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Broadsides and the desk log


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#1 David Nichols

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Posted 30 July 2015 - 07:44 PM

During our first run with the rules, last weekend, we had a question arise.

 

When recording the firing and reloading of broadsides on the deck log there is really only room for keeping track of whole broadsides.

 

Odd remarks in the rule suggest that you can fire partial broadsides. In our case the range was such that it was not worth firing carronades when the first fire was issued but it may have been worth firing the carronades a couple of phases later (while the long guns were still being reloaded).

 

Was it intended that only whole broadsides can be fired, or should we be making more subtle notes on the deck log to keep track of part broadsides?

 

This may be more of an issue with the smaller ships which could be mostly carronade armed with a few long guns or Frigates with a significant part of their potential broadside using carronades.

 

Cheers

David



#2 Cpt M

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Posted 30 July 2015 - 11:21 PM

During our first run with the rules, last weekend, we had a question arise.
 
When recording the firing and reloading of broadsides on the deck log there is really only room for keeping track of whole broadsides.
 
Odd remarks in the rule suggest that you can fire partial broadsides. In our case the range was such that it was not worth firing carronades when the first fire was issued but it may have been worth firing the carronades a couple of phases later (while the long guns were still being reloaded).
 
Was it intended that only whole broadsides can be fired, or should we be making more subtle notes on the deck log to keep track of part broadsides?
 
This may be more of an issue with the smaller ships which could be mostly carronade armed with a few long guns or Frigates with a significant part of their potential broadside using carronades.
 
Cheers
David


The Deck Log does make it difficult to log the status of separate batteries. The best suggestion would be to use a distinct letter or color for each battery (upper, lower, carronades, etc). It also may be useful to print or copy it at 2x or more size to give a little more room on the columns.

As for the partial broadsides question; most of the firing should be done by full batteries as that's best option for obtaining maximum effect. And, like you, if a particular battery (ie, carronades or light guns) aren't effective, we just hold them until they can be effective.

Another point to consider is that your light guns can be fired on the up roll and cause more rigging damage (the up roll damage table allows for this) while the lower deck guns fire on the down roll (causing more hull and gun damage) in the same phase.

#3 David Nichols

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Posted 31 July 2015 - 02:10 AM

Thanks for the clarification, I had thought the logic of firing whole broadsides should have been effect driven

ratther than by rules fiat.

 

Once I have a better feel for the way we actually use the deck logs I may look at modifying the design.

 

Interesting point about the use of the light guns, we hadn't got as far as thinking about gunnery tactics.

 

Cheers

David



#4 Robert Williams

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Posted 17 September 2015 - 02:38 PM

Here's a related question on manning broadsides. I set up a ship card for a vessel mounting 20 four-pounders, which means that in each broadside there's one gun left over. I set this up as a Chaser firing broadside. Is this how it should be handled? And how do you assign the crew for a single small-caliber gun? A battery of 3 four-pounders requires ½ Crew Factor; i.e., 12 men—which would mean that a single gun should need only 4 men. For a 10-gun broadside, this would work out to 1⅔ Crew Factors (If my math is correct!). I assume you just round up to 2 Crew Factors for the broadside. Correct? Thanks!



#5 Cpt M

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Posted 18 September 2015 - 08:58 PM

"Here's a related question on manning broadsides. I set up a ship card for a vessel mounting 20 four-pounders, which means that in each broadside there's one gun left over. I set this up as a Chaser firing broadside. Is this how it should be handled?"

 

Generally, no.  A ship with 20 guns (10 in each broadside) will have those guns oriented to the broadside.  Separate chase guns are usually so specified (and, generally, of a smaller caliber).  Chasers are not considered as part of the broadside.

 

"And how do you assign the crew for a single small-caliber gun? A battery of 3 four-pounders requires ½ Crew Factor; i.e., 12 men—which would mean that a single gun should need only 4 men. For a 10-gun broadside, this would work out to 1⅔ Crew Factors (If my math is correct!). I assume you just round up to 2 Crew Factors for the broadside. Correct? Thanks!"

 

In all cases, you can round off the crew assignments to guns to the nearest 1/2 crew factor.  A 10 gun broadside of 4pdrs would be 3 gun boxes and use 1 1/2 crew factors.

 

 



#6 Robert Williams

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Posted 21 September 2015 - 06:58 PM

Thanks for the clarification! I will adjust the ship card accordingly.






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