Design: SPB1-A "Fog-O-War" [3+1, 6-3, 1+1]
The worlds first steamship hits the waves this year. Steam Powered Boat Mark 1-A, AKA the "Fog-O-War" makes use of our existing technology and our finest equipment to realize perhaps the most intimidating contraption to ever hit the seas.
The work that went into this ship almost entirely involved over-hauling the steam engine. A steam recycler was the most ambituous change - the steam engine is now an entirely closed loop, meaning very little water must be added back in (only to make up what escapes through cracks and joints). Because of this we can run the device on freshwater, which has a lower boiling point and doesn't gum up the inner workings with salt. In a pinch the engine can run (less efficiently) on salt water. After our failed attemp to build a magic-powered steam condenser on the HC2 our Mathemagicians have instead opted for a more mundane option. Steam runs through pipes which run down the outside of the hull and into the water. The ocean water cools the pipes, condensing the steam. This system adds more weight and the horsepower is lost as the steam forces the water back up into the boiler, but at least it's not freezing or cracking pipes.
To make up for the relatively low out-put of the steam engines we've opted to load two onto the ship, both of which drive a single paddle located centrally on the rear. Because the load is split between the two of them we can gear it much higher and turn the paddle faster.
Learning from our success with the HC series we've scrapped the external heat source and instead opted for a hybrid PSF and Flamewall spell to provide steady heat directly through the wall of the boiler. Much like before, this requires the attention of the attending apprentice to operate consistently. We've opted for dual rudders to sit on either side of the paddle for some much-needed turning speed as the weight increase makes the cornering sluggish.
Finally, we've affixed an HC1-E to a raised platform on the bow. Due to our abundance of apprentices we can afford to assign two per ship; one to operate the engine and one to fire the cannon.
Due to the incredible weight of the steam engines and cannon the ship sits very low in the water. This provides considerable drag, and choppy waters threaten to flood over the sides when out of port. Salt water is also hard on the steam engines and cannon, so despite proper maintenance rust grows. Finally, the closed-loop system of the steam recycler threatens to cause ruptures in the joints and thinner pipes. It's difficult to regulate the internal pressure of the engine; an emergency valve has been installed to prevent an out-right explosion, but if popped the engine loses all power and must cool down before it can be reset.
Despite all these flaws, it can - barely - match pace with a Moskurg ship once at full steam. It's not as manueverable, but it does currently out-range everything Moskurg has deployed. Due to the very expensive nature of the steam engines, cannons, and ships, the Fog-O-War is a Very Expensive as well, especially without the mines in the mountains to suppliment the high metal cost. We will be able to deploy three in each sea theatre, although decreasing the cost of its components will allow us to outfit more of our fleet with these upgrades. Very [Very] Expensive.
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Topic: Wands Race - [Arstotzka] {COMPLETED} (Read 393135 times)