In port...
I'd like it like Captains desk in his coach cabin at the back of the ship surrounded by ledgers and books, like a background...
Remember Rail Road tycoon with ledgers and books...But with more of a Naval Captains desk etc.
Everything was written in ledgers back then, so some nice "font's" and a nice style would make a nice tone to the game, very in keeping.
Font's like this...
Maybe 5 or 6 back ground interiors, so one for cutters and sloops etc (small and spartan), getting progressively grander until you get like a Victory sized Cabin!
Victory,,,
Smaller ships.
Simple icons with an elegant Font, would work.