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The following 3D model of the Gunboat Philadelphia can be viewed here http://3d.si.edu/explorer?modelid=47  at the new Smithsonian X3D website http://3d.si.edu/browser

 

You may have to update your browser (Internet Explorer 6 won't cut it... :P ) and perhaps download a browser plugin to be able to view, manipulate, zoom in, change lighting, etc. but it is worthwhile to poke around this boat and some of the other Smithsonian virtual "charter collections" being made available.  They are all composed of real museum objects laser scanned, some textured.  Updates and improvements happen sporadically, the gunboat wasn't there not so long ago...

 

Most 3D models can be downloaded and I believe used without restrictions.  The Tlingit Killer Whale hat http://3d.si.edu/explorer?modelid=392 has cultural-use restrictions, it came out of my office.

 

I do not know anything about this gunboat (edit: but see below), though am sure there is a wiki page, and some of you history buffs likely know more. 

I can't believe a boat like that could handle the recoil of those side guns; the bow gun sure, but...

 

Gunboat%20Philadelphia%20X3D_zpsf1ukgols

 

Shortly after the American Revolution began, American forces in Lake Champlain, located between New York and Vermont, began capturing British strongholds in Canada. The British were determined to isolate New England from the middle and southern colonies by advancing down Lake Champlain-Hudson River corridor. To accomplish their mission, the British gathered a fleet at the head of the lake. It was essential for the British to reach and recapture Fort Ticonderoga at the southern end of the lake before winter conditions made military operations impossible.

 

In order to have any hope of defending the lake from the British, the Americans had to expand their tiny navy. American General Benedict Arnold built a fleet consisting of eight gondolas and four galleys in the summer of 1776 to resist.  The gondolas, or flat-bottomed rowing boat with sails, were designed and constructed as simple gun platforms. Armed with three cannon and eight swivel guns, Philadelphia was one of them.

 

Lake%20Champlain%20map.jpg

Edited by SYN_Bloody-Bandy
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Well, not so sure how sea-worthy it was.  Wouldn't want to be in it on the storm map let's say... :D 

 

I wasn't posting for inclusion in game but I suppose it could be used by the AI as auxiliary harbour protection.  Certainly should be relatively affordable for aspiring players wishing to protect their land assets while away.  Imagine swarms of these little boats, all difficult to hit as they bob about, spamming you with chain and grape...

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I don't really believe it would be a good idea to shoot a side facing cannon mounted as shown in the OP. I thought cannons in small boats where invariably solidly attached to the hull/deck and front facing.

I can only imagine a vessel like this would capsize by the recoil of the cannon.

But, maybe there is good facts backing up the image?

~Brigand

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I don't know, apparently it actually sailed like this.  53ft Long, 15ft Beam according to Wiki; 9 pounder on the side and 12 pounder on the front.  According to the Smithsonian it had a crew of 44...I would just like to know how they all fit on it.

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...  But, maybe there is good facts backing up the image?

~Brigand

 

Well, I think the "facts", or shall we say proof are in the original:

http://americanhistory.si.edu/exhibitions/gunboat-philadelphia

http://www.smithsonianlegacies.si.edu/objectdescription.cfm?ID=187

 

I don't work at American History, but I could walk a block and ask any questions you may have.

 

9 pounders on the side, and a 12 on the front!  My my, I think the devs are short changing us in the small ship category.  :D

 

philadelphia_b.jpg

Edited by SYN_Bloody-Bandy
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Well, I think the "facts", or shall we say proof are in the original.  http://americanhistory.si.edu/exhibitions/gunboat-philadelphia

I don't work at American History, but I could walk a block and ask any questions you may have.

 

9 pounders on the side, and a 12 on the front!  My my, I think the devs are short changing us in the small ships we've got.  :D

 

philadelphia_b.jpg

We could add them as decorations around ports ;) You would not survive for long on the open ocean in that thing. 

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Yeah, the details of this boat are unusually well-documented, since they simply raised her from the bottom of the lake with all her original guns in place, complete with the 24-pound ball that sank her!

 

You can walk right up to the Smithsonian exhibit and look at the shot-hole in the bow.

 

Anyways, as this is a gunboat, she was not expected to do any independent or long-range seafaring. Gunboats would operate as part of a flotilla, and were dependent on sheltered bases. Just because you can stick a 32-pounder on a gunboat doesn't mean that an armament even a fraction this heavy is viable for the game's cutter or yacht.

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Well, not so sure how sea-worthy it was.  Wouldn't want to be in it on the storm map let's say... :D 

 

I wasn't posting for inclusion in game but I suppose it could be used by the AI as auxiliary harbour protection.  Certainly should be relatively affordable for aspiring players wishing to protect their land assets while away.  Imagine swarms of these little boats, all difficult to hit as they bob about, spamming you with chain and grape...

This is quite the idea. They would be excellent for blockading a harbor, maybe the tactic of chaining them together to form a line could be implemented.

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Yeah, the details of this boat are unusually well-documented, since they simply raised her from the bottom of the lake with all her original guns in place, complete with the 24-pound ball that sank her!

You can walk right up to the Smithsonian exhibit and look at the shot-hole in the bow.

 

Anyways, as this is a gunboat, she was not expected to do any independent or long-range seafaring. Gunboats would operate as part of a flotilla, and were dependent on sheltered bases. Just because you can stick a 32-pounder on a gunboat doesn't mean that an armament even a fraction this heavy is viable for the game's cutter or yacht.

 

As to your last statement, I wonder what fired the 24 pound ball that sank the gunboat then? I doubt we'll ever know given that the British fleet included a range of vessels http://www.historiclakes.org/Valcour/valcour_battle.htm although a detailed order of battle is available http://www.historiclakes.org/Valcour/valcour_chart.htm

 

gunboat5.jpg

 

 

 

I can't remember where the original admin post is, but this is all I can find about the gunboat that is in development:

 

http://forum.game-labs.net/index.php?/topic/3640-mortar-ships/?p=71718

 

Didn't know about this work-in-progress, it's very nice and love the carronade off the back.  That makes this thread moot! 

Though it raised awareness if you didn't know about the recovery of the Philadelphia, or the X3D website (a shameless plug for my museum's latest efforts to reach the masses... :Dhttp://3d.si.edu/

Edited by SYN_Bloody-Bandy
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