Indiaman (Trade Ship) (NTW unit)
| Indiaman | |
|---|---|
| |
| Accuracy: | 40 |
| Reloading skill: | 15 |
| Hull strength: | 1060 |
| Speed: | 13 |
| Maneuverability: | Low |
| Morale: | 9 |
| Turns to build: | 3 |
| Recruitment cost: | 1150 |
| Upkeep cost: | 100 |
The Indiaman is an armed merchant ship, built for trade between Europe and the East. It can defend itself in need.
Unusually for a merchant ship, an Indiaman carries cargo, passengers, and a good number of guns. Intended to sail from Europe to the other side of the world and back carrying valuable, even priceless, cargoes, these ships have to be able to defend themselves. The Indiaman’s 9- and 18-pounders are sufficient to fight off smaller attackers, but it is vulnerable to boarding. Carrying a cargo does not help its speed either, and the added guns mean the upkeep has an impact on any profit made. However, a defendable trade ship is always more profitable than stolen goods or kidnapped passengers.
Historically, East Indiamen resembled ships of the line, both in their general configuration and paintwork. At the Battle of Pulo Aura (1804), the ambiguous appearance and aggressive handling of a squadron of British Indiamen completely humbugged the French admiral, Charles-Alexandre Linois. He withdrew in the face of “superior” forces. Commodore Nathaniel Dance, of the British Company fleet, received a knighthood and a handsome reward for his cunning.
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