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Post by MateDow on Mar 12, 2019 23:23:59 GMT -6
This is an AAR for RTW that I will try and at least get to a good point before RTW2 comes out. Settings: Very Large Fleet Historical Budget Admiral Tactical Control Please note that all design screens were screenshot after the end of the game and may not reflect actual extra tonnage. I thought it would be a good idea to wait until the end, but alas, apparently it wasn't.
Dramatis Personae
Cipriano Castro – President of Venezuela elected in 1899.
Arent Crowninshield – Graduated from the US Naval Academy in 1863 and participated in the assault on Fort Fisher. Promoted to Captain in 1894, he took command of the new battleship Georgia before leaving in 1897 to become Chief of the Bureau of Navigation with the rank of Rear Admiral.
George Dewey –Graduated from the US Naval Academy in 1858 and participated in the capture of New Orleans and the Siege of Port Henry during the Civil War. Promoted to Commodore in 1896 and assigned to the Asiatic Squadron where he fought the Battle of Manila Bay during the Spanish-American War.
Michael Dow – Graduated from the US Naval Academy in 1870. As an ensign participated in the US Expedition to Korea participating in the assaults on the Ganghwa forts. Promoted to Captain in 1897, he took command of the armored cruiser Columbia building in Philadelphia. Participated in the bombardment of San Juan and the Battle of Santiago, before leaving in 1900 to become the Chief of the Bureau of Ships with the rank of Rear Admiral.
Mordecai Endicott – Commissioned a civil engineer in the Navy in 1874 and received the relative rank of Commodore in 1882. Appointed as the Navy member of the Nicaragua Canal Commission by President Cleveland in 1895. On March 21, 1898, Endicott was promoted to the rank of Captain and the following day President McKinley, on the recommendation of Secretary of the Navy Long, broke precedent and nominated Endicott as the next Bureau of Docks and Yards chief with the rank of Commodore. He was promoted to the rank of Rear Admiral in 1899.
Robley Evans – Graduated from the US Naval Academy in 1864 and fought in the Civil War. He won great acclaim for his firm and skillful handling of a tense situation with Chile, becoming known as "Fighting Bob" Evans. Promoted to captain in 1893 and took command of the battleship West Virginia in 1895. He was promoted to the rank of Rear Admiral in 1901.
Norman von Heldreich Farquhar – Graduated from the US Naval Academy in 1859. Promoted to Captain in 1887 as Captain of the Trenton, which was lost of Samoa during a hurricane in 1889. Became Chief of the Bureau of Yards and Docks in 1890. In 1900 was appointed to command the North Atlantic Station with the rank of Rear Admiral.
Eugene Hale – Republican senator from Maine and chair of the US Senate Committee on Naval Affairs, first elected in 1881.
John Hay – Entered government as one of Abraham Lincoln’s private secretary’s serving until his death in 1865. He served in several European diplomatic posts, worked at the New York Tribune, Assistant Secretary of State, and Ambassador to the United Kingdom before being appointed as Secretary of State by President McKinley.
Philip Hichborn – Joined the Navy in 1860 as ship’s carpenter. Appointed Chief of the Bureau of Construction and Repair (Chief Constructor) in 1893 with the rank of Commodore.
Henry Cabot Lodge – Republican senator from Massachusetts first elected in 1893.
John Long – Former governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts appointed as the Secretary of the Navy by President McKinley in 1897. He clashed with his Under-Secretary, Theodore Roosevelt, over expansion of the Navy when the Spanish–American War broke out in 1898.
William McKinley – 25th President of the United States elected in 1896 and reelected in 1900.
George Melville – Entered the Navy in 1861 as an officer of the Engineer Corps. Participated in the Jeannette expedition as Chief Engineer and was the only boat commander to bring his drew to safety after the Jeannette was crushed by ice in the Arctic. Promoted to Commodore in 1887, assigned as Chief of the Bureau of Steam Engineering, and promoted to the rank of Rear Admiral and appointed as Engineer-in-Chief of the Navy.
William Sampson – Graduated from the US Naval Academy in 1861 and was the executive officer of the monitor Patapsco when she struck a mine and sank during the Civil War. Promoted to Captain in April 1889 and served on the cruiser Colchester, and later the battleship West Virginia. Assumed command of the North Atlantic Squadron in 1898 with the temporary rank of Rear Admiral. Was not present for the Battle of Santiago. Appointed Cuban Commissioner in August 1898. Became Commandant of the Boston Navy Yard in October 1899 and a member of newly established General Board in 1900.
Winfield Schley – Graduated from the US Naval Academy in 1860. Commissioned as Commodore in February 1898 and took command of the Flying Squadron consisting of the modern US cruisers. Commanded the US forces in the Battle of Santiago. Promoted to Rear Admiral in November 1899, and given command of the North Atlantic Station in 1901.
Charles Sigsbee – Appointed acting midshipman in 1862 and participated in numerous engagements during the Civil War against Confederate forts and batteries. Graduated from the US Naval Academy in 1871 and assigned to the Hydrographic Office. Promoted to Captain in 1897, he took command of the battleship Georgia before being appointed as Chief Intelligence Officer of the Office of Naval Intelligence in 1900.
Henry Taylor – Graduated from the US Naval Academy in 1863. Promoted to Captain in 1894 he assumed command of the battleship Rhode Island in 1896 commanding her throughout the Spanish-American War.
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Post by MateDow on Mar 12, 2019 23:28:50 GMT -6
1 January, 1900 Washington DC State, War, and Navy Building
Rear Admiral Dow walked into the building, absentmindedly returned the salutes of the Marines stationed inside, and headed up the stairs to his office on the fourth floor. It had been a busy few days following his promotion and visit with Secretary Long about his new posting. Congress had approved President McKinley’s recommendation for his promotion early. The usual time for promotions was in March, and he had less seniority than a significant number of captains on the active list.
He’d served with Admiral Schley off the coast of Cuba while captain of the cruiser Columbia. Shortly after the end of the war, he and Colonel Roosevelt came out to visit the ship following the surrender of Santiago. The postcards showing the colonel sticking his head through a 6-inch hole from a shell fired by the Cristóbal Colón had become famous the world over and would probably help with his future in politics. As a captain he’d just been in the background, but his association with the famous officers had definitely helped his career.
The new Bureau of Ships that was created oversee the Bureaus of Construction & Repair, Steam Engineering, Equipment, and Docks & Yards. The Secretary didn’t like the idea because of its origin with Admiral Schley, but with the backing of the President the new post was created. To Admiral Dow the idea made sense; combine all of the functions related to the maintenance and construction of the Navy into a single office that could work with Congress and the Navy Department to ensure that it was efficient as possible. His appointment as the new Chief of the bureau would determine the future of the new bureau
The Secretary’s dislike of the new bureau probably explained why his office was two floors above the Secretary’s office. He’d at least have easy access to the Navy Department’s library and a window that looked out over the Mall, and distance from the Secretary would probably help. His wife would also say that having to climb those stairs wouldn’t be bad for him either.
His first priority would be gathering information on what used to be four separate bureaus and what their current projects were. Once he had a grasp on those fundamentals he could focus his energy on coordinating their operations. Until he’d proven himself to them they would fight his control. It was never easy to get control from officers that had grown used to leading bureaus that had existed as independent entities for decades. He’d have to lay out his priorities with his bureau chiefs and use them to work efficiently.
For the moment nothing would be changing. The three remaining Kentucky-class battleships, two Davenport-class light cruisers, and four Copas-class destroyers of previous construction programs would be completed as scheduled.
The Copas-class destroyers would be completed before summer, and Congress was already looking at authorizing the construction of at least an additional half flotilla. He had a meeting with Senator Hale, chair of the Naval Affairs Committee, next week and needed to be ready to justify the expenditures. These destroyers had a heavy gun battery compared to their foreign contemporaries. The six 3-inch guns were combined with two torpedo tubes to provide a small warship that could engage foreign torpedo boats or destroyers, or press home an attack against foreign fleets.
The North Atlantic Squadron contained most of the combat power of the navy; five battleships, five armored cruisers, ten light cruisers, and eight destroyers. Four Georgia-class battleships formed the current core of the fleet. They were shorter ranged than the newer Kentucky-class battleships currently under construction, but they had better armor protection than their newer sisters. Kentucky had recently joined the fleet and there were another three in various stages of construction. The first of these should be commissioned in September followed by the last two four months later.
The armored cruiser force consisted of two separate designs. Two Tolland-class cruisers had formed the core of the Asiatic Fleet during the Spanish-American War, but they were rotated home. Their 8-inch guns were OK, but not as powerful as the 10-inch guns that constituted the main battery of the newer Columbia-class cruisers. Although classed as armored cruisers, the Columbia’s could have been classed as battleships in some countries due to their size, heavy armament, and armor. Three of these powerful ships completed the fast wing of the squadron.
The four Davenport-class light cruisers that make up the core of the scouting force, and their two sisters that were due for completion before the end of the year, were some of the fastest and most heavily armed scouting cruisers in the world. With thirteen 6-inch guns and powerful engines that can drive them at 24-knots, they were more than capable of fighting their way through an enemy screen and surviving to report.
The Davenports were a significant improvement over the Colchester-class with their 4-inch main battery, but they were also twice the size and cost of the older cruisers. The small Colchesters were designed to be used in commerce warfare with a combination of long range and fast firing guns. They could also be used as flotilla flagships for destroyers if necessary. All six Colchesters were assigned to the Atlantic were most foreign trade would be concentrated.
The Asiatic Squadron was in good condition with five armored cruisers led by his former command Columbia. The Essex-class cruisers had been powerful ships at one time, but the advance of technology had relegated them to the secondary theater. Their eight 6-inch guns were situated to allow three turrets to bear on any target, and they had moderate armor protection. Enough to engage foreign scout cruisers, but outclassed by foreign armored cruisers.
The two heavy gunboats of the Castine-class provided significant firepower to the region. Their presence in the Philippines demonstrated the need to project power ashore in the region. Their 12-inch gun mounted in a turret on the bow had served its role in deterrence since their completion. Their 3-inch thick armor belt could resist fire from any anticipated shore battery, but would not withstand the fire from the heavy guns mounted on a foreign cruiser.
The navy yard at Cavite in the Philippines was too small for the number of ships that needed to be based there, but he knew that there were already plans for the addition of an 800-foot quay to accommodate additional large warships. Now Congress had to allocate the funding so construction could begin. Another topic that he would be discussing with Senator Hale at their meeting next week.
Congress had approved an expansion program for the navy yard in New York with the purpose of allowing the construction of larger cruisers and battleships. The British were already able to construct ships up to 16,000 tons in size, and if the US wanted to remain competitive they would have to match their capabilities as much as possible. This should also stimulate private yards to increase their capabilities as well.
It was probably good that his wife wouldn’t be able to move up from Norfolk until the end of the month. She had to get their house packed up and on the market before coming up. Fortunately, his current rank qualified him for housing at the Washington Naval Yard, so he didn’t have to worry about that.
There was a lot of work to do and not a lot of time to complete it.
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Post by boomboomf22 on Mar 13, 2019 16:25:37 GMT -6
Nice writing and some very interesting designs.
I was wondering why the secondaries on you Bs are in turrets, is it an experiment on your part, or a representation of the sometimes odd American shot design? (I mean not on par with French in odd ships, but superposed turrets man, superposed turrets.)
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Post by MateDow on Mar 13, 2019 18:43:00 GMT -6
Nice writing and some very interesting designs. I was wondering why the secondaries on you Bs are in turrets, is it an experiment on your part, or a representation of the sometimes odd American shot design? (I mean not on par with French in odd ships, but superposed turrets man, superposed turrets.)
It was something to try and recreate some historical US feel that doesn't work as well for the RTW rules. I still like the look of turrets on my ships, but don't like losing that protection from the casemates until I have really reliable secondary turrets. That being said, I still use turrets for larger caliber secondaries (8+).
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Post by boomboomf22 on Mar 13, 2019 19:05:43 GMT -6
Yup, I feel that. As for heavy secondaries (8+ inches) it is actually beneficial to put them in turrets as large guns in casemates have a ROF penalty I believe, so I do that as well.
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Post by fredsanford on Mar 13, 2019 19:29:32 GMT -6
That BE armor on your heavies is way higher than historical ships, or what I'd built fwiw. It will be interesting to see if it's worth it.
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Post by MateDow on Mar 13, 2019 21:10:05 GMT -6
6 February, 1900 Washington DC Senate Chamber “The Joint Conference Committee report on the funding of warships and dockyards for the Navy passes with 56 yeas and 34 nays!”
Admiral Dow gave a sigh of relief at the announcement of the passage of his funding bill. The House had passed this same funding measure two days before. President McKinley was sure to sign the bill now that it had passed the Senate. He’d hoped that there would be some Democratic votes for the measure, but they were more focused in southern states where the Navy was less popular. Still, he’d have to work with them to improve their impression of the Navy in case there was a need for their support at a later date; he couldn’t always count on overwhelming majorities of Republicans in Congress.
The bill included the funding to expand the Cavite naval base in the Philippines and the construction of another heavy gunboat. Congress had agreed that the new gunboat could be 10% larger than the Castine-class gunboats that were currently based in the Philippines. The additional tonnage combined with the improvements in propulsion technology should allow them to be significantly faster and longer ranged than its predecessors. Funding was also included for the construction of four additional destroyers when the current vessels under construction were completed.
He went down to the Marble Room and met Senator Hale exiting the chamber. “Thank you for all of your help Senator.”
“No problem Admiral. Our national development will be one-sided and unsatisfactory so long as the remarkable growth of our inland industries remains unaccompanied by progress on the seas. The expense is as nothing compared to the advantage to be achieved. This will mean more work and wages to our countrymen, as well as a safeguard to American interests in every part of the world.”
“I’m glad that you see things that way Senator. Not everyone in this building agrees with those ideals, but fortunately there are enough of you to ensure the security of the country while still bringing prosperity to the companies and workers that will be involved in their construction. I can only hope that it will go a long way toward resolving the ongoing conflict in the Philippines as the natives see that we are investing in their future as well.”
“I hope that as well. Without the pacification of the archipelago the only alternative left to us is ignominious retreat. The Army, ably and loyally assisted by the Navy, has carried on this unwelcome but most righteous campaign with richly deserved success.”
“We will continue to assist as needed Senator.”
“I know you will. Now I need to see other matters Admiral. I am sure we will be talking again soon. Have a nice day.”
“You as well Senator.”
Senator Eugene Hale
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Post by MateDow on Mar 14, 2019 21:07:14 GMT -6
20 February, 1900 Washington DC State, War, and Navy Building Admiral Dow looked at the Chiefs for the Bureaus of Construction & Repair and Steam Engineering across the table. “What do you have for the design of the new gunboat?”
Engineer in Chief Melville answered first. “Well Admiral, we have completed the plans with the improvements that you requested. By reducing the armor we were able to increase the maximum speed to 22 knots. This was a combination of improvements in the design of her powerplant and increases in weight available through her larger size and decreases in the armor weight. In addition to her higher speed we increased the coal capacity to give her sufficient range to operate throughout the Asiatic Squadron’s area of operation.”
Chief Constructor Hichborn laid the drawings on the table. “You will notice that we have replaced the single 12-inch gun of the Castine with a single 10-inch gun mounted in a turret. This allows us to increase the rate of fire without significant sacrifices in range or penetrating power at the expected battle range of 2,000 yards.
“We moved the secondary battery from mounts on the main deck to casemates along the sides. This allows us to give them additional protection with the benefit of providing additional protection for the machinery. As Chief Melville mentioned; to provide weight for the more powerful machinery we did have to significantly reduce the armored protection. Even with this reduction the belt and deck are still proof against cruiser guns up to 8-inch.”
Admiral Dow looked more closely at the drawings and liked what he saw. She would be more useful than her slower predecessors with the ability to quickly respond to trouble spots throughout Asia. This would allow for establishment of control in the Philippines as well as showing the flag in foreign ports. He was sure that the additional funnel required by her more powerful power plant would upset some of the older officers that preferred the symmetry of the older gunboats. Personally, he liked the look of the new design.
“How long do you estimate for her construction?”
Hichborn answered, “18 months from the time that we let the contract. Most of that time will be the design and construction of the main battery mountings. BuOrd will have to develop a new mounting that is less massive than those used on the cruisers. The structure doesn’t need to support as much armor so we can scale back the rollers that support the turret. We will be using the same 10-inch, 40 caliber guns used on Columbia, so that will save time.”
Melville was next to answer. “The boilers, engines, and auxiliaries are based on the plant used in our latest cruisers so there will be minimal design needed for those. Of course, there will be detail work to determine the exact layout of piping, condensers, and other auxiliary equipment, but that is straight forward design that we will have completed before we are ready to send the plans to the builder.”
Admiral Dow nodded his agreement before grabbing his pen and signing the approval box on the drawings. “I like it. Let’s send it out for bids to any shipyard that we think has the capacity and let them know that we are looking for quick responses on this one.”
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Post by MateDow on Mar 14, 2019 21:17:21 GMT -6
That BE armor on your heavies is way higher than historical ships, or what I'd built fwiw. It will be interesting to see if it's worth it.
Part of it is future proofing since I tend to keep all of my ships as long as I can, and another is countering my tendency to place my ships yardarm to yardarm.
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Post by pirateradar on Mar 14, 2019 23:24:49 GMT -6
The text of the post mentions a pair of 10-inch guns, but the image shows a ship with only one?
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Post by MateDow on Mar 14, 2019 23:37:03 GMT -6
The text of the post mentions a pair of 10-inch guns, but the image shows a ship with only one?
Oops. I'll go fix that.
Good catch.
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Post by dorn on Mar 15, 2019 8:12:32 GMT -6
That BE armor on your heavies is way higher than historical ships, or what I'd built fwiw. It will be interesting to see if it's worth it. By my experience it is worth it. Usually difference between pre-dreadnoughts is not so high and having well armoured extended part of ship some other parts of ship that in game use BE is really advantage.
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Post by MateDow on Mar 15, 2019 18:20:34 GMT -6
30 March, 1900 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania William Cramp & Sons Shipbuilding Laying the keel of a new warship was always an occasion at the shipyard, and this time was no different. Crowds filled the building shed and bunting decorating the rafters reinforced the party-like atmosphere. For most of the people attending this was just another navy warship, but this was the first keel laying that Rear Admiral Dow had attended where he was in charge of the design being built. He’d always entered the process later when the ship was mostly complete.
He could perfectly remember seeing the Columbia for the first time. She was tied up alongside with red lead primer still covering her upperworks. He’d been assigned as her captain only the week before and had hurried to Philadelphia. He had to set up offices for all of the Navy personnel that would be arriving within the next few weeks. Their job would be to inspect each space and then create punch lists of deficiencies that would have to be fixed prior to her acceptance by the Navy.
In the end, there had been a rush to get the ship ready to sail for Key West and from there to Cuba. The entire crew had pitched in to knock items off of the punch list. Chief Petty Officers would take teams of sailors onboard to work alongside the men from the shipyard. Even then, there had still been a number of technicians from Cramp onboard making last minute installations and adjustments when they sailed.
The main battery guns weren’t even fully sighted in when they were first fired during the bombardment of San Juan. Their first rounds directed against the Morro had been so far off of the target that they had landed in the water. Later salvos damaged the castle, but only after the Spanish opened fire. Fortunately, the newspaper reporter onboard believed the story that they had fired the rounds as warning shots intended to frighten rather than cause damage.
Bombardment of Morro Castle
It had been good that the Spanish fleet hadn’t been sailing for San Juan as intelligence had indicated. It gave his gunners and the Cramp technicians time to iron out the problems in the operation of the main battery turrets. There were still some errant shots that landed in the city beyond the castle, but for the most part their gunnery was acceptable by the end of the engagement.
He drew his thoughts back to the scene before him where the keel was laying in two sections on the heavy timbers that would support the hull during construction. Rain was starting to fall now and he could see people standing outside of the building shed start to open their umbrellas. The band started to play Hail Columbia, which was his cue to approach the speaking platform.
He turned toward the dignitaries on the balcony overlooking the scene. “We are here today to begin the construction of the newest warship for the United States Navy. The Navy sailors, the nation, and the world depend on the quality of these ships. They also depend upon the integrity, the courage, and the ethics that guide our shipbuilders. These are not just talking points. They are not principles that we practice sometimes, or only when we’re here building ships. They are principles that they demonstrate inside the shipyard and outside the shipyard; at work and at home.
“When it comes to building ships, it’s critical that our shipbuilders do what’s right. From the design to construction, and from outfitting to testing. With every single rivet driven, every single piece of steel laid, and every single unit lifted, the right way is the only way.
“The city of Exeter in New Hampshire, the namesake for what will be this proud vessel, has a history of coming to the defense of this nation. It is a city of seafarers, whether it was the Gilman, Leavitt, or Folsom families, each contributed to the trade of this nation; a tradition that continues to this day with coal barges that depart from the McReel Docks.
“They have sacrificed their sons in every war this country has fought from the raids and skirmishes of the Abenaki Wars to our most recent war against the Spanish. They proudly hosted to the Provincial Congress for New Hampshire when it was banned from Portsmouth by Governor Wentworth, and so became the capital of the province for 14 years.
“Hopefully, a day will come when we can beat our swords into plowshares, but until then we will need to provide the swords needed to protect our great nation. In this shipyard they build the most sophisticated, most lethal, most technologically-advanced ships in the world. And they do this, not because it is easy, but because it is hard.
“Thank you.”
He stepped back into the crowd and watched forge tender toss the first red hot rivet to the rivet-set holder who placed the rivet in its hole and holds it in place with his tongs. When the rivet was in position, the riveter hammered the tail of the rivet into its rough shape before striking a few blows on the snap to form the head.
With the first rivet in place the crowd moved to a tent set up for refreshment while the other riveting teams moved in to complete the joining of the two pieces of the keel. Although the first rivet was driven by hand, he knew that most of the work would be done using pneumatic hammers, but the team picked for the ceremony was impressive in their teamwork and efficiency.
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Post by cwemyss on Mar 17, 2019 7:24:23 GMT -6
Excellent writing!!!
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Post by MateDow on Mar 17, 2019 22:14:11 GMT -6
Thank you. I have been copying your style because I liked it so much.
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