Some of the ships currently available in Empire are:
torpedo-boat These ships have been misrepresented in Empire. They were
designed to kill large ships by swarming them and launching
torpedoes. In fact, they were projected to be so effective
that the French 'Jeune Ecole' (Young School) of naval officers
advocated abandoning battleships entirely, saying that they
would be helpless in the face of the torpedo-boat. In reality,
the torpedo boat was limited by it's short range, deficient
sea-keeping ability, and the battleship's quick acquisition of
numerous light quick-firing guns and machine guns. They were
effective when used in large numbers, but tended to die a lot.
destroyer These include three kinds of ships. First is the 1880-1910
destroyers, originally 'torpedo-boat destroyers', and meant to
be cheap ships to screen the battleships. Second is the
1910-1950 version, meant to kill submarines with sonar and
depth-charges. Lastly is the 1950-1965 destroyer, an all around
ship, with ASW and ASuW (anti-surface armament). After that,
they type mostly died out, as it had gotten too large.
frigate Originally, these were ships of about 200-400t, with a crew
of 200-500, armed with from 30-50 large cannon plus numerous
small cannon. They were intended to scout for ships of the
line, and protect/destroy commerce. After about 1860, the type
died out entirely, and was replaced by light cruisers. In the
1960's, the type was resurrected for a new class of ASW (anti
submarine warfare) ships of small-medium size.
light cruiser The class came into existence in the 1860-1905 period to provide
fast ships suitable for extended deployment in far-away places.
They were intended to out-class local defense boats, and not
much else. Much was sacrificed to give them long-term speed
end endurance. They were not intended to have a role in a major
battle.
heavy cruiser This class has a dual role. It was intended to reinforce the
light cruisers in the colonies, providing a heavier punch and
more armor, and also to be scouting elements in major fleet
battles.
ship-of-the-line
pre-dreadnought
dreadnought
battleship While the names change, the purpose remained the same: a ship
that brings heavy guns close to the enemy and destroys him. It
also was much used for off-shore bombardment, and for ships
of the line, minor invasions. (A complement of 300-400 marines
and 600 sailors allowed a ship of the line to land up to 750
fighting men at any desired point. Small squadrons of these
ships could (and did) take over towns, attack fortresses by
surprise, and generally make life miserable for the defense).
The pre-dreadnought was a battleship with a limited number
(usually 4) of heavy guns, numerous lighter guns ('secondary'
and 'tertiary' armament), and heavy armor on vital portions
of the ship. They were hard to kill, even for themselves, as
they had only a few guns that could penetrate the armor of
their peers.
The dreadnought was introduced in an article in Jane's Fighting
Ships by an Italian designer, who received permission to publish
his design after the Italian government decided that it was
too large and expensive for them. The design/concept was seized
upon by First Sea Lord Jacky Fisher, who rushed completion of
the first ship, the Dreadnought, through in only 1 year. (An
amazing feat and a major record) The Dreadnought gave its
name to the entire type of ship, having 8-12 large calibre
guns, few secondary & tertiary weapons, and good armor. (As
can be guessed, the threat posed by torpedo boats had diminished
considerably, mostly with the quiet abandonment of the policy
of close blockade, and the advent of the destroyer)
The battleship of the 1918-1945 period was faster, and carried
a new AA capacity, especially in the latter years of the period.
After 1945, the class died out (except for 4 ships)
For our purposes, a battleship 1 is a ship of the line, a
battleship 2 is a pre-dreadnought, a battleship 3 is a
dreadnought, and a battleship 4 is what was called a battleship
or (sometimes) super-dreadnought.
battlecruiser These special ships existed in the 1905-1920 period, prior to
the widespread introduction of oil fuel. They had full battle-
ship guns, and a large speed advantage over the battleships,
but very little armor. They were initially the pet project of
First Sea Lord Jacky Fisher, who intended them to both kill
the heavy/armored cruisers of the time, and to scout for the
battleships. With their heavy armament (and name), their
function inevitably blurred, and they were used in combat
against full-fledged battleships, where they died like flies.
With this (and with the introduction of oil fuel, which made
battleships their equal in speed), they were phased out.
ASW cruiser These ships came into being in the 1965-present period in
response to a need for a large ASW ship to carry ASW helicopters
and command equipment. It typically carries full ASW armament,
as well as a minor ASuW capability.
missile boat
missile frigate
missile cruiser These ships range in size from 100t missile boats (the modern
replacement for the torpedo-boat) to the 6000-8000t missile
cruiser. They all are designed to bring missiles to bear on
the enemy. (The first successful missile boats were Egyptian,
and used against the Israelis in the 1967 Arab-Israeli war)
The missile frigate and cruiser also serve as SAM ships.
landing craft These ships are relatively unique, being used mainly in the
1942-1950 period. Before that, landings were carried out by
frigates, ships-of-the-line, light & heavy cruisers, &
pre-dreadnoughts, all of which could land a large number of
men. With the introduction of the concept of beach-defense by
the Germans, these ships were invented to get large numbers of
men on the beaches quickly. After 1950, their functions were
largely assumed by the helicopter.
aircraft carrier
light carrier
escort carrier These ships are designed for various purposes. At first,
carriers concentrated on scouting for the battleships. Later,
it was proved that airplanes could sink battleships (Thanks to
Billy Mitchell here), and the emphasis moved to all-around sea
control. Still later, with the disappearance of the battleship,
a large power-projection capacity was added.
Light carriers were simply smaller versions of the large or
'fleet' carriers, and were used for the same duties.
Escort carriers were usually hastily converted merchantmen,
and carried small numbers of fighters and ASW planes. (Some
merchantment, in fact, were equipped with 1 fighter and a
temporary catapult. When threatened by enemy planes, the
fighter took off. When it was done, it ditched, and the pilot
was (theoretically) picked up by the merchant ship's convoy.
This was used several times, and worked!)
submarine The submarine was originally intended, in the 1900-1910 period,
to fill the same role as the torpedo boat, using stealth to
get to the battleships instead of speed. It was a strictly
defensive weapon, without much speed or endurance.
In the 1910-1925 period, the sub was much enlarged, and use in
a combination anti-battleship (sank at least 20)/anti-commerce
role. Endurance was much improved, and the sub could now
operate a long distance from its home port.
In the 1925-1945 period, the sub steadily grew large and more
capable, gaining mostly in speed, sonar ability, and endurance.
After 1945, nuclear power vastly increased the subs endurance,
making it effectively infinite. Sonar was also vastly improved,
and removed the reliance upon the periscope. The subs armament
was also vastly improved with the addition of the SLM & SLBM.
minesweeper Usually converted fishing vessels, small, and expendable. They
found and destroyed mines with a variety of tricks, including
cables & magnetism.
These units types differ in their fundamental capabilities; some can fire guns, some cannot; each has it's own specific abilities & roles. The capabilities of each ship are given by the show command. The headings are as follows. For the building data:
[##:##] Command : show ship build
The lcm required to build the ship.
The hcm required to build the ship.
The avail (work) required to build the ship.
The minimum technology required to build the ship.
The cost of the ship.
The headings for the stats listing are
[##:##] Command : show ship stats
defensive armament of the ship
the distance/mu for moving (in relative units)
how visible the ship is, (relative units)
how far the ship can see, (i.e. how good the communication equipment is), again in relative units
twice the distance the guns can fire, The range formula is (rng/2) * ((tech + 50) / (tech + 200))
the number of guns the ship can fire at once
The number of land units the ship can carry. No ship can carry 'heavy' units. Only surface supply ships can carry units that are not 'light'. Submarines that can't normally carry land units can carry up to two spies.
The number of 'light' planes the ship can carry.
The number of helicopters the ship can carry. (If the SHIPCHOPPER option is enabled)
The number of extra-light planes the ship can carry. (If the XLIGHT option is enabled)
Each ship can carry a certain amount of products and has certain capabilities. These are listed under the cargoes & abilities section. The cargoes give the number of each product that can be carried. The abilities are as follows.
[##:##] Command : show ship capabilities
The vessel will accumulate food by fishing
The vessel can fire torpedoes.
The vessel can drop depth charges
The vessel can carry planes with the light attribute set.
The vessel can carry missiles.
The vessel can drill for oil
The vessel has sonar capabilities to detect submarines
The vessel can lay mines
The vessel can sweep the sector for mines and recover them
The vessel is a submarine
The vessel can be used as a landing craft. (see info assault)
The vessel can be used as a semi-landing craft. (see info assault)
The vessel can torpedo submarines
The vessel is a trade ship.
The vessel can supply other units. Unless the vessel is a submarine, it can load non-light land units.
The vessel can navigate canals (see info Sector-types).
The vessel will intercept enemy marine missiles (see info Hitchance).
Some examples of the output:
[##:##] Command : show ship build
lcm hcm avail tech $
fishing boat 1 25 15 12 0 $300
cargo ship 1 60 40 29 0 $500
ore ship 1 60 40 29 0 $500
slave ship 1 60 40 29 0 $500
passenger ship 1 60 40 29 0 $500
trade ship 1 200 100 81 0 $2500
frigate 30 30 19 0 $600
battleship 1 50 50 31 0 $800
[##:##] Command : show ship stats
s v s r f h x p l
p i p n i e p l n
def d s y g r l l n d
fishing boat 1 10 10 15 2 0 0 0 0 0 0
cargo ship 1 20 10 35 3 0 0 0 1 0 0
ore ship 1 20 10 35 3 0 0 0 1 0 0
slave ship 20 10 35 3 0 0 0 1 0 0
trade ship 1 20 10 35 3 0 0 0 1 0 0
frigate 50 25 25 3 1 1 0 1 0 2
[##:##] Command : show ship cap
cargos & capabilities
fishing boat 1 300c 10m 900f 15u fish
cargo ship 1 600c 50m 300s 50g 900f 1400l 900h 250u supply
ore ship 1 30c 5m 990i 990d 200f 45u 990r
slave ship 20c 80m 200f 1200u
trade ship 1 50c 50m 100f trade
frigate 60m 10s 2g 60f semi-land
battleship 1 120m 20s 4g 120f semi-land
fishing boat 2 300c 10m 900f 15u fish
See also : coastwatch , fire , load , lookout , mine , navigate , tend , torpedo , fly , show , Trade-ships , Ships , Sector-types