1 reply to this topic

[Peter Della Vedova]

Some of my wargaming pards want to play naval actions for age of sail, pre-Napoleonic timeframes.  Other than removing the carronades and replacing them with smaller caliber cannon, what modifications would be needed to make the switch to the earlier periods?

 

[Phil Callcott]

IMHO

 

Smaller and slower ships (no coppering of hulls), less manoeuvrable (different hulls, sail plans and rigging, lanteen sails on the mizzen mast, small sails on the bowsprit) .

Smaller crews, more sickness (scurvy) reducing ship handling and gunnery efficiency.

No flintlock ignition of cannon, worse powder reducing accuracy at any distance and reduced rate of fire. Fewer and smaller guns, no carronades.

Strict adherence to fleet manoeuvres in line ahead formation.

 

A different time.

 

Phil