, four shots, one hit, extremly lucky hit on Sydney, hitting on the boundary of boiler and engine rooms flooding both. Round #3 Scycilia, one shot, one hit, one kill.
The French launched 8 torpedoes for 5 hits. 63% hit rate.
I launched 22 Torpedoes for 8 hits. 36% hit rate.
Aboard Manta,
"Jamm that signal!"
"Signal jammed sir!"
"Very well, we have a convoy to catch. Signal them to stop to be searched."
OOC Manta is approaching from the rear (W). Balao and two destroyers from the front (E). Captain Sparrow has come into visual range and is approaching from the North. The three remaining destroyers are picking up survivors and assisting Perch.
Quote from: Desertfox on May 18, 2007, 08:26:13 AM
My main mistake was not giving fixed underwater torpedo tubes enough respect, or maybe Im right and the French just got extremly lucky. Round #1 Four shots, four hits, half my line gone. Round #2 Tubes loaded in one minute, four shots, one hit, extremly lucky hit on Sydney, hitting on the boundary of boiler and engine rooms flooding both. Round #3 Scycilia, one shot, one hit, one kill.
The French launched 8 torpedoes for 5 hits. 63% hit rate.
I launched 22 Torpedoes for 8 hits. 36% hit rate.
Both of those hit percentages seems to come more from a target shoot then a fight.
Heck, 63% is a good score in a pure trial shoot.
Ask P3D not me. Heck the French got a 100% hit rate with their first salvo! That's with fixed underwater torpedo tubes.
At a range of barely half a mile, against a line of non-manuevering targets, I don't see why the French couldn't achieve a good hit rate.
Unless the convoy has some means to prevent the Swiss from doing whatever they want, can I suggest you guys pick up the pace? The rest of us are stuck in H2 limbo until we know what exactly is going on in H1 between France and NS.
SS Dali .
Captain, the Swiss signal to stop.
All stop!
We can't run, nor can't we fight. Signal the others to do so too.
On board Dali
"Captain these papers are not in order, also your cargo is most peculiar in nature, Im sorry but you will have to go with us to a safe place where we can do a thorough investigation. Our crewmen will take over, Thank You."
The convoy now under Swiss control split in two. Balao and two destroyers took two of the ships. Manta and the three remaining destroyers took the other two. Captain Sparrow left soon after with a chest of gold aboard. He headed East on a mission. The other ships headed west towards 'Tortugas'...
So Where are the French sailors?
Those that choose to surrender (mostly wounded ones) are aboard my ships. Those that didn't are still floating around, open prey for sharks...where they end up depends on the currents. A current E will take them to the DEI, to the W they will never be seen again.
The French. Most of the wounded are taken on board of the NS ships, but the unwounded or tough ones declined and are now lashing together wreckage and a few liferafts to get out of the water. One damaged boat from Terrible is the core for this pitifull attempt of independence.
But, the problems only start now. The Merchants crews aren't resisting, but the passengers are something else.
We have a lot of Muslim females on board, together with sons between 5 and 17.... who have know nothing else than the honor of moms and sisters.
I believe some of the others on the board can give descriptions of the manure hitting the ventilators when a search is conducted on these ships. Carthaganian for example, who has first hand experience...
Oh I forgot something, Perch is heavily damaged. Only one destroyer is with Manta, the other two are assisting Perch, which is headed East towards Keeling.
Quote from: Desertfox on May 18, 2007, 05:51:49 PM
On board Dali
"Captain these papers are not in order, also your cargo is most peculiar in nature, Im sorry but you will have to go with us to a safe place where we can do a thorough investigation. Our crewmen will take over, Thank You."
[cynic mode on]
After your conduct so splendidly demonstrated I agree my papers aren't in order.
Those don't carry the stamp of bribes to New Swiss officers.
And the cargo. The manifest does show what it is. My holds are filled with gold. Nice prize of war isn't it? Why do you think the French were escorting us with 2
Glorious cruisers. Because out of generosity?
Or do you refer to the passengers? There are no combatants between them, just children and women. And their papers are in order , at least for every law abiding official. Oh well, I'll coorperate fully. On 1 condition. You and your men stay away from the passengers. If you or your men harras the passengers you'll have to stoke the boilers yourself.
QuoteThe convoy now under Swiss control split in two. Balao and two destroyers took two of the ships. Manta and the three remaining destroyers took the other two. Captain Sparrow left soon after with a chest of gold aboard. He headed East on a mission. The other ships headed west towards 'Tortugas'...
OOC
Thank you for this beaut of information....
Perch won't make a good speed at all , she's nothing more than a wreck staying afloat. Maybe towing her fast enough could speed up the whole action?
Sometime around 18 HMNLS Java arrives at the scean of action, starts to pick up any survivors found.
After a day in the hot equatorial sun, fending off sharks from makeshift rafts , several men unfortunatly didn't make it. But 202 of over a 1500 men from the 2 large cruisers can be picked up. Some severely delirious from deshydration and sunstroke.
According to the head count another 187 are taken on board of the New Swiss destroyers.
On the Dutch warship Zeven Provinciën.
QuoteThe relais of machinist first class Orlean.
After the water came gushing in the forward engine room we went up, soon after that the order to abandon ship came. When we went to the weatherdeck, , fire and obnoxious smoke everywere, most boats were destro-yed, but we started to cut lose liferafts and started trowing over life preservers. In the mean while the shells still were raining down on us. But one of the boats, on the port side did look good enough, so that went over board too. The Captain, still at the auxilery steering didn't want to leave the ship, but a particulary lucky hit from a New Swiss 4" shell knocked him out. We took him with us to the boat and kept him in the middle of us.
After the battle New Swiss ships and and started picking up New Swiss marked life rafts and boats. After a while one of the destroyers came along and ordered us to board. We transfered the worst wounded. Figuring out that we could avoid captivity by rowing to the cruiser Akbar, who wasn't burning anymore and was accompanied by the merchant SS Silver Cloud.
But , surprisingly, the Indian Cruiser just joined the New Swiss and to top it off, the pirate ship Black Pearl joined them too. After a short time, Black Pearl went of East at a fair speed. Akbar ,obviously not an Indian navy ship got company from New Swiss destroyers and went of with 2 merchants. The other remaining cruiser joined with 3 destroyers and went off too with 2 merchants.
The damaged cruiser Perch was last seen wallowing and still smoking trying to stay afloat, but then distance made it impossible to see more.
After that, we were all alone in the harsh sea, baking in the sun, some of us without much clothing to protect them from the piercing rays.
I look forward to public announcements the rest of us can respond to...
23 macht 0100
On Zeven Proviniciën
Admiral , I demand that France is being informed about the New Swiss piracy. The Caliphate of Caïro and Firenj too.
Sorry Captain, but that's not possible at the moment. We're keeping radio silence, and you know why.
We'll be soon enough at the fleet base, and there you'll get communication with France.
March 23 0100H
SS Silver Cloud, passenger cabins
Ali, we must keep those heathens away from mom.
It was bad enough this afternoon when they searched our cabins. Good that nurse Angelica could arrange that mom and aunt Fatima weren't in the cabin when they trew around the clothing.
Mustapha, we're no warriors. What can we do against those heathens?
We are in the hands of Allah, and we must do what is in the book. But I have a plan. Remember what Abu Chalid told us when it came to distress. Then signal rockets are fired, to get the attention of the ships all around. We're in distress, so it is our duty to fire the signal rockets.
Were are those rockets? Ah, in the lockers on the lifeboats. But the heathens walk on the decks and we aren't allowed outside.
It is dark and the lights outside aren't on. The heathens don't want to be seen, another reason to fire those rockets. We can try to sneak to the lifeboats. Just like home when we sneaked to the haman....
(OOC, Ali is 11 and Mustapha 13)
Flash Flash
Bammm Bammm
Strangely the Swiss ignore the incident...apperantly taking it as children playing around with toys...but signal rockets mysteriously dissapeare from the other lifeboats.
OOC I hope the distress rockets aren't seen by others..... It's not that the area is untraveled.
HMNLS Flandern, Somewhere in the Indian ocean
"Admiral, we got visual"
Admiral Snijders: "Distance?"
"Around 200hm"
"Very well, they most likley will spot out smoke any moment, if they have not already done so, captain, full speed ahead, and order the other ships to follow suit. We will keep the AFs at a distance and not close to below 90hm, but order the sloops to close and deliver our message"
"Very well sir!"
Ahoj!
Coal could come from:
- Nverse "Australia"
- diverted coaliers
- Tonkin
- New Zealand
- it is possible that Catanduanes is producing enough coal for export, I have been developing those mines for 3 years (and the seams reach the surface)
Borys