UltraVires

These are the Voyages.... Yeah, I know it's not Kirk.... but still... I guess that's always been one of my favorite things about Star Trek, it would work as a show, if the Enterprise was a Starship, or a Sailing Frigate... Anyway, now that I've High-Jacked the thread for my Nerdiness... continue with your posts everyone.. And more on-topic... I think you have something there Destraex, about the "play Style" of the US ships. I was thinking in terms of big Trafalgar type battles, but as others have said... we still don't know how Nation Vs. Nation fights are going to happen. It could be interesting to leave the US fleet historically accurate... I'll have to think about it some more...

I forgot there was an HMS America lol! I think it was even based on the French designed America... which was based on the American built one... (I think- sailing ships are confusing ) Yes, I was thinking of the Long guns... but as you say, most ships could mount those. It's late where I am. And I understand why you would feel that way, your right that the US never really had any SOL's, some were started during the War of 1812, but they weren't finished until many years later, the "America" did at least get built, and saw action. I guess I made it mostly as a suggestion for later, when the Open World comes out. I know it's been suggested that if the US has the same types of ships as the other Nations, that when the Open World comes out, that's all we'll see. On the opposite side of that view, I'm afraid that if the heaviest US ship is a Frigate, that when the Open World does come out, you won't see many US ship's at all; everyone well be going for the Victory or Santisima, the "best" ships (I think that will eventually happen no matter what, given the nature of online games). I thought the "America" was a good compromise between those points of view. It would give the Americans 1 type of heavy warship, while still leaving them inferior to the British, French etc. I suppose I'm just thinking about it from a game-play perspective. From a purely Historic standpoint, your right... the US should not get any Ships of the Line. But I can dream can't I??? I admit, I'm an American... so I might be a little biased...

Well, after seeing the Bon Homme Richard, and that Dutch ship, I'm almost tempted not to post anything, and hope one of those makes it in... but since I just posted earlier on a thread about possible American Ships of the Line, I had the research already at hand... USS (later French) America- 74 guns. The first Ship of the Line built in the United States- commissioned in 1784, and the only one built during the Revolutionary War. She was given to France by the US as a gift to replace the French ship Magnifique, lost in Boston Harbor. Not to be confused with the later French ship America, (built as a replacement) which was of the Temeraire class. USS America 74 Guns- 626 Souls; 20 Long 18 Pounders 32 Long 12 Pounders 12 Long 9 Pounders Length: 182'6" (U.S. Feet) Beam: 50'6" Depth of Hold: 23' Displacement: 1,982 US Tons. Laid Down in May, 1777 Commissioned 5 November, 1782. This is the best picture I could find of the completed ship. This is the Drought plan of the ship. This is the Sail Plan. Special thanks to this Website- http://www.battlecruisers.org/solamerica.html As launched, she was armed with a battery of 18 pound guns, while most other comparable British and French ships had 20-30 pound main batteries. She would not have the "punch" of other warships her size up close, but would have a faster firing rate, and longer range. More than a match for anything smaller than a 3rd Rate, but not really able to handle anything heavier. It comes pre-balanced for the game...

Thanks for sharing those model pics Al, that's a neat and interesting little bit of history that I'm glad someone has preserved! It's also cool that your sharing it with the Navy, instead of keeping it in storage, or on a shelf where no one knows it exists. Are they taking measurements so other models can be made (for Museums and so forth)? On the subject at hand... Once the open world comes out... I do think it would be a little unfair to limit the players who want to play as the US to only Frigates. Previous posters have brought up valid points about there never being many US SOL's in real life (even later, after the Napoleonic period), and about being afraid that when the open world does come, there are going to be nothing but American ships, unless the other countries have distinct advantages over them (as in History). I can sympathize with this view, as I'm kind of afraid there will be nothing but British ships... However, if the US doesn't have anything heavier than a Frigate, I don't think many people would play them at all (I would, but I'm planning on playing as the US regardless- I like the ships paint scheme better ). They would be like the Japanese in War Thunder... They have fewer types of aircraft etc. available than the other Nations, and as a result get played less. Is it Historically Accurate? Yes. Is it fun? No. I would like playing as the US to be a viable option from the stand point of game-play, but I do agree that the other Nations should have an advantage over the US to better represent the actual balance of Naval power at the time. How about a compromise? Let's say that the heaviest ship the US has access to is a 3rd Rate 74- a two-decker. Like say the "America", built in Boston as a 74, and given to France in 1784. I don't know if blueprints are available for that particular ship, but there are others that could be used. Joshua Humphrey's made a design for a US 74, as mentioned in a earlier post. It would be a "paper" ship, but at least it would give US players the chance to compete with the other nations at higher levels, while still giving the other Nations and advantage. That's just my two cents anyway... Have a nice day all!