How (Not) To Run The Canadian Navy

[saltiestsalt]

Welcome one and all to what surely will be a trainwreck of an AAR.

That's it. The cringe designs start here.

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January 1900

The Royal Canadian Navy has a new man in charge. Immediately, he scraps all existing ships and begins to rebuild the Navy from scratch.

To that end, he commissions a naval architect to design four different ships. This is what the architect came up with.

^{Pre-Dreadnought Nova Scotia}

The Nova Scotia class of pre-dreadnought feature 12-inch guns, in a unique layout. One two-gun turret forwards, and two single-gun turrets aft.

^{Armoured Cruiser Montreal}

The turret arrangement of the Montreal class was inspired by that of the Nova Scotia class. Four one-gun turrets, two forwards and two aft.

I can't put more than two images per post, so there'll be a second post for January 1900.

[Edit] Nevermind, I figured it out. Also replaced tiny images with bigger ones.

[boomboomf22]

You can put in more than 2 images per post by using a image hosting website and embedding from there

[saltiestsalt]

January 1900(₂)

^{Torpedo-boat Destroyer Creston}

Armed with a pair of 3-inch guns and two single torpedo tubes, the Creston class is a very capable destroyer for the time.

^{Frigate Alert Bay}

The Alert Bay frigates may only make 24 knots, but they more than make up for it in firepower, sporting a pair of 5-inch rifles. They aren't monitors at all.

[Edit] Replaced tiny images with bigger images

[saltiestsalt]

January 1900(₃)

^{Royal Canadian Navy, circa. 1900}

With his new fleet constructed, his dockyards being expanded, and a world ripe for chaos, the new head of the RCN sets out aboard his flagship, the pride of the fleet, HMCS Nova Scotia.

[Edit] Replaced smol image with swol image

[kiankier]

So you are not a fan of light cruisers?

[saltiestsalt]

Oct 27, 2021 7:54:31 GMT -6 kiankier said:

So you are not a fan of light cruisers?

Not particularly in the early game. I tend to wait until I have better tech.

^{In other news, this will be a long post.}

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January 1900

Deployments:
The Admiral dispatches HMCS Nova Scotia, HMCS Montreal, HMCS Creston, HMCS Gibsons, HMCS Burns Lake, and HMCS Cache Creek to the naval base in Vancouver.

Research:
High research priority is given to technology in the areas of machinery, fire control, torpedo warfare, and naval artillery. 12% of the annual budget is allocated to research.

Training:
A new training program is started, focused on providing elite training to pilots, gunnery, and torpedoes.

Intel:
Slight intelligence activities are commenced against all other powers.

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February 1900

Construction:
Work begins on upgrading and expanding the naval bases in Vancouver and Esquimalt.

Deployments:
Issues arise on the fleet sent to Vancouver while en-route. Sailors are reportedly unhappy with the logistical infrastructure in the Caribbean.

Intel:
The latest intel from the operative in Germany suggests that they are undertaking construction of a 9-inch coastal battery. The Admiral makes note of this, before filing the report away.

Shipbuilding:
The Admiral is displeased upon hearing the news of unexplained delays in the construction of HMCS Salaberry-de-Valleyfield.

\

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March 1900

Intel:
Japanese news articles suggest a lack of armoured cruisers in the Japanese Navy.
Operatives in France manage to obtain information on two new ships. Pre-dreadnought Richelieu is reported to have a maximum speed of 17 knots, and a belt thickness of 11 inches. Light cruiser Amiral Cecille is reported to sport
21 knots and 2 1/2 inches of belt armor.

Deployments:
Sailors aboard the ships bound for Vancouver continue to express discontent, as the fleet moves into the waters to the east of South America.

Shipbuilding:
More delays in shipbuilding affect the frigate HMCS Fruitvale. The Admiral's ire grows.

Research:
Researchers announce a new initiative to improve the Navy's fleet tactics. The Admiral's interest is piqued, but does not prioritize this field.

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April 1900

Construction:
Work begins on expanding the Navy's bases in Halifax.

Deployments:
The unhappiness continues on Vancouver-bound ships as the fleet transitions to the west coast of South America.

Events:
Japan is holding an international sailing competition. Canada's team is favoured to win.

Intel:
No significant reports are made this month.

Shipbuilding:
Delays in the construction of destroyer HMCS Mirabel, and frigates HMCS Fraser Lake and HMCS Granisle cause the Admiral frustration.

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May 1900

Deployments:

The Vancouver-bound ships arrive on the west coast of North America.

Events:
Following the sailing competition in Japan, the Prime Minister expresses a desire for Canada to hold a similar race. The Admiral agrees.

Intel:
Intelligence efforts against Japan and Britain increase as a result of tensions rising.
Reports from Britain and Japan reveal that Japan has ordered a cruiser from a British shipyard, hinting at low tensions between the two nations.

Shipbuilding:
The construction delays of HMCS Mirabel and HMCS Fraser Lake continue.
Two destroyers are commissioned into the Navy.

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June 1900

Intel:
After easing tensions between Canada and Britain, intelligence gathering is scaled back slightly.
Japan orders another cruiser from the British.

Shipbuilding:
Frigate HMCS Chase is delayed. No reason is given.
Frigate HMCS Cumberland and destroyer HMCS Salaberry-de-Valleyfield are commissioned into the Navy.

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July 1900

Intel:
No reports are made this month.

Shipbuilding:
Two destroyers and the frigate HMCS Canal Flats are commissioned.

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August 1900

Deployments:
HMCS Boucherville and HMCS Rouyn-Noranda finish working up.

Intel:
Japan orders yet another cruiser from Britain, while Germany orders a pre-dreadnought from France.
Spies obtain the information on Russia's Gangut.

Shipbuilding:
Destroyer HMCS Mirabel, as well as three frigates, are commissioned into the RCN.

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September 1900

Deployments:
HMCS Cumberland and HMCS Salaberry-de-Valleyfield complete their shakedown cruises.

Intel:
Japan orders a pre-dreadnought from a British yard.
Spies obtain the complete information for HMS Bacchante.

Shipbuilding:
Frigate HMCS Fraser Lake is formally commissioned.

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October 1900

Deployments:
HMCS Canal Flats, HMCS Victoriaville, and HMCS Mascouche complete sea trials.

Diplomacy:
The US sounds out Canada about forming an alliance. The Admiral convinces the Prime Minister to decline the offer.

Intel:
Specifications for Britain's new light cruiser HMS Canada show a top speed of 20 knots, and a belt thickness of 2 1/2 inches.
Russia commissions a new light cruiser.

Research:
Researchers report difficulties with a technology they call Lyddite bursting charges, to the Admiral's displeasure.

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November 1900

Deployments:
HMCS Granisle, HMCS Fruitvale, HMCS Chase, and HMCS Mirabel join the active fleet.

Diplomacy:
The US approaches Canada with an offer for the technology to create 11-inch rifles. Currently unable to make those rifles, Canada accepts the offer.

Intel:
No reports are made this month. The Admiral is somewhat concerned about compromised operatives.

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December 1900

Almanac:
At the end of the year 1900, the Navies of the world are as follows:

Deployments:
In response to an uprising in China, the Navy sends a strong squadron to protect Canadian interests.

Intel:
Reports of research breakthroughs in Russia and the US are somewhat vexing to the Admiral. Russia has researched coincidence rangefinders, while the US create an improved surface condenser. Pressure mounts on Canada's research teams.
Germany commissions two light cruisers, Munchen and Undine, and orders another pre-dreadnought in a French yard. The US commissions the cruiser Huron.

Research:
Difficulties in the research of destroyers that displace 600 tons annoys the Admiral.

Resources:
A new resource has been discovered in New Brunswick. Industry leaders are calling it oil, and think it can be used in ship engines. Research teams are tasked with devising such an engine.

---

I have just realized how long the posts for battles will end up being. Why am I doing this to myself?

Thus ends the first of many years as head of the RCN. I hope you enjoyed.

[Edit] Forgot to insert an image. Fixed.

[aeson]

Oct 27, 2021 12:11:34 GMT -6 saltiestsalt said:

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I have just realized how long the posts for battles will end up being. Why am I doing this to myself?

It may be worth mentioning that you do not need to put everything that happens in the game - whether in war or at peace - into the AAR. Big events should be written up, but minor occurrences need not even be mentioned if they are in your view insufficiently interesting to incorporate into your narrative.

As far as battle scenarios are concerned, if nothing interesting happens then you could summarize several engagements and scenarios which ended without any contact between opposing forces in a single sentence or introductory clause (e.g. "For six months, the Navy had seen little action aside from the occasional interception of blockade runners...") or summarize an engagement in a sentence ("HMCS Example sank RM Exempli Gratia in a brief engagement off Nova Scotia, sustaining minor damage.") if you feel it merits slightly more attention; scenarios which end without producing an engagement and scenarios declined by the AI may not even be worth mentioning.

I will also say that for my part I prefer to play the game for a while, taking notes on interesting occurrences as I go, and then do a write-up later, once I feel that I have enough interesting things to produce an interesting post. That could be several years of peace when nothing much happens aside from commissioning a, refits, scrappings, and the odd random event; it could also be a single major battle in a war.

[saltiestsalt]

Oct 27, 2021 15:34:22 GMT -6 aeson said:

Oct 27, 2021 12:11:34 GMT -6 saltiestsalt said:

---

I have just realized how long the posts for battles will end up being. Why am I doing this to myself?

It may be worth mentioning that you do not need to put everything that happens in the game - whether in war or at peace - into the AAR. Big events should be written up, but minor occurrences need not even be mentioned if they are in your view insufficiently interesting to incorporate into your narrative.

As far as battle scenarios are concerned, if nothing interesting happens then you could summarize several engagements and scenarios which ended without any contact between opposing forces in a single sentence or introductory clause (e.g. "For six months, the Navy had seen little action aside from the occasional interception of blockade runners...") or summarize an engagement in a sentence ("HMCS Example sank RM Exempli Gratia in a brief engagement off Nova Scotia, sustaining minor damage.") if you feel it merits slightly more attention; scenarios which end without producing an engagement and scenarios declined by the AI may not even be worth mentioning.

I will also say that for my part I prefer to play the game for a while, taking notes on interesting occurrences as I go, and then do a write-up later, once I feel that I have enough interesting things to produce an interesting post. That could be several years of peace when nothing much happens aside from commissioning a, refits, scrappings, and the odd random event; it could also be a single major battle in a war.

Thanks for the advice. This is the first time I've done an AAR.