View Poll Results: What ship do you want to command?

Voters
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  • 1st Rate - Ships with over 90 guns Three-deckers, main fleet flagships

    4 11.76%
  • 2nd Rate - Ships with over 80 guns Three-deckers

    1 2.94%
  • 3rd Rate - Ships with over 54 guns Two-deckers, the mainstay of battle fleets

    16 47.06%
  • 4th Rate - Ships with over 38 guns One-decker frigates

    11 32.35%
  • 5th Rate - Ships with over 18 guns like corvettes, which could also be rowed

    1 2.94%
  • 6th Rate - Ships with over 6 guns Small auxiliary and courier vessels for the fleet

    1 2.94%
  • Others/None - I stay in the admiralty

    0 0%
Results 1 to 49 of 49

Thread: The ship I want to command

  1. #1

    Default The ship I want to command

    Usmc1855 posted a nice link with the different ship classes (thx):

    The ships-of-the-line:

    1st Rate - Ships with over 90 guns
    Three-deckers, main fleet flagships
    2nd Rate - Ships with over 80 guns Three-deckers
    3rd Rate - Ships with over 54 guns Two-deckers, the mainstay of battle fleets

    The following classes were considered too "weak" to participate in the battle-lines:

    4th Rate - Ships with over 38 guns
    One-decker frigates, which were developed to a multitude of tasks, to reconnoiter ahead of the main fleet and deliver despatches to and from the fleet leadership, to convoy duty and to privateering.
    5th Rate - Ships with over 18 guns
    like corvettes, which could also be rowed
    6th Rate - Ships with over 6 guns
    Small auxiliary and courier vessels for the fleet



    I want to use this information for another poll.

    So what is your favourite ship to command?

  2. #2
    Midshipman
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    Default

    I have a weakness for HMS Indefatigable - so 3rd rate frigate ship with 64 guns for me :)

  3. #3

    Default

    My favourite is the L'Orient, a french, 118 cannon, three-decker flaggship.

    Attached Images Attached Images  
    Last edited by Comte de Brueys; 01-28-2014 at 00:18.

  4. #4
    Midshipman
    Italy

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    Attilio

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    3rd Rate, no doubt!

    Attilio

  5. #5

    Default

    3rd Rate for me.
    And I'll fight any 6th Rate I can find.

  6. #6

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Gunner View Post
    3rd Rate for me.
    And I'll fight any 6th Rate I can find.
    Catch them, if you can.;)

  7. #7
    Midshipman
    Midshipman
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    Karl

    Default

    A 4th rate for me; independent command is the thing.
    Karl

  8. #8
    Midshipman
    Canada

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    120 Guns ,I will trade broadsides with any one. 3rd rate to sneek behind to rake you, and down you go

  9. #9

    Default

    3rd Rate... not too big... not too small...

  10. #10

    Default

    A 120 can't sneak behind anything.:D

  11. #11
    Midshipman
    Canada

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    120 for broadsides, 54 plus ; a 3rd rate to rake

  12. #12

    Default

    The 74 SOL, though many carried more than 74 guns they were the workhorses and most versatile. Able to fight it out ftf with other SOL, maneuverable, fast(ish) and able to act alone or in concert with other ships. Could serve as a Flagship if needed and had a large enough crew to allow landing parties etc. Well handled and crewed could out fight a larger ship. Frigates were for the fancy boys, hussars of the seas. 74's were for the real men...:cool:

  13. #13
    Able Seaman
    Ordinary Seaman
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    Terry

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    Fourth rate for me. I like commerce raiding/privateering. But some day would like to command a third or even a second rate ship!

  14. #14
    Able Seaman
    England

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    Don

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    3rd rate for me until I get my sea legs

  15. #15
    Admiral of the Fleet.
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    England

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    Always been a Frigate man myself. Lots of independent action to be had and more prize money to be split among fewer men.
    Bligh.

  16. #16
    2nd Lt
    United States

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    I like the Frigate. Smaller battles such as 1 on 1. Have to do more research on all the ships.

  17. #17
    Midshipman
    Scotland

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    5th rate, start small and work your way up...

  18. #18
    Able Seaman
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    Blackjohn

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    It should come as no surprise that I'm mostly interested in a merchants vs pirates and privateers game. So for me, the smaller ships hold more interest.

  19. #19
    Midshipman
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    Tommy

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    Aye, a privateer I am...so smaller & faster for me, but I'll stick a few extra guns wherever I can find the room!
    Last edited by Tommy Z; 12-15-2011 at 16:38.

  20. #20
    Surveyor of the Navy
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    I'm an Indefatigable fan (Pellew and all that) but I prefer her post 1794 razee configuration, as a 44 gun 5th rate super frigate :D

  21. #21
    Captain of the Fleet
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    Default

    I,m quite happy to run a few 3rd rates to get the hang of things. Will need a bigger boat later though.

  22. #22
    Midshipman
    Midshipman
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    Any of the original American 44's. Constitution President United States

  23. #23
    Midshipman
    Australia

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    Alastair

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    3rd rate 74 gun ship of the line for me:cool:

  24. #24
    Landsman
    Australia

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    I certainly incline towards the 74 - but also have a soft spot for HMS Glatton - only a 54, but all 64 or 32 pdr carronades - she threw a greater weight of metal than any contemporary 1st rate - and as a bonus, she was commanded (at Copenhagen) by none other than William Bligh. What's not to love?

  25. #25
    Ordinary Seaman
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    Richard

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    Give me a US 44 any day!

    Rich

  26. #26
    Surveyor of the Navy
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    Default

    Would it be churlish and picky to point out that, whilst accurate for the 1600s, the rating system in the poll doesn't reflect the rating system that was commonly used in the Napoleonic era? A more accurate description, based on the established armament of the vessel, would be:

    Ships of the Line:
    1st rate - 100+guns
    2nd rate - 90-98
    3rd rate - 64 to 80
    4th rate - 50 to 60**

    Frigates
    5th rate - 32 to 44
    6th rate - 20-28

    Unrated
    18 or less

    Technically (in the RN at least) the larger 5th rates (44s) and smaller 4th rates (50s in particular) were grouped into a quasi-separate category of "cruisers", and smaller 6th rates (24s or smaller) were "post ships" - weaker than a regular frigate but referrred to as a post ship as they were commanded by a post captain

  27. #27

    Default

    As far as I know, David is right.

  28. #28

    Default

    British 38 Frigate would do me just fine. Plenty of power to take the initiative in independant actions. Strong enough to take on most opposing frigates, and in some conditions a 50.

  29. #29

    Default

    A US 44 is my favorite. I also like the US ship sloops for raiding.

  30. #30
    2nd Lieutenant
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    for me a 5th rate frigate....44 guns ok.

  31. #31
    Comptroller of the Navy Board
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    [RESTRICTED]

    Default

    Depends... default the US 44-gun, may request to transfer flag as mission needs dictate. DO NOT see myself as part of a Battle Line... best left to stalk prey independently, or sneak up on an SOL and put a Prize Crew aboard before anybody knows what's happening. LOL

  32. #32
    Admiral of the Fleet.
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    Always fancied myself as Master of a 44 Razee Frigate with the extra Carronades. Get up close and pound them to matchwwood method.

    Name:  Razzee Frigate.jpg
Views: 779
Size:  53.6 KB


    Bligh.

  33. #33
    Retired Admiral of the Fleet
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    The USS Constitution, 44-gun frigate.

  34. #34

    Default

    A 5th rate for me. More chance for solitary cruses, taking prizes, Getting rich on prize money.

  35. #35
    2nd Lieutenant
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    That`s exactly, what I want.
    There is in German a word: "Lieber rumtigern als andackeln!": in englich maybe : "act free like a tiger and not stand by feet as a dog" (Tiger=tiger; Dackel= some kind of a dog)

  36. #36

    Default

    Yes Jack, exactly! The best stories are of the small ship actions during solitary cruises. French Privateer Robert Surcouf and RN Captain Thomas Cochrane were the real life inspirations of several authors.

  37. #37
    Retired Admiral of the Fleet
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    Quote Originally Posted by Jack Aubrey View Post
    That`s exactly, what I want.
    There is in German a word: "Lieber rumtigern als andackeln!": in englich maybe : "act free like a tiger and not stand by feet as a dog" (Tiger=tiger; Dackel= some kind of a dog)
    Great saying. I will memorize this.

  38. #38
    Retired Admiral of the Fleet
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    Quote Originally Posted by Volunteer View Post
    Yes Jack, exactly! The best stories are of the small ship actions during solitary cruises. French Privateer Robert Surcouf and RN Captain Thomas Cochrane were the real life inspirations of several authors.
    Hey Vol,

    Looks like you were just promoted again - now Able Seaman.

    Congrats,
    EAT

  39. #39

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by 7eat51 View Post
    Hey Vol,

    Looks like you were just promoted again - now Able Seaman.

    Congrats,
    EAT
    Congratulations Vol! Seems like you and Eric will be Midshipmen in no time.

  40. #40

    Default

    Cool! Thanks Guys and thank You Capt'n!

  41. #41
    2nd Lieutenant
    Germany

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    Congratulations, able seaman...
    and comming to the question of this thread: frigate, yes, ......but when allowed, I would take the "Nautilus" :cool::D;).....

  42. #42
    Midshipman
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    Paul

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    Give me a Frigate (one of the US six)!

  43. #43
    Master & Commander
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    Frigate actions are more in line with tactics I like as well. 5th Rate. Not too big not too small although smaller vessels are also fun to play.
    Last edited by Cmmdre; 05-25-2013 at 00:15.

  44. #44
    Landsman
    United States

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    Default

    USS Constitution

  45. #45
    Midshipman
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    Kamil

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    My answer will be: Santisima Trinidad.
    And I hope that the upcoming wave III will satisfy this desire

  46. #46
    Admiral of the Fleet.
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    Looking back after three years at my post, and having converted Constitution into a Razee Frigate, I would now concur with you Kamil. If we were getting anything special the Santisima would fit the bill and at the same time make those Spanish, which really need beefing up compared to the other fleets ships, much more attractive to sail.
    Rob.

  47. #47
    Stats Committee
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    This question is not clear in what it meant.

    Is it what ship I like best or what ship I would like to play in Sails.

    I think Sails is best suited for frigate actions and from that I'm with David here. Indefatigable played with Constitution stats (Should probably have a little less firepower and be a little better sailer.)

    If it's regarding any naval game in the genre I would probably lean more towards a 74. I do love the Téméraire-class and their British copies.

    What I myself would have wanted to do if I had lived back then and were a captain is a totally different question. Would I like to blockade a port or would I want to roam the seven seas? Would I like bad provisions or fever? It's a hard choice, I think I'd prefer to be my own on the seas. Frigate it is... and then Indefatigable would be better than most...

  48. #48
    Admiral of the Fleet.
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    As I understood it the question was hypothetical and open ended. It did not say for instance what ship made by Ares would you like to command in the Anchorage campaign.
    Therefore, I just answered for my personal preference. I do, however, agree with Jonas about there being nothing like a good sized Frigate, hence my choice of the HEIC Nottingham for the Solo game.
    The stats I use are the lower set of Constitution rules, as it was known that the HEIC could afford to provide the best guns for their ships, and even the Indiamen often formed up in the LOB.
    For Squadrons I like to run 74s. That was my original choice before I got to playing the game seriously.
    As for living back then, with my experience of re-enactment through several periods, no thanks. With my medical requirements I would not be living for long, even if a ball did not take my head off in the first battle.
    Rob.

  49. #49
    Stats Committee
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    There was not much need for my extensive computer skills either.

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