TOTAL WAR WIKI

80-gun Steam Ship (NTW unit)

80-gun Steam Ship
80-gun Steam Ship
Faction: France Great Britain
Accuracy: 40 50 40
Reloading skill: 15 15 25
Hull strength: 2100 2100 2190
Speed: 18 19 18
Maneuverability: Low Low Low
Morale: 10 10 12
Turns to build: 8 8 8
Recruitment cost: 2550 2620 2480
Upkeep cost: 630 650 620
Requires
Technology
Screw Propeller
Screw Propeller
Uniform Armament
Uniform Armament

A steamship has sails but the engine gives it the tactical ability to ignore the wind in battle.

By having a good weight of broadside that can be brought to bear regardless of wind conditions, this 80-gun ship is a significant force in any fleet. The ability to sail directly into the wind is something that no sail-powered vessel can ever match.

The idea of going into battle with a fire raging in his ship’s belly was not one that appeals to every captain. Fire was always a risk aboard a wooden vessel, and boiler explosions were not unknown. There was also the problem of coaling stations: while these ships carried sails, they did need regular supplies of coal. Steam was a tactical advantage, not a strategic one.

Historically, the first British ship to be designed and built from scratch to use steam was HMS Agamemnon, laid down in 1852; previous steam warships were conversions from sailing ships-of-the-line. Agamemnon was fitted with sails and carried 91 guns. She also had a short career as the Navy’s pride and joy, as she was paid off in 1862. She did, however, help lay the first Transatlantic telegraph cable in 1857-8.

Available for:

Austria France Great Britain Prussia Russia

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