NationStates Jolt Archive

We have noticed a rather sporadic, but still present market that has gone underserved in the NationStates world. Namely, that of past tech naval vessels and other munitions. The Portsmouth Munitions Corporation seeks to be among the first countries to fill this void by providing you with top-quality naval vessels and other munitions and supplies to serve your nation's reinactment needs or to provide the main weapons for countries of limited technology.

Our naval vessels are built from fully matured live oak, the sturdiest form of wood available, and are painstakingly constructed to be among the toughest ships of their class, able to outgun anything they can't run from and outrun anything they don't outgun.

We look forward to serving you.

Commodore Chris Chauncey (ISN-Ret.)
Managing Director
Portsmouth Munitions Corporation

Inventory

First Rates (ships of the line)

Victory-class (100 guns)
Armament: Lower gun deck: 30 x 32 lb long guns; Middle gun deck: 28 x 32 lb columbiads; Upper gun deck: 30 x 32 lb carronades; Quarterdeck: 16 x 32 lb carronades
Displacement: 3,890 tonnes full
Length: 226 ft. between perpendiculars; 250 ft. overall
Beam: 61' 9"
Draught: 27" 3"
Complement: 1,210
Price: $2.5 million

Third Rates (ships of the line)

Sovereign-class (80 guns)
Armament: Main deck: 32 x 32 lb long guns; Gun Deck: 32 x 32 lb columbiads; Quarterdeck: 22 x 42 lb carronades; 6 x 24 lb long guns
Displacement: 2,890 tonnes full
Length: 201 ft. between perpendiculars; 226 ft. overall
Beam: 57' 3"
Draught: 24" 9"
Complement: 855
Price: $1.75 million

Potomac-class (74 guns)
Armament: Main deck: 32 x 32 lb long guns; Gun Deck: 32 x 32 lb columbiads; Quarterdeck: 18 x 42 lb carronades
Displacement: 2,660 tonnes full load
Length: 195 ft between perpendiculars; 220 ft. overall
Beam: 54' 9"
Draught: 22" 10"
Complement: 785
Price: $1.65 million

Commonwealth-class (64 guns)
Armament: Main deck: 32 x 32 lb long guns; Gun Deck: 32 x 24 lb long guns; Quarterdeck: 16 x 32 lb carronades
Displacement: 2,400 tonnes full load
Length: 189 ft between perpendiculars; 216 ft overall
Beam: 49' 9"
Draught: 19" 10"
Complement: 690
Price: $1.55 million

Fourth Rates

Manassas-class super frigate (50 guns)
Armament: 32 x 32 lb long guns, 20 x 42 lb carronades, 6 x 24 lb long guns
Displacement: 1,870 tonnes full load
Length: 182 ft. between perpendiculars; 212 ft. overall
Beam: 45' 9"
Draught: 18" 2"
Complement: 458
Price: $1.4 million

Fifth Rates (Frigates)

Constitution-class heavy frigate (44 guns)
Armament: 30 x 24 lb long guns, 20 x 32 lb carronades, and 4 x 18 lb long guns
Displacement: 1,588 tonnes full load
Length: 177 ft. between perpendiculars; 206 ft. overall
Beam: 43' 10"
Draught: 14' 9"
Complement: 430
Price: $1.25 million

Constellation-class frigate (38 guns)
Armament: 28 x 24 lb long guns, 12 x 32 lb carronades, and 2 x 18 lb long guns
Displacement: 1,265 tonnes full load
Length: 164 ft. between perpendiculars; 175 ft. overall
Beam: 41 ft.
Draught: 13' 6"
Complement: 340
Price: $1.15 million

Ranger-class frigate (36 guns)
Armament: 26 x 24 lb long guns; 12 x 32 lb carronades; 2 x 18 lb long guns
Displacement: 1,200 tonnes full load
Length: 160 ft. between perpendiculars; 171 ft. overall
Beam: 40' 3"
Draught: 13" 3"
Complement: 330
Price: $1.1 million

Alert-class light frigate (32 guns)
Armament: 26 x 24 lb long guns, 10 x 32 lb carronades, 2 x 18 lb long guns
Displacement: 1,040 tonnes full load
Length: 156 ft. between perpendiculars; 164 ft. overall
Beam: 39' 6"
Draught: 12' 8"
Complement: 305
Price: $1 million

Sixth Rates (Corvettes/Sloops Of War)

Lexington-class corvette (26 guns)
Armament: 22 x 24 lb long guns; 4 x 18 lb long guns
Displacement: 870 tonnes full load
Length: 142 ft. between perpendiculars; 154 ft. overall
Beam: 36' 9"
Draught: 11' 9"
Complement: 260
Price: $875,000

Unrated (Brigs/smaller vessels)

Hornet-class sloop (20 guns)
Armament: 2 x 18 lb long guns; 18 x 32 lb carronades
Displacement: 445 tonnes full load
Length: 117 ft. between perpendiculars; 129 ft. overall
Beam: 31' 8"
Draught: 10' 4"
Complement: 170
Price: $650,000

[OOC: The 44 and the 38 are pretty much the Constitution and the Constellation, but the Alert is my rendition of what a Joshua Humphreys-designed 32 gun frigate might be. The others are also my own creations, with the Potomac based heavily on the USS Washington. The truly unique ship is the Manassas, a 50 gun fourth rate which is my intermediate step from a frigate to a ship of the line.]

*Several new classes added*

- 80 gun third rate
- 64 gun third rate
- 36 gun fifth rate
- 26 gun fifth rate

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I would like to buy 3 3rd rate ones. Also, If you would could you build a ship like the HMS Victory?
If so, I would like to buy 2 as they are my favorite type of ship.

I would like to buy 3 3rd rate ones. Also, If you would could you build a ship like the HMS Victory?
If so, I would like to buy 2 as they are my favorite type of ship.OOC: Which of the third rates do you want? I have three classes (80 gun, 74 gun, and 64 gun ships of the line).

I'll gladly build a ship like the HMS Victory. That should be forthcoming soon.

Greetings!,

Although we are not a past tech nation, we are wondering if you could construct a one off, reconstructed version of the typhon a Neuvo Rican ship of the line from the early 1800s. We want a reconstruction to serve as a tourist attraction.

To: Nuevo Rica
From: Commodore Chris Chauncey (ISN-Ret.)
Managing Director, Portsmouth Munitions Corporation
Subject: Construction of the Typhon

The Portsmouth Munitions Corporation would be pleased to construct a one-off replica of the Typhon. Please provide me with the plans and specifications for the ship and we will endeavour to turn it around as efficiently and as well-constructed as possible.

Thank you for your interest in the PMC. We look forward to working with you in the future.

[OOC: Is there a particular RL ship I should look at or do you have specs you want me to use?]

Contact
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From: Neuvo Rica
To: Sarzonia

The real typhon was destroyed ages ago, we have only this computer generation to go by:

http://www.ifelix.co.uk/games/images/img003/nap014.jpg

Many thanks for your services.


ooc: Just pretend that's not a spanish flag on that picture ... ;)

To: Nuevo Rica
From: Commodore Chris Chauncey (ISN-Ret.)
Managing Director, Portsmouth Munitions Corporation
Subject: Confirmation

The Portsmouth Munitions Corporation is pleased to confirm your order for a replica of the Typhon ship of the line. Work will begin immediately and we expect to have your order completed within two NS years [2 RL days] following testing and evaluation.

OOC: Here's my best guess at the specs for the Typhon based on your image:

Typhon-class ship of the line (100 guns)
Length: 219 ft. (wl); 233 ft. (oa); Beam: 53 ft.; Draught: 21 ft. 9 inches
Displacement: 2,600 tonnes full
Armament: 30 x 32 lb long guns on lower gundeck; 30 x 24 lb long guns on middle gundeck; 28 x 12 lb long guns on upper gun deck; 18 x 42 lb carronades on quarterdeck.
Complement: 1,100
Price: $2 million

Message
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From: Neuvo Rica
To: Sarzonia/ Portsmouth shipyard

Many thanks for producing such a fine ship from such a rough estimate we gave you. We are wiring the money to you right now. Many thanks,

Neuvo Rica.

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Although not a past-tech nation, Cotland wish to purchase a number of ships for use as training ships for the Naval Academy cadets. It is our belief that with the use of old sailing ships, the cadets will learn not only first-hand seamanship, but also of the proud naval history that Cotland enjoys.

We wish 5 Ranger-class frigates. $5,5 million will be wired to you as we speak. Is it possible to discreetly fit a small navigational radar somewhere on the five vessels in question?

To: Cotland
From: Commodore Chris Chauncey (ISN-Ret.)
Managing Director, Portsmouth Munitions Corporation
Subject: Confirmation

The Portsmouth Munitions Corporation is pleased to confirm your order for five Ranger-class frigates. Work will begin immediately and we expect to have your order completed following sea trials within two NS years.

We would be able to locate a navigational radar below decks for your ship's use, though we recommend your training sailors attempt to learn more traditional ways of locating themselves so they can use those skills in the event of systems failure on your standard warships. Besides that, we hope these ships serve your fleet well in their training capacity and we thank you for contacting the Portsmouth Munitions Corporation for your nautical needs!

The navigational radar is there only as a safeguard in case of fog or storms near land. We wouldn't want to loose hundreds of our future officers, would we?

OOC: Point taken.

And BUMP!

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Can i have 1 Victory-class (100 guns) please....

for the price as stated..

order deleted

OOC: So you aren't ordering or are you? :confused:

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The Kordoan Naval Museum is interested in ordering (1) Constitution-class ship for $1.25 million. Money will be wired upon conformation.

To: Kordan Naval Museum
From: Commodore Chris Chauncey (ISN-Ret.)
Managing Director, Portsmouth Munitions Corporation
Subject: Confirmation of order

The Portsmouth Munitions Corporation is pleased to confirm your order for one Constitution-class frigate at $1.25 million. We have one that we have just completed and it will be available to you within one month, after it has completed sea trials.

We thank you for choosing the Portsmouth Munitions Corporation and we hope to hear from you again in the future!

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Do you, or would you, build anything smaller than the "5th Rate"?

To: Brethren of the Main
From: Commodore Chris Chauncey (ISN-Ret.)
Managing Director, Portsmouth Munitions Corporation
Subject: Ships catalogue

We have not as yet announced any ships smaller than the those in the fifth rate; however, we do have plans to offer some sixth rate and unrated vessels, including the 20 gun Hornet-class. We also would be willing to custom-build a design to your specifications.

As a matter of fact, the Lexington-class should be classified as a sixth rate vessel and will be changed to that configuration within a matter of NS months [OOC: probably later tonight IRL since I realise sixth rate usually refers to 28-22 gun corvettes].

*Hornet-class ship sloop added*

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We will take a Victory, to replace the sunken flagship of our grand fleet. We request the following modifications to armament: lower deck:unchanged, middle deck: twenty four longs, as many as she'll safely take, upper deck: ditto, quarterdeck: sixty-eight carronades, as many as she'll take. Please inform me of gun numbers on the new design and the cost, either of the ship or of individual guns and I'll do the sums. Do you do accessories? If so, 2x Launch, eight oar, one square sail, one three pound carronade, 3x pinnace, six oar, no sail or mast, one pound swivel, 2x cargo boat, extra broad, speed no concern, six oars, one square sail, unarmed, 1x barge, four oars, mastless, unarmed, with large lamp and flagstaff, and colour scheme: primary: red, secondary: black, highlight: gold. If you do accessorise, what is her rig? (I would suggest stating this on your storefront, some nations may prefer lateens, spritsails and so on) In addition, Boozia has several ship designs of our own, but not enough for profitable sales. We are prepared to offer a package of plans, rights, and several mint conditions examples at rock bottom prices, in exchange for Boozia recieving 25% of the profits from their sale.

Edit: Now I know you do customs, I'll do more exact specs if these are too vague, or if the Victory hull is unsuitable for the requested modifications.

Bump

To: Nova Boozia
From: Commodore Chris Chauncey (ISN-Ret.)
Managing Director, Portsmouth Munitions Corporation
Subject: Confirmation of order

The Portsmouth Munitions Corporation is pleased to confirm this order from the great nation of Novia Boozia for one Victory-class first rate. As far as the armament conversion to long guns on the middle gun deck is concerned, we would be able to convert the columbiads into 24 pound long guns or 32 pounder long guns at 0.50 hundredweight, though we didn't initially do so because of logistical reasons (allowing you to carry one size of round shot) and due to the heavy weight of 0.55 hundredweight cannon on the lower deck.

For the upper gundeck, we would have to use twenty 12 pounder long guns in lieu of the 32 pounder carronades and we could arm with ten 68 pounder carronades on the quarterdeck. We normally do not accessorise, though with the specific requests you have made, we can accomodate you, and we can do so for an additional $1.5 million. [OOC: The description of your requests is a bit vague and I'm not sure if a Victory will fit what you're looking for. We can work on a design or make arrangements for the designs you have mentioned.]

What I was thinking of was a traditional, mainly long gun armed flagship, similar to the original Victory of nelsonic fame, so I took an intelligent guess based on the name that a victory class had a correct hull and rig, and assumed that changes in armament would be a fairly simple affair. Twelves on the upper deck is fine. To describe what I had in mind as, from top to bottom: heavy, main, light, extra-heavy isnt far wrong. Thank you in advance.

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What I was thinking of was a traditional, mainly long gun armed flagship, similar to the original Victory of nelsonic fame, so I took an intelligent guess based on the name that a victory class had a correct hull and rig, and assumed that changes in armament would be a fairly simple affair. Twelves on the upper deck is fine. To describe what I had in mind as, from top to bottom: heavy, main, light, extra-heavy isnt far wrong. Thank you in advance.
OOC: The thing about ships of that era is the fact that they would have enormous problems trying to haul heavy main guns on more than one deck. That's why a 74 would have 18 pounder long guns on its upper gundeck and smaller (12 pounder or 9 pounder long guns or 32 pound carronades), lighter weaponry on the quarterdeck.

Carronades fired much heavier shot but at much shorter distances than long guns that weighed similarly. A 32 pound carronade is about two thirds the weight of the 12 pound long gun and threw a ball that was almost three times heavier, but for a much shorter distance than the long gun could manage. But if not for carronades, the upper decks would have to carry the lighter long guns. In a past tech environment, it'd be very hard to be able to carry such heavy ordnance on the upper gundecks or on the quarterdeck (or in the case of American ships, the spar deck).

Granted, the second third of the 19th century brought some major advances in shipbuilding, such as rounded sterns and diagonal riders that dramatically reduced hogging and sagging. I'm not completely sure if those improvements, plus some made to the "refit" USS Constellation of 1855 could improve the situation, but I'll look into it.

Im sorry, but I'm not following you. As I understand, I am asking for a ship with a fairly standard first-rate armament of Nelson's day, nothing more, nothing less. This is for a nelsonic fleet too, so all I want is that tech level of design. I really don't understand the problem. And I did know what a carronade was but, but what exactly is a columbiad? Again, thanks. PS: If it helps, I'm essentially asking for a Victory clone, as in the historic ship, not the NS class. PPS: When I said main I did'nt mean heavy, but medium, since these were often less overkill and could fire faster. Heavies on the third beck were also dangerous to run out in rough weather.

OOC: I guess I was a little confused about your request for customisations such as oars onto a Victory-class ship. This company has the plans for the original HMS Victory since the original was in Sarzonian possession until we sailed it to Praetonia as a gift to that government, so we can easily create a replica of the original ship.

The original information I had on the columbiad was that it was a medium-range gun in comparison to the standard long gun or carronade. U.S. ships of the line often used them along with long guns and carronades of the same weight (usually 32 pounds) to simplify logistics by carrying one size of shot.

I was just trying to clarify why most ships of the period used lighter-weighing weaponry on their higher gun decks (why a British 74 would carry 18 pounder long guns on their upper gun deck while arming themselves with 32 pounder long guns on the lower gun deck. Lower decks are stronger than the higher decks. I don't think I'm explaining myself too well, so I'll have to look in my reference books since they do a better job of describing what I'm trying to than I have been.

Oars on a first rate! Oops, sorry for not making this clear, but what I meant was 2 launches, each with eight oars, a 3-pounder, and a square sail, and so on. And forgive me if I'm wrong, but isn't Victory still in Britain? If you check the wikipedia on it, that describes it's armament, which is what I want.

Oars on a first rate! Oops, sorry for not making this clear, but what I meant was 2 launches, each with eight oars, a 3-pounder, and a square sail, and so on. And forgive me if I'm wrong, but isn't Victory still in Britain? If you check the wikipedia on it, that describes it's armament, which is what I want.OOC: Oh, I get it now. That'd be cool. And yes, Victory is still in Britain IRL. In NS terms, I sailed the ship to Praetonia, but the real life ship is still safely in Britain. I just went with the storyline because the RL nations aren't considered to exist in the NS world.

And I'll gladly provide you with the replica of the original Victory. Consider your order confirmed and underway, along with the launches you mentioned.

Thanks. Nice doing busness with you.