tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-89837328451784355852024-03-13T06:48:44.440-07:00Paleotechnic PressThe History and Art of Victorian Science Fiction and Technology for Gamers.Josephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09371885946051312891noreply@blogger.comBlogger29125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8983732845178435585.post-2497664270321871252014-11-05T20:13:00.000-08:002014-11-05T23:12:49.048-08:00Hot Off the Presses...<div style="margin-bottom: .75em; text-align: justify;">
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EXTRA, EXTRA!!</h2>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-W1Zdj_t3xW8/VFr0akKdnPI/AAAAAAAADUs/ZsJrFxqLa3o/s1600/rotarypress.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-W1Zdj_t3xW8/VFr0akKdnPI/AAAAAAAADUs/ZsJrFxqLa3o/s1600/rotarypress.png" height="144" width="320" /></a></div>
According to the German <em><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0943580803/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0943580803&linkCode=as2&tag=paleotpress-20&linkId=7DWSMOHY5DXAUTOU">Space: 1889</a></em> website, <a href="http://raum1889.de/?p=602" target="_blank">Raum 1889</a>, we can expect a <a href="https://www.kickstarter.com/" target="_blank">Kickstarter</a>, sometime in 2015, for a new version of <i>Sky Galleons</i>!</div>
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The reported plan is to release both German and English versions of the rules (at the same time) in a boxed set with both Martian and British ship models in the box (so it sounds similar to the original, GDW version, of <em><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0943580730/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0943580730&linkCode=as2&tag=paleotpress-20&linkId=YT2EADFTZAK4LHQX">Sky Galleons of Mars</a></em>).</div>
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The post also mentions that the rules will be based on the classic game, but a "big" update will be introduced as well. This is excellent news, and look forward to future developments on the project!</div>
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</script><noscript></noscript>Josephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09371885946051312891noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8983732845178435585.post-3358193800400062292014-10-31T23:59:00.000-07:002014-11-08T21:34:55.657-08:00A View from the Bridge<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lmhpuwqwkfw/U9JgY8qRvVI/AAAAAAAAC20/-MUIGRFILOI/s1600/bridge.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lmhpuwqwkfw/U9JgY8qRvVI/AAAAAAAAC20/-MUIGRFILOI/s1600/bridge.png" height="320" width="170" /></a>
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Another month has cruised by and it is Halloween, where does the time go? At any rate, for this All Hallow's Eve edition of Paleotechnic Press' editorial page, I thought I would post short reviews of two, "new to me," RPG source books that I have recently acquired. But first, in "breaking news…" yesterday <a href="http://www.chroniclecity.com/" target="_blank">Chronicle City</a> announced that their <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0943580803/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0943580803&linkCode=as2&tag=paleotpress-20&linkId=7DWSMOHY5DXAUTOU">Space: 1889</a> <img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=paleotpress-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0943580803" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /></i> reboot is now available as a download from <a href="http://rpg.drivethrustuff.com/product/139315/Space-1889-Core-Rulebook" target="_blank">DriveThruRPG</a> (for those of you who missed the <a href="https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/440453703/space-1889-sf-role-playing-in-a-more-civilized-tim" target="_blank">Kickstarter</a>). The PDF looks very nice, but I prefer printed material (I know, I am so nineteenth century) so I will save my review until I get the physical book.
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In the meantime, this past month I did receive a copy of <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1480035815/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1480035815&linkCode=as2&tag=paleotpress-20&linkId=5WQW23K3RHZ2KSU2">Flying Machines of the Worlds 1902: Aerial Vessels for the Hive, Queen and Country Universe</a> </i>(©2012, Aerolyth Enterprises) from one of its authors, Terry Sofian. <i>Flying Machines </i>is a supplement to the <i>Stars of Empire</i> RPG. <i>SoE</i> postulates a Victorian world of 1894 where the colonial powers vie for control of the planets beyond the earth. If this sounds a bit familiar, that is because Sofian is also a fan of <i>Space: 1889</i>. Despite the high level similarity, there are several significant differences between <i>SoE </i>and <i>Space: 1889.</i> First, and foremost, is the existence of "The Hive." In <i>SoE</i>, the Hive is an extra-planetary organism threatening humanity's existence, and it serves as both a peril and a back-plot for the story arc of the entire game. The second big difference is that in the Hive, Queen, and Country universe (HQC) the timeline begins to diverge in the 1700s and Terry has spent a great deal of time postulating the effects of those changes over the course of the game's 150 years of "past future".
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<i>Flying Machines of the Worlds </i>is one of several supplements to the basic <i>SoE </i>game. This particular supplement is truly a tome, weighing in at 256 pages! Written by Arun Rodrigues and Sofian, Flying Machines advances the Hive, Queen and Country timeline to 1902 when the state of aerospace technology has progressed significantly beyond what we traditionally see in the 1889 world. From the book's introduction:</div>
<blockquote cite="http://hivequeenandcountry.com">
<i>The people of Hive, Queen, and Country have been flying since the 1860s, and had mechanical computers since the 1830s. By the 1900s aircraft have been designed for 40 years, and computation has advanced the state of the art by another 5-10 years. Thus, the ships of the 1900s are in many ways more advanced than the aircraft of the late 1930s...</i>
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The <i>Flying Machines</i> book is divided into 3 main sections. The first several chapters of the book provide background on the HQC world, but the bulk of the book is taken up by the ship designs and illustrations in the second section. The authors have detailed each ship in much the same way that Fred T. Jane detailed naval vessels in his series of "real world" books. <i>Flying Machines</i> is profusely illustrated, every ship class is represented by a number of different isometric views; perfect for modeling. The designs fully occupy 180 pages and there are ships of every size and type. The types are broadly broken down into aerolyth (a elemental, anti-gravity, discovery), Fredrickshaven (lighter than air), and Cayley (dynamic lift aircraft) flyers. The book's last section includes the referee's "eyes only" information and a chapter on modeling an aerolyth flyer. The authors' attention to detail is commendable and the book is chock full of information. The ship designs are plentiful and many can be used with with <i>Space: 1889</i> and/or <i>Aeronef</i> with little, or no, modification. Because of the later time frame postulated in <i>Flying Machines </i>(and the advance of technology) the ships would certainly be useful in any dieselpunk, or even pulp era, game settings as well. In fact, anyone interested in turn of the century aeonaval/SciFi, warfare will find <i>Flying Machines</i> a treasure trove of ideas.</div>
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The second supplement I picked up this month is Miskatonic University Library Association's <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1568823231/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1568823231&linkCode=as2&tag=paleotpress-20&linkId=GAKT76FH2WEPJPAK"><i>Secrets of the Congo</i></a> (©2009, Chaosium, Inc.). The book is a perfect bound, glossy-covered, book. The text of the supplement is a setting for classic 1920s <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1568821816/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1568821816&linkCode=as2&tag=paleotpress-20&linkId=36W4FRWHVWZI3L47">Call of Cthulhu</a></i>, although as the author suggests it may played in a Pulp or Gaslight Cthulhu style (ie with more heroic characters and improbable escapes). This volume is 134 pages with maps, handouts and photographs, in addition to the text. The book is well laid-out with clear text and quality illustrations.</div>
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This monograph is, first and foremost, a scenario campaign set in the Congo with additional information, rather than a sourcebook with adventures attached. The main scenario hook is that one character's uncle has gone missing in the Congo. He may have found something wonderful, or perhaps not, but if the uncle can be proven dead, a large inheritance will pass to the character. The first section of the monograph details the geography, biology and anthropology of the Congo, as well as the state of the country where the investigators find themselves. Notably, the text is sprinkled with quotes from Joseph Conrad's <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1493698486/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1493698486&linkCode=as2&tag=paleotpress-20&linkId=WAX3SIORJ7DXFSDP">Heart of Darkness</a>.</i> The quotes help to<i> </i>reinforce the backdrop of the Belgians colonial control of the area, but also the decrepit state of the colony. The text also provides some optional rules that will allow Keepers to resolve large scale battles (mass combat).
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In addition to the primary scenario, seven Congo adventure seeds, two pages of useful notes for running the adventure, seven sample characters, and ten pages of handouts are also presented in the monograph. The final three pages of information in the book detail commercial flying operations in the 1920s, including factual information on flying boat use throughout the world.
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<i>Secrets of the Congo</i> is equal parts Joseph Conrad, Indiana Jones, Stanley and Livingstone, with some Lemuel Gulliver thrown into the mix. It is a useful reference for any gamemaster, but I believe the background information will be particularly useful for an Earth-based <i>Space: 1889</i> campaign. Production and content-wise <i>Congo</i> is a solid monograph, and despite its (relatively) high price (which may possibly be explained by the quality of the publication), it is a worthwhile addition to your game library.
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The reviews out of the way, what is on tap for Paleotechnic Press next month? I have several articles queued up for publication. In no particular order, an interesting historical article on "future" naval warfare, another NPC, as well as several more old <i>Space: 1889 </i>articles, that I hope you will enjoy…meanwhile, as always, happy gaming!</div>
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<i>~Joe</i>
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<script src="http://wms-na.amazon-adsystem.com/20070822/US/js/link-enhancer-common.js?tag=paleotpress-20&linkId=QL53C4IZ2JWGRIY4" type="text/javascript">
</script> <noscript><img src="http://wms-na.amazon-adsystem.com/20070822/US/img/noscript.gif?tag=paleotpress-20&linkId=QL53C4IZ2JWGRIY4" alt=""></noscript>Josephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09371885946051312891noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8983732845178435585.post-12661137802316578002014-10-26T00:01:00.000-07:002014-10-26T00:01:00.635-07:00Look up in the Sky!<div style="margin-bottom: .75em; text-align: center;">
<strong>NEW VARIANT RULES FOR <em>SKY GALLEONS OF MARS</em></strong>
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<em>Players of GDW's <strong><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1930658044/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1930658044&linkCode=as2&tag=paleotpress-20&linkId=MILJO23AR33IK2FQ">Sky Galleons of Mars</a></strong> aerial combat game who feel they have mastered the game might want to consider using the following supplemental rules to cover situations not anticipated by the original game.</em>
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<strong>NEW MOVEMENT RULES</strong>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1W_C4tz8Ui0/VEV2N5WHLCI/AAAAAAAADT0/rZRWNU74DnQ/s1600/aphid_v_hullcutter.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1W_C4tz8Ui0/VEV2N5WHLCI/AAAAAAAADT0/rZRWNU74DnQ/s1600/aphid_v_hullcutter.png" height="253" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>HMS Aphid vs. Hullcutter, by James Colton McGonigle, ©1988 </i></td></tr>
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These rules are intended to add some uncertainty to the tactics of the game, and thereby simulate the often unpredictable nature of high-altitude battles.
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<strong>Screw Galley Sprints:</strong> A player commanding a Martian Screw Galley may elect to have his ship's turncranks do a "sprint" during one movement phase. To perform a sprint, the player rolls a die and divides the result in half (rounding all fractions down). The resulting number is the additional number of movement points gained by the ship for this turn. The next turn, the ship may only use half its normal movement points (round down). A ship can only sprint once per scenario.
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<strong>Boiler Overloads</strong>: British players can attempt a similar technique using a steam flyer's boilers. At the start of his movement, the player declares he is overloading the boiler, rolls a die and consults the following table:
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<strong>Boiler Overload Table</strong>
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<td align="right" valign="top">1:</td>
<td align="left" valign="top">Boiler Explodes (see Critical Hit table).</td>
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<td align="right" valign="top">2:</td>
<td align="left" valign="top">Boiler Damage; speed reduced by 1. (as with Boiler hit damage result, this speed reduction only lasts one turn)</td>
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<td align="right" valign="top">3:</td>
<td align="left" valign="top">No Effect.</td>
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<td align="right" valign="top">4:</td>
<td align="left" valign="top">Add 1 movement point.</td>
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<td align="right" valign="top">5:</td>
<td align="left" valign="top">Add 2 movement points.</td>
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<td align="right" valign="top">6:</td>
<td align="left" valign="top">Add 3 movement points.</td>
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<em>(A player may use this option as often as he likes.)</em>
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<strong>Updrafts and Downdrafts:</strong> Winds do not only blow horizontally; there are often powerful currents of air pushing a ship up or down. This can sometimes be useful, other times devastating. At the start of each ships movement, roll a die. If the result is 6, then that ship has encountered an updraft or a downdraft. Roll again and consult the following table:
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<strong>Draft Table</strong>
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<td align="right" valign="top">1:</td>
<td align="left" valign="top">Strong downdraft. Roll a 1 or 2 to avoid losing one altitude level.</td>
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<td align="right" valign="top">2-3:</td>
<td align="left" valign="top">Downdraft. Roll a 1-4 to avoid losing one level.</td>
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<td align="right" valign="top">4-5:</td>
<td align="left" valign="top">Updraft. Roll a 1-4 to avoid climbing one level.</td>
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<td align="right" valign="top">6:</td>
<td align="left" valign="top">Strong updraft. Roll a 1 or 2 to avoid losing one altitude level.</td>
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When rolling to avoid changing altitude, Kites always add 1 to the die roll. A player may always elect not to roll; this means changing altitude without the expenditure of movement points. Note that each ship may also climb or descend to counter the effects of wind currents - unless the trim gear or engines are out of order.
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High Martian flying parties and English marines aboard Throckmorton Conveyers will also be affected by updrafts and downdrafts. Because they are smaller, they are more vulnerable to the wind. Roll normally to see if flying parties encounter updrafts or downdrafts, but they are automatically affected if those winds exist. On a 1-3, the winds blow the fliers up one altitude level; on a 4-6, the winds blow the fliers down one level. Fliers blown into the ground roll one die for each individual in the party - on a 1 or 2 the individual survives. Any Throckmorton Conveyers blown into the ground are automatically damaged and cannot be used even if the passenger survives. No flying parties or conveyers may be lifted above Very High altitude.
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<strong>NEW COMBAT RULES</strong>
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<strong>Martian Pole Mines:</strong> The Pole Mine is a new device, created by Oenotrian shipbuilders desperate to overcome the superior British vessels. It is nothing more than a standard Drogue Torpedo mounted on a long pole in front of the vessel. The vessel makes its attack as if intending to ram the target vessel, but the impact triggers the pole mine before the ships collide. A Pole Mine does damage to the target like a Tether Mine or Drogue Torpedo. The attacking ship suffers no damage, but after the mine detonates, the attacker must roll normally to avoid colliding with the target ship. As with other ram attacks, the target may attempt to evade a Pole Mine.
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The Pole Mine is intended to be mounted on small, fast screw galleys, analogous to the torpedo boats of Earth's oceans. Only a single Pole Mine can be mounted on a vessel, and once triggered, it is gone. Weight: 1 ton; cost £25; Crew: none.
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<strong>High Martian Sabotage Parties:</strong> High Martian flying parties can perform other jobs besides simply boarding enemy ships. One flying party in a given scenario can be designated by the High Martian player as a specially-trained Sabotage Party. The Sabotage Party can attack the rigging of kites, the propellers of screw galleys and steam flyers, and the rudders of any craft.
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The party must be in the same hex as the target when attacking, and and the player must state what component is being attacked. He then rolls a die. On a 6 the party does one die worth of damage to that component. If the crew quality of the High Martian is Crack, then the sabotage party does damage on a 5 or a 6.
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<strong>Mutiny:</strong> High Martian screw galleys use slaves as turncranks. Under certain circumstances, these slaves may to revolt and take control of the ship. Each turn, before the Movement Phase, the High Martian player rolls a die for each screw galley under his command, and adds the following modifiers to the roll:
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<strong>Mutiny Table Modifiers</strong>
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<td align="right" valign="top">+1</td>
<td align="left" valign="top">for each enemy boarding party aboard;</td>
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<td align="right" valign="top">+1</td>
<td align="left" valign="top">for each Critical Hit the ship has suffered;</td>
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<td align="right" valign="top">+1</td>
<td align="left" valign="top">if the High Martian ships are outnumbered;</td>
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<td align="right" valign="top">-1</td>
<td align="left" valign="top">for each High Martian officer aboard;</td>
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<td align="right" valign="top">-1</td>
<td align="left" valign="top">if the enemy is outnumbered;</td>
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<td align="right" valign="top">-1</td>
<td align="left" valign="top">if the ship is on fire.</td>
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The player then consults the following table:
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<table style="width: 450px;">
<colgroup>
<col width="40"></col>
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<strong>Mutiny Table</strong>
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<td align="right" valign="top">1-7:</td>
<td align="left" valign="top">No effect.</td>
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<td align="right" valign="top">8-10:</td>
<td align="left" valign="top">Turncranks refuse to crank. The ship has no movement Points this turn. Roll again normally next turn.</td>
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<td align="right" valign="top">11+:</td>
<td align="left" valign="top">Turncranks rebel. They are organized into Boarding Parties of 10 men each, under the control of the enemy player.</td>
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</tbody>
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Each group of 10 can inflict 1 die of casualties on the officers and gunners, following usual combat rules. Once all High Martian on board have been defeated, the rebel-controlled ship will attempt to leave the map. The revolt can be put down by the High Martian player if half the rebelling turncranks are killed, or if the enemy in the battle is defeated. If the rebellion has been put down on a High Martian ship, then there will be no more mutinies aboard that vessel during the battle.
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Note that the High Martian player need not begin rolling until his ships have started suffering casualties. These rules could also be used to determine the behavior of captured merchant ships controlled by privateers but crewed by prisoners.
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<strong>Notes:</strong> These rules can create some interesting tactical situations. For example, the Sprint rules mean that even relatively slow Martian screw galleys have a chance of closing with faster British steam ships, to board or ram. The wind rules make scenarios amid the mountains especially tricky. Pole Mines are a way for small ships to do significant damage, and are cheap enough for any ship to mount. The High Martian rules are particularly appropriate in more role-playing-oriented scenarios, such as the Great Raid, or in a Sky Galleons campaign game (inspiring the slaves on a High Martian screw galley to revolt would look marvelous in the pages of the <em>London Times</em> ).
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<strong>About the Author</strong>
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<a href="http://www.jamescambias.com/" target="_blank">James L. Cambias</a> is Chief Game Architect at <a href="http://zygotegames.com/" target="_blank">Zygote Games</a>. Jim began writing games in 1990, and worked for Game Designers' Workshop, Steve Jackson Games, HERO Games, and Iron Crown Enterprises before joining Zygote. He is also the <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/436495.James_Cambias" target="_blank">author</a> of the SF novel <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0765336278/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0765336278&linkCode=as2&tag=paleotpress-20&linkId=F3DU6WZUEQCI4WG3"><em>A Darkling Sea</em></a>, and the forthcoming <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00OFIO75W/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00OFIO75W&linkCode=as2&tag=paleotpress-20&linkId=Z7PYB5KCDPRJO26G"><em>Corsair</em></a> (Tor Books, Spring 2015)
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<em>by <a href="mailto:jim@zygotegames.com" target="_blank">James Cambias</a></em>, ©1991. This article originally appeared in issue #10 of <em>The Game Oracle</em>. It is used here with the permission of the author.
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Josephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09371885946051312891noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8983732845178435585.post-63591668290710866992014-10-21T00:01:00.001-07:002014-10-23T12:05:07.861-07:00Heros von Borcke (1835–1895)<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;">
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<td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://youtu.be/8CYv05GUMxg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gFLxr9XE7_Q/VEBDvL52ziI/AAAAAAAAAJk/SynyjrmYa1I/s320/vonBorcke.png" /></a></td>
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<td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em>Heros von Borcke, in Germany after the American Civil War.</em></td>
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<div style="margin-bottom: .75em; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
Johann August Heinrich Heros von Borcke is known as the "giant in gray." Born to an aristocratic German family, his childhood was spent in Berlin and Halle before receiving a Prussian military education. Von Borcke was commissioned an ensign in 1853 and admitted to the Cuiraisser Regiment of Guards as a cadet. He was then posted as second lieutenant to the Second Brandenburg Regiment of Dragoons, in 1860. After obtaining a leave from the Prussian Army, he embarked upon the adventure of his life; sailing for Bermuda, intent on joining the Confederate Army during the American Civil War.
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<div style="margin-bottom: .75em; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
Speaking almost no English, von Borcke managed to secure letters of introduction to Confederate authorities, and slipped into South Carolina's Charleston Harbor via a blockade runner on May 24, 1862. He next traveled to Richmond where he met with Confederate Secretary of War George Randolph who presented him with a letter of introduction to Major General J.E.B. Stuart.
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<div style="margin-bottom: .75em; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
A deep friendship developed immediately between the two men and von Borcke was made a captain in the Provisional Army of the Confederate States and later promoted to the rank of major. Von Borcke could be entertaining and told wonderful stories with his thick accent. His horses were as big as his extra long sword, a beast of a blade forged in Solingen of Damascus steel. He rode with Stuart, who affectionately called him "Von," during the Northern Virginia and the Maryland campaigns, acquiring a reputation for bravery. He served with Stuart in the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Middleburg" target="_blank">Battle of Middleburg</a> on June 19, 1863, where he suffered a severe wound. The examining doctor somberly declared the wound, which pierced the lung, mortal -- but von Borcke woke up the next morning determined to live and he did. Placed on limited duty for the remainder of the year, he resumed his position on Stuart's staff in the spring of 1864. Heros was present at the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Yellow_Tavern" target="_blank">Battle of Yellow Tavern</a>, where J.E.B. Stuart was mortally wounded and von Borcke sat at Stuart's deathbed, holding his hand, and promised to see after Stuart's widow and children. Von Borcke was promoted to lieutenant colonel in December of 1864, was voted the official thanks of the Confederate Congress, and sent on a diplomatic mission to England by President Jefferson Davis.
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<span style="text-indent: 0.25in;">While in London, he wrote articles for the pro-Confederate <em>Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine</em>. The articles were later collected and published in book form as <em>Memoirs of the Confederate War for Independence</em>. </span>When the Confederacy collapsed in 1865, von Borcke returned to his native Prussia and resumed his military career. He fought in the 1866 Austro-Prussian War, receiving the coveted Order of the Red Eagle for his gallantry, but his old wounds continued to plague him, so he retired from the Prussian Army as Captain in 1867.
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<div style="margin-bottom: .75em; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
Von Borcke had three sons with his first wife, <span style="text-indent: 0.25in;">Magdalene Honig</span><span style="text-indent: 0.25in;">. When Magdalene passed away in 1883, he married her sister and they had a daughter named Karoline Virginia -- named in honor of his adopted, and beloved, southern state back in America.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .75em; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="text-indent: 0.25in;">Even after the war, von Borcke's maintained a deep affection, and respect, for the Confederacy. So much so, that unsuspecting visitors to East Prussia are often surprised to see the Confederate flag flying (next to the Prussian flag) from the battlements of von Borcke's ancestral estate in Geisenbrugge, Pomerania.</span><span style="text-indent: 0.25in;"> </span>In 1884, he returned to the United States for a reunion with many former friends and comrades, and presented</span> his famous Damascus sword to them. The sword was later given to the State of Virginia.
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<div style="margin-bottom: .75em; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
Von Borcke is an aristocrat of some means, with a bent for adventure, meaning he could be encountered nearly anywhere in the solar system -- wherever the German flag is flown. However, his poor health (the result of his Civil War wound) make Mars' dry climate and lower gravity an attractive option. His sympathy for the Confederate cause means that he may also be encountered wherever a Confederate expatriate community exists.
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<td colspan="3"><div style="text-align: center;">
<strong>Army (Veteran NPC)</strong>
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</td>
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<td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_s1Mtvnmj3s/VD6yQZKDlrI/AAAAAAAAAJE/EZ8dqIkiLhw/s1600/vonBorcke.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_s1Mtvnmj3s/VD6yQZKDlrI/AAAAAAAAAJE/EZ8dqIkiLhw/s1600/vonBorcke.png" height="320" width="206" /></a></td>
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<td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em>Lieutenant-Colonel Heros von Borcke</em></td>
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</td>
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<td colspan="2"><div style="text-align: left; vertical-align: top;">
<em><u>Att.</u></em>
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</td>
<td><div style="text-align: left; vertical-align: top;">
<em><u>Skills</u></em>
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</td>
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<th><div style="text-align: left; vertical-align: top;">
Str:
</div>
</th>
<td><div style="text-align: center; vertical-align: top;">
4
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<td><div style="text-align: left; vertical-align: top;">
Fisticuffs: 4, Throwing: 2, Close Combat: 4 (sword)
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</td>
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<th><div style="text-align: left; vertical-align: top;">
Agl:
</div>
</th>
<td><div style="text-align: center; vertical-align: top;">
3
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: left; vertical-align: top;">
Stealth: 2, Marksmanship: 2 (pistol)
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</td>
</tr>
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<th><div style="text-align: left; vertical-align: top;">
End:
</div>
</th>
<td><div style="text-align: center; vertical-align: top;">
2
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: left; vertical-align: top;">
Wilderness Travel: 3
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<th><div style="text-align: left; vertical-align: top;">
Int:
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</th>
<td><div style="text-align: center; vertical-align: top;">
2
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<td><div style="text-align: left; vertical-align: top;">
Observation: 1
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</td>
</tr>
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<th><div style="text-align: left; vertical-align: top;">
Chr:
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</th>
<td><div style="text-align: center; vertical-align: top;">
5
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</td>
<td><div style="text-align: left; vertical-align: top;">
Eloquence: 5
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</td>
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<th><div style="text-align: left; vertical-align: top;">
Soc:
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<td><div style="text-align: center; vertical-align: top;">
5
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<td><div style="text-align: left; vertical-align: top;">
Riding: 5 (horse), Leadership: 2, Language: 1 (English)
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</td>
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<td colspan="3"><div style="text-align: left;">
<strong>Motives:</strong> Adventuresome, Arrogant, Eccentric
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</td>
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<td colspan="3"><div style="text-align: left;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<strong>Apperance:</strong> With <span style="text-indent: 24px;">curly blond hair, laughing eyes and an engaging personality </span>von Borcke has an imposing presence. <span style="text-indent: 24px;">By Nineteenth Century standards, he is larger than life, standing six feet four inches in height and weighing in at well over two hundred forty pounds. His stature, personality and social status make him popular among his peers. </span><span style="text-indent: 24px;">However, he can also be a bit vain and difficult to get along with at times, especially for his servants. Although he recovered from the wounds suffered in 1863, neither von Borcke's physical strength, nor his endurance, fully recovered (having been Str: 6, End: 4 as a young man).</span>
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</div>
</td>
</tr>
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</table>Joe B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02460216027313381986noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8983732845178435585.post-12200854884567575682014-10-18T00:01:00.000-07:002014-10-21T00:54:32.298-07:00Victorians and their Dogs <div style="margin-bottom: .75em; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="text-indent: 0.25in;">The Nineteenth Century ushered in an age of devotion to the dog. In fact the saying “man’s best friend” is traced to a poem printed in</span><span style="text-indent: 0.25in;"> </span><em style="text-indent: 0.25in;">The New-York Literary Journal</em><span style="text-indent: 0.25in;"> </span><span style="text-indent: 0.25in;">in 1821.</span><span style="text-indent: 0.25in;"> </span>Queen Victoria exemplified this devotion and loved her animals, in particular her Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Dash. The Queen commissioned many paintings of Dash, as well as her other dogs, these paintings lead to the rise of "dog art" and in particular portraits of pet dogs. Paintings by specialists like <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arthur_Wardle" target="_blank">Arthur Wardle</a> and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maud_Earl" target="_blank">Maud Earl</a>, became "must have" items for the well-to-do merchant and aristocratic class home.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .75em; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
In fact, in some ways, no Victorian home was complete without at least one canine. The animals were symbols of wealth and status during Victoria's reign. Some dogs even had their own maids who fed, groomed and kept them clean. Popular lapdogs included the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schipperke" target="_blank">Schipperke</a>, the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skye_Terrier" target="_blank">Skye Terrier</a>, the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yorkshire_Terrier" target="_blank">Yorkshire Terrier</a>, the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maltese_(dog)" target="_blank">Maltese</a> and the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/King_Charles_Spaniel" target="_blank">King Charles Spaniel</a>. Dogs like the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jack_Russell_Terrier" target="_blank">Jack Russell Terrier</a>, that were too large to fit comfortably in a lap, were used for fox hunting and were also considered fashionable companion breeds. The <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Newfoundland_(dog)" target="_blank">Newfoundland</a>, a gentle giant, was beloved for its docile yet protective nature, becoming “nanny dogs”, thanks to their love and devotion to the family’s children.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .75em; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
A focus on breeding, and "pure bred" lines, started during this time period, and several modern breeds originated in the 1800s. However the emphasis on breeding for aesthetics allowed less desirable traits, such as propensity for diseases, to pollute many genetic lines. Despite that fact, when Victorians began to value their dogs both as companions and as partners, the press for the humane treatment of the animals began, a trend for which the Queen would be proud!
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: .75em; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Sm12AhafEd4/VDtYE2uAb7I/AAAAAAAADSA/oUw-KTBYGV4/s1600/pointer.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Sm12AhafEd4/VDtYE2uAb7I/AAAAAAAADSA/oUw-KTBYGV4/s320/pointer.png"></a>
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<div style="margin-bottom: .75em; padding: 0px 2px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>DOG-BREEDING ESTABLISHMENTS,</strong></span>
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<div style="margin-bottom: .75em; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">ZAHNA - SCHWEINTZ - ANABURG</span>
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<div style="margin-bottom: .75em; text-align: center;">
Gold and Silver Government and Societies Medals Awarded.
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<div style="margin-bottom: .05em; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
Permanent Exhibition Sale at Schweintz, District Merseburg, stations Jessen-Holsdorf, Berl.-Anh. Railway, of always upwards of 100 superior Dogs such as Ulm, Danish, English, Mountain, Newfoundlands, Mastiffs, and Pet Dogs.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .05em; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
For the forthcoming hunting season I beg to offer thoroughly trained, also rough, Hunting, Pointers, Terriers, and Greyhounds, who can be brought to Zahna, a station between Leipsic and Berlin, over my extensive hunting-grounds, by my own huntsman if required.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .05em; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
Illustrated Price-Lists, with 50 Illustrations, in the German, French and Dutch languages, with full particulars respecting breed, qualities, and description, with references to well-known sportsmen in all parts of the world, sent free and post paid on application.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .75em; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
My Album of 50 various Dog breeds, which have been awarded a first prize, and containing directions as to care, breeding, treatment, and training of the Luxury and Hunting hound, is to be obtained for 10s.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .75em; text-align: center;">
Address for letters and telegrams,
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .75em; text-align: center;">
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">OTTO FRIEDRICH, Zahna, Prussia.</span></strong>
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</table><br>
<hr>
A "hat tip" to the <a href="http://www.auroraregency.com/" target="_blank">Aurora Regency</a> blog's <a href="https://plus.google.com/105029251015355374879/about" target="_blank">Kristin Burlingame</a>, for her <a href="http://www.auroraregency.com/2013/11/dogs-in-victorian-times.html" target="_blank">Dogs in Victorian Times</a> post.
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</center>
Josephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09371885946051312891noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8983732845178435585.post-55161659685652764392014-10-16T07:01:00.000-07:002014-10-17T21:32:44.324-07:00Martian Thunder Jugs<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LBw0MESb_A0/VDisljbX8FI/AAAAAAAADQk/w8cV0G_Yu_A/s320/carronade.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LBw0MESb_A0/VDisljbX8FI/AAAAAAAADQk/w8cV0G_Yu_A/s320/carronade.png" height="218" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>A heavy thunder jug on a naval mount.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin-bottom: .75em; margin-top: .75em; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
The Martians, like eighteenth century Earthmen, developed short smoothbore cannon that fire heavy shot for their weight. These cannon can throw their projectile only a short distance, but it arrives with shattering impact. On Earth these weapons gained fame as "carronades." On Mars they are known as "thunder jugs."</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .75em; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
Thunder jugs have never enjoyed the widespread acceptance of their terrestrial counterparts . Short cannons can never match the range, accuracy or penetrating power of their longer bored cousins. At most ranges they are inferior to them. if however a ship armed with long guns can be lured into carronade range, the short guns will quickly decimate it. Light-weight weapons mean more bangs for the ton, with more hits. Since each hit has the same chance of causing damage, the more hits the better. The average damage value (DV) per ton of weapons and rate of fire per DV are also higher with thunder jugs, giving a ship armed with a larger number (but identical weight) of them the ability to batter a long-gunned opponent to splinters.</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CzOaIdrGVd0/VDkzumRstGI/AAAAAAAADQ0/DoWLijD0hr0/s1600/lt_carronade.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CzOaIdrGVd0/VDkzumRstGI/AAAAAAAADQ0/DoWLijD0hr0/s320/lt_carronade.png" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>The light thunder jug behind a bulkhead.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin-bottom: .75em; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
Short cannons appeal most to armed ships whose primary business is not warmaking. The small crew sizes and simplicity of operation of thunder jugs means that a merchant skipper can hire less crew and waste less time in training. This, coupled with their range and penetrating power limitations, have meant that historically that thunder jugs have most often been met with aboard armed merchant kites that are interested in defense. Most kites mount but a few jugs. However, some <i>Warm Winds</i>-class ships have been seen with up to ten of the heavy thunder jugs on each broadside. The small size of the weapons also make them easy to conceal. More than one pirate has been obliterated by a hail of carronade shot as it came alongside what it thought was easy prey. To players this will mean that a Martian merchant kite will be able to carry impressive short range fire power, enough to fend off machine gun armed European privateers. The next encounter your players have with a <i>Warm Winds</i> out of Crocea might be more bloody than anticipated. A broadside of grapeshot from a battery of thunder jugs is enough to make even the heartiest of Red Captains consider a safer occupation.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .5em; text-align: justify;">
<b>Martian Thunder Jugs</b></div>
<table align="center" style="width: 400px;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td><i>Weapon</i></td>
<td align="center"><i>Wt</i></td>
<td align="center"><i>Pen</i></td>
<td align="center"><i>Dv</i></td>
<td align="center"><i>ROF</i></td>
<td align="center"><i>Crew</i></td>
<td align="center"><i>Rng</i></td>
<td align="center"><i>Cost</i></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Light</td>
<td align="center">10</td>
<td align="center">0/0</td>
<td align="center">2</td>
<td align="center">1</td>
<td align="center">1</td>
<td align="center">0/1</td>
<td align="center">200</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Heavy</td>
<td align="center">20</td>
<td align="center">1/0</td>
<td align="center">3</td>
<td align="center">1</td>
<td align="center">2</td>
<td align="center">1/2</td>
<td align="center">400</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin-bottom: .75em; margin-top: .5em; text-align: justify;">
<b>About the Author</b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .75em; text-align: justify;">
<a href="mailto:tsofian@aol.com">Terry Sofian</a> describes himself as a generalist in a world of specialists. He has worked as a genetic engineer, in disaster preparedness and homeland security management, and in health, safety and environmental compliance for hospitals, nuclear waste cleanup sites and numerous industry clients. He has had a novella, Blackwater Ghosts, published in Weird Tales and several non-fiction pieces in The Coast Artillery Journal and Warship International. His current projects include the Steampunk/Victorian Science Fiction setting of <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1453848673/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1453848673&linkCode=as2&tag=paleotpress-20&linkId=TBQ65QJBQLUHYP4E">Stars of Empire</a>, also known as <a href="http://hivequeenandcountry.com/home/" target="_blank">Hive, Queen and Country</a>. Using <a href="http://www.blackpigeonpress.com/" target="_blank">Black Pigeon Press'</a> incredibly adaptable <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1435709772/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1435709772&linkCode=as2&tag=paleotpress-20&linkId=PEH7IMIIAR6LD3AX">Hacktastic</a> game engine allows players to adventure in an altered Victorian era, facing threats from both Earth and Off-World. He lives in the Midwest with his amazing wife Shannon and has an extremely bright daughter Kelly.</div>
<center>
<hr size="2" />
<i>by <a href="mailto:Terry Sofian <tsofian@aol.com>">Terry Sofian</a></i>, ©1993; this article originally appeared in <a href="http://paleotechnic.blogspot.com/p/transactions-of-royal-martian.html">Transactions of the Royal Martian Geographical Society</a>, Vol. 1, No. 7. It is used here with the author's permission.</center>
<hr size="2" />
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The central battery ironclad <i>Colbert</i> is one of the ten ships of the French navy that constitute the group ranking next in importance to the squadron of great turret ships, of which the Formidable is the largest. The group consists of six types, as follows:</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-POMLFrnAwdE/VCYnIvV5XKI/AAAAAAAADMw/lm1xggitTTQ/s1600/Canon_de_27_cm_modele_1870.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-POMLFrnAwdE/VCYnIvV5XKI/AAAAAAAADMw/lm1xggitTTQ/s1600/Canon_de_27_cm_modele_1870.png" height="200" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">274mm cannon in the armoured section of a Colbert class<br />
ironclad, by Gustave Bourgain, circa 1885. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<ol>
<li>The <i>Ocean </i>type; three vessels; the <i>Marengo</i>, <i>Ocean</i>, and <i>Suffren</i>.</li>
<li>The <i>Friedland</i> type, of which no others are built.</li>
<li>The <i>Richelieu </i>type, of which no others are built.</li>
<li>The <i>Colbert</i> type, of which there are two; the <i>Colbert</i> and the <i>Trident</i>.</li>
<li>The <i>Redoubtable</i> type, of which no others are built.</li>
<li>The <i>Devastation</i> type, of which no others are built.</li>
</ol>
<div style="margin-bottom: .5em; text-align: justify; text-align: justify; text-indent: .125in;">
Laid down in 1870, the <i>Colbert</i> was launched at Brest in 1875, and her sister ship, the <i>Trident,</i> in 1876. Both are of iron and wood, and the following are the principal dimensions of the <i>Colbert</i>, which apply very closely to the <i>Trident</i>: She is 321 ft. 6 in. long, 59 ft. 6 in. beam, and 29 ft. 6 in. draught aft. Her displacement is 8,457 tons, her indicated horse power is 4,652, and her speed 14.4 knots. She has coal carrying capacity for 700 tons, and her crew numbers 706. The thickness of her armor belt is 8.66 in., that protecting the central battery is 6.29 in. thick, which is also the thickness of the transverse armored bulkheads, while the deck is 0.43 in. in thickness.</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-S6tmnNwjRcI/VCYeY-SLXWI/AAAAAAAADMg/ppGBXAmf6Gw/s1600/colbert.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-S6tmnNwjRcI/VCYeY-SLXWI/AAAAAAAADMg/ppGBXAmf6Gw/s1600/colbert.png" height="271" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>the French ironclad war ship Colbert.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin-bottom: .5em; text-align: justify; text-align: justify; text-indent: .125in;">
The <i>Colbert-class</i> was designed by Constructor Sabattier as an improved version of the ironclad <i>Richelieu</i> and they were the last ships authorized in the 1857 Naval Program. The class reverted to a single propeller shaft to improve sailing qualities and to lessen the chance of the propellers being fouled by fallen rigging. As central battery ironclads, their armament is concentrated amidships and consists of eight old 11 in. guns, two 9 in., six 6 in., four deck mounted torpedo tubes, and fourteen revolving and machine guns. Like most ironclads of their era, they are also equipped with a plough-shaped ram.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .5em; text-align: justify; text-align: justify; text-indent: .125in;">
While the exact reason for such a prolonged construction time is not known, it is believed that reduction of the French Navy's budget after the Franco-Prussian War of 1870–71 and out-of-date work practices in French dockyards were likely causes.—<i>Engineering.</i></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .5em;">
<b>Technical Specifications:</b></div>
<center>
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Class</i></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Year</i></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<i>MS</i></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Ram</i></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Spd</i></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Hs</i></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Blt</i></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Bty</i></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Blk</i></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Trt</i></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Deck</i></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: left;">
<i>Armament</i></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr><td><div style="text-align: center;">
CBI</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
1877</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
35</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
Y</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
2</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
6</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
3</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
3</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
2</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="text-align: start;">—</span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="text-align: start;">—</span></div>
</td>
<td>Bow: 1<span style="font-size: x-small;">o</span>9, A: 1<span style="font-size: x-small;">o</span>9, FS: 1<span style="font-size: x-small;">o</span>11, BS: [3<span style="font-size: x-small;">o</span>11], 3<span style="font-size: x-small;">o</span>6; DT-4, 14QF</td>
</tr>
<tr>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B9NqkQvtvJhIV3FDWExuOW5nNjg/view?usp=sharing" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-URU29sZOvPs/VDqQy1nKfRI/AAAAAAAADR0/GMrSubT5zn8/s1600/colbert.png" height="640" width="412" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>click image for a PDF copy of the ship chart.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</center>Josephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09371885946051312891noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8983732845178435585.post-79929599006216281512014-10-07T21:53:00.001-07:002014-10-11T09:24:22.952-07:00Ships of the Line<div style="margin-bottom: .75em; text-align: justify;">
<strong><em>Swift</em></strong> Class Aerial Monitor (200 tons)
</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B9NqkQvtvJhIZDlNZVBXS21DMTA/view?usp=sharing" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vgz4JrIqbj0/VDlXzwvLivI/AAAAAAAADRI/5cghGtD5948/s1600/Swift.png" height="320" width="240" /></a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em>click image to download a PDF version.</em></td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<div style="text-align: right;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .75em; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
The <em>Swift</em> gunboats are an experimental attempt to increase safety for British shipping in the Oenotrian border regions, especially near the foothills of the Shistomik Mountain range. While it bears a resemblance to the slightly smaller <em>Aphid</em> class, it learns from the lessons taught by previous Martian experience. It has the same armor, allowing it to ignore the effects of the smaller Martian cloudship guns, but in addition, it also armors all its guns, including its complement of four Nordenfelts. This was done to protect the relatively small crew complement from damage that the ship would otherwise ignore. <em>Aphids</em> have a poor reputation for crew safety, sometimes limping home in good condition, but with decimated crews, the open gun mounts making them easy prey to hostile fire. The <em>Swift</em> also uses the new forced draught steam engines, which allow it sufficient speed to evade almost all ramming attempts, as well as being able to pursue and overtake all known vessels in the colonies. Three Hale rocket batteries provide short range firepower, and the 3" HRC's, while small, have a high rate of fire, and are sufficient to wreak havoc on the poorly protected Martian vessels which the <em>Swift</em> was designed to combat.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .75em; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
Critics of the <em>Swift</em> complain that it does not have enough long range weaponry, and its altitude limitations render it vulnerable to attacks by the Martian Fire so common on larger vessels. Also, since it has only one Marine observer, it is especially vulnerable to being boarded. These criticisms are largely ignored at this point, since it is not designed to assault the crag keeps of the High Martians, and its batteries of Nordenfelts should be sufficient to discourage all but the most suicidal of boarding parties. Also, if this should become a problem, the Hale batteries can be easily dismounted, which would provide sufficient room for a temporary complement of six more Marines, quite enough for a vessel of this size.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .75em; text-align: justify;">
<strong><em>Impenetrable</em></strong> Class Aerial Monitor (1000 tons)
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B9NqkQvtvJhIZDlNZVBXS21DMTA/view?usp=sharing" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tUT-jdie4q8/VDTBdiblpVI/AAAAAAAADQA/u6_zl7AJSnk/s1600/impenetrable.png" height="320" width="240" /></a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em>click image to download a PDF version.</em></td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<div style="margin-bottom: .75em; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
The <em>Impenetrable</em> is largest vessel currently under construction at the Syrtis Major shipyards. While not the largest vessel in Martian use, she will be the most heavily armored. In fact, the armor plating of the hull is too complex for the limited facilities on Mars, and the vessel is being shipped piece by piece from Birmingham, and assembled on site. As expected, this is a very costly undertaking, and the Foreign Office has drawn considerable fire from the liberal press for this "escalation of warlike tendencies" and "waste of money". The official rationale for the Impenetrable is that a vessel impervious to Martian weapons will prove the futility of native resistance, and once and for all stop the insurrections and piracy on British shipping that are now a major problem. Indeed, only the heaviest of Martian weapons can penetrate the hide of this vessel, while her complement of weapons is sufficient to destroy many Martian vessels in a single broadside. While not the awesome guns of water-bound ironclads, they are able to penetrate the armor of any foreign naval vessel currently in use. It is exactly these qualities which makes it such a destabilizing influence. Many fear that a vessel impenetrable by Martian weapons will drive the rebellious factions into the arms of some other nation which can supply them with heavier weapons, leading eventually to all-out warfare.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .75em; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
Critics of the design note its lack of heavy armament, altitude restrictions, and small complement of marines, all necessary sacrifices to achieve the extraordinary level of armor on the vessel. To its credit, it has a normal 20 day steaming range, a highly respectable top speed, and sufficient staying power to survive battles against more heavily armed opponents.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .75em; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
On the current construction schedule, observers note that it will be approximately 18 months before the <em>Impenetrable</em> can be launched, not counting delays due to public sentiment, economics, or potential problems with demagnetizing such a large mass of metal to avoid premature liftwood deterioration.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .75em; text-align: justify;">
<strong><em>Swiftwing Courier</em></strong> (83 tons) - Screw galley
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B9NqkQvtvJhIZDlNZVBXS21DMTA/view?usp=sharing" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-00w6hG7-ZTY/VDTBeK7r3gI/AAAAAAAADQE/mgXGbVuiOAI/s1600/swiftwing.png" height="320" width="240" /></a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em>click image to download a PDF version.</em></td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<div style="margin-bottom: .75em; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
Oenotrian factions battling the British are hampered not only by the tenacity of the Colonial army, but also by the age and tradition of their race. Unable or unwilling to change to more modern technologies, they require vastly superior numbers in any sort of military engagement, and still take frightful losses on occasion. However, not all Martians are hidebound by the ancient traditions, and some very few are learning lessons from colonial forces. Some of the first signs of this are shown in the <em>Swiftwing</em>, a ship built solely for high speed transport of cargo or important persons. Some seventy-five percent of the vessel is taken up with slave turncranks, giving the <em>Swiftwing</em> an extraordinary burst speed of 25 knots. This is also partially due to improvements in their airscrews, the design appearing a direct copy of the latest British vessels. The sole armament of the <em>Swiftwing</em> is a stern mounted sweeper, although up to 5 marines or an important personage and their bodyguards can also be carried.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .75em; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<em>Swiftwings</em> are currently being used as scouts and transports, and sightings have preceded attacks on at least two occasions. While not quite as fast as some British vessels, superior knowledge of terrain and local sympathy have allowed almost all <em>Swiftwings</em> to escape capture by colonial forces. The only one that has been captured so far was also equipped with facilities for mounting a mast and sails, a feature which would greatly extend its cruising range and long-term speed, but expert analysis indicates that the extra weight of rigging would mandate a reduction of the extra crew, removal of the stern gun, or a sacrifice of maximum altitude.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .75em; text-align: justify;">
<strong><em>Cleansing Wind</em></strong> (400 tons) - Screw galley
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B9NqkQvtvJhIZDlNZVBXS21DMTA/view?usp=sharing" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-r0HRz2JjuWE/VDTBdsKnLLI/AAAAAAAADP4/4r7e_neCE3M/s1600/cleansing_wind.png" height="320" width="240" /></a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em>click image to download a PDF version.</em></td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<div style="text-align: right;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .75em; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
The <em>Cleansing Wind</em> is another disturbing development of cloudship design, showing that more and more, new ideas are gaining acceptance in the traditional quarters of the Martian military. Others claim it is a sign of covert foreign support, but cooler heads say it seems unlikely the Oenotrian forces are desperate enough to join one set of "Red Devils" to repel another. The expert opinion at this time is that the design is an independent pirate vessel, but there is no proof one way or the other. Both the name and the style of this new ship have caused concern in diplomatic and military circles, although as yet, only one example has been seen.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .75em; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
The <em>Cleansing Wind</em> has almost abandoned the traditional screw galley design and armament in favor of a more modern outlook, and at range can be mistaken for a British vessel. Whether this is by design, or just simple plagiarism has yet to be determined. It does not mount any of the heavy rod or lob guns usually found on the larger screw galleys, and is not equipped with that most traditional of Martian weapons, the ram. Instead, it mounts three heavy guns, two lights and four sweepers, along with a single rack of the deadly Martian Fire. All these weapons are effective against the lighter of Her Majesty's ships, and especially so against civilian shipping. For a Martian vessel, it is singularly well armed, in quantity if not quality, and with a top speed measured at 20 knots, able to maintain distance from most heavy vessels, and close with the relatively slow merchants it may encounter. The size of the vessel is also disturbing. It is not a large vessel in Martian terms, and is seems very likely it was designed to accompany larger vessels or operate with large groups of similar sized ships.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .75em; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
The only sighting of this vessel to date was from H.M.S. <em>Bellerophon</em>, an <em>Aphid</em> class gunboat operating out of Srytis Major. The <em>Cleansing Wind</em> was encountered on a routine patrol, and refused to heave to. After an inconclusive engagement, both vessels turned and delivered point-blank broadsides. <em>Bellerophon</em>, crippled by a magazine explosion, made it home only by jettisoning her coal reserves, while the <em>Cleansing Wind</em> was unable to pursue due to heavy screw damage. However, it was seen to leave the area under its own power before <em>Bellerophon</em> disappeared from sight, and is presumed to be fully repaired by this time.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .75em; text-align: justify;">
<strong>Scenario - Surprise Encounter</strong>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .75em; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<em>HMS Warrior</em>, a <em>Swift</em> class monitor, was engaged in towing home <em>HMS Firefly</em>, an <em>Aphid</em> class gunboat which had been damaged in a scuffle in the Shistomik lowlands, when they encountered two Oenotrian vessels searching for prey. In hostile territory, with one crippled vessel, Her Majesty's ships decide to flee to friendly territory rather than get into a protracted engagement.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .75em; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
The Martian vessels, surprised by the appearance of the British vessels, nonetheless seized the opportunity, and attempted to cripple or destroy the Red Devils without taking any losses themselves.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .75em; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<strong>Setup</strong> - Martians get the <em>Cleansing Wind</em> and a <em>Small Bird</em> screw galley, which they set up anywhere in the three hexes between the crags on the mountain map. One vessel is allowed per hex, and both must be facing along that row of hexes. <em>Cleansing Wind</em> has Canal Martian marines, armed with muskets. Initial altitude is High.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .75em; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
British start with the <em>Warrior</em>, and an <em>Aphid</em> class gunboat. <em>Warrior</em> starts in the hex with "1889" in it, facing NW, and <em>Firefly</em> is in the hex immediately behind it. Initial altitude is Medium. <em>Firefly</em> may start the game towed, in which case the vessels move at speed 4, or may be cut loose, in which case they move separately. The tow line may be cut at the start of any British movement, but the <em>Firefly</em> does not get to move at all on that turn.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .75em; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<strong>Special Rules</strong> - <em>Firefly</em> has been damaged. The 1 pound HRC and Nordenfelt on the starboard side have been destroyed, and their crews killed. Mark them off. In addition, she is missing one deck crew, one engine crew, and three hull boxes. Due to engine damage, <em>Firefly</em> can only move intermittently. Each turn, right before British movement, roll 1d6. This is the number of MP the <em>Firefly</em> has for that turn. Initially, <em>Warrior</em> may assign some of her crew complement to <em>Firefly</em>, in which case these crew are subtracted from those on the <em>Warrior</em>. If either ship is forced to lose altitude due to damage, the stress will immediately sever the tow line, leaving <em>Firefly</em> immobilized for a turn.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .75em; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<strong>Victory Conditions</strong> - Martians get 2 VP for each British ship destroyed or grounded, and 1 VP for each ship de-crewed or de-weaponed. British get 2 VP for each Martian ship destroyed or grounded, and 1 VP for each ship de-crewed or de-weaponed. In addition, the British get 1 VP per ship for exiting Warrior or Firefly off any edge of the NW map quadrant at an average speed greater than any Martian pursuit, at the instant the ship leaves the map. The base average speed of the Firefly is 3.5MP.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .75em; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<strong>Optional Rule</strong> - Ballast dumping. British ships may, in an emergency, dump 90% of their coal reserves through chutes in the bottom of the hull. This reduces their cruising range to six strategic hexes, but lightens the ship enough to offset liftwood loss, temporarily erasing the last row of hull damage. This is announced at the start of movement, occurs during combat, and takes effect at the start of the next movement. It is only done when a crash is the inevitable result of severe damage. It also acts as an anti-personnel weapon, doing 1d6-3 "P" hits to anyone beneath the deluge of fist-sized coals, with additional minuses to the roll based on range, as per Martian Fire rules, and +1 per 2 hull sizes (round down) of the jettisoning vessel. Martian screw galleys can do much the same, jettisoning food, water, and dead turncrank slaves, but only get half (round up) a row of hull boxes, and their range is reduced to 4 hexes. This does not do damage to vessels below them. Kites may jettison cargo, gaining half a row of hull boxes for each twenty percent of their loaded mass they discard. Martian jettisoning requires at least one crew per 2 hull sizes to jettison the extra weight in one turn. Otherwise, it takes proportionately longer (round up).
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .75em; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<strong>Strategy</strong> - Both sides are hampered by altitude limits, and the rocky crags hamper visibility as well as movement. Of the numerous Martian guns, only the heavy and rogue guns can hurt the <em>Warrior</em>, while the <em>Aphid</em> is also vulnerable to these, and especially vulnerable to antipersonnel weapons with her reduced crew. However, the <em>Cleansing Wind</em> should not present her bow to either British ship at any time. Although all three heavy guns can fire into the bow arc, they are the only guns that can do so, and any gun hits will always take out a big gun. The <em>Small Bird</em> is capable of inflicting heavy damage with its rogue gun, and this should be used on the <em>Firefly</em> first, at close range. Already damaged, three hits of any type are likely to be crippling.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .75em; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
The best British course is probably to split up. While in theory, the average speed of <em>Firefly</em> is reduced, the average fleet maneuverability is increased, and <em>Warrior</em> can now take full advantage of her top speed. With starboard guns damaged, the <em>Firefly's</em> best broadside potential is only realized if a course is charted due north, skirting the crags and then going west, while <em>Warrior</em>, with its superior speed, is best served by going west, then north. All in all, the north-then-west option allows a fast exit, while still being able to take advantage of crag cover. The high rate of fire of all the <em>Warrior's</em> guns and rockets is murderous on both the unarmored Martian vessels, but the temptation to deliver a point-blank broadside should be tempered with the knowledge that one good roll from the Martian Fire can utterly destroy either British ship. The British can do a sacrifice play by destroying the <em>Small Bird</em>, and then exiting the <em>Warrior</em> (leaving the <em>Aphid</em> to its fate), but this is a marginal victory, and not very sporting. Likewise, the Martians can destroy the <em>Firefly</em>, and then attempt to exit the map for a victory, but would likely be pursued unless the <em>Warrior</em> was immobilized.
</div>
<center>
<hr />
<em>by <a href="mailto:BTRC@BTRC.net">Greg Porter</a></em>, ©1991. This article originally appeared in issues #7 and #8 of <strong>The Game Oracle</strong>. It is used here with the permission of the author.
<hr />
</center>Josephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09371885946051312891noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8983732845178435585.post-53988124377833210122014-09-30T21:22:00.000-07:002014-09-30T21:29:30.739-07:00Influence of Air-Ships on War<div style="margin-bottom: .75em; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
The art of war keeps constant pace with the sciences, taking advantage of all discoveries and inventions, which may be found of use. Money without limit is spent to obtain the most efficient results in steam and electrical engineering, in chemistry, optics and metallurgy. The demands which modern war makes upon science are usually more imperative than those made for civil and commercial purposes. It may be readily understood, then, that, should a successful air-ship be constructed, it would find immediate occupation in the armies of the different nations who are rivaling each other in warlike preparations.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .75em; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
But is the success of the air-ship probable? Eminent engineers and scientists have for some time conceded that many of the important obstacles in the way of artificial flight have been removed, and it now seems probable that within a few years all problems connected with it will be solved, and a machine capable of sustained flight and entirely under control will be an actual fact.</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: .75em; text-align: right;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OwMgbxpJamo/VCt9KsKUq1I/AAAAAAAADOo/Oqjf_uZc4MY/s1600/langley_aerodrome.png" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OwMgbxpJamo/VCt9KsKUq1I/AAAAAAAADOo/Oqjf_uZc4MY/s1600/langley_aerodrome.png" height="180" width="400" /></a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Langley's Aerodrome</i></td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<div style="margin-bottom: .75em; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
The many failures of attempts at flight have made people skeptical in regard to success, and the ridicule commonly accorded experimenters has doubtless deterred many scientific investigators and withheld the capital necessary to make experiments, but within the last decade exhaustive experiments in regard to the sustaining and resisting power of the air have been made by several scientists, notably by Mr. Hiram Maxim and Mr. S. P. Langley. It is now known what weight the air will sustain, what power is necessary to support a definite weight, and other facts, which before were only guessed at. Experiments have also been made to determine the best material and the best form for the sustaining planes and the propellers.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .75em; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
To secure a satisfactory motor has long been regarded as the most difficult problem to be solved in obtaining flight, and until within a few years no motor had been constructed capable of sustaining, in addition to its own weight, that of the aeroplane or other means of support, the supply of fuel and the engineer, etc., but within that time, improvements in the quality of metals, and especially the advances made in steam engineering, have made such an achievement possible.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .75em; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
The power necessary to sustain a man in the air has been variously estimated by several experimenters. Mr. S. P. Langley, in his experiments with planes on a whirling table, found that one horse-power, rightly applied, would support over 200 pounds in the air at velocities over forty-five miles per hour. Mr. Maxim found, in a similar series of experiments, that with a plane moved at an angle of one on fourteen, one horse-power would support 133 pounds. Mr. 0. Chanute, in "The Progress of Flying Machines," states that as a general conclusion it may be said that, including the resistance of the machinery and framing, 100 pounds per horse-power is about the maximum that can be lifted, and he estimates that, in small aeroplanes capable of lifting one man, fifty pounds per horse-power is the greatest amount that can be allowed for the weight of the motor.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .75em; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
Motors have been constructed which will more than fulfill these demands. Mr. Langley has made a steam engine which, without the boiler, weighed only six pounds per horse-power. Mr. Hargrave, of Australia, has constructed a small engine which weighs only 10.7 pounds per horse-power. Mr. Maxim's engines of 300 horse-power weigh, with boiler and condensers complete, only eight pounds per horse-power, while the engines alone weigh only two pounds per horse-power. He considers it practicable to build an engine, boiler, condenser, etc., complete, which will weigh only five pounds per horse-power. Mr. Mosher, who built the steam yacht " Norwood," has stated that he can supply engines for experimental flying machines of less than ten pounds per horse-power.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .75em; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
The question of a suitable motor being disposed of, the most important difficulties remaining are successful alighting after flight and a satisfactory method of retaining equilibrium during flight. It is not probable that these will long remain obstacles in the path of the many investigators now interested in the work.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .75em; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
During the last twenty-fire years the French have been interested in the dirigible balloon, and have had partial success with it. The "La Prance," which attained the greatest success, was cigar-shaped, 165 feet long, and, with a nine-horse-power electric motor, attained a speed of fourteen miles per hour. A larger one is now projected that will make twenty-five miles per hour. While the dirigible balloon would be very useful, in the absence of anything better, the most experienced investigators claim that the aeroplane presents greater prospects of complete success. Many inventors are now experimenting with different forms of supporting and propelling machines. One of the most interesting is that of Mr. Otto Lilienthal, of Berlin, who, with a pair of bat-like wings twenty-six feet from tip to tip, has succeeded in flying 400 yards down the slope of a hill. In a recent model he uses a small motor, driven by compressed carbonic acid gas, to assist him in moving his Wings.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .75em; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
Mr. Phillips, of England, has constructed a flying machine weighing 330 pounds, which has a record of having flown 2,000 feet at the rate of forty miles per hour. While this machine was not absolutely free from the ground, it demonstrated its ability to raise more than its weight. The peculiar feature of it is the aeroplane, which resembles a Venetian blind eight feet high and twenty-two feet wide.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .75em; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
Mr. Maxim's aeroplane, which is one of the few air ships that have ever succeeded in getting beyond the model stage, and the only one of its size that has shown itself capable of rising from the ground, offers great promise. It has 5,400 square feet of aeroplane. Its extreme length is 125 feet; width, 104 feet; weight, 8,000 pounds, and its lifting power at a velocity of about fifty miles per hour is 10,000 pounds. Its record of actual free flight is over 500 feet. Mr. Maxim says that after having been so successful in constructing this machine, "it only remains to continue the experiments with a view of learning the art of manoeuvring it."</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .75em; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
Since the perfecting of the air-ship in the near future seems so probable, it is certainly not out of place to speculate as to what would be its effect on warfare, since it would probably first be used for that purpose. The advantages to be gained by their use in war are so evident and so important that when once perfected they will form just as necessary a part of the defenses of a nation as is now furnished by a navy.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .75em; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
Air-ships may be used in war for observation of the enemy, for reconnaissance, for carrying dispatches, and for offensive attack.</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: .75em; text-align: right;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-J6cBS5BBBOQ/VCt9KjMwROI/AAAAAAAADOk/Mtp4pl7Lqdc/s1600/First_Zeppelin_ascent.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-J6cBS5BBBOQ/VCt9KjMwROI/AAAAAAAADOk/Mtp4pl7Lqdc/s1600/First_Zeppelin_ascent.png" height="208" width="320" /></a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Zeppelin's LZ-1 makes its first ascent.</i></td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<div style="margin-bottom: .75em; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
Balloons, usually captive, have often been used for observation of the enemy, and they now form part of the equipment of almost .all nations. An air-ship, completely under control, would be an ideal means of observation and reconnaissance. It could penetrate far into the enemy's country, and return promptly with intelligence. The most minute information of an enemy's numbers, disposition and movements could be obtained, which from its accuracy would be of incalculable importance to the commander of an army.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .75em; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
The general in command of an army could, from a position on an air-ship, make better disposition of his forces and, having better knowledge of how a battle was going, could meet emergencies more promptly.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .75em; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
For topographical work an air-ship would be a valuable auxiliary. By instantaneous photography of the underlying country, accurate maps could be made and multiplied for circulation.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .75em; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
For carrying messages the air-ship might be useful in the absence or interruption of electrical communication.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .75em; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
The most important field, however, for the operation of the air-ship would be its use in offensive operations. For this purpose it is eminently adapted, and will far surpass any weapon or means of offence that man has heretofore invented. An air-ship could, by rising beyond the range of the enemy's guns, or by moving rapidly in irregular or zigzag directions, prevent guns being trained and fired upon it, while its own guns would still be effective. The high angle of elevation required to fire at an air-ship would make the artillery of the present day useless, with the exception of mortars. The concentration of mortar fire might be attempted, but only a chance shot, while the air-ship was at a low altitude, could have any effect.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .75em; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
Air-ships will probably be armed with light rapid-fire guns for attack upon other air-ships, and with guns of low power, possibly pneumatic, for firing at objects beneath. In many cases guns could be dispensed with and projectiles of all kinds could simply be dropped. By coming up against the wind and making certain adjustments of the rudders and aeroplanes, the velocity could be diminished, possibly almost to a full stop, with-out the air-ship falling, and thus give the gunners an opportunity to do more accurate firing. A handful of bullets thrown from the height of a half-mile or so would be very destructive upon reaching the earth. Shell or shrapnel could be used with good effect. The greatest use of the air-ship, however, would be to drop torpedoes containing a high explosive. One torpedo exploded in the vicinity of a man-of-war would annihilate it. The ship would be entirely powerless to protect herself. No matter what her speed, she could not run away or conceal herself in any way, so that the destruction of an entire fleet would be a comparatively short matter. The bombardment of a city or a fort would be much more easily accomplished since the target would be larger and stationary.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .75em; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
An air-ship, then, hovering over the capital of a country would, unless a more powerful similar antagonist were brought against it, soon bring the government to favorable terms.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .75em; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
Land fortifications would be tenable only if provided with proper overhead protection for guns and men, and would be powerless against an air-ship. An army, when a hostile air-ship appeared, would be forced to adopt the most open kind of extended formation, since a closed mass would offer a good target for the aerial gunners.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .75em; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
The ability of an air-ship to hover over and threaten the headquarters of the commander of an army might have a vital effect upon the result of a battle.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .75em; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
The only method of attacking an air-ship that would offer a reasonable hope of success would be by other air-ships. The battle between them would be in some respects similar to one between naval vessels, with the additional features of much higher speed and of its not being confined to one plane. Each would endeavor to cripple the other. Their light construction would allow them to be easily damaged. The sustaining aeroplane destroyed, gravity would do the rest. Ramming would probably be impracticable. In a conflict between an aeroplane and a dirigible balloon, the latter would be at a decided disadvantage.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .75em; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
The possession of an air-ship, or the successful termination of a battle between air-ships, will thus quickly decide a war. We may look forward, then, to shorter wars in the future, and since the conflict of the air-ships will be the decisive factor of a battle, the relative importance of large armies and navies will be diminished. It would be absolutely necessary, therefore, that a nation engaging in war with another nation owning air-ships, should herself possess a sufficient number of them. To be without would be certain defeat, even though her antagonist were a small nation with an insignificant army and navy.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .75em; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
We may say, then, that the invention of a successful air-ship will cause an entire revolution in the art of war more stupendous than that caused by any invention since that of gunpowder, and even surpassing that, since it only increased the distance between the lines of the combatants, while the principles of attack and defense, strategy and supply, remained unchanged, or were only slowly modified. A flying machine, however, will nullify strategy, make vital changes in the principles of attack and defense, diminish the importance of navies and sea-coast fortifications, and by bringing the theatre of operations to the doors of palaces and legislatures, render speedy settlement of national grievances imperative.</div>
<center>
<hr />
<i>by Lt. John K. Cree, U.S.A.</i>, ©1896; This article originally appeared in the January 1, 1896, issue of the <i>North American Review</i>.
<hr />
</center>
Josephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09371885946051312891noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8983732845178435585.post-52258982163460105092014-09-30T20:39:00.000-07:002014-10-08T21:34:33.775-07:00A View from the Bridge<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lmhpuwqwkfw/U9JgY8qRvVI/AAAAAAAAC20/-MUIGRFILOI/s1600/bridge.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lmhpuwqwkfw/U9JgY8qRvVI/AAAAAAAAC20/-MUIGRFILOI/s1600/bridge.png" height="320" width="170" /></a>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .75em; text-indent: .25in;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Month three of <a href="http://paleotechnic.blogspot.com/">Paleotechnic Press</a> is under my belt, and I remain pleased with both the reception of the website and my progress in making it a useful tool for Victorian SciFi enthusiasts. </div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .75em; text-indent: .25in;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Those who are observant will notice some changes to the bottom of the template. I added the <a href="http://www.blogger.com/" target="_blank">Blogger</a> and <a href="https://plus.google.com/u/0/118251698019845788927/posts" target="_blank">Google+</a> follower widgets. I am open to changing those widgets and welcome suggestions. I also added the <span style="text-indent: 0.25in;">poll widget and invite everyone's participation. To that end the first poll is about what kinds of articles readers would like to see. </span><span style="text-indent: 0.25in;">I've got several more old magazine (<i>Challenge</i> and others) articles that I have permission to use, as well as a few new ones including a campaign scenario for <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1930658052/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1930658052&linkCode=as2&tag=paleotpress-20&linkId=227DLJZOMRZRDEJA">Ironclads & Ether Flyers</a></i> that I ran back in the 1990s. But what types of articles are you most interested in? Check out the poll and/or leave a comment.</span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .75em; text-indent: .25in;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I am also happy to announce that the PDF edition of <a href="http://www.chroniclecity.com/" target="_blank">Chronicle City's</a> edition of <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0966892690/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0966892690&linkCode=as2&tag=paleotpress-20&linkId=RJCEFXK6FSKDS6BW">Space 1889</a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=paleotpress-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0966892690" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
</i> was released to <a href="https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/440453703/space-1889-sf-role-playing-in-a-more-civilized-tim/" target="_blank">Kickstarter</a> subscribers today, I hope that the physical copies will not be far behind (along with the other modules and sourcebooks)! In a tangentially related development, <a href="http://www.brigademodels.co.uk/" target="_blank">Brigade Games</a>, in the UK, released a new model of a <a href="http://www.brigademodels.co.uk/Blog/category/2mm-buildings/" target="_blank">2mm scale airship hanger</a>, as a scenery item for their Aeronef & Land Ironclads lines of miniatures. The model looks like it will work well with the classic <a href="http://paleotechnic.blogspot.com/p/sky-galleons-and-gunboats.html">GameTech</a> and <a href="http://paleotechnic.blogspot.com/p/houstons-cloudships-and-gunboats_24.html">Houston's Ships</a> zeppelin models, so plans for a "build-up" article are underway.</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .75em; text-indent: .25in;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Finally, following this editorial, I plan to post another "historical" article, <u><a href="http://paleotechnic.blogspot.com/2014/09/the-influence-of-air-ship-on-war.html">The Influence of the Air-Ship on War</a></u> (from an 1890s edition of the <i>North American Review</i>), and early next month should have Greg Porter's original <u><a href="http://paleotechnic.blogspot.com/2014/10/ships-of-line.html">Ships of the Line</a></u> article up as well. Continue to check this space for future developments, and h<span style="text-indent: 0.25in;">appy gaming!</span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i>~Joe</i></div>
</div>
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</noscript>Josephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09371885946051312891noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8983732845178435585.post-51524435348715546912014-09-26T21:15:00.001-07:002014-09-29T12:18:57.813-07:00Fire and Movement Variants<h3 style="text-align: center;">
Phased Movement & Defenisve Fire Rules for Space: 1889 Aerial Combat </h3>
<div style="margin-bottom: .6em; margin-top: .75em; text-align: justify; text-indent: .125in;">
A common complaint about <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1930658044/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1930658044&linkCode=as2&tag=paleotpress-20&linkId=MILJO23AR33IK2FQ">Sky Galleons of Mars</a></i> has been that with sequential movement it is difficult, if not impossible, to have anything like a fair or balanced game. To that end, a proposal to divide movement into phases is laid out, herein. During each phase of a turn, every ship expends a number of movement points depending on its set speed for the turn <i>(editors note: initiative determination is handled normally)</i>. Additionally, at the end of each phase, each ship should be allowed to fire its guns, assuming that the gun fired has a target within its arc of fire, and within its range, AND the gun has not already reached its maximum rate of fire (ROF) for the turn.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .6em; text-align: justify; text-indent: .125in;">
Basically, any gun that hasn't fired yet, may shoot. For guns with a ROF more than 1, they can fire up to their rate of fire for the whole turn. OR, they can fire part of their allowed ROF and save some for later.</div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jJqgm6ZicRc/VCZBLOvZg4I/AAAAAAAADNQ/ASNql_EEF7I/s1600/navalgunnery.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jJqgm6ZicRc/VCZBLOvZg4I/AAAAAAAADNQ/ASNql_EEF7I/s1600/navalgunnery.png" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .6em; text-align: justify; text-indent: .125in;">
As an example, a 6pdr Hotchkiss Revolving Cannon (HRC) has an ROF of 3. If the HRC has a target in its firing arc at the end of phase one; it could fire 1, 2, or 3 rounds. If the gun fires 1 round, then it has 2 rounds left for the remaining two phases, assuming it has a target within its firing arc during the following phases. IF it fires 2 rounds, then it has 1 round left to use. IF it fires all three (max ROF) then it cannot fire for the remainder of the turn.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .5em; text-align: justify; text-indent: .125in;">
<b>Defensive Fire: </b>May take place at the end of any phase in which a ship was fired upon; assuming the defending vessel still has weapons with which to return fire, and the enemy vessel that fired upon them is within the firing arc, and range, of those weapons.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .6em; text-align: justify; text-indent: .125in;">
Naturally, these variants entail a little more bookkeeping for the players, however they should prove less cumbersome than trying to graft, and execute, a plotting and simultaneous move system onto <i style="text-indent: 0.125in;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1930658044/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1930658044&linkCode=as2&tag=paleotpress-20&linkId=MILJO23AR33IK2FQ">Sky Galleons of Mars</a></i><span style="text-indent: 0.125in;">. In the end, initiative will still rule the day, but these modifications should provide some measure of balance for all players.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .6em; text-align: justify; text-indent: .125in;">
As with any rules, these variants are not written in stone. They are simply meant as guidelines, and the reader is free to modify them to suit their personal tastes.</div>
<table style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<th style="text-align: center;">Speed</th>
<th style="text-align: center;">Phase 1</th>
<th style="text-align: center;">Phase 2</th>
<th style="text-align: center;">Phase 3</th>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">0: </span></td>
<td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">0</span></td>
<td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">0</span></td>
<td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">0</span></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">1: </span></td>
<td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">0</span></td>
<td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">1</span></td>
<td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">0</span></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">2: </span></td>
<td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">1</span></td>
<td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">0</span></td>
<td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">1</span></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">3: </span></td>
<td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">1</span></td>
<td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">1</span></td>
<td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">1</span></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">4: </span></td>
<td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">1</span></td>
<td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">2</span></td>
<td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">1</span></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">5: </span></td>
<td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">2</span></td>
<td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">1</span></td>
<td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">2</span></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">6: </span></td>
<td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">2</span></td>
<td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">2</span></td>
<td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">2</span></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">7: </span></td>
<td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">2</span></td>
<td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">3</span></td>
<td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">2</span></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">8: </span></td>
<td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">3</span></td>
<td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">2</span></td>
<td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">3</span></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">9: </span></td>
<td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">3</span></td>
<td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">3</span></td>
<td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">3</span></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">10: </span></td>
<td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">3</span></td>
<td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">4</span></td>
<td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">3</span></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">11: </span></td>
<td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">4</span></td>
<td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">3</span></td>
<td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">4</span></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">12: </span></td>
<td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">4</span></td>
<td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">4</span></td>
<td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">4</span></td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<div style="margin-bottom: .6em; margin-top: .75em; text-align: justify; text-indent: .125in;">
Higher speeds, if needed, can be extrapolated by continuing the linear progression of the chart. The author, and the editor, welcome your comments, questions, and short speeches about these variants in the space below...—<i>the editor.</i></div>
<hr />
<div style="text-align: center;">
by <a href="mailto:albert@space1889.org" target="_blank"><i>Albert Lowe</i></a> ©2001; this variant originally appeared on Mr. Lowe's <a href="http://www.space1889.org/" target="_blank">Space: 1889 website</a>, and it is used here with his permission.
</div>
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</noscript>Josephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09371885946051312891noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8983732845178435585.post-42474056414334104072014-09-21T20:07:00.000-07:002014-10-21T10:51:29.028-07:00Sky Galleons of...Venus?!<center>
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Dirigible Battles Using the <i>Sky Galleons of Mars</i> Rules.</span></b></center>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .75em;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i>On Venus the imperial powers have begun using dirigibles, and colonial
ambitions inevitably create conflict. Dirigible battles can be fought
using <i>Sky Galleons of Mars</i>, with a few minor changes.</i></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .75em;">
<b>AIRSHIP DESIGN</b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .75em;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The rules for hydrogen dirigible design given in <i>Ironclads and Ether
Flyers</i> are somewhat unrealistic, as the airships created are all
vastly bigger than anything Victorian technology could produce. A 200-ton
airship of Hull Size 2 would be the size of the giant dirigibles of the
1930s, and a 1000-ton Zeppelin would be three times the size of the
Hindenburg! The following rules allow the creation of more realistic
airships.</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .75em;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JWYOFyaIFvk/VB8DEI2ZxII/AAAAAAAADHE/as-WJkyJIYI/s1600/umberto.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JWYOFyaIFvk/VB8DEI2ZxII/AAAAAAAADHE/as-WJkyJIYI/s1600/umberto.png" height="247" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Italian dirigible <i>RA Umberto</i> displaying its distinct "kite" tail.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b>Hull Size:</b> When designing a gas-filled dirigible, choose the Hull
Size normally. Each Hull Size number represents a gas bag volume of about
300,000 cubic feet. Most airships weigh only 10 tons per Hull Size number,
instead of the 100 tons possible for liftwood flyers. Non-rigid airships
can be built up to Hull Size 2; larger than that they must be rigid. Rigid
airships are an invention, requiring a Flight knowledge of 10, with a
Reliability modifier of 2. At present, only the Zeppelin company has the
secret of building rigids. They can be constructed up to Hull Size 10.
Giant Airships are another invention, requiring Flight knowledge of 20,
with a Reliability modifier of 3. Giant Airships can be built up to Hull
Size 20. Finally, Super Airships require a Flight Knowledge of 30 to create,
with a Reliability modifier of 4. Super Airships can be as big as Hull Size
30. All dirigibles cost £5,000 per hull size number. Rams may not be
used, and airships cannot be armored.</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .75em;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>Engines:</b> Propulsion follows the Sky Galleons rules, but petrol-burning
forced-draught boilers or turbine engines are favored.In determining engine
size it is useful to employ fractional hull sizes. A 15-ton dirigible would
count as hull size 1 1/2, and consequently would need an engine of size 1 1/2
to drive it at speed 6. Fuel consumption should also be worked out to fractional
values. Airships often have much smaller cruising ranges than liftwood vessels,
with only a few days' fuel on board.</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .75em;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>Weapons:</b> Armament follows the standard rules, but use only half the
listed weight for all gun mounts (dirigibles don't have large magazines, and
everything on board is specially modified for lightness). Liftwood devices
such as Tether Mines or Smutts Torpedoes are not available on Venus, but can
be mounted on airships in use on Earth or Mars. Drogue Torpedoes and Spike
Droppers may be used normally. Incendiary devices are out of the question.</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .75em;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>Other Features:</b> Additional crew or passengers require
1 ton each. Since airships tend to have cramped accommodations, the designer
must add features like a galley, promenade or lounge (1 ton each).</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .75em;">
<b>AIRSHIP COMBAT</b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .75em;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
There are few differences between airship combat and the <i>Sky Galleons</i> rules.
Because a gas bag is so easily punctured, all shells pass through the
envelope without detonating, so all Hull hits inflict only 1 point of
damage. Fires automatically destroy hydrogen airships. If one catches at
Low or Very Low altitude, the crew may try to ride the flaming wreckage to
a safe landing. Each crewman who rolls a 6 on one die survives; the remainder
perish.</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .75em;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The damage rules for targets at different altitudes are reversed for
airships, since the bulk of the hull is above the crew compartment - the
reverse of the usual arrangement for liftwood flyers. If one fires at a
dirigible at a lower altitude, then all Crew hits count as Hull hits. If
one fires at a target which is at a higher altitude, then all hits are
resolved normally on the damage table.</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .75em;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>AIRSHIPS IN USE ON VENUS</b></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .75em;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>German Zeppelin Gunboat:</b> Though flimsy compared with gunboats on
Mars and Earth, the Zeppelin is a veritable battleship on Venus. The
armament is chiefly for use against dinosaurs and Lizard-men. The German
air fleet on Venus includes four such vessels, the L ("Luftschiff")-16,
L-19, L-20, and L-24.</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .75em;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The gunboat is a hydrogen-filled rigid Zeppelin of Hull Size 4, with an
oil-fired forced-draught engine of size 2.7 and a 4-day petrol supply. The
ship is armed with a 3-pounder Hotchkiss forward, a pair of 5-barrel
Nordenfelts in wing mounts, and a Maxim gun astern. It has space for 3
passengers and carries a ton of cargo. The Zeppelin costs £26,570.
It has a speed of 4, and can reach Very High altitude. If the ship carries
fuel for an additional 5 days of flight (or 7 tons of cargo), its maximum
altitude is High. At medium altitude it can haul another weeks worth of
fuel or 11 more tons of cargo.</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .75em;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>Italian Dirigible:</b> The Italians have pioneered the semi-rigid dirigible,
of which this is a good example. It has a rigid keel along the base of the
gasbag, to which the engines and gondola are attached. It is a multipurpose
patrol craft, not a warship. There is currently one such ship on Venus, the <i>RA ("Regia Aeronave") Umberto</i>.</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .75em;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The <i>RA Umberto</i> is a hydrogen-lift airship with a Hull Size of 2. It has an
oil-fired forced-draught engine (ES=1) and 3.5 tons of fuel (enough for 7 days). It
is armed with two wing-mount 50-caliber Gatlings and a Gardner gun forward. It has
space for 5 passengers. The ship can reach Very High altitude, has a Speed of 3,
and costs £19,330. With an additional 3.5 tons of cargo or week's fuel it is
limited to High altitude, and carrying 5 tons more of cargo or petrol it can reach
Medium.</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .75em;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OS8eFilIlJU/VB2ayUGP5vI/AAAAAAAADGo/BOKim4ntL3k/s1600/italian_blimp.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OS8eFilIlJU/VB2ayUGP5vI/AAAAAAAADGo/BOKim4ntL3k/s1600/italian_blimp.png" height="212" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An Italian patrol blimp over Venus.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>Italian Patrol Blimp:</b> This smaller craft is a non-rigid blimp; it is cheap
and fast. The Italians presently operate two blimps, the <i>RA Roma</i> and the <i>RA Venezia</i>.</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .75em;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The blimp is Hull Size 1, with a total weight of 8 tons.It has an oil-fired turbine
engine and carries 2 tons of oil (burning1/2 ton per day). The blimp mounts
a pair of Gardner guns. It can carry 3 passengers at Very High altitude, adding 2
tons of cargo or fuel at High, and another 2.5 tons of payload at Medium. The patrol
blimp has a Speed of 6, and costs £9,160.</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .75em;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>British Royal Navy Airship:</b> The British have had difficulty translating their
expertise in liftwood flyer design to dirigibles. This blimp is essentially a copy
of an Italian design, but with heavier armament. The British have three blimps in
their colony, the NA.3 ("Naval Airship"), NA.5, and NA.6.</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .75em;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The blimp is Hull Size 1, weighing 8 tons. It has an oil-fired steam turbine engine
with 2 tons of fuel, giving it a 4-day endurance. Armament consists of a single 1-inch
Gatling gun forward, and three Maxim guns in wing and stern mounts. Maximum altitude
is Very High, but the blimp can carry no cargo at that height. Speed is 6; cost is
£9,520.</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .75em;">
<div style="text-align: right;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AoOzsGcyUkg/VB8rAumd_PI/AAAAAAAADHw/ep4SFt7jbyE/s1600/russian_blimp.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AoOzsGcyUkg/VB8rAumd_PI/AAAAAAAADHw/ep4SFt7jbyE/s1600/russian_blimp.png" height="320" width="231" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Russian Post Stamp depicting an Army Blimp.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>Russian Army Blimp:</b> The Russian blimp sacrifices speed and altitude for armament
and carrying capacity. It can transport a squad of soldiers to a trouble spot and
provide fire support, or carry vital cargo. The Russians currently have two blimps, the
<i>Alexander </i>and the <i>St. Petersburg</i>.The Russian blimp is of Hull Size 2. It has an oil-fired forced-draught engine of size
1, and 4.5 tons of fuel (enough for 9 days' cruising). The armament consists of a single
Mitrailleuse mounted forward. The blimp has space for 8 passengers, and at Medium
altitude can carry 5 tons of cargo. It can reach High altitude, and has a top speed of 3.
Cost: £12,220.</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .75em;">
<b>SCENARIO 1: LINES ON A MAP</b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .75em;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
In the spring of 1888, the Zeppelin L-19 was sent to survey the Venusian Alps northwest
of the Italian colony. The Italian governor got word of the mission, and feared that
the Germans were trying to secure a colonial claim in Italian territory. The
newly-completed <i>Umberto</i> and a patrol blimp were sent to chase away the L-19 and
protect Italy's rights to the area.</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .75em;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>Rules:</b> Use the mountain map from <i>Sky Galleons of Mars</i>. The contour lines
mark the different altitude levels. The Germans start at any height in the center of the
map; and the Italians enter from one side at any altitude.</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .75em;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>Victory</b>: The Italians win if the German ship is destroyed or forced to leave the
map. The Germans win if they withstand the Italian attack.</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .75em;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>SCENARIO 2: HEARTS AND MINDS</b></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .75em;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
In August 1889, Russian and Italian blimps were sent to establish relations with the
coastal tribes north of the Hestia Highlands. Both states hoped to overawe the natives
with their flying ships. The two blimps arrived with in a week of each other, and the
captains began shooting at one another shortly there after.</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .75em;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>Rules:</b> Each side gets one blimp. The desert map is used, ignoring surface
features. The two ships enter from opposite sides of the map at any altitude.</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .75em;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>Victory:</b> The victor must destroy his enemy and still be able to return home.
To return home, an airship must have a working screw and rudder, and must be able to
reach low altitude.</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .75em;">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B9NqkQvtvJhIZVI5NkxWR2wwWFk/" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ygDNZKWEuRU/VB-OrHcy1hI/AAAAAAAADIA/NDUruHs85gg/s1600/NA3.png" height="320" width="261" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>click to download a copy of the blimp charts</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b>SCENARIO 3: VICTORY AT SEA</b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .75em;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
William Sigerson, a British spy in the Italian colony, was discovered and had to flee.
With the help of sympathetic Lizard-men, he reached the coast and sailed toward
British territory. Sigerson was pursued by the <i>Umberto</i>. In mid-ocean however,
a British blimp arrived just as the Italians began to attack the raft.</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .75em;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>Rules:</b> The British get a blimp, the Italians get the <i>Umberto</i>. Either
map is used, ignoring surface features. A marker in the center of the map represents
the raft which moves one hex toward the right hand edge each turn. The Italians start
within 4 hexes of the raft at Medium or higher altitude; the British enter one side
of the map at any altitude.</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .75em;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>Victory:</b> The British win if they can finish one turn at ground altitude on the
raft (and pick up Sigerson) and leave the map, or else destroy the <i>Umberto</i>. The
Italians win if they sink the raft before Sigerson is rescued, or destroy the blimp.
To sink the raft, the Italians must score a total of 30 hits on it.</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .75em;">
<b>SCENARIO 4: A SCIENTIFIC DEBATE</b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .75em;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The feud between Kaptanleutnant Freitag of the L-19 and Lieutenant MacRoss of the NA.5
began because both were amateur naturalists. MacRoss repeatedly beat Freitag into
publication with descriptions of Venusian flora and fauna. Freitag claimed plagiarism.
When the L-19 encountered the NA.5 over German territory, Freitag decided to end the
feud once and for all.</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .75em;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>Rules:</b> Use the desert map. The contour lines mark different altitude levels.
The British get a blimp; the Germans get a Zeppelin. The NA.5 begins at any altitude in
the center of the map; the L-19 enters at Very High from the right hand edge. The German
player automatically gets the initiative on the first turn.</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .75em;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>Victory:</b> The British player must escape off the left-hand edge of the map, or
destroy the L-19. The German player wins if the captain of the NA.5 is killed.</div>
</div>
<b>About the Author</b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .75em; text-align: justify;">
<a href="http://www.jamescambias.com/" target="_blank">James L. Cambias</a> is Chief Game Architect at <a href="http://zygotegames.com/" target="_blank">Zygote Games</a>. Jim began writing games in 1990, and worked for Game Designers' Workshop, Steve Jackson Games, HERO Games, and Iron Crown Enterprises before joining Zygote. He is also the <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/436495.James_Cambias" target="_blank">author</a> of the SF novel <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0765336278/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0765336278&linkCode=as2&tag=paleotpress-20&linkId=F3DU6WZUEQCI4WG3"><i>A Darkling Sea</i></a>, and the forthcoming <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00OFIO75W/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00OFIO75W&linkCode=as2&tag=paleotpress-20&linkId=Z7PYB5KCDPRJO26G"><i>Corsair</i></a> (Tor Books, Spring 2015)
</div>
<center>
<hr size="2" />
<i>by <a href="mailto:jim@zygotegames.com" target="_blank">James Cambias</a></i>, ©1993; the article appeared in <a href="http://paleotechnic.blogspot.com/p/transactions-of-royal-martian.html">Transactions of the Royal Martian Geographical Society</a>, Vol. 1, No. 6. It has been updated, and is used here with the author's permission.
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</noscript>Josephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09371885946051312891noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8983732845178435585.post-89380075054964856902014-09-19T00:26:00.002-07:002014-10-12T08:01:58.414-07:00HMS Imperieuse<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;">WAR SHIPS OF THE BRITISH ROYAL NAVY.</span></b>
</div>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-f2mV80qd6rc/VAzqNR-esdI/AAAAAAAADEg/VkYMhmZlVhQ/s1600/HMS_Imperieuse.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-f2mV80qd6rc/VAzqNR-esdI/AAAAAAAADEg/VkYMhmZlVhQ/s1600/HMS_Imperieuse.png" height="295" width="375" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i>RECENTLY COMMISSIONED-H.M.S. IMPERIEUSE</i></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin-bottom: .5em; text-align: justify; text-indent: .125in;">
As an example of one of the latest additions to the Royal Navy, we give an engraving of H.M.S. Imperieuse. for which we are indebted to the <i>Illustrated London News</i>. The Imperieuse and her sister ship, the Warspite, were launched in 1883 & 1884, receiving their commissioning pennants in 1886 & 1888 respectively. The ships are designed as fast cruisers, carrying four heavy revolving guns in barbette towers, capable of being fired in any direction, besides six lighter guns. Each ship will be able to carry 900 tons of coal, and to steam at the rate of sixteen knots per hour. The ships are brig-rigged, with a large spread of canvas for cruising.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .5em; text-align: justify; text-align: justify; text-indent: .125in;">
The dimensions of the ship are: Length, 315 feet; displacement, 7,300 tons; horse power, 8,000.<span style="text-align: start; text-indent: 0px;">—<i>Engineering</i></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .5em;">
<b>Technical Specifications:</b></div>
<center>
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Class</i></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Year</i></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<i>MS</i></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Ram</i></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Spd</i></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Hs</i></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Blt</i></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Bty</i></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Blk</i></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Trt</i></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Deck</i></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: left;">
<i>Armament</i></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr><td><div style="text-align: center;">
AC</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
1886</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
34</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
N</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
3</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
6</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
M5</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
-</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
4</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
4</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
4</div>
</td>
<td>F,A,P,S: [1x9B], FS,AS: 1x6B, BS:3x6B; BT-2, ST-2, MT-1, 4QF</td>
</tr>
<tr>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<br />
</center>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B9NqkQvtvJhIYUhkTVI3bU9xSTg/view?usp=sharing" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4yBj5WOLwCo/VBvZShND0dI/AAAAAAAADF8/CiADdjNZ7y8/s1600/imperieuse.png" height="400" width="258" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Click image for a PDF copy of the ship chart.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<center>
</center>Josephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09371885946051312891noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8983732845178435585.post-19447193501284792142014-09-15T12:59:00.000-07:002014-10-16T23:04:46.006-07:00Hallmarks of Civilization<div style="margin-bottom: .5em; text-align: justify; text-indent: .125in;">
The various departments of science are so closely interlinked that achievements in each throw light upon the problems of the others, often in vary unexpected ways. It is for those who, taking the worlds as they are, are concerned to make them as better as they can; for those who can see, without elaborate explanation, that sanitary savagery does not well accord with clean living which is a distinguishing mark of civilization; for those who are not too indolent or engaged to look fairly at the reasons which have given rise to the general demand, so frequent today, for clean surroundings, and the physical and mental vigor which these conditions foster.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .5em; text-align: justify; text-indent: .125in;">
Clean water is one of the hallmarks of civilization. Today, like never before, we can utilize science and technology to turn the brackish canal waters of Mars, the steamy swamp waters of Venus, as well as less-desirable quantities of water here on Earth, into potable water. Further, once purified, that water can be turned to ice for all manner of purposes, from the preservation of food to the cooling of dwellings. Truly we live in a gilded age.<span style="text-align: start; text-indent: 0px;">—</span><i>editor</i></div>
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<td style="padding: 5px;"><hr />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">
B R I G H T, C L E A R W A T E R</span></b></div>
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<div style="margin-bottom: .25em; text-align: justify;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kmeA6Z56pGE/VAzRd_948fI/AAAAAAAADEA/X0Mi-WjnC64/s1600/water_filter.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kmeA6Z56pGE/VAzRd_948fI/AAAAAAAADEA/X0Mi-WjnC64/s1600/water_filter.png" height="220" width="162" /></a>
guaranteed in all cases, at low cost, and in quantities from 5 gals. to 5,000 gals. per minute. Adapted to Private Houses, Hotels, Asylums, Hospitals, Factories, Mills, Boilers, Steam Boats, and Water Works in Towns and Cities.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 1em; text-align: justify; text-indent: .125in;">
Our Filters are simple in construction and operation, will stand any pressure, the filtering material is imperishable, and can be cleaned in from five to twenty minutes, effectually removing all impurities from the Filter bed. Plans and specifications ready for a 15,000,000 gallon plant. Send for Circular, stating paper you saw advertisement in to:</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;">THE NEWARK FLITERING COMPANY,</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>141 COMMERCE ST., NEWARK, N. J.</b></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ckkHINWQ0EI/VAzWQEbF0_I/AAAAAAAADEQ/bxCj6w1lYEg/s1600/ice_machine.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ckkHINWQ0EI/VAzWQEbF0_I/AAAAAAAADEQ/bxCj6w1lYEg/s1600/ice_machine.png" height="210" width="166" /></a><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">ICE MACHINES</span></b></div>
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Of all sizes, from</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">10 lb. per Hour to</span></b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .4em; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">50 Tons per Day</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Binary Absorption System.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>ECONOMICAL</b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .4em; text-align: center;">
<b>SIMPLE, RELIABLE.</b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .4em; text-align: center;">
<b>Send for Circulars.</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Delamater Iron Works,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">16 Courtlandt St.,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>NEW YORK, U. S. A.</b></div>
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Josephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09371885946051312891noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8983732845178435585.post-67180594072414366472014-09-15T12:48:00.000-07:002014-10-12T08:02:13.354-07:00HIJMS Kotaka<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;">
TORPEDO BOAT FOR THE JAPANESE GOVERNMENT.</span></b></div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oJ4W3ajijXM/VBukbLEe6DI/AAAAAAAADFk/amJiHSm_m24/s1600/ijn_kotaka.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oJ4W3ajijXM/VBukbLEe6DI/AAAAAAAADFk/amJiHSm_m24/s1600/ijn_kotaka.png" height="232" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">THE JAPANESE NAVY'S SEA-GOING TORPEDO BOAT KOTAKA.</td></tr>
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<div style="margin-bottom: .5em; text-align: justify; text-indent: .125in;">
We give a photograph of the Japanese Government's new torpedo boat, <i>HIJMS Kotaka</i>, lately completed by Messrs. Yarrow & Co., of Poplar, which is of more than usual interest, as she is a distinct departure from the now stereotyped form of torpedo boat. Not only is she the largest that has hitherto been built, but she embodies several new features. The principal novelty is that vulnerable parts of the the vessel, including the machinery, are all protected by one inch steel armor which may be considered as an almost perfect defense against machine-gun fire, having in view the distance at which a torpedo boat attacks and the acute angle of fire at which it would be hit. The dimensions are 166 ft. long by 19 ft. beam, and she will be propelled by twin screws driven by engines indicating 1,400 horse power, from which a speed of nineteen to twenty knots, or about 23 miles an hour, maybe reasonably expected. The vessel has already been shipped in pieces to Japan, where she was put together; and if the trials come up to the expectations formed, there is no doubt that this type of torpedo boat will find much favor with many governments. For not only is good protection obtained, but the vessel, from her large size, offers great and very comfortable accommodation for the officers and crew, and is undoubtedly deserving of being considered thoroughly sea-going. How far the advantages gained by the one inch of steel armor will counter-balance the disadvantages of reduced speed and increased cost in consequence is for naval authorities rather than for engineers and shipbuilders to determine.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .5em; text-align: justify; text-indent: .125in;">
The <i>Kotaka's</i> armament consists of two torpedo tubes placed forward for direct firing ahead, the torpedoes being ejected by gunpowder. There will also be amidships and aft, on the deck, turntables, upon each of which will be mounted two torpedo guns, placed at an acute angle with one another and arranged for firing over the side. These guns, by being nearly, but not quite, parallel with each other, if fired simultaneously, will clearly very materially increase the probability of the vessel aimed at being hit. It is a remarkable fact that the Japanese were the first to introduce sea-going torpedo boats into their navy, Messrs. Yarrow & Co. having, some eight years ago, constructed a number of such craft for the Japanese Government, under the superintendence of Sir E. J. Reed. Again they have taken the initiative, in conjunction with Messrs. Yarrow and Co., in adopting a vessel of such an entirely new type and possessing such evident advantages over their predecessors. <span style="text-align: start; text-indent: 0px;">—</span><i>The Engineer</i>.</div>
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<b>Technical Specifications:</b></div>
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<i>Class</i></div>
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<i>MS</i></div>
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<i>Ram</i></div>
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<i>Spd</i></div>
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<i>Hs</i></div>
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<i>Blt</i></div>
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<i>Bty</i></div>
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<i>Blk</i></div>
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<i>Trt</i></div>
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<i>Deck</i></div>
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<i>Armament</i></div>
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TB</div>
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1888</div>
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(4)</div>
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<td><div style="text-align: center;">
N</div>
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<td><div style="text-align: center;">
3</div>
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<td><div style="text-align: center;">
3</div>
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<td><div style="text-align: center;">
-</div>
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<td><div style="text-align: center;">
-</div>
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<td><div style="text-align: center;">
-</div>
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<td><div style="text-align: center;">
-</div>
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<td><div style="text-align: center;">
-</div>
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<td>BT-2, DT-4, 4QF</td>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B9NqkQvtvJhIYUhkTVI3bU9xSTg/view?usp=sharing" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RrDTe53S85M/VBvTbBIFYoI/AAAAAAAADFw/QUf1rl9PeaY/s400/kotaka.png" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Click image to download a PDF copy of the chart.</td></tr>
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</center>Josephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09371885946051312891noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8983732845178435585.post-25505141602546122562014-08-31T23:55:00.000-07:002014-09-28T19:25:32.935-07:00Surprise at Clearwater<div style="margin-bottom: .75em;">
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<strong>Red Captain Ronald Whitfield is a source of constant irritation to the Oenotrian Empire.</strong>
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<div style="margin-bottom: .75em; text-indent: .25in;">
Ever since Ronald Whitfield first became a Red Captain, he and his kite, the <em>Cloud Leopard</em>, has been a source of constant irritation to the merchants of the Oenotrian Empire. To date, the <em>Cloud Leopard</em> has captured a dozen prizes, all Oenotrian, and caused great damage to the sky fleets of the empire. As well, Whitfield's old first mate, Andrew Phillips, soon became a Red Captain in his own right, commanding the <em>Sky Lynx</em>, a small screw galley refitted with a steam engine. By working together, the two Red Captains have been able to defeat more dangerous opponents than ever before.
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<em>Before the arrival of the humans on Mars, Martian culture had reached a point of stagnation in which innovation had nearly died out. In the years before the onset of this stagnation, Martian engineers developed a number of interesting and innovative weapons, which have never entered common usage for one reason or another. Two of these items are listed below.</em>
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<div style="margin-bottom: .5em;">
<strong>Thunderbolt Quick-firing Light Gun</strong>
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The thunderbolt is a variation on the theme of Earth's 15th century Veuglaire, which uses a removable firing chamber. This removable canister allows the Thunderbolt to have a longer barrel than standard light guns, since the weapon need not be muzzle-loaded. The canister is held in place by one or more wedges in primitive models. After firing, the crew loosens and removes the expended cartridge, replaces it with a loaded one, and tightens it in place.
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<div style="margin-bottom: .5em;">
This means of loading raises the gun's rate of fire somewhat, although three gunners are required to crew the weapon. The canister must be loaded with powder and shot in conventional fashion, but a number can be prepared ahead of time, at leisure, ensuring a better measured charge than is possible in the heat of battle. The increased rate of fire is achieved at a loss of range, however, because the seal at the breach is usually poor (due to corrosive effects of Martian gunpowder), and considerable pressure is lost, with consequent reduction in range. Despite this, Thunderbolts are still popular with some captains.
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<strong>Thunderbolt Table</strong>
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<td>Weapon</td>
<td align="center">Wt</td>
<td align="center">Pen</td>
<td align="center">Dv</td>
<td align="center">ROF</td>
<td align="center">Crew</td>
<td align="center">Rng</td>
<td align="center">Cost</td>
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<tr>
<td>Thunderbolt</td>
<td align="center">30</td>
<td align="center">0</td>
<td align="center">1</td>
<td align="center">2</td>
<td align="center">3</td>
<td align="center">1/2</td>
<td align="center">600</td>
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<td align="center"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B9NqkQvtvJhIVF9JSlBEamR4bE0/"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FvqZPxmS06o/VAQm4KN_luI/AAAAAAAADB8/2SMYaGEOCo8/s1600/lifesend.png" height="320" width="256" /></a></div>
<em><span style="font-size: x-small;">click image to download the PDF ship chart</span></em></td>
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<td valign="top"><div style="margin-bottom: .5em;">
<strong>Lob Gun Incendiary Projectile</strong>
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<div style="margin-bottom: .5em;">
The incendiary round for lob guns is a projectile that combines some of the impact damage of the normal lob gun round with the incendiary traits of Martian liquid fire. In form, the incendiary round consists of approximately a dozen small, stone containers of Martian liquid fire, banded together with iron to form a projectile nearly the same size as a normal lob gun round. The containers are scored to make them fracture upon impact, even with a wooden-hulled ship. The round is loaded into a lob gun in the same manner as a normal lob gun round. When the projectile is fired, one of the stone containers sometimes fractures in flight, which gives the round the appearance of a fireball as it flies through the air. The remaining containers burst and spill liquid fire when the round strikes its target. The fire level suffered by the target is determined by rolling 1D6 and subtracting the range in hexes from the gun to its target.
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<div style="margin-bottom: .5em;">
The incendiary round also causes impact damage: A lob gun firing such a round is considered to have a penetration of 1 and a damage value of 3 (rather than the standard values of Pen 2 and DV 4). As well, there is some chance of a loss of trim critical being caused by an incendiary round, but because of the projectile's lighter weight, that chance is not so great as with a normal round. When an incendiary round hits a target from a lob gun, roll 1D6: on a roll of 1-3, a loss of trim critical occurs.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .5em;">
Because of the difficulty involved in constructing incendiary projectiles for lob guns, each round is considered to have a cost of £5. Players should be careful to keep track of exactly how many incendiary rounds a ship carries. If a hit occurs on a lob gun magazine containing incendiary projectiles, roll 1D6 for each such projectile to determine the level of fire that breaks out on the ship.
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<div style="margin-bottom: .75em; text-indent: .25in;">
The Oenotrian Empire responded to this increased threat by stepping up efforts to locate and destroy the <em>Cloud Leopard</em> and its companion vessel. With great numbers of Oenotrian warships searching for them, Whitfield and Phillips recently headed north to prey upon High Martian pirates until the ire of the Oenotrians had cooled a bit. Unfortunately for the two Red Captains, a number of Oenotrian warships pursued them all the way to the Meroe Badlands.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .75em; text-indent: .25in;">
A few days before the beginning of the scenario, the <em>Cloud Leopard</em> and the <em>Sky Lynx</em> stumbled upon a pair of Sky Runner class vessels. The Red Captains heavily damaged the two ships, but in the fighting, the <em>Sky Lynx</em> took a boiler hit, and the <em>Sky Runners</em> were able to escape.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .75em; text-indent: .25in;">
Most of the drinking water on both Red Captains' ships went to replace that lost from the <em>Sky Lynx's</em> boiler. With the crews on short water rations, Whitfield and Phillips decided to set a course for the city of Mylarkt to replenish water and pick up other supplies.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .75em; text-indent: .25in;">
While heading for Mylarkt, however, the Red Captains discovered an abandoned High Martian kraag and stopped to explore it. Upon entering the kraag, they found a spring at its bottom. With the <em>Cloud Leopard</em> keeping watch overhead, the <em>Sky Lynx</em> set down and replenished its water supply. Then, the two ships switched places, and the <em>Sky Lynx</em> kept watch. While the <em>Cloud Leopard</em> was thus occupied, a violent sandstorm swept through the region. Unable to climb above the turbulence, the <em>Sky Lynx</em> was forced to set down as well. Once the storm passed, the two vessels prepared to get under way, but a trio of Oenotrian warships had followed close on the heels of the storm. Spotting the two ships on the ground, the Oenotrians closed in for the kill. At this point the scenario begins.
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<div style="margin-bottom: .75em;">
<strong>The Red Captains' Vessels</strong>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .75em; text-indent: .25in;">
The <em>Cloud Leopard</em> is simply a <em>Swiftwood</em>-class kite that has been refitted with British weaponry. The <em>Sky Lynx</em> was originally built in a Martian yard, but was later refitted with a British steam engine and weapons.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .75em; text-indent: .25in;">
The <em>Cloud Leopard</em> has Crack crews on its four-inch long gun and the spar-mounted six-pounders. Its other gun crews are Trained. The <em>Sky Lynx</em> has Crack crews on all of its guns. Marines on both vessels have modern rifles and are Trained.
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<div style="margin-bottom: .75em; text-indent: .25in;">
Both ships have a number of smoke screens and spike droppers, as indicated in their respective ship record forms.
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<div style="margin-bottom: .75em;">
<strong>The Oenotrian Vessels</strong>
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<div style="margin-bottom: .75em; text-indent: .25in;">
The three <em>Life's Ends</em> in this scenario are new designs, not encountered by the Red Captains before. One of these vessels is equipped with Thunderbolts and has exchanged its forward heavy gun for a rouge gun.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .75em; text-indent: .25in;">
Each of the three ships has one Crack, two Trained, and one Green gun crew (to be distributed, as the Martian player desires). The marines on all three ships carry muskets and are Trained.
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<div style="margin-bottom: .75em;">
<strong>Setup</strong>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .75em; text-indent: .25in;">
<a href="http://paleotechnic.blogspot.com/p/surprise-at-clearwater-ship-charts.html">Ship record forms</a> for all ships in this scenario are included with this article, as is a map of the terrain over which the battle takes place. To play this scenario, you will need to reproduce <a href="http://paleotechnic.blogspot.com/p/clearwater-ship-charts.html">this map</a> on a two-inch hex grid (if this is not practical, the Kraag Barovaar map from <em>Sky Galleons of Mars</em> may be substituted in which case the starting points will have to be changed). The Cloud Leopard begins at Low altitude at point 4. The Sky Lynx begins on the surface (one step below Very Low altitude) at point 5.
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<div style="margin-bottom: .75em; text-indent: .25in;">
Martian 1 begins at point 1, at Medium to High altitude. Martians number 2 and 3 enter the map at points 2 and 3 respectively, during the Martian player's movement phase of the second game turn. They also begin at Medium to High altitude.
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<div style="margin-bottom: .75em;">
<strong>Victory Conditions</strong>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .75em; text-indent: .25in;">
The Oenotrians get 1 victory point for driving the <em>Sky Lynx</em> from the map, 2 points for destroying the vessel and 4 points for capturing it. They get 2 victory points for driving the <em>Cloud Leopard</em> away, 3 points for destroying it, and 6 points for capturing it.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .75em; text-indent: .25in;">
The Red Captains get no points for driving an Oenotrian vessel off the map, but they get 1 point for each ship they destroy and 2 points of each one they capture.
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<div style="margin-bottom: .75em;">
<strong>Model Conversions</strong>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .75em; text-indent: .25in;">
You can easily make specific models for the ships in this scenario using the standard <em>Sky Galleons of Mars</em> sprues.
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<div style="margin-bottom: .75em; text-indent: .25in;">
Extra sprues of these ships were available from GDW in the packages of <em><a href="http://paleotechnic.blogspot.com/p/space.html">Martian Cloudships</a></em> and <em><a href="http://paleotechnic.blogspot.com/p/space.html">Aerial Gunboats</a></em>.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .75em; text-indent: .25in;">
To make a <em>Life's End</em>, simply replace the forecastle of a large screw galley model with the forecastle of a small kite model, then carve or sand off the lob gun mount.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .75em; text-indent: .25in;">
The <em>Sky Lynx</em> can be built from the hull of a small kite and the tail of an <em>Aphid</em>. Remove the fore gun from the kite and glue the tail of the <em>Aphid</em> in its place to create a quarterdeck. Finally, fill in the mast hole and sand it smooth.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .75em; text-indent: .25in;">
The Cloud Leopard is built as if it were a Swiftwood, following the instructions included with <em>Martian Cloudships</em>. Paint the ships to your individual taste, and enjoy the game.
</div>
<hr size="2" />
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
by <em>Bret Foland and <a href="http://lestersmith.com/">Lester W. Smith</a></em>, ©1990; the article originally appeared in <em>Challenge, #</em>40 & #41, GDW's magazine of science fiction gaming. It is used here with the permission of <a href="mailto:les@lestersmith.com">Mr. Smith</a>.</div>
</div>
<hr size="2" />Josephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09371885946051312891noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8983732845178435585.post-76561129301037670532014-08-30T07:39:00.001-07:002014-11-05T23:16:31.665-08:00A View From the Bridge<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lmhpuwqwkfw/U9JgY8qRvVI/AAAAAAAAC20/-MUIGRFILOI/s1600/bridge.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lmhpuwqwkfw/U9JgY8qRvVI/AAAAAAAAC20/-MUIGRFILOI/s1600/bridge.png" height="320" width="170" /></a>
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<div style="margin-bottom: .75em; text-indent: .25in;">
It has been a productive month for Paleotechnic Press (if I do say so myself). As I mentioned in my last <i><a href="http://paleotechnic.blogspot.com/2014/07/a-view-from-bridge.html">View From the Bridge</a></i> post, I had planned to move the blog over to a WordPress site, but after much trial and error, I wasn't able to get WordPress to look (and work) the way I desired. Despite the small setback, I kept plugging away at the Blogger template, and I was able to fix several of the javascript and CSS errors on the existing site. Long story short, I don't feel the need to switch over any longer.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .75em; text-indent: .25in;">
I was able to make some other updates to the template as well, including addressing the menu bar items and adding pages with the lists of the out-of-production <a href="http://paleotechnic.blogspot.com/p/sky-galleons-and-gunboats.html">GameTech</a> and <a href="http://paleotechnic.blogspot.com/p/houstons-cloudships-and-gunboats_24.html">Houston's Cloudships</a> miniatures, designed for <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0943580730/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0943580730&linkCode=as2&tag=paleotpress-20&linkId=YT2EADFTZAK4LHQX">Sky Galleons of Mars</a></i>. These lists can be found under the 'Miniatures' heading in the menu bar. Adding these pages was essentially a proof of concept exercise for me; they worked well, so over time I will add images of the <i>Sky Galleons</i> miniatures to the pages, as well as adding the legacy pages from my 15/18mm Victorian Colonial/VSF miniatures list and the 'Foreign Ships' line, useful for <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1930658052/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1930658052&linkCode=as2&tag=paleotpress-20&linkId=227DLJZOMRZRDEJA">Ironclads & Ether Flyers</a></i>, from Houston's Ships (and others, I am sure). I am still trying to decide what to do with the 'Hot Article' slider at the top of the page (as far as content goes), so that is next up on my list of 'to dos'.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .75em; text-indent: .25in;">
There are several more <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1930658044/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1930658044&linkCode=as2&tag=paleotpress-20&linkId=MILJO23AR33IK2FQ">Sky Galleons of Mars</a></i> articles queued up (in various stages of completeness). Based on my work schedule, my plan will be to provide a new post every 10 days or so. Next up (this weekend) will be <i><a href="http://paleotechnic.blogspot.com/2014/09/surprise-at-clearwater.html">Surprise at Clearwater</a></i> a scenario and couple of variants for <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1930658044/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1930658044&linkCode=as2&tag=paleotpress-20&linkId=MILJO23AR33IK2FQ">Sky Galleons of Mars</a></i> originally published in Challenge magazine.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .75em; text-indent: .25in;">
I also have a handful of 'historical' articles that I trust will be of interest to readers. These articles similar to the <i><a href="http://paleotechnic.blogspot.com/2014/07/theric-signalling.html">Ætheric Signalling</a></i> and <i><a href="http://paleotechnic.blogspot.com/2014/08/how-ship-is-coaled.html">How a Ship is Coaled</a></i> posts. I just have to decide if I should modify the articles to take into account Victorian Science Fiction aspects of the blog's subject matter, or to leave them completely as is, for historical reference...</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .75em; text-indent: .25in;">
To that end, your questions, comments, and short speeches on any aspect of the site are always more than welcome, as are ideas, stories and interesting sites. As always, happy gaming!</div>
<div>
<i>~Joe</i></div>
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</noscript>Josephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09371885946051312891noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8983732845178435585.post-2937702071786664372014-08-19T23:18:00.001-07:002014-10-12T09:07:25.876-07:00How a Ship is Coaled<div style="margin-bottom: .75em; text-indent: .25in;">
The operation of coaling is of course a matter of vital importance on board ship in these days of steam propulsion, but it is at the same time, to all concerned, one of the most trying and unpleasant of duties. That it is done cheerfully ad taken as "all in a days work"-being carried out where several ships are together in a spirit of the keenest rivalry, ship against ship as to which shall be done first and make a record--is another question. Briefly, this is what happens during coaling. The collier comes alongside, and the coal in its hold is placed in sacks by a party of bluejackets from the ship to be coaled, the sacks being then swung on board the battle-ship, where they are placed on barrows, wheeled to the coaling shoots, and emptied into the bunkers, to be finally trimmed and stowed away there in the smallest possible space. That is an outline of the process. In its details, coaling a battle-ship or cruiser involves a great many other things.
</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wNfvS1SW2EA/U_QwomIfekI/AAAAAAAAC7o/LT4gJHXgqpw/s1600/temperley2.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wNfvS1SW2EA/U_QwomIfekI/AAAAAAAAC7o/LT4gJHXgqpw/s1600/temperley2.png" height="216" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Coaling a battle-ship in harbour.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin-bottom: .75em; text-indent: .25in;">
The first outward sign which shows that coaling a war-ship is, to say the least of it, a big business, is the covering up of all the breeches of the guns on board, large and small, the quick-firing guns and machine guns, with tarpaulins. After that comes the closing of all skylights and cabin ventilators, and all open spaces--except those required for the actual operation in hand--leading below from the upper deck. Practically the whole ship's company of all ranks and ratings, from quarter-deck officers to boys, take some part in coaling a ship, for which the officers turn out in their oldest and worst clothes. For the men a white coaling dress is provided out of a special allowance, known as the "C.D.B." The work <span style="text-indent: 0.25in;">begun, in a very short time the spotless upper deck and upper works of the beautiful man-of-war, whether battle-ship or cruiser, are completely transformed into a scene of grime and discomfort. The upper deck speedily becomes buried, from bow to stern, beneath a layer of coal dust, which insinuates itself everywhere and lodges itself in every nook and cranny. The bright barrels of the guns become smudged, and white paint everywhere looks grey. At the same time, down below particles of coal dust manage to find lodgment, floating in between decks and depositing themselves here, there and everywhere in thinner layers. To remain in the cabins or in the ward-room, should anyone be disposed to do so, is practically to court asphyxia, at the same time that, on the other hand, to be on deck means for everybody, from captain to cabin boy, the prompt undergoing of a transformation into the appearance of a coal heaver or of a Moore and Burgess Minstrel. It is difficult to recognize the smartest of officers in the dingy persons who are superintending the coaling parties. All in garb and face look like mourners in sack-cloth and ashes. So the work progresses, the coal coming on board in marvelous rapidity, sack after sack being whipped up over the side in endless succession, as it seems, until the last ton required has been safely received, trundled to the shoot, and stowed away and trimmed in the bunkers.</span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="2" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rlXztbnGEyo/U_Q2465NCGI/AAAAAAAAC8U/6VHbdnJ1T8c/s1600/coaling2.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rlXztbnGEyo/U_Q2465NCGI/AAAAAAAAC8U/6VHbdnJ1T8c/s1600/coaling2.png" height="215" width="294" /></a>
</td>
<td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5977VyUeeLE/U_Q24wW697I/AAAAAAAAC8Q/sAfWAJnWkDw/s1600/cleaning_coal2.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5977VyUeeLE/U_Q24wW697I/AAAAAAAAC8Q/sAfWAJnWkDw/s1600/cleaning_coal2.png" height="215" width="294" /></a>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div class="p1">
<i>Bluejackets moving coal from the collier.</i></div>
</td>
<td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div class="p1">
<i>Cleaning the ship after coaling.</i>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin-bottom: .75em; text-indent: .25in;">
After that comes the cleaning up both of the men themselves and of the ship, during which latter process, fore and aft, the whole vessel becomes filled with a sound of rushing waters, the upper decks being flooded, while the scuppers run like brooks as the dust and dirt of an hour ago is swept into the sea in rushing torrents of water. The ship is washed and scrubbed throughout from end to end, the barefooted bluejackets working with such will that in a wonderfully short space of time, thanks also to the yards of hose and unlimited water at their disposal, the ship's toilet is speedily completed and the vessel herself restored to her former spotless condition. Then the cabins and skylights and ventilators are all thrown open, and fresh air and sweetness and light are let in once more.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .75em; text-indent: .25in;">
Such is the scene at the coaling of a war-ship in the daytime. At night electric lamps fore and aft cast a brilliant light over all the scene as the work progressed being one that might well have inspired Dante, could he have seen it, to write another canto to his "Inferno." The black night, the louds of steam and coal dust, the clattering din of the winches, the crowd of dusky figures swarming everywhere as they work at top speed--the scene would make the fortune of an artist to depict.
</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Qy9m_a8NWGM/U_QwpBxEHMI/AAAAAAAAC7w/mpCoDgZuQfg/s1600/temperley_transporter.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Qy9m_a8NWGM/U_QwpBxEHMI/AAAAAAAAC7w/mpCoDgZuQfg/s1600/temperley_transporter.png" height="156" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Temperley Transporter</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin-bottom: .75em; text-indent: .25in;">
The operation of coaling, thanks to modern ingenuity, can nowadays be carried on as easily at sea as in harbour, by means of the Temperley transporter, and ingenious mechanical contrivance that is now fitted on board all our modern battle-ships and large cruisers. The Temperley transporter consists of a light beam attached to a derrick, along which a carriage travels, with a pulley attached, for the rope carrying the sacks of coal to pass over. By one continuous pull on board the battle ship the coal sacks are lifted clear up from the hold of the collier, conveyed directly up the side, and run on board oil to the deck of the ship taking in coal, where the men receive it and bestow it as already related.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .75em; text-indent: .25in;">
It is to a great extent by means of the Temperley transporter that our ships are able to coal as expeditiously as is done in the Channel and Mediterranean Fleets, where an average of over 120 tons an hour has been passed in the case of several of the larger battle-ships. The differences recorded among ships in commission in their rates of taking in coal are, in fact, the result of differences in the position of the bunkers, making it easy for some ships to coal quickly, while others cannot possibly do so.
</div>
<center>
<hr size="2" />
The text of this article originally appeared in the November 26, 1897, issue of <i>Navy and Army Illustrated</i> (with a "hat tip" to <a href="http://sjgray.blogspot.com/2013/12/navy-and-army-illustrated-how-ship-is.html" target="blank">Steven Gray's Blog</a> for the reference).
<br />
<hr size="2" />
</center>
Josephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09371885946051312891noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8983732845178435585.post-7188844247979931652014-08-19T23:18:00.000-07:002014-08-21T18:25:56.869-07:00HMS ViperThe <i>HMS Viper</i> is a conversion of a typical Oenotrian <i>Small Bird</i> class screw galley, after her captured and return to Syrtis Major as a prize. The <i>Viper</i> received a re-fit in the British yard there. During the refit, the Royal Navy's yardmaster added a small surplus boiler, replacing the turn crank and flywheel, and updated the weapons compliment with modern ordinance, including a 1 pounder pom pom gun in a bow tower mount.<br />
<br />
<i>Technical Specifications</i><b> </b><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B9NqkQvtvJhIS21TMjh5eW1iSTg/" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" target="_new"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tGxD77gaLyE/U_F7tNhuu3I/AAAAAAAAC7c/MHRezLQuT9o/s1600/viper.png" height="320" title="HMS Viper" width="256" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>click image to download a PDF copy of the chart.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<b>Armor:</b> 0<br />
<b>Hull:</b> 2<br />
<b>Speed:</b> 3<br />
<b>Altitude:</b> High<br />
<b>Tonnage:</b><br />
<b>Price:</b><br />
<b>Crew:</b> 3 + 3 + 22<br />
<i>Bridge:</i> C,H,T,S,O<br />
<i>Deck:</i> 2<br />
<i>Maneuver:</i> 2<br />
<i>Gunners:</i> 9<br />
<i>Marines:</i> 1 + 9<br />
<b>Armament:</b><br />
3 9pdr (aft)<br />
2 1pdr HRC (bow)<br />
1 1pdr pom-pom (bow tower)<br />
1 tether mine<br />
<br />
<a href="http://paleotechnic.blogspot.com/2014/08/a-naval-report.html"><b>Scenario</b></a><br />
<br />
After receiving her commissioning pennant, the <i>Viper's</i> first action was defending a British convoy from an Oenotrian raider:<br />
<br />
<b>June, 1889</b><br />
<br />
Lt Cdr Mitchell's first priority is to make sure that the merchant vessels he is escorting successfully reach the city of Haatt. However, he has been schooled in the Royal Navy tradition of Nelson, and the opportunity to engage the enemy can not be passed upon.<br />
<br />
In a high risk, high reward scenario, Mitchell decides to risk splitting his convoy and engaging the Oenotrian's on his own, knowing that should he fail to stop the Oenotrian the convoy maybe lost.<br />
<br />
<b>Setup</b><br />
<br />
Use either board, ignoring terrain, the encounter takes place over the dry sea bed between Syrtis Major and Haatt. <br />
<br />
The Oenotrian enters from the Northeast corner of the board. The British enter from the Southwest corner of the board. The convoy is off the south edge of the board.<br />
<br />
<b>Oenotrian Squadron</b><br />
<br />
1 <i>Endtime</i> (screw galley)<br />
<br />
<b>British Squadron</b><br />
<br />
1 <i>HMS Viper</i> (converted Small Bird screw galley)<br />
<br />
<b>Game Length</b><br />
<br />
10 turns<br />
<br />
<b>Special Rules</b><br />
<br />
The <i>HMS Viper </i>is undermanned and has no marines aboard (they planned to pick up the Marines in Haatt).<br />
<br />
<b>Victory Conditions</b><br />
<br />
The British must capture, destroy, drive off, disable, or otherwise prevent the Oenotrian from exiting the Southern edge of the game board. If the British ship is captured, disabled, or destroyed the Oenotrian player automatically wins.
<br />
<br />
<center>
<hr size="2" />
<div style="text-align: center;">
The stats for the <i>HMS Viper</i> and scenario details are ©2014 by <a href="http://paleotechnic.blogspot.com/p/contact_14.html">Joseph Boeke</a>, and based on <a href="mailto:mjessick@gte.net">Matthew V. Jessick</a>'s battle report: <a href="http://paleotechnic.blogspot.com/2014/08/a-naval-report.html"><i>A Naval Report</i></a> </div>
<hr size="2" />
</center>Josephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09371885946051312891noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8983732845178435585.post-69821652506287836692014-08-13T22:58:00.000-07:002014-08-21T18:50:03.819-07:00A Naval Report<table>
<tbody>
<tr valign="top">
<td><b>To:</b></td>
<td>Flag Officer Commanding,<br />
RN Aerial Forces, Mars</td>
</tr>
<tr valign="top">
<td><b>Copy to: </b></td>
<td>Cdr. H. Villard<br />
Commander, RN Light Aerial Forces, Mars</td>
</tr>
<tr valign="top">
<td><b>From:</b></td>
<td>Lt Cdr Mitchell, RNVR, Commanding <i>HMS Viper</i></td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Please inform their Lordships:
<br />
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .75em; text-indent: .25in;">
On June 17, 1889, the recently converted 200 ton prize <a href="http://paleotechnic.blogspot.com/2014/08/hms-viper.html"><i>HMS Viper</i></a>
left Syrtis Major, escorting 3 merchant vessels, pursuant to our
orders. We steamed first toward Haatt where, due to the limited number
of Royal Marines available, I would request a platoon of the Australian
Mounted Infantry, with whom we had worked before, to assist in the
defense of our vital convoy and fill out our complement of 29 officers
and men.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .75em; text-indent: .25in;">
On June 18, 1889, 10 miles SW of Haatt, while proceeding NE toward the
city, we were intercepted by the RN Auxiliary vessel <i>HMAS Swift</i>, sailing out of Haatt. The <i>Swift</i> joined our stately procession toward the
city. Immediately thereafter, at 1500 hours local time, another aerial
vessel was sighted approaching us, also from the direction of the city.
The vessel was large, 500 tons, and of the Oenotrian
<i>Endtime</i>-class. The <i>Swift</i> was ordered to break from our
track and circle downwind, escorting the convoy into Haatt while we
dealt with the <i>Endtime</i>. As the wind was blowing strongly, the
merchant kites would have no trouble outrunning the enemy vessel. The
<i>Endtime</i>-class can make 15 knots, while the kites were making 35
knots in the near gale force winds. It was a great day to be flying.
The <i>Viper</i> closed on the <i>Endtime</i> at 15 knots indicated
airspeed and 30 knots closure. The Oenotrian could not escape us - we
expected an easy victory. The battle turned out to be a very near
thing, however.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .75em; text-indent: .25in;">
As we entered gun range, 1200 yards, the <i>Endtime</i> fired its lob
gun. We were holding our fire until optimum range (about 400 yards for
our three gun battery of bow mounted quick firing guns), for maximum
effect. Unfortunately, the massive stone projectile stuck the
<a href="http://paleotechnic.blogspot.com/2014/08/hms-viper.html"><i>Viper</i></a> hard. This was an incredible piece of luck for the
Oenotrians. The thing hit aft. Luckily for us it was abaft the boiler.
The ship pitched, nose up, and rolled sharply to the left. The helmsman
caught her smartly, leveling her off laterally. This proved a great
help to Petty Officer George Hitsman, our trimsman, as he struggled to
regain trim control of the <i>Viper</i>. We passed through the
horizontal at a large and growing pitching rate. Petty officer Hitsman
regained control expertly, leveling the <i>Viper</i> out at high
altitude - making our total altitude loss only about 600 feet. Many a
ship our size would have crashed after taking such a hit from the
massive Martian lob gun - our survival is due only to the expert skill
of our fine trimsman.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .75em; text-indent: .25in;">
It took us a minute or so to get ourselves straightened out and back
aboard the ship (Several men were left dangling over the side, saved
only by their safety lines; they had to be retrieved). This delay in
our opening fire, caused by the precipitous drop and the loss of trim,
gave the Oenotrians the opportunity to damage us severely with
impunity. The enemy captain extended us no mercy, attacking viciously
with a close range barrage from his two heavy guns, and his bow
swivel-mounted rod gun. All of the weapons struck us, damaging the hull
and causing several casualties. He then rammed us! Again, Petty Officer
Hitsman again proved his skill by maintaining trim through an incredible
impact. Our helmsman steered skillfully to minimize the impact, saving
us further hull damage. With the <i>Endtime</i> two and a half times
our weight, however, the shock was still extremely dangerous. Our
nine-pounder battery aft fired on the enemy as he passed to our rear,
the gunners having managed to return to their posts. Finally we could
hit back! And strike we did, sending two of our three nine pounder
starshell rounds into the enemy; starting an immediate fire (the reason
for firing the special ammo).
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .75em; text-indent: .25in;">
I ordered hard right rudder and full ahead flank in order to bring our
bow mounted rapid fire battery of two one pound Hotchkiss Rotating
Cannon and an experimental one pound "Pom-Pom" gun to bear. The
sluggish acceleration, which answered this order, was a great
disappointment. The stone, whilst not smashing our hull to bits or
bursting our boiler, had, however, seriously damaged our screw and
steam drive system. Our maximum speed was a mere 6 knots. Now we were
the caught, unable to escape while the <i>Endtime</i> pounded us into
the ground from his superior altitude. I ordered a change to standard
high explosive ammo for the nine pounders, as our lower altitude made
the chance of giving him fires from the starshell rounds very unlikely.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .75em; text-indent: .25in;">
All the rest of the battle, the Oenotrian captain used his altitude
advantage to pour a withering rifle fire onto our decks, wounding man
after man (they were using fine German Mausers, we later found). Once
we got our bows on him, however, the tide of the battle turned. Our
rapid-fire guns proved their worth, making continuous hits into and
through their unarmored hull for the remainder of the action. Our
furious fusillade had an immediate effect, causing a noticeable
slackening in his rate of fire, and causing sufficient hull damage to
bring him down to our altitude. Unfortunately, this just allowed him to
ram us again! With our ship moving only slightly faster than a baby
carriage, we braced for the impact. The hull splintering crash
infuriated us. Again somehow, Petty Officer Hitsman maintained our trim
through the terrible battering. We immediately slipped to low altitude,
with over half our liftwood vanes jammed and otherwise damaged.
Unfortunately, the <i>Endtime</i> barely missed colliding with the
tether mine we had been patiently towing behind us during the
engagement.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .75em; text-indent: .25in;">
The bow battery scored multiple hits, but the enemy's fire continued to
damage our hull. We were barely able to maintain very low altitude at
this point. As one more unlucky hit could have sent us crashing to the
Martian sand below, I ordered the ship to land. We would crouch there,
and pound him on the way in. With luck, we might still damage him
enough to drive him off before he finished us. We continued long range
nine pounder fire as our tormentor turned back toward us.
Unfortunately, firing up about 1200 feet made it very difficult to hit.
At fifteen knots and low altitude, he made his last pass. Our nine
pounders did telling damage. Only the murderous rifle fire was still
emanating from the heavily damaged enemy ship now (after the battle, we
surmised that all his guns were knocked out of action at this point).
Yet still he closed on our crippled ship. We were all but shot down, we
could barely rise the 20 feet needed to keep all three of our aft
battery guns bearing as he came around, our propeller shaft vibrating
wildly with each turn of the damaged screw. Our guns fired madly. I
ordered the ship down again as his heavy guns came into range. If he
did hit us, at least we wouldn't die from gravity.
</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EnDo4EjbDQQ/U_TBlQtRk8I/AAAAAAAAC8o/BDRW07TCOtQ/s1600/RN_officers.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EnDo4EjbDQQ/U_TBlQtRk8I/AAAAAAAAC8o/BDRW07TCOtQ/s1600/RN_officers.png" height="209" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>A group of Royal Navy officers in Syrtis Major including </i><br />
<i>Lt Cdr Mitchell (fourth from left, with hand in pocket).</i>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin-bottom: .75em; text-indent: .25in;">
The nine pounders aft went silent as he crossed above their training
limits. Again the Oenotrian's damnable luck held as he avoided our
tether mine one more time (the hope we placed in that silly tether mine
shows our desperation). He was heavily damaged. We knew that once our
formidable forward battery came to bear, we would shoot him into the
sand. Yet still he came. Then in one flashing second of realization I
knew what the fiendish Oenotrian captain had planned for us; why he had
driven his badly damaged ship over ours, risking certain death after
passing us if his plan failed. He had somehow brought two of the five
hundred-pound stone lob gun shells to the sides of his ship. As he
passed overhead, his crew rolled them through the bulwarks and onto us!
They had to roll them off both sides almost simultaneously - a single
seconds delay on one side would have tipped the ship too far to recover
in the altitude they had left to lose. Their incredible gamble worked.
They continued on, with nothing but a slight lateral rocking to mark
their captain's diabolic audacity.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .75em; text-indent: .25in;">
That my report is being read today, rather than his, is due only to the
incredible luck of the <a href="http://paleotechnic.blogspot.com/2014/08/hms-viper.html"><i>Viper</i></a>. Somehow, perhaps due to his having
to dodge the tether mine, those vicious stones he dropped on our
helpless, grounded ship missed. I will never forget the sight of those
huge stones tumbling toward us. As he passed forward, the ship was
totally silent - except for the rattle of the dirt raining down over
everything. Even the wounded were shocked into silence. The stones had
straddled us. They had seemed close enough to touch as they hurtled
past the rails.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .75em; text-indent: .25in;">
Realizing that his guns must have been silenced to try something so
incredibly foolhardy, I ordered the ship up and around to follow as
best we could. It was not necessary. The Oenotrian ship, burning
fiercly, crashed after the fifth or sixth hit from the forward battery.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .75em; text-indent: .25in;">
As we passed over the crash site at our shaky six knots we heard him
still firing! This enemy ship was unbelievable. After the lob gun hit,
the repeated ramming, the murderous rifle fire, and dropping the huge
stones on us, we had shot him down. Yet still they fought on! At this
point, I am sure many of my crew were as worried as I was. What manner
of enemy was this madman? What would it take to make him strike? The
aft battery continued rapid fire as we staggered around. When the ship
came into view, I knew then what had happened. Our light guns had
started a fire that was now raging out of control. The flames were
roaring at least fifty feet high. I rang the cease fire alarm
immediately. We all watched in horror, (well tempered with relief) as
the last of his magazines blew. It was the magazine explosions that we
had heard as we passed ahead of the crash site. We landed to give what
aid we could to the shocked survivors.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .75em; text-indent: .25in;">
Seventeen were taken aboard, half of them severely wounded. Alas, the
enemy captain was not among the survivors. Even though he had caused
the death of two of my men, and wounded eight more of our understrength
nineteen man complement, coming closer to ending my career than any
other enemy I had ever encountered, I was saddened by his death. He had
fought with incredible bravery, incredible tenacity, incredible
cunning, and incredible skill. He had, with little more than luck and
courage, turned a battle that should have been suicide for him into a
near victory.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .75em; text-indent: .25in;">
Some will criticize my words of praise to a hated enemy. I reject that
criticism. I respect this captain as my foe. What glory is there in
defeating an unskilled enemy? Yesterday, many of my newly commissioned
ship's crew were strangers to each other. Today, we have gone through
the fire together. Tomorrow, we will fight as one. We now know what our
ship can do. We can face the best the enemy has to offer, and emerge
victorious - for we did so today.
</div>
Lt. Colin Mitchell, RNVR,
<br />
Commanding <i>HMS Viper</i>
<br />
Haatt
<br />
<h4>
About the Author</h4>
<a href="mailto:mjessick@gte.net">Matthew V. Jessick</a> is a former aerospace engineer. Currently, he works at <a href="http://www.motorsims.com/" target="_blank">Motorsport Simulations</a> (Motorsims) as a vehicle dynamics engineer. He resides in Texas.
<br />
<br />
<center>
<hr size="2" />
This article originally appeared in issue #3 of GDW's "in-house" <b><i>Space: 1889</i></b> 'zine, the Ether Society
Newsletter, ©1990. The article is used here with the permission of Mr. Jessick.
<hr size="2" />
</center>Josephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09371885946051312891noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8983732845178435585.post-66895864968760176652014-08-05T12:35:00.001-07:002014-08-21T18:17:31.425-07:00New Ships for Space: 1889<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=8983732845178435585" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a>A good game is one that you can play and enjoy. A great game is one that
you can still enjoy years later. We have always considered GDW's
<i><b>Space: 1889</b></i> to be part of the later category. It is elegant from a
design standpoint; a naval miniatures game, and a land-combat miniatures
game all seamlessly interfaced and without an overbearing amount of rules.
<br />
<br />
Described herein are two ships that were developed for my own miniatures
games. We encourage you to use them yourself, and to develop your own
designs as well. Nothing enriches a game of this nature more than the
combined efforts of those who enjoy it.
<br />
<br />
<b>FLAME EAGLE SCREW GALLEY</b>
<br />
<table align="right">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td align="center"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-L2Ev0UL0gfI/U-EwdEPeztI/AAAAAAAAC50/aj3nVRxk8OQ/s1600/flame.png" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-L2Ev0UL0gfI/U-EwdEPeztI/AAAAAAAAC50/aj3nVRxk8OQ/s1600/flame.png" height="320" width="255" /></a>
</div>
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=8983732845178435585" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B9NqkQvtvJhIREhxY1pXb1loREU/">Download a PDF version of this chart</a>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<br />
The <i>Flame Eagle</i> is a conversion of the <i>Skyfire</i> hull, which
emerged shortly after the first <i>Skyfire</i>, was launched. It retains
the heavier Rouge and Rod guns in the aft section, but replaces the
midship Heavy guns and Tether Mines with Martian Fire droppers. There is
known to be at least one in service with the Oenotrian Empire at this
point.
<br />
<br />
The primary purpose of this vessel is to do battle with European armored
ships. Oenotrian generals, frustrated by the ineffectiveness of their
smoothbore cannon against armored European hulls, have abandoned older
design models in favor of a ship that carries Martian liquid fire as its
main weapon. The result is fearsome. While Martian Fire is awkward to use,
a <i>Flame Eagle</i>, which managed to maneuver itself into position,
could utterly destroy an undamaged British <i>Triumph</i>-class by
releasing only half its payload. Neither to be ignored is its ram, which
is backed up by enough momentum to send even the largest ships reeling out
of the sky.
<br />
<br />
The <i>Flame Eagle's</i> low top speed was the subject of heated debates
among the Imperial Oenotrian Construction Corps as this ship and its
sister-class, the <i>Skyfire</i>, were in conception. One camp held that
any ship that was to hold its own against the Europeans must have a
protected hull, to keep the turncranks from being raked by machine-guns
and repeating machine-cannon. The other side contended that the extra
weight of a protected hull made the ship too slow to catch the European
vessels, so that it would be pounded to flinders by the enemy's long guns
without ever closing to do battle. The truth of the matter remains yet to
be seen.
<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>LUFTZEPPELIN <i>KARL VON ZEUG</i></b>
<br />
<br />
The <i>Karl Von Zeug</i> was one of Germany's first interplanetary
warships. Constructed during the colonization of Venus, it was frequently
used to cow the natives into submission, raking villages and war parties
with no less than eight 1" Gattling machine cannon. Its six-inch gun was
included as a defense against other European warships.
<br />
<br />
In 1887 the <i>Von Zeug</i> was relegated to the status of Armed Transport
due to its small size and low interplanetary speed, which are no longer
competitive with the ether warships of other nations. It has also been
criticized by German commanders for its lack of a turret. Its low
maneuverability, combined with the limited arc of fire of its main gun,
leaves it vulnerable to being outmaneuvered and destroyed by atmospheric
flyers. At present its only duties are the ferrying of valuable cargo
between Germany and Venus, as well as occasional patrols through
aboriginal lands of the Venusians.
<br />
<br />
<table align="center">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td align="center"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=8983732845178435585" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SkdsxpHrSGY/U-Ev8BsMqsI/AAAAAAAAC5s/bjW2TW5Te90/s1600/vonZeug.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SkdsxpHrSGY/U-Ev8BsMqsI/AAAAAAAAC5s/bjW2TW5Te90/s1600/vonZeug.png" height="640" width="489" /></a>
<br />
<a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B9NqkQvtvJhIeFRGWUVwbFFvVkk/">Download a PDF version of this chart</a>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<h4>
About the Author</h4>
<i><a href="mailto:vynnie1@home.com">Vince Blackburn</a></i> is a government attorney in California who grew up on the
island of Kodiak in Alaska. He began gaming when he was seven years old
with the original "Blue Box" Dungeons and Dragons set, and has been hooked
ever since. Today he plays a variety of tabletop and computer games with
friends at his home in the suburbs of Sacramento, and spends the rest of
his free time with his wife Lisa and an extremely spoiled house-cat.
<br />
<br />
<center>
<hr size="2" />
This article originally appeared in issue 13 of Competitive Edge, <a href="http://ossgames.com/" target="_blank">One Small
Step's</a> former adult gaming magazine, ©1997. It used here with the permission of <a href="mailto:vynnie1@home.com">Mr. Blackburn</a>.
<br />
<hr size="2" />
</center>Josephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09371885946051312891noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8983732845178435585.post-20188411448718882742014-08-04T18:52:00.004-07:002014-09-27T10:30:54.718-07:00Coca Cola on Mars<div style="margin-bottom: .5em; text-align: justify; text-indent: .125in;">
In 1886, when prohibition laws were passed in some areas of the United States, Colonel John Pemberton developed the "soft" drink Coca-Cola -- a non-alcoholic version of his previous French Wine Coca. Initially, Pemberton sold Coca-Cola as a patent medicine for 5 cents per glass near soda fountains; he claimed Coca-Cola could cure diseases like headache, morphine addiction, and impotence. Beginning in the late 1880s and early 1890s, after Asa Griggs Candler acquired the controlling interest in the company, Coca-Cola was sold in bottles, and began to be advertised even more broadly.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .5em; text-align: justify; text-indent: .125in;">
Candler's aggressive marketing tactics led the company to its dominance of the world soft-drink market. With a foothold in the American quarter in Thymiamata, Coca-Cola looks poised to extend its influence to the red planet as well.<span style="text-align: start; text-indent: 0px;">—</span><i>editor</i></div>
<center>
<table cellpadding="5" style="text-align: justify; width: 380px;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oqMhE5Mk1zw/U_d2x25yqvI/AAAAAAAAC-A/8NI6pjhswFg/s1600/coca-cola2.png" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oqMhE5Mk1zw/U_d2x25yqvI/AAAAAAAAC-A/8NI6pjhswFg/s1600/coca-cola2.png" /></a></div>
<h2 style="margin-top: .5em; text-align: center;">
SYRUP ✦ AND ✦ EXTRACT.</h2>
<center>
<hr size="3" width="160px" />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>For Soda Water and other Carbonated Beverages.</b>
</div>
<hr size="3" width="160px" />
</center>
<div style="margin-bottom: .5em; text-align: justify; text-indent: 25px;">
The "I<span style="font-size: x-small;">NTELLECTUAL</span> B<span style="font-size: x-small;">EVERAGE</span>" and T<span style="font-size: x-small;">EMPERANCE</span> D<span style="font-size: x-small;">RINK</span> contains the valuable T<span style="font-size: x-small;">ONIC</span> and N<span style="font-size: x-small;">ERVE</span> S<span style="font-size: x-small;">TIMULANT</span> properties of the Coca plant and Cola (or Kola) nuts, and makes not only a delicious, exhilarating, refreshing and invigorating Beverage (dispensed from the soda water fountain or in other carbonated beverages), but a valuable Brain Tonic, and a cure for all nervous afflictions -- S<span style="font-size: x-small;">ICK</span> H<span style="font-size: x-small;">EAD-ACHE</span>, N<span style="font-size: x-small;">EURALGIA</span>, H<span style="font-size: x-small;">YSTERIA</span>, M<span style="font-size: x-small;">ELANCHOLY</span>, &c.
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 25px;">
The peculiar flavor of COCA-COLA delights every palate; it is dispensed from the soda fountain in same manner as any of the fruit syrups.
</div>
<center>
<hr size="3" width="160px" />
</center>
<div style="margin-bottom: .75em; text-align: justify; text-indent: 25px;">
Druggists, increase trade at your fountain by dispensing the delicious, refreshing beverage,
</div>
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DPvq4FybEQU/U_bG3Md7NmI/AAAAAAAAC9U/2Qe-ObPZLIc/s1600/coca-cola-logo_sm.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DPvq4FybEQU/U_bG3Md7NmI/AAAAAAAAC9U/2Qe-ObPZLIc/s1600/coca-cola-logo_sm.png" height="62" width="200" /></a>
<div style="text-align: left; text-indent: 8px;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">No fountain beverage ever increased in popularity so rapidly.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .25em; text-align: left; text-indent: 8px;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">None will draw so many customers to your fountain.</span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .75em; margin-top: 1em; text-align: center;">
<i>Advertising matter from any branch free.</i>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0px;">
<b>Atlanta. Chicago. Dallas. Philadelphia. Thymiamata.</b>
</div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</center>
Josephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09371885946051312891noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8983732845178435585.post-70545470751081546372014-07-25T12:11:00.000-07:002014-08-31T09:34:44.750-07:00Meeting Over the Column<h3>
November, 1889</h3>
<br />
A squadron of Oenotrian screw galleys was dispatched to raid a convoy of
merchant cloudships supplying the Western Column of the British Martian
Army. The convoy's British steam-powered escort was known to have retired to
Avenel for coaling. The warships were spotted and identified by scouts on
the ground while still 30 miles south west of the column. A call for help
was heliographed back along the British line of march. The convoy was
warned and began to make its way heavily back to the North as the
Oenotrians churned on to the kill.
<br />
<table align="right" cellpadding="8" cellspacing="0" style="width: 282px;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td bcolor="c0baaa" valign="TOP"><center>
<h4>
<i>SS High Rhodes</i></h4>
</center>
<div align="justify">
The <i>High Rhodes</i> is a small privateer operating on Mars, which was one
of the centers of Space Vermin's Space: 1889 <a href="http://world.std.com/~Ted7/hrlog.html" target="_blank">campaign</a>.
The hull of the ship is a highly modified Swiftwood class Oenotrian kite (she
was repaired and auctioned as a prize vessel). The kite was selected because:</div>
<ul>
<li>they are, generally, faster than a crank vessel if one needs to run away.
</li>
<li>it is much cheaper to operate and requires a smaller maneuver crew (even
if one buys marshie slaves as crankers, you still need to feed them, wot?)
- additionally, slaves won't fight for you, and freemen need to be paid...
</li>
<li>steam vessels are quite rare on Mars, since the boilers and engines must be
shipped from Earth, which makes them triply expensive outside governmental
circles.
</li>
<li>there is no need to waste cargo or supply space for coal.
</li>
</ul>
<div align="justify">
This same rarity works against the availability of modern equipment and
artillery available to British subjects (although American arms merchants
make this less of a problem).
</div>
<div align="justify">
During the ship's outfitting, the captain was able to obtain a Letter of
Marque, and used his contacts in the Royal Navy to obtain two 5-barrell
Nordenfelts (replacing the sweepers) for the <i>High Rhodes</i>.
</div>
<tr align="center" cellpadding="1">
<td>
<a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B9NqkQvtvJhIS21TMjh5eW1iSTg/" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" target="_new"><img alt="SS Rhodes chart" border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-osSkklK_ntM/U8x4la1shgI/AAAAAAAAC0A/cuyRk5YlYC8/s320/rhodes.png" title="" /></a>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 10px; line-height: 16.899999618530273px;">click image for a PDF of the chart</span>
</td>
</tr>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<br />
The nearest available help was a Royal Syrtan kite squadron and a
British auxiliary (privateer). The Syrtan squadron flew south swift as
the wind, arriving briefly before the Oenotrians could close with the
convoy.<br />
<br />
<b>Oenotrian Squadron</b><br />
3 Hullcutter screw-galleys<br />
1 Clearsight screw-galley<br />
<br />
<b>Syrtan Squadron (British ally)</b><br />
2 Whisperdeath kites<br />
1 Bloodrunner kite<br />
1 SS High Rhodes<br />
<br />
Syrtan (British) Marines armed with rifles.<br />
Oenotrian Marines armed with
rifled muskets. <br />
All crews are Trained.<br />
<h4>
Set up</h4>
Use either board, ignoring terrain. The encounter takes place over the
flat desert west of the canal. Wind is from the north.<br />
<br />
The Oenotrians enter from the southwest corner of the board. The
Syrtans enter from the eastern half of the north edge of the board.
The convoy is off the northeast edge of the board.<br />
<br />
<b>Option:</b> For a smaller number of players, delete the Bloodrunner
kite and the Clearsight galley.<br />
<h4>
Game Length</h4>
12 turns<br />
<h4>
Victory Conditions</h4>
Ships may exit off any edge, but once exited, they may not return to the
battle. Oenotrians exiting to the northeast are attacking the convoy.<br />
<br />
<b>Oenotrians: </b>
<br />
<ul>
<li>10 points for every Whisperdeath kite destroyed.
</li>
<li>20 points for every Whisperdeath kite captured.
</li>
<li>10 points for every Hullcutter exited within 3 hexes of the northeast
corner able to reach medium altitude (these can raid the supply convoy).
</li>
</ul>
<b>Syrtans (British):</b>
<br />
<ul>
<li>10 points for every Hullcutter destroyed.
</li>
<li>15 points for every Hullcutter captured.
</li>
<li>5 points for every Hullcutter exited south or west edges of the board.</li>
</ul>
Total the Victory points. High score wins.<br />
<br />
<center>
<h3>
Notes on the Royal Syrtan Navy</h3>
<br />
</center>
When the British Government established a Regency over Syrtis Major and
its possessions in 1882, it needed an aerial navy. While it eventually
began to build its own units, and in 1889 has few enough of those, it
needed to start somewhere and even today needs units to fill gaps in
its patrol areas. The navies of Syrtis Major and its allied cities
were added into a combined service, the Royal Syrtan Navy. They fly a
Syrtan pennant, with a quadrant showing the banner for the city the
vessel originated in and a quadrant showing a Martian version of the
Union Jack.<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-r682I7wQ6LU/U9IB5ssKvjI/AAAAAAAAAIk/AKj_5x0QtHU/s1600/swiftwood.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="S.S. Rhodes" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-r682I7wQ6LU/U9IB5ssKvjI/AAAAAAAAAIk/AKj_5x0QtHU/s320/swiftwood.png" title="" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Swiftwood-class kite <i>S.S. Rhodes</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
The native vessels are under native commanders with native crews, though
usually an English officer serves as mate or observer. The native
vessels are slowly being replaced by British steel vessels, but the
replacement process is slow - and the British cannot quickly replace
the native Martian's expertise and knowledge of the local areas.<br />
<br />
The continued native service provides natives with an honorable way to
end their service to the Syrtan native crown, and eases tensions about
British dominance, providing a point of pride for the native
population. Compared to British aerial vessels, the Syrtan Navy is
poorly funded and given few modern weapons, but its requirements are
lower and additional funding is provided by the city governments as a
point of pride and through merchants, usually as mild <i>baksheesh</i>.<br />
<br />
<center>
<hr />
Scenario and ship stats courtesy of <i> <a href="http://world.std.com/~Ted7/" target="_blank">Mitchell K. Schwartz</a></i> ©1996<br />
<hr />
</center>Joe B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02460216027313381986noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8983732845178435585.post-86503667205577910342014-07-25T11:27:00.000-07:002014-10-01T07:42:31.564-07:00A View From the Bridge<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lmhpuwqwkfw/U9JgY8qRvVI/AAAAAAAAC20/-MUIGRFILOI/s1600/bridge.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lmhpuwqwkfw/U9JgY8qRvVI/AAAAAAAAC20/-MUIGRFILOI/s1600/bridge.png" height="320" width="170" /></a>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .75em; text-indent: .25in;">
First things first...I imagine that your initial question will be "what is this web site?" That is a long story that starts back in 1995, when I found myself in a class where we were being taught HTML coding. I distinctly remember the instructor telling us to pick a subject, for our first design project, that was interesting to us -- because we were going to be spending a lot of time working on the site, and she felt if we created a site we were interested in, we were more likely to follow through and "finish" it up.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .75em; text-indent: .25in;">
I was actually taking this class for work and came up with several ideas about work related pages, but in the end I decided to focus on one of my favourite games, <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1930658044/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1930658044&linkCode=as2&tag=paleotpress-20&linkId=MILJO23AR33IK2FQ">Sky Galleons of Mars</a></i>. The instructor was right about one thing, the subject kept me interested. But she was wrong about finishing up the website -- websites are never really finished (even static content websites can always have more content added).</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .75em; text-indent: .25in;">
For about 6 years, I merrily went along adding to the website, branched out into a couple of different games/subjects, but like many people real life had a way of rearing its head and messing with my well laid plans. A child was born, a dog joined the family, a river flood destroyed computers, books, files and basements. Another child joined the family, several work related moves, and a separation/divorce followed. So from 2001-2006 the web site slowly faded into obscurity. When <a href="http://www.apple.com/" target="_blank">Apple, Inc.</a> pulled the plug on its web page hosting, the site was lost, but not entirely. There were back-ups (on various old machines and disks). Then there is/was the <a href="https://archive.org/web/" target="_blank">Internet Archive's "Wayback" Machine</a> with archived copies of the pages. And there was always my love (and desire) to "finish" what I started.</div>
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I planned a new website, did layout work began creating CSS code for a more modern website design. But somehow real life always intervened and the project got side tracked. Then, over the past year or two, the original Victorian Science Fiction game to which <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1930658044/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1930658044&linkCode=as2&tag=paleotpress-20&linkId=MILJO23AR33IK2FQ">Sky Galleons of Mars</a></i> belonged, <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0966892690/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0966892690&linkCode=as2&tag=paleotpress-20&linkId=RJCEFXK6FSKDS6BW">Space: 1889</a></i>, started to make a comeback. A new German version led to a successful <a href="https://www.kickstarter.com/" target="_blank">Kickstarter</a> campaign for a new English version. The game's author, <a href="https://www.blogger.com/profile/07925901055702288584" target="_blank">Frank Chadwick</a>, published his own <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0966892690/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0966892690&linkCode=as2&tag=paleotpress-20&linkId=RJCEFXK6FSKDS6BW">Space: 1889</a></i> novel, <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1451639406/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1451639406&linkCode=as2&tag=paleotpress-20&linkId=55TPNG6WMTKBTNJJ">The Forever Engine</a></i>, which followed a series of <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/search/ref=as_li_qf_sp_sr_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&index=aps&keywords=Untreed%20Space%201889&linkCode=ur2&tag=paleotpress-20&linkId=JZPOEDBG2PIF7DMH" target="_blank"><i>Space: 1889</i> e-novels</a> from <a href="http://store.untreedreads.com/" target="_blank">Untreed Reads Publishing</a>. Life it seems, began to return to the <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0966892690/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0966892690&linkCode=as2&tag=paleotpress-20&linkId=RJCEFXK6FSKDS6BW">Space: 1889</a></i> world.</div>
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Then, a few weeks ago, I was cleaning the garage and stumbled upon some of my old <a href="http://paleotechnic.blogspot.com/p/sky-galleons-and-gunboats.html">GameTech</a> and <a href="http://paleotechnic.blogspot.com/p/houstons-cloudships-and-gunboats_24.html">Houston's Ship</a> models, and I thought again about redesigning the website. But I still didn't have much time between real life responsibilities to give the website the complete makeover I had planned. I was just about to tuck away the ships when it struck me, why not recreate the website as a blog! If I could find a good template (I hope you like the one I found: "old paper") to use, recoding the old pages to be used as blog posts was certainly a lot less time consuming than building a new site...</div>
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So here we are, my plans aren't too ambitious right now (just in case real life intervenes again)...</div>
<ol>
<li>Re-code the 60 or so pages from the original website into the new blog format.</li>
<li>Customize the CSS for the blog template to make it work as expected.</li>
<li>Find (or write), and publish, some new VSF content (e.g., for <a href="http://www.wessexgames.co.uk/" target="_blank">Wessex Games</a>' <i>Land Ironclads</i> or <a href="http://oozlumgames.com/" target="_blank">Oozlum Games</a>' <i>Martian Empires</i>).</li>
<li>Complete 1-3 by Christmas 2014.</li>
</ol>
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After that I have many ideas, but having bitten off more than I can chew in the past, I think the above list is good for a start!</div>
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For anyone reading this far, I would like to invite you to join me in this little endeavor. I'd love to read and see your comments on thees posts, as well as feature your <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1930658044/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1930658044&linkCode=as2&tag=paleotpress-20&linkId=MILJO23AR33IK2FQ">Sky Galleons of Mars</a></i> belonged, <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0966892690/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0966892690&linkCode=as2&tag=paleotpress-20&linkId=RJCEFXK6FSKDS6BW">Space: 1889</a></i> writing, art, etc... on the blog itself. Please drop me a note and let me know what you are thinking about. In the meantime, happy gaming!</div>
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<i>~Joe</i></div>
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</noscript>Josephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09371885946051312891noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8983732845178435585.post-14621818224244634342014-07-24T13:29:00.002-07:002014-09-26T21:18:30.895-07:00Ætheric Signalling<div class="MsoBodyText" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 4.5pt; margin-top: 0in; tab-stops: 8.5in;">
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<em style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">COLONEL HOZIER gave a lecture to the officers of the Woolwich garrison at the Royal Artillery Institution, Woolwich, last week, 'upon a subject which may be of very great importance to the Naval and Military services. The subject was the science of communication over considerable distances without the intervention of telegraph wires or cables.</em>
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The desire to communicate ideas to a distance has been prevalent probably since history began. In the times of the Napoleonic wars long lines of semaphores were erected between the naval ports and London to keep up communication between the fleets and the Admiralty. Signalling by flags was in vogue long before Nelson flew his famous signal at Trafalgar. Early in this century the commercial code of flag signalling was adopted for the mercantile marine, and more lately a system of signalling, technically known as "flag-wagging," is constantly utilized in all manœuvres. Towards the middle of the century the electric telegraph was developed, and now by means of a conducting wire millions of messages are flashed every day between different continents and under various oceans. In various cases it is impossible or inconvenient to use a conducting wire for this purpose. For instance, if an island be separated from the mainland by a rocky channel where a tide runs strong, it is impossible to maintain a telegraph cable, and in other cases the cost of laying a cable could not be compensated for by the amount of traffic which would be secured, and this would prevent the postal authorities establishing telegraphic communication, especially in this country, where a careful Treasury watches so jealously over the public purse-strings. In such cases it must be of great importance to establish, if possible, communication of ideas between two distant points without the cost of laying a cable. This is still more the case with regard to communication between the shore and ships. A ship, which is moving, cannot possibly be connected by cable with the mainland, hence the only means by which communication of this sort beyond the range of vision can be maintained between a ship and the shore must be by some mode of wireless telegraphy or ætheric signalling. Nor is this the only advantage of ætheric signalling if it can be carried out. Experience has shown us that by means of ætheric signalling work can be done at a distance without any conducting medium for the transmission of energy. For instance, by means of ætheric signalling, it is possible, at a distance, without any actual contact, to fire mines, to ring bells, or to light an incandescent lamp.
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">It is hardly necessary to point out that if we have the power of doing work at a distance, say, of 20 or 30 miles, by means of ætheric signalling, this system must be of advantage in war. If an enemy were advancing to attack a position, it might be possible to blow up a bridge even when his troops are upon it, and thus considerably hamper his advance. In the same way it might be possible to much inconvenience the enemy by blowing up buildings in which his troops were billeted. It is possible that if his divisions arrived after dark in a village, there would not be very much care taken to search the church towers and see that there was no small piece of wire running down one of them. Yet the existence of that wire, properly arranged by the defending army before it marched out of the village, might cause considerable injury to the invader. Nor need we limit our benevolent intentions towards our enemy to land. At present torpedoes and submarine mines are fired by electricity, by means of conducting wires, but in some cases it might be difficult, if not impossible, to lay the necessary cables. In these cases it is possible that the mines might be exploded and the torpedoes fired by ætheric signalling. For instance, although a cable could not be laid, it might be possible by placing the necessary apparatus on a buoy anchored out at sea beforehand, to secure the firing of a mine or torpedo, as I shall endeavor to show by a miniature experiment.</span>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">Ætheric signalling also might be useful in communicating between advance posts at a considerable distance and the main body of an army, or between the main body and the advanced posts. By touching a button in the headquarter office a bell might be rung at the advanced posts, or the same energy which could be utilized to ring a bell might by proper manipulation be also utilized for printing a message, as we shall be able to show at the conclusion of the lecture, and indeed, in some cases, a gun might be placed in position, and when an enemy approached shrouded by rifle fire, it might be possible to fire the gun by ætheric signalling without exposing the gunners to infantry bullets.</span>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><strong>WIRELESS TELEGRAPHY</strong></span>
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<td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VuNLJ0yzRV8/U_gfWu5iEFI/AAAAAAAAC-Y/IctpVwe39JE/s1600/aetheric_engineers.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VuNLJ0yzRV8/U_gfWu5iEFI/AAAAAAAAC-Y/IctpVwe39JE/s1600/aetheric_engineers.png" height="219" width="320" /></a></td>
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<td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">æt<span style="text-indent: 0.25in;">heric signal engineers</span></td>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">Ætheric signalling and wireless telegraphy are much confounded in popular descriptions, but there is a considerable difference between them. There are two systems of wireless telegraphy, which have proved successful. The first of these is that which has been introduced by that great electrical authority, Sir William Preece. Sir William Preece, whose name is received with respect in every scientific meeting in the world, on account of original research which has made him famous, was for many years the head of the telegraph department of the Post Office, and now is the consulting electrical engineer to the Post Office. Hence, he is the greatest living authority on telegraphy. He has devised a system of wireless telephony. The principle of this system is, that suppose it were desired to effect communication without the medium of a conducting wire between the island the mainland, it would be achieved by stretching along the island and along the mainland two parallel telegraph wires, the ends of which would be sunk either in the sea or in the earth. It has been proved by Sir William Preece that if an electrical current be set up in one of these wires, a corresponding current is induced in the other wire, and that hence the signals transmitted through the first wire are repeated in the second wire. In this case it seems that the electrical effects are transmitted not only by induction between the two wires, but by conduction through the earth in which the terminal plates of the wires are embedded. This system has been established at the island of Flatholm, in the Bristol Channel, where Lloyds' signal station is now connected by wireless telephony with the mainland, over a distance of three miles by sea. Sir William Preece has also established his system at the Skerries Islands off the coast of Anglesea, where communication is effected over two miles of sea, and the Post Office is now establishing this system on behalf of Lloyds' to connect Lloyds' signal station at Rathlin Island, on the north coast of Ireland, with the mainland, over a distance of about seven miles. The experiments which have been made, as Sir William Preece states prove conclusively that communication, both telegraphic and telephonic, has been readily maintained by these means, and that wireless telegraphy across the sea by this method is now a practical and commercial system. He also believes that it would be simple to speak by telephone between ship and shore or between shore and ship at a considerable distance by means of a circuit formed of copper wire passing over the topmasts and terminating at each end of the ship in the sea, using simply telephones.</span>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">Another system of wireless telegraphy was proposed by Charles A. Stevenson, brother of the engineer to the Northern Lighthouse Board of Scotland. This system, which has been subsequently developed by Professor Oliver Lodge and other engineers, owes its origin, like that of Sir William Preece, to a physical fact discovered by the celebrated philosopher Faraday. Faraday showed that the approach or recession of a current might induce a current in a closed circuit near it. This I will endeavor to show by the apparatus before me, which is a miniature of Mr. Stevenson's coil system. For the purpose of experiment a coil of insulated wire is connected to a battery of two or three cells, with a key to turn the current on or off. A second coil entirely unconnected with the first is joined by wires to a galvanometer. We know that a coil of wire in which a current is circulating acts like a magnet. We find that if, while the current is flowing in one coil, the coil is suddenly moved up towards the other, a momentary current will be induced in the second coil. If the first coil is suddenly moved away from the second another momentary current will be observed in the second circuit. In a similar way if a circuit be made or broken, it has the same effect as suddenly moving the coils. It is evident that if sufficient force can be exerted in the coil by these means to move a galvanometer, the same force can be utilized to move a telegraph needle or any desired means of communication, This system has, I believe, been used, the coils, of course, being much larger and the batteries much stronger, by Mr. Stevenson, in Scotland, and has been fairly successful, but when it was proposed to utilize this system in connecting a lighthouse on an island lying to the north of the Shetland Isles, it was considered that it would have been necessary to place on the lighthouse rock a coil of 40 ft. in diameter and on the shore of the mainland a coil of 200 ft. in diameter. The rock coil would have required about 120 ft. of wire, and the mainland coil about 630 ft. of wire.</span>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><strong>ÆTHERIC SIGNALLING</strong></span>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">The objections to wireless telegraphy appear to be that the length of wire required to transmit messages across a channel is large, and hence inconvenient, and not capable of being adopted where communication must be made from a small space, such as a rock lighthouse. The lecturer prefers to trust to the system of ætheric signalling so called, because the means by which the signals are transmitted depend upon the undulation of the waves of that ether, which we know, exists everywhere throughout the universe, and which is undoubtedly the means of propagation of light and radiant heat. The application of radiant heat to the transmission of signals is more interesting as a scientific experiment than capable of practical use. For practical, useful signalling, we must probably rely on ætheric signalling properly so called.</span>
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<td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vCZQCXDNfBs/U9FqHBbJaOI/AAAAAAAAC2Y/ZYqnaEUhXFc/s1600/clockwork_machines.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="clockwork ætheric signalling devices" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vCZQCXDNfBs/U9FqHBbJaOI/AAAAAAAAC2Y/ZYqnaEUhXFc/s1600/clockwork_machines.jpg" height="251" title="" width="320" /></a></td>
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<td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">clockwork æt<span style="text-indent: 0.25in;">heric signalling devices</span></td>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">It is well known that if the positive and negative poles of a voltaic cell or a voltaic battery be connected by a conducting wire, an electric current flows from the positive to the negative pole. If the battery is strong enough, that current may be made to work–that is to say, it may move a motor, it may ring bells, light incandescent lamps, or be turned into any form of energy required. If the conducting wire be cut and the circuit thus opened, the electrical current immediately ceases to flow and the work that was being done instantly stops. It is perfectly easy for any person standing by a battery to connect by a conductor the two poles and cause the current to flow. The problem to be solved for ætheric signalling is how at a distance of some 10 or 20 or more miles to close the electric current of a battery at will and to open it at will so as to cause work or stoppage of work. This is done in all systems of ætheric signalling which employ the Hertzian waves by means of "a resonator" or what is called a "coherer." Resonators are better adapted for scientific investigations by <em style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">savants</em> in laboratories than for rough and practical work in the field.</span>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">The system of coherers was originally formulated by Branley, Professor of Physics at the Institute of Paris, in 1890, who first discovered that electrical sparks caused undulations in the luminiferous ether, which acted upon a coherer. Since that time the system originally formulated by Branley has been improved upon and amended by Popoff, Bose, D'Arco, Oliver Lodge, Maskelyne and other electricians. It remained for Marconi to draw public attention to the possible commercial value of this system, but there seems nothing in Marconi's patents, which is new except the patent of a special form of coherer, which he employs. A coherer consists essentially of metallic springs or metallic filings. Experience has taught us that when the waves in ether–the Hertzian waves as they are termed–propagated by electric sparks, properly manipulated, even from a considerable distance, impinge on these metallic springs or metallic filings, they cause the springs or filings to cohere, and thus form a conductor for the passage of the electric current. The best coherer as yet brought to public notice appears to be the coherer invented and patented by Mr. Maskelyne. A simple experiment shows that if a coherer be placed in the circuit of a voltaic battery, it does not matter at how great a distance off the Hertzian waves impinge upon it, the electrical current immediately flows and is available to do work such as ringing a bell.</span>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">It cannot be too carefully borne in mind that the Hertzian waves do not ring the bell, nor does the coherer do any work. The work done is by the electric current of the local battery at the distant station conducted through the coherer. All that the coherer does is to close the circuit of the local battery. All that the Hertzian waves do is to cohere the coherer, and thus to cause the electric current at the distant station to flow and to do work. It is evident that so long as the Hertzian waves impinge upon the coherer the coherer will be cohered, and the electric current will pass. The next point, therefore, that is necessary to establish, is how to stop the circuit when we do not want the current to pass, or when we want work to be suspended.</span>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">Experience has shown that if a coherer is sharply tapped or shaken, the metallic particles fall asunder. There is after shaking, no longer a conduction of electricity through the coherer the electric current of the local battery consequently ceases, and work stops. One of the problems, therefore, of ætheric signalling is to devise a means by which the coherer can be decohered automatically after the receipt of an impulse. This is done by various methods in various systems; Marconi employs a tapper, Ducretet also employs a tapper, and most other systems do the same. In the receiver invented by Mr. Maskelyne, the coherer is not decohered by a tapper but by an armature.</span>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">To carry out this decoberence various subsidiary arrangements have to be introduced at the receiving station in the coherer circuit. It is hardly necessary to complicate a simple discussion of broad principles by details of subsidiary machinery, which at the best must be somewhat involved. Much of the success of Mr. Maskelyne's invention depends upon the perfection of the certainty and simplicity of the decohering device. The Maskelyne coherer is so simple that ordinary signalmen can use it and send messages and signals by it. Its action, too, is so certain that for many months the same coherer can be used without the necessity of alteration or regulation. At present it is necessary to have a tolerably high mast in order to secure communication, but it is believed that before long it will be possible to considerably reduce the height of the mast. It is also believed that before long by means of metallic telescopes it will be possible to direct the Hertzian waves, so that they will only impinge upon the particular target to which it may be desired to direct them, and there can be no doubt that experiments will suggest various improvements which will allow for the betterment of the system.</span>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">A system of ætheric signalling, which has been tried between Sheerness and Shoeburyness, across the mouth of the Thames, with the Maskelyne coherer, is found to answer very satisfactorily across that distance, which is over five miles. It is probable that great improvements will shortly be made in this system, but in the meantime it is quite sufficiently developed for all practical purposes up to probably 30 miles, and it is not often that, so far as a ship signalling is concerned, a distance of more than 12 miles is required. In some instances the distance across channels over which communication is to be established between islands and the mainland is not nearly so much as 12 miles.</span>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">It is apparently established that if a coherer be placed in the circuit of a local battery and by any means that coherer can be made to cohere at will from a distance, so as to allow the electrical current to flow, and can be similarly decohered from a distance, so as to stop the electrical current flowing through the local battery, that local battery will practically do any work that is required. The next question is as to the means by which the coherer can be cohered. This is effected by means of what is called the "Hozier transmitter," which emits sparks across the spark gap between two points. It is well known that if a coil of wire be wound round a piece of iron and a finer coil of wire wound a again around the first coil, an induced current of electricity from the battery with which the coil is connected is sent through the secondary coil at a very high tension. This fact is made use of and the current from these batteries passed through this coil comes out of secondary coil at a high tension and emits sparks across the spark gap. These sparks have the property of causing undulations in the ether, and these undulations are waves which are very similar to the waves of light or of radiant heat. These Hertzian waves, propagated by the oscillating spark across the spark gap, can, like the waves of light when they strike upon a plane surface, be either absorbed, or reflected, or transmitted. If a piece of ebonite, which is an insulator, be placed between the waves and the coherer, the waves will pass through the insulator. If, on the other band, a conductor, such as a piece of copper, be placed in the way, the waves are stopped, and you will see that the coherer has no effect. Ordinary ironwork will act in the same manner. If anybody would wish to study these Hertzian waves (and they form an interesting subject of study) they should refer to the work of Professor Hertz, translated into English for those who do not read German by Professor Jones, with a very valuable preface by Lord Kelvin.</span>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><strong>PRACTICAL UTILITY OF ÆTHERIC SIGNALLING</strong></span>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">It is not unnatural that those who advocate ætheric signalling may be asked to what extent ætheric signalling will be of practical value. It seems that some damage has been done to ætheric signalling by the exaggerated claims that have been made for its utility. It appears that where it is impossible to make use of a conducting wire, such as a land wire or electric cable, this system of ætheric signalling may be of immense use; for instance, in bridging over those channels where a cable cannot be laid, in communicating between ships and shore, or between shore and ships, where it is impossible that a ship can be connected by cable, and in war where time will not allow a cable to be laid, or when circumstances intervene, such as the presence of an enemy, which prevent cable connection. But it seems that ætheric signalling at present can only be of great practical use where conductors of electricity cannot be utilized. Of course, we do not know what developments science may produce, but at present it is difficult to perceive how this system can be superior to the system of conductive telegraphy. The subject, however, is one of great interest, and no doubt capable of great developments; and it is one well worth the study of those who have an inclination to scientific research.</span>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">It is evident that for the purposes of Lloyds, and for the purposes of the mercantile marine, any system by which vessels that require assistance, or aid from the shore, may be able to communicate with the shore is most advantageous. It is evident that a vessel, being a moving body, cannot be connected by telegraph cable with the shore. Therefore, when she is beyond the range of vision so that flag signalling cannot be utilized, it is much to be desired that some system of communication between ship and shore should be established. Flag signalling is always precarious. Manifestly, it cannot be utilized at night. In thick weather, in snow, and sometimes in rain, the signals are obscured and cannot be distinguished. For this reason Col. Hozier and those who have worked with him have done their best to develop some practical system of ætheric signalling which may be the means of every year saving from the perils of the seas thousands of pounds' worth of property and hundreds of human lives</span>
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<strong style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">About the Author</span></strong>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">Sir Henry Montague Hozier (1838-1907), was a British army officer and pioneer in military intelligence. Like his son-in-law, Winston S. Churchill, Hozier was also a military correspondent: he covered the Austrian-Prussian War for The Times and wrote the official history of the 1867-68 Abyssinian Expedition. Hozier left the army to become the Secretary of Lloyd's of London, in 1874 (a position he held until 1906). One of his most significant innovations was setting up wireless stations to monitor sea traffic, a system which in 1911 put Lloyd's in touch with First Lord of the Admiralty Winston Churchill. Shipping information from Lloyd's network was routinely passed to the Admiralty, where it played a vital intelligence role during the First World War.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">This article originally appeared in the March 1901 issue of the <em style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Journal of the Military Service Institution</em> (vol. XXVIII, No. 110 pp. 256-264) as a reprint from the <em style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Army and Navy Gazette</em>.</span>
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