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Merchant Ship VPs


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#1 Lonnie Gill

Lonnie Gill

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Posted 02 December 2008 - 03:49 PM

One of the loose ends that remains to be finalized for the GENERAL QUARTERS III system is to provide a consistent procedure for merchant ship values. As has been mentioned in previous posts, the value of a merchant ship is fundamentally composed of two parts: her basic hull capacity + the cargo carried. The value of the cargo is also often dependent on the local tactical conditions. For example, the value of the arrival of AvGas at Malta or Guadalcanal in the fierce 1942 battles was enormous, compared to the same cargo being transported across the Atlantic or being shipped to those same islands in 1944. Thus, some flexibility is needed.To meet these requirements, I have drafted the proposed rule below for determining merchant ship VPs without resorting to an involved and complex mathematical process. When finalized, we will add the merchant ship VP process as a formal rule in a future GENERAL QUARTERS III amendment.Proposed procedure for determining merchant ship values:· Merchant ship VPs will be shown on Ship Logs using the format “C+ # VPs” representing the cargo value plus base hull value. Standard cargo values are listed below, but are altered as needed in certain scenarios setups, to reflect urgent or critical cargoes.· The basic hull value will be based on the merchant ship’s DWT (deadweight tonnage) using the formula: AC (collier) = 1 VP/5,000 DWT • AK (freighter) and AO (tanker) = 1 VP/4,000 DWT • AP (passenger liner) = 1 VP/3,000 DWT. Note: DWT is a cargo volume measure that differs from the vessel’s displacement tonnage, normally used for warships.· Standard cargo values: Coal and ore = 1 VP • General cargo (artillery, food, military gear, supplies, tanks and vehicles) = 1 VP • Explosives (ammunition, bombs, mines and shells) = 2 VPs • POL (Petroleum-Oil-Lubricant) = 2 VPs • Troops = 1 VP/500 troops. Many APs can carry some cargo along with or in place of troops, but only one value (cargo or troops) may be selected.· The VP value in a scenario will equal the total of the cargo value defined in the scenario setup + the base hull value listed on the merchant Ship Log. Total VPS will be rounded to the nearest ½ VP. Example: an 8,000 DWT freighter (AK) would have “C + 2 VPs” listed on her Ship Log. If she were in ballast (i.e., without cargo), her value would be 2 VPs. When carrying general cargo, her value would be 3 VPs (1 + 2) or if carrying explosives, her value would be 4 VPs (2 + 2).· Certain cargo values can be specified in the scenario set up to reflect special regional requirements and tactical conditions. These cargoes are designated as Urgent or Critical:Urgent High value cargo which is urgently needed to meet the current regional logistics requirements. Urgent cargo value = standard cargo value x 2.Critical Military cargo whose arrival is critical to sustaining the local tactical situation in succeeding days or weeks. Critical cargo value = standard cargo value x 3.AvGas Aviation gas needed for an airbase under siege to continue aerial operations is a special form of critical cargo. In this situation, AvGas = 3 VPs. When APDs and MLs are shipping a cargo of AvGas, 3 VPs is added to the VP value listed on their Ship Logs.· Unless unique cargo values are listed for the scenario, the standard cargo values will be used. In the absence of cargo identification, loaded ACs and AKs will have a cargo value of 1 VP (coal/general cargo) and loaded AOs will have a cargo value of 2 VPs (POL). Loaded APs will have a troop/cargo value of 1 VP if troop quantities are not listed.Please let me know if you find this proposed rule covers the issue. I welcome your comments and suggestions on this thorny subject.LONNIE

#2 Jim O'Neil

Jim O'Neil

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Posted 02 December 2008 - 05:20 PM

My only difference would be in the AP that has 1,000 marines plus their equipment and ammunition. This is essentially a fully combat ready formation and I'd add 1 for ammo & equipment and 2 for troops. Thus C=3 and the AP is a 5 for a high value target. It's also a fully functional force if landed ... and a high value force if landed somewhere. APDs are a 1 or 2 for hull plus C=1 for their less than 500 men, because they also are landed equipped and combat ready. The Combat ready is the key here, if they have to be landed, supplied and equipped like many follow up invasion forces, you can have more troops,but less value. If they are combat loaded (less efficient but immediately useful), deduct 500-1000 men from the ships capacity.My 2 ¢




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