Summer, 1890, Design Revision & Refit Phase.Entrance, Exit, and Examination Alteration
In order to help the poor and also sift through our citizenry for more intelligent people, the School of Nautical Engineering's entrance exam is altered to be about being capable of applying known ideas, while a bracket system based on wealth is instituted. The poor can attend the school for free, but the wealthier classes must be capable of passing the exams AND paying for their education. This reduces the cost burden while also letting more of the poor into the school, as the majority of the scholarship money is available for those who could otherwise never have a shot at this.
The alteration to the exam is based on experience. The academy has been running for some time now, and so an analysis can be conducted of the sorts of things poor citizens can be expected to know, and the sorts of things they could conceivably be taught in a short amount of time. Thus, prospective students can be taught some important concepts, then examined over those concepts as well as what they should already know, before being sorted into appropriate programs.
Namely, those programs are the standard NNASNE program and the "washout" program. As noticed, lots of students fail the rigorous classes and expectations of our academy, but are perfectly fine themselves. Thus, a more standardized program more efficiently funnels these students into other training programs for lower-level engineering positions across the Navy and design department, meaning that none of our money spent on these perfectly adequate students is wasted. Students who can't quite make the entrance exam, especially because of their background education or lack thereof, can thus be smoothly funneled into other training programs to make use of their intelligence.
Efficacy: 2
With major changes, we have reversed the free education and made it limited so only the poor could have said education instead. The result was almost immediate. Practically the entire middle class dropped out being unable to pay for the education, with only a handful of members able to stay at great cost and likely a lot of debt. Needless to say, this basically has forced a good chunk of people who otherwise would have become great engineers to go find something else to do with their life. This ironically made questions arrise as to who is considered poor and who is considered rich, and if really there is a bit more nuance to such things. However, after a long drawn out arguement the middle class was considered 'rich' as they actually had a proper education before and
theoretically could pay for it, and that if they gave them the ability to get it for free, the actually rich would just be able to fudge a few things and appear 'middle class' and skip out on paying. Needless to say this is absolutely infuriating, but unfortunately, the changes in question are already in place. On the bright side should we reverse this decision, we still have the names and contact of the people who couldn't afford it, so it isn't
too terrible
On the bright side, however, the changes to the entrance exam have allowed more to actually get into the Academy and pass, admittedly as lesser engineering staff such as junior engineers and interns, and now a decent amount of people of the lower class make up these positions, meaning in a sense we traded the middle class for the poor. So, in a sense the goal of the program was a success. Additionally, we managed to make the class a bit cheaper to actually fund itself a bit better, but due to the fact now its actually feasibly possible for the poor to enter in, they flood in droves, and if anything we have too many applicants.
Surprisingly, no corruption issues popped up as well, so we are considering that a win.
Intensive Nautical Training School Reformat
First off, only essential personnel are to be within the 500-meter exclusion zone of the damage-control drydocks. Any politicians, ships' cooks (who are for some incomprehensibly, unfathomably idiotic reason NOT part of the damage control or medical teams during battle), or other ne'er-do-wells found within that zone will be shot, imprisoned, and sent to the Marines' Front. With only essential personnel onboard, 90% of the problems are removed. If the ship is undergoing gunnery practice, well, any other crew can be doing whatever down in the ship. They're already getting trained anyway. While the lower levels of the ship are repaired and emptied of water and thus damage control crews can't do much more than practice clearing a jammed rudder, gunnery crews and everybody else take their turn. At all other times (except during nighttime gunnery practice), the damage control teams practice around the clock to become the best they can be.
Removing the present completely useless armor plating from the monitors and using it for scrap iron since it literally can't be actual steel of any description that can be considered "armor", actual steel plates are fitted with are MORE than capable of resisting impacts from detonator-less cap-less light naval gunfire.
Our political ally the ex-admiral has been placed in charge of this program since he's got the political pull to make it happen in our wonderfully corrupt government, and also because he's an old navy type and knows how to run a proper ship.
Efficacy: 4
Firstly, it should be mentioned that the ships cooks were in fact part of damage control teams, its just they were being forced to train their skills at cooking while others did damage control and everything else as well. They still would occasionally be given damage control or medical training as well, just due to those politicians meddling, they had to train on a ship instead of the naval base's own canteen for cooking because 'it simulated cooking in real naval conditions!' as that moron of a politician who likely never saw the ocean let alone ever been on anything that floated on water said.
Regardless, we have fixed the problems the program had decently. With the protection of someone who
actually knows the difference from the stern and starboard who has done more than his fair share in helping us with telling these morons to go take a long walk off a short pier, we are able to keep the idiotic politicians from meddling too much, especially with our new security guidelines, which actually succeeded in almost netting a particularly daft politician time in the marines. Alas, he managed to get out of it due to his position. Other than actually getting the program to be protected from meddling and knowledgeable politicians. To put it quite simply, our crews can
actually learn a thing or two reliably now! Which is a big boon to the project considering
that is the entire point of the project in the first place.Also, we replaced the old monitors armor with something that can actually take a hit, much to their relief. They were worried they might actually suffer casualties, but with the iron replaced with more modern armor that can take more than an old, round, shot from a mussel loading cannon, they should be fine. Of course, it does impact their speed a bit, but that really doesn't matter for a target tug.
To put it simply, we actually made the thing useful, with some help.
6"/45 QF M1890b
An analysis of ejected versus failed-to-eject shells has allowed us to lightly redesign the breech and shells to ensure that jamming almost never happens, while also adding features to the casing that allow for much easier removal of any jammed shells. This is obviously not a very time-intensive process so the optical aids are improved so that the gunner can much more easily acquire an independent range and lead solution for accurate fire.
Efficacy: 6
A quick and easy fix, nothing more needs to be said. However, its my job to describe things in further detail. We checked the ejection system and the breech, and with a few gentle and simple touches, we made the eject system work by adding a bit more kick to it and a minor redesign of the shape of the breech itself. Naturally, having done such, we moved onto the extra bit of work ahead of us. Adding a bit of optical aid to assist in range finding. We did this as well quick and easily, although its fairly simple, having a basic way to see how far off your shot is easier is useful. Though, admittedly, its probably going to reduce in effectiveness the more guns are shooting at the same target, but even then it will still help more than nothing at all.
4"/45 QF M1890
Based on the very successful pattern of the 6"/45 QF M1890, the 4"/45 is basically the same gun reduced by two thirds. It is intended to replace present 4" guns on the Spear while also providing a carriage-based heavy weapon with a heavy-duty gun shield for Marine units deployed against fortified positions, and anything else that is big enough to irritates them but hasn't yet been demolished by naval fire support.
Efficacy: 3
Down scaling the guns of the QF was fairly easy, and this is the latest version we speak of. We also made a simple land version for our marries which has a proper gun shield and wheels, which means we can actually use it more than just in heavily fortified positions where the gun was installed, but also in more hastily made fortifications of wood and trench. Most of the time on the project really was just writing down the changes to the Spear class installing the new gun would do, which, really wasn't much outside of paper work. Of course, that refit won't take long, or cost too much, but it will still cost something...
Being based on the 6" QF however, it has a decent range for being two thirds the size, capable of about 12,000 yards, which fittingly enough is two thirds the range of the 6" QF.
Republican Rotary Works Turbine Mark 1
The TTWAWO project was the naval design division's crash program to produce a powerplant that would allow the Nemorlandian navy to leap ahead to a world power. Our dockyards still restrict us, but our advanced technology will aid us in our quest to be a superpower. Indeed, the project went so fast that the only thing that took less time was deciding on the name, mostly because we didn't decide on the name, we rather foolishly told an intern to give it a grand and worthy name. We, as the design division, don't really have the resources to mass-produce turbine engines, not being a heavy-machinery company.
We're not alone, however. Aiding our navy is our nation's fine assembly of civilian construction firms capable of producing naval equipment. One of them, RRW, is a noted producer of propellers and engines for civilian shipping, and has in the past been contracted for some naval work. We've reached out to them to have the TTWAWO program produced for both civilian vessels and naval vessels, at much reduced costs and far more efficiently than we can produce it ourselves. In addition, RRW have managed to reduce the prices through both reengineering some unnecessarily expensive parts we didn't notice, and also by contract. They give us a discount on engines because of the money they're making selling much more efficient turbine powerplants to our many civilian shipping lines.
Efficacy: 6
The work that the Republican Rotary Works company has done, admittedly with some of our help, has cut down costs
majorly without sacrificing reliability. Of course, they are making civilian versions that are a bit less likely to react too well to certain combat conditions, but the more...durable combat versions we currently have still exist...Admittedly a direct hit from a proper shell would still be a very bad day for the engine, but a near miss will be a little bit better. Now, what we have basically done by doing this is made many of our more modern civilian ships become much much faster at cruising speed, among other things. It also means that any future ships made using the most modern engine will be less costly. It should be noted we could, theoretically retrofit our older Spear class ships with it, seeing how it is also a bit lighter, and could do the same for the Niflung class so long as time is dedicated to it. But, it would be a bit time consuming to replace seeing how we'd need to open up the ship to change the machinery and then seal it back up again, which likely would be a bit more effort than its worth.
9"/45 M1890 'Gungnir'
The Niflung's dated 9" guns need an upgrade before we go to war, and so this project adds the 6"/45's upgrades, yet again, to those 9" guns as much as possible. These guns are a 50% increase in size over the 6"/45 guns and so some more work is expected to be necessary to apply most of the upgrades to them. We expect to end up with quite a powerful and a much faster-firing gun when we finish, though, well worth the effort invested. We do of course apply the results to our Niflungs if the project is successful, as well as fixing the issue with shell ejection as per the 6" /45 upgrade also planned.
Efficacy: 4
First off, it needs to be made clear, the Gungnir is not, in fact, incapable of missing. That's just a joke that came out because of its name, but even so its not much more accurate than any of our other guns. Really, its just a 6" QF that's been up sized and given a fancy nickname, which means it has all the nice little additions the 6" QF has. The gun sadly, however, is not capable of one third more than the 6" QF, however, its still certainly a long range. But that is to be expected when based on a quality product, even if up sizing it is a bit harder than downsizing it.
To put it shortly, its basically a larger version of the 6" QF with a range of 21,000 yards.
It is now the Production & Deployment Phase. You have 16 PP should you pay for all maintenance to use on the construction of new ships. You also get one ship that will be built at no PP cost.
Naval
Early 2/3/5/7/10/12 inch guns
9"/45 M1890 'Gungnir' (9 inch gun, Fairly reliable unless damaged. Has a basic optical rangefinder. Max range of roughly 21,000 yards)
6"/45 QF M1890 (6 inch gun, Fairly reliable unless damaged. Has a basic optical rangefinder. Max range of roughly 18000 yards)
4"/45 QF M1890 (4 inch gun, Fairly reliable unless damaged. Has a basic optical rangefinder. Max range of roughly 12,000 yards)
Triple-expansion engines.
Early steam turbine engines.
Early coal/oil hybrid firing.
Steel hull construction.
Compartmentalization.
Single Casemates.
Single and Double gun turrets.
Harvey Bolstad Steel Armor
Early Damage control techniques.
Decent Anti Flash fire measures.
Ballistite.
Blackfoot torpedo (Reliable fast torpedo capable of 26 knots, and 1k yards
Marines
Defensive guns (Uses same calibers as naval guns)
4"/45 QF M1890 (Mobile Artillery piece with Gun shield.)
Rosemary 85 Rifle (Basic Bolt Action Rifle)
Holly 8 (Basic Revolver)
Spear class Scout Cruiser: A blisteringly fast scout cruiser capable of 28 knots and armed with two 6"/45 QF M1890 main guns in both forward and aft gun mounts along with three four inch guns and four two inch guns. Is protected by an inch of armor in turtle back formation, and can carry a platoon of soldiers.
Costs 5/2 PP, 5 seasons construction time.
Refit's of Spear class:
QF 4"/45 QF M1890 refit: Costs 1 PP to refit, takes 1 season to complete. Shipbuild cost same as original.
Turbine Refit: Costs 1 PP to refit, takes 2 seasons to complete. Shipbuild cost 4/2, time the same.
Dual Refit: Costs 2 PP to refit, takes 2 seasons to complete. Shipbuild cost 4/2, time the same.
Niflung class Coastal Defense Ship: A heavily armored short range ship with 8 inches all around that has a main battery armed with 9 inch main guns in two turrets, along with a secondary armament of five 6"/45 QF M1890, one of which is in the Niflung iconic position in the back, meshing in with the superstructure.
Costs 6/2 PP, 7 seasons construction time.
Gungnir Refit: Costs 1 PP to refit, takes 1 season to complete. Shipbuild cost same as original
Turbine Refit: Costs 1 PP to refit, takes 2 seasons to complete. Shipbuild cost 6/2, time the same.
Dual Refit: Costs 2 PP to refit, takes 2 seasons to complete. Shipbuild cost 6/2, time the same.
CS - Scout Cruisers
Spear Class, 14 ships, 28 Maintenance.
Spear | CS | No Refit | Currently assigned to Peacetime Patrols | Crew are Greenhorns | Undamaged |Montgomery Finley is captain, Greenhorn, Aggressive.
Bill | CS | No Refit | Currently assigned to Peacetime Patrols | Crew are Greenhorns | Undamaged | Daniel Fletcher is captain, Greenhorn, Aggressive.
Fork | CS | No Refit | Currently assigned to Peacetime Patrols | Crew are Greenhorns | Undamaged | Anthony Palmer is captain, Greenhorn, Aggressive.
Earspoon | CS | No Refit | Currently assigned to Peacetime Patrols | Crew are Greenhorns | Undamaged | James Henderson is captain, Greenhorn, Aggressive.
Partisan | CS | No Refit | Currently assigned to Peacetime Patrols | Crew are Greenhorns | Undamaged | Rory Williamson is captain, Greenhorn, Cautious.
Glave | CS | No Refit | Currently assigned to Peacetime Patrols | Crew are Greenhorns | Undamaged | Freddie Grant is captain, Greenhorn, Aggressive.
Pike | CS | No Refit | Currently assigned to Peacetime Patrols | Crew are Greenhorns | Undamaged | Charles Wilson is captain, Greenhorn, Cautious.
Bardiche | CS | No Refit | Currently assigned to Peacetime Patrols | Crew are Greenhorns | Undamaged | Jasper Griffith is captain, Greenhorn, Balanced.
Brandistock | CS | No Refit | Currently assigned to Peacetime Patrols | Crew are Greenhorns | Undamaged | Arthur Barnes is captain, Greenhorn, Balanced.
Poleaxe | CS | No Refit | Currently assigned to Peacetime Patrols | Crew are Greenhorns | Undamaged | Owen Jefferson is captain, Greenhorn, Balanced.
Halberd | CS | No Refit | Currently assigned to Peacetime Patrols | Crew are Greenhorns | Undamaged | Andrew Wilkinson is captain, Greenhorn, Cautious.
Corseque | CS | No Refit | Currently assigned to Peacetime Patrols | Crew are Greenhorns | Undamaged |Reece Foster is captain, Greenhorn, Balanced.
Voulge | CS | No Refit | Currently assigned to Peacetime Patrols | Crew are Greenhorns | Undamaged | Brendon Morton is captain, Greenhorn, Cautious.
Spetum | CS | No Refit | Currently assigned to Peacetime Patrols | Crew are Greenhorns | Undamaged | Hayden Gardner is captain, Greenhorn, Cautious.
CDS - Coastal Defense Ships
Niflung Class, 5 Ships, 10 Maintenance.
Niflung | CDS | No Refit | Currently assigned to Peacetime Patrols | Crew are Greenhorns | Undamaged | Eddie Campbell is captain, Greenhorn, Cautious.
Gjúking | CDS | No Refit | Currently assigned to Peacetime Patrols | Crew are Greenhorns | Undamaged | Bertram Faulkner is captain, Greenhorn, Aggressive.
Sigurd | CDS | No Refit | Currently assigned to Peacetime Patrols | Crew are Greenhorns | Undamaged | Russell Faulkner is captain, Greenhorn, Balanced.
Gunnarr | CDS | No Refit | Currently assigned to Peacetime Patrols | Crew are Greenhorns | Undamaged | Markus Merrill is captain, Greenhorn, Balanced.
Hǫgni | CDS | No Refit | Currently assigned to Peacetime Patrols | Crew are Greenhorns | Undamaged | Elliot Burns is captain, Greenhorn, Cautious.
Nemorland Naval Academy's School of Nautical Engineering (Costs 6 PP Per turn to keep running)
Intensive Nautical Training School (Costs 5 PP per turn to keep running)
4,000 Displacement Dry docks. (4 to upgrade, takes 4 seasons to finish, increases by 3 each upgrade)
65 PP, 38 Maintenance
Author
Topic: Refit and Repair, Nemorland, Spring, 1890, Production & Deployment Phase. (Read 22297 times)