back to the Index or the Vehicles page or the Aircraft page
American small cargo ship
Typical commercial craft built in US yards on the west coast of Africa. They're 35 meters long, 8 meters beam, and 290 tons full load displacement. The hull is welded steel, with a flat bottom and two keels (which sort of act as skids when the craft is beached). The cargo hold is 12 meters long, 5 meters wide, 3 meters high, and can hold four 6 meter (20') cargo containers, or 90 tons of cargo. There is a RORO ramp at the aft end of the cargo hold, a main deck hatch 6 meters long, and an aft deck hatch 3 meters long. The two two-legged masts also pivot down to nearly deck level, and each can be used as a crane, with a 20 ton capacity -- or they can sway cargo between them, to the main deck-level hatch. They stand 23 meters above the waterline when fully erect. The 500 square meters of sail are roller-furled. There are two 250 HP methanol-burning engines, which can propel the ship at 5 knots in good weather; best speed under sail is 6-7 knots. Each engine uses 55 liters of methanol per hour at full power. 26,300 liters (20 tons) of fuel is carried -- enough for 10 days of full-power propulsion. The ship can be handled by a crew of 4 persons, but has bunks etc. for 18. Cost to build in New Washington, $100,000 (including a discount for bulk production).
power fishing boat
A DRA or Foundation wooden-hull power boat, with a straight-6 350 HP 12.9 liter diesel engine converted to biodiesel power; it drives a 3 bladed bronze propeller. 40 liters of oil are circulating in the engine. Cruising speed is 11 to 15 knots, top speed 17 knots, range is 320 kilometers on the 750 liter fuel tank. Length varies from 10 to 12 meters, beam about 3.2 meters, draft about 1 meter. Displacement with no cargo 10 tons, loaded 13 tons. There's a simple low-ceiling berth for about two persons; the enclosed cabin (2.2 meter ceiling) gets crowded when more than five people are present. Food preparation is limited to a hotplate; there's a 24 volt DC electrical system, and a 40 gallon fresh water tank. There's a compass, speed indicator, and radio receiver in the cabin, along with an electrical heater. Some have a simple toilet. An electric bilge pump is fitted; a hydraulic system runs the anchor winch and (depending on the type of fishing) a hoist. Cost new $1700 (of which $1000 is the motor).
barges
These are examples from the Great Lakes. Charter is about 0.2% of value per day.
large pre-War barge
100 m length, 16.5 m beam, 3.4 m from keel to deck -- too large for the Soo canal. 1100 ton cargo capacity on flat deck, built of 8mm thick steel. 2m high bulkhead doors, fresh water system, 24 compartments below deck with mostly defunct electrical systems (electric heat, bilge pumps, and overhead lighting) -- was used for refugee housing for several years after the Atomic War. Truck gangway/ramp at one end, with hoisting equipment. Value $8,000, can be leased for $16 per day. Very slow to tow by patrol boat, currents and winds would be a problem.
medium pre-War barge
50 m length, 15 m beam, 2.5 m from keel to deck -- too large for the Soo canal. Has open cargo compartments (for carrying bulk goods like coal or tires), 375 ton capacity. Value $4000, can be leased for $8 per day. Towing speed by patrol boat, if mostly unloaded: 3.5 knots.
small pre-War barge
30 m length, 10 m beam, 2 m from keel to deck. Built from 9mm steel. Raked bow, box stern. 12 compartments, but really meant to be used as a deck cargo carrier. 120 tons capacity. Value $1200, can be leased for $2.50 per day. Towing speed by patrol boat, if mostly unloaded: 5 knots.
very small pre-War barge or lighter
12 m length, 3 m beam, 1 meter draft, capacity 7 tons. Value $100, can be leased for $0.50 per day. Towing speed by patrol boat, if lightly loaded (say, two cars): 8 knots
scow barge
20 m length, 5.3 m beam, 2 m depth in hold, cargo capacity ~100 tons. Wooden 22nd Century construction. A set of wooden beams for automobile or truck loading could be carried. Value $1000 (or down to $250 for very used), can be leased for $2 per day ($1 per day for very used ones). Towing speed by patrol boat, if less than half loaded: 6 knots.
coastal patrol boat
A DRA or Foundation wooden-hull power boat, with two straight-6 350 HP 12.9 liter diesel engines converted to biodiesel power; each engine drives a 3 bladed bronze propeller. 80 liters of oil are circulating in the engines. Cruising speed is 12 to 16 knots, top speed 18 knots, range is 320 kilometers on the 1500 liter fuel tank. Length varies from 10 to 12 meters, beam about 3.2 meters, draft about 1 meter. Displacement with no cargo 12 tons, loaded 13 tons. There's a simple low-ceiling berth for about two persons; the enclosed cabin (2.2 meter ceiling) gets crowded when more than five people are present. Food preparation is limited to a hotplate; there's a 24 volt DC electrical system, and a 40 gallon fresh water tank. There's a compass, speed indicator, and radio receiver in the cabin, along with an electrical heater. Some have a simple toilet. An electric bilge pump is fitted. Cost new $3000 (with no weapon fitted).
It's not much faster than the single-engined fishing boat it is derived from but has two engines for reliability, and better towing power. Not all of them are fitted with weapons; a machine gun at most.
flatboat
Typical Great Lakes vessels propelled by oars and simple sails, flatboats are built from green lumber on the north shore of Lake Huron, filled with goods, and sold to the Mariners. Their construction is supremely crude and un-nautical looking; very few nails are used, and the side and stern planking is sometimes vertical. They're built by loggers, farmers, etc. along the Ontario rivers -- there are no professional flatboat builders. Most of them are dismantled when they reach their destination (such as the city of Bastion).
A typical flatboat is 17 meters long, 5 meters wide, has a draft of about 1 meter when loaded, has a loaded displacement of 85 tons, can carry 65 tons of cargo, and costs $5 per meter ($85) when new. A really small one might be only 1.5 meters wide and 5 meters long, with a displacement of 5 tons and a capacity of 3 tons; the biggest ("scows" or "barges") are 7 meters wide and 30 meters long, with a displacement of 200 tons. The largest ones need a pilot and 4 crew if being floated downriver, or sailed across the North Channel; only a single crewmenber if being towed or pushed. They can be fitted out with cabins, gun-ports, sturdy roofs and doors, fireplaces, etc. if being lived in; when carrying basic cargo, or livestock, a simple fabric or shingle roof is fitted.
13 meter oars are fitted, two on each side; and a steering oar, along with a short front oar -- the "gouger" -- to help with steering. A well-equipped flatboat will have a hand-operated winch to help with hauling. When the winds are favorable, simple square-sails are fitted for the short voyage across the North Channel to the Manitoulin Island ports.
In a given year, about a hundred flatboats set out from frontalier settlements, and the Arcadian Republic, bound (mostly) for ports around Lake Michigan. If paying cargo is carried, the owner will charge $0.50 to $1 per ton -- higher rates for fancier cargoes needing more speed and care.
Middle Eastern and North African ships
Great Lakes steamboats
All of these can pass through the Soo locks, except the Badger and the bulk carrier.
steam launch
10 ton displacement, weight empty 2300 kg, length 7.3 meters, beam 2.4 meters, capacity 30 men or 3 tons cargo. Hazardous charter $5 per day, along with insurance or surety bond of $100.
steam boat 40 feet
20 ton displacement, 12 m length, 10 knots top speed. Unarmored and unarmed. Some propeller, some side or stern wheeler, fresh water only. Can carry 13 tons of cargo, or 60 infantry for a day or so. Hazardous charter $20 per day; insurance or surety bond of $250 required. There are a hundred or so vessels of this size operating on the Great Lakes, mostly visiting small communities or towing flatboats and log floats. Longest motor vehicle carried as cargo: 4 meters.
steam boat 60 feet
30 ton displacement, 19 m length, 10 knots top speed from a 40 or 50 HP steam engine. Unarmored and unarmed. Fresh water only. Can carry a hundred infantry for a day or two. Hazardous charter $80 per day; insurance or surety bond of $1,000 required. There are twelve vessels of this size operating on the Great Lakes; they mostly move large log floats and barges. Longest motor vehicle carried as cargo: 6 meters. About like the small river steamboat.
steam boat 80 feet
100 ton displacement, 25 m length, 10 knots top speed from a roughly 100 HP compound steam engine. Unarmored and unarmed. Fresh water only. Can carry 40 tons of cargo, or three hundred infantry for a couple of days. Hazardous charter $200 per day; insurance or surety bond of $1,000 required. There are six vessels of this size operating in the Great Lakes, mostly owned by the Mariners: the Semiramis, the J.N. Pew, the James Swan, the Miracle, the Acorn, and the Negaunee. Longest motor vehicle carried as cargo: 8 meters.
steam boat 100 feet
200 ton displacement, 30 m length, 10 knots top speed from a 200 HP compound engine. Unarmored and unarmed. Fresh water only. Can carry 90 tons of cargo, or five hundred infantry for a few days. Hazardous charter $270 per day; insurance or surety bond of $2000 required. There are only four vessels of this size operating in the Great Lakes: the Pioneer, the Silarus, the Basilan, and the Great Laker. Longest motor vehicle carried as cargo: 10 meters. About like the large river steamboat.
steam boat 150 feet
300 ton displacement, 45 m length, 10 knots top speed from a 300 HP compound engine. Unarmored and unarmed. Fresh water only. Can carry 130 tons of cargo, or a thousand infantry for a few days. Hazardous charter $400 per day; insurance or surety bond of $2000 required. There is currently one vessel of this size operating in the Great Lakes: the Ruby J, homeport Sentinel. Longest motor vehicle carried as cargo: 20 meters.
SS Badger
the SS Badger, with a patrol boat ahead of her for scale
6650 ton displacement, 125 m length, 16 knots cruise speed, 21 knots theoretical top speed. Fresh water only. Can easily carry at least a thousand tons of cargo, plus 620 passengers and 60 crew; could carry several thousand infantry for a few days. Most of the hull is 16mm thick mild steel; the bow is reinforced for ice-breaking. Hazardous charter $1000 per day; it couldn't be insured or bonded, but the contracting party would have to provide appropriate escort vessels and defensive measures.
bulk carrier
A few pre-Atomic War bulk carriers remain somewhat intact or even afloat, but only one is in any condition to sail. This vessel was built in 1943 as an iron ore carrier; it was re-engined in 1985 with a 4500 HP diesel engine. It's 189 meters long, 18.3 meters wide, with a typical draft of 7.3 meters, and can carry 15,800 tons of cargo.
The similar vessels with non-functional engines could be towed around, but several very powerful towboats would be required.
steam utility boat
12.5 meters long, 3.5 meters wide, draft a bit less than 1 meter, displacement about 25 tons. A wood-burning reciprocating steam engine turns either a propeller or paddle wheels, giving a normal speed of 12 kph. These craft do not have any electrical generating capacity, and aren't equipped with radios. The hull is 10mm thick steel, but the deck and cabin are wood about 30mm thick on average. A couple of machineguns could be carried. The crew is only 4 men normally; a dozen troops could be carried for an assault, or twice that for an emergency evacuation.
Typical of fresh-water vessels used by the Foundation of Mankind.
Higgins Boat
The Foundation LCVP is a wood-hulled landing craft with a bow ramp. It has 8.4 tons light displacement, 12 tons full load; the cargo capacity is 3.9 tons. The cargo well is about 2 meters wide, 5.5 meters long. Overall, the boat is 10.9 meters long, 3.2 meters wide, with a draft of about 1 meter when fully loaded. Propulsion is by a 7 liter straight-6 diesel engine producing 165 HP, driving one shaft; fuel capacity is 681 liters. The engine is cooled by a heat exchanger; about the only equipment installed is a 12 volt electrical system, to run bilge pumps, various other pumps and small electrical motors, and the navigational lights. Top speed is 9 knots, range is 110 nautical miles when fully loaded. The craft is constructed of marine plywood 25.4mm thick, but there is 6.35mm of armor steel added on both sides and on the bow ramp. It's armed with two machine guns, usually .50 cal machine guns; the gunners work in chest-high tubs, one on each side of the engine compartment. The crew is a coxswain and two gunners; 39 infantry can be carried in the cargo well.
The plywood hull provides about 3 points of armor; the bow and sides provide 14 points of armor.
landing craft, tank
This is a LCU-1466 class Landing Craft Tank (redesignated Landing Craft Utility in 1952); it's 164 metric tons light displacement, 324 metric tons full load. Cargo capacity is 135 tons (the other 25 tons is fuel and water). The vessel is 36 meters long, 10.3 meters beam, with a draft of about 2 meters when fully loaded
Propulsion is provided by three 675 HP marine diesels, driving 3 shafts. Top speed is 10 knots, with a range of 700 nautical miles at 7 knots.
The hull sides and bottom are 8mm of mild steel; the bow is 10mm of mild steel. The gun shield has 50mm of RHA steel; the wheelhouse is covered in 63mm of RHA steel.
Armament was typically one 20mm Oerlikon gun and two .50 cal machineguns. Equipment includes radios, and berths for the 14 crew members (of which about 8 were dealing with the guns).
Armor values: 34 points on wheelhouse, 31 points on gun shields, 15 points bow, 14 points sides and bottom
landing craft, mechanized
This is based on the LCM-8 Landing Craft, Mechanized. Earlier WW2-era craft are similar. It has a displacement of 60 tons without any fuel or cargo aboard -- this is the weight for determining if the boat can be hoisted out of the water. It can carry 55 tons of cargo; maximum displacement with full cargo, fuel, water, crew, ammunition, etc. is 115 tons.
It's 22.5 meters long, 6.4 meters beam, with a draft of 1.6 meters fully loaded, 1.2 meters with no cargo or fuel. The cargo well is 13.7 meters long.
Propulsion is from two GM 12V71 diesel engines (400 HP each) driving two shafts mounted in semi-cylindrical tunnels. Top speed is 12 knots when lightly loaded, 9 knots when fully loaded. By the 22nd Century, the engines are no longer diesels, they might be gasogen, methanol, or even steam engines (with lower speeds and range in that case)
Originally, armor was fitted as follows: 63mm RHA steel on the wheelhouse, 50mm RHA steel on the gun shields, the bow is 10mm mild steel, and the hull sides and bottom are 8mm mild steel. Slightly earlier LCMs in the Vietnam War era were fitted with more armor (and weapons) as riverine warfare craft. Many LCMs were converted for various specialty uses, such as shops, dive boats, etc.
In the Second World War period, armament fitted was typically two .50 cal machineguns. Riverine craft in the Vietnam War often had much heavier armament, up to a 40mm Bofors gun. A tactical radio would be carried after the 1950s.
As a landing craft approaching a hostile shore, the crew was 6 men: petty officer ("coxswain") in command, an engineman petty officer, a non-rated "fireman" (engineering sailor), and three seamen (who act as gunners when needed). A three man crew was pretty typical in peacetime service: coxswain, engineman, and sailor.
Armor values: 34 points on wheelhouse, 31 points on gun shields, 15 points bow, 14 points sides and bottom
long tail boat
a 10-meter long-tail boat
As seen in the Mississippi River. They can carry from four to twenty people, depending on size. The propeller shaft is very long; the internal combustion engine is mounted on the tiller. They cruise at speeds of 15 knots; a few have been built with two engines (requiring two operators) and are a bit faster.
A medium-size boat is 9 meters long, 2.5 meters beam, weighs 2 tons, and can carry six to ten passengers; a slightly larger boat is 12 meters long, 3 meters beam, and can carry twelve to fourteen passengers. Most of them will have a canopy for some of the passengers.
Falling overboard from a moving long-tail boat is very hazardous.
river patrol boat
This is based on the Vietnam War-era PBR Mk II, a small fiberglas-hull vessel.
The displacement is 8.9 tons. Length is 9.8 meters, beam is 3.5 meters, draft is only 0.6 meters.
It's powered by two 220 HP diesel engines, each operating a steerable water jet, with thrust reversers. Top speed ~30 kts.
Originally, ceramic armor shields were fitted around the guns and bridge. If one of these is around in the 22nd Century, the armor is probably steel.
A rotating gun tub at the front held two .50 caliber machineguns; another .50 cal was mounted on a tripod at the stern. One or two 7.62mm machineguns, or 40mm grenade launchers, were fitted on posts facing to the side. A radar and tactical radios were carried, along with copious personal weaponry.
The crew were usually four persons; the boats normally patrolled in pairs, with an officer aboard one of the boats.
-
It's very unlikely that a fiberglas hull would survive to the year 2139, so this should be considered mostly as inspiration for similar, "home built" craft. By the 22nd Century the engines are either gasogen or methanol powered.
Armor values: 18 points on bridge, gun tub and gun shields. Note that none of these locations are "fully" armored.
Royal Malaysian Navy LST
Light displacement, 1600 tons; fully loaded displacement 4100 tons, including 1500 tons of cargo and 585 tons of fuel. Emergency cargo load might be 1900 tons, with reduced fuel and a meter lower freeboard; but for beaching, cargo load should be kept to 700 tons or less.
Length 100 meters, beam 15 meters, draft 3.4 meters and freeboard 5 meters with 500 ton load -- but the ship can pump ballast to reduce forward draft to 1 meter for beaching, and has a flat bottom and sloping keel. The hull is made from 9.5 mm thick mild steel (armor value 15), except under the bow and around the wheelhouse, where 25mm steel is used (armor value 22).
Powered by two 900 HP V12 Roots-blown two-stroke diesel engines of 111 liters displacement, each driving one propeller, top speed 12 knots, endurance 24,000 nautical miles on 585 tons of diesel fuel, at 9 knots and displacement 4000 tons.
Heavy-duty anchor windlasses and four anchors are carried -- two at each end.
Crew, 110 enlisted and 10 officers; troop accommodation 125. Boats carried: 2 bow-ramp landing craft (light displacement 8.2 tons, to carry 36 troops) on davits, 2 utility boats/lifeboats, 6 rafts (capacity 32 persons each). A small helicopter is carried.
Armament, one 40mm automatic cannon in armored turret, and six .50 caliber machine guns in open deck mounts.
The vehicle bay/cargo hold can carry more landing craft, or tactical vehicles, supplies, etc.; a hinged ramp provides access from the vehicle deck to the main deck. Large landing craft can be carried on the main deck, but they would have to be loaded and unloaded by dockside cranes - the main deck crane has a capacity of 10 tons at 12 meters, or 3.5 tons at 18 meters.
This class of vessel entered service circa 2100 AD; by 2140 they're probably ready to leave military service.
Royal Malaysian Navy surveillance ship
Nothing is known about these ... so far ... They are supremely ugly.
Royal Malaysian warship
drawn at Shipbucket scale
Only recently seen far off the Pacific coast of North America. Length 200 meters, beam 30 meters (but main deck width is only 21 meters), displacement when underway 2700 tons. It seems to change its freeboard -- the waterline shown is when underway; "on station" it sits about 3 meters lower in the water. It has two pontoon-like hulls underwater, each with a propeller and bow thruster. The only structure "on deck" is a 2 meter high bunker-like object near the bow. Most of the main hull is only 4.5 meters thick (from the main deck to the underside, above the water surface normally).
Whether the vessel is manned or unmanned, a carrier for drones or aircraft or submarines, or meant for some other purpose, is ... unknown.
West Coast river steamboat
24 meters long, 8.5 meters wide, draft 0.75 meters, with a displacement of about 150 tons. The reciprocating steam engine burns wood, and can propel the vessel at 12 kph, more usually at 10 kph. They can be equipped with a radio and searchlights, and can carry about 20 tons of cargo. Some light cannons could be mounted on deck, but usually armament is limited to belt-fed machineguns. The hull is 15mm thick mild steel, but the upperworks are wood, about 50mm thick on average; when used for an assault, sandbags would be piled around the engine rooms, bridge, and gun positions. The crew numbers 10 men for normal operations; 80 soldiers can be carried for amphibious landings, and probably 200 could be crammed aboard for emergency evacuation.
The Foundation has twenty or so of these vessels, carrying cargoes up and down the Bay and Rift, or (rarely) used for amphibious assaults across the Rift.
Similar vessels are seen in the Columbia River system.
West Coast large steam schooner
66 meters long, 13 meters wide, 5.8 meters depth, with a displacement at full load of about 3,000 tons. Light ship displacement (no fuel or cargo) is 1,360 tons. The triple-expansion reciprocating steam engine burns solid fuel (usually charcoal or wood) in two boilers, and produces 825 HP; top speed is about 20 kph, cruising speed is 18.5 kph. Fuel usage is 26 tons of charcoal per day at cruising speed. A dynamo is fitted to produce electricity for lighting. A simple refrigerator is fitted. A donkey boiler, much smaller than the main boiler, is fitted to power the winches, etc. and provide steam for various radiators when the main boiler is shut down.
In the forecastle are living quarters for the crew (port side) and up to 22 "steerage" passengers (or troops) to starboard. The three-level aftercastle (main deck, cabin deck, and boat deck) has cabin space for 44 passengers (mostly in 3-person cabins), and the galley, dining saloon (seats 39), smoking room, and quarters for the captain, mates, engineers, cook, and steward. Four lifeboats are carried. Total crew are 24 men: captain, first and second mates, chief engineer, 2 assistant engineers, purser/chief steward, cook and assistant cook, 3 stewards, 2 winch drivers, firemen and oilers, and able-bodied seamen.
There are two masts fitted; the booms are used mostly for cargo handling, but a foresail and mainsail can be carried. Maximum cargo lift capacity without undue strain (or temporary changes) is 7 tons; about 2,000 cubic meters of cargo can be carried (total of below and on-deck cargo). Steam winches are used for cargo handling and the capstans. There is one cargo hatch over the hold.
The hull is made of wood (mostly Douglas fir and redwood, with some "nicer" wood for passenger areas), although there are two steel bulkheads (ahead of and abaft the cargo hold).
Cost to build, $100,000; eight months are required for construction at an Ensenada yard. A one-way passenger ticket from Ensenada to Neuvespania costs $10. The captain earns $120 per month, chief engineer earns $100 per month; the first mate and first engineer earn $60 per month; the stewards earn $28 per month. Most of the other crew earn around $30 per month.
A voyage from Ensenada to Neuvespania is about 800 kilometers, and takes two days.
small river steamboat
A trading vessel on the Mississippi River and its tributaries.
The fully-loaded displacement is 30 tons. Length is 18 meters, beam is 5 meters on the hull (7 meters across the paddleboxes), draft is only 0.6 meters.
A simple 50-75 HP steam engine, fueled by cordwood, propels the vessel at about 14 knots. Most of these vessels are not fitted with condensers, and thus cannot venture into salt water.
It's flat-bottomed, made of wood, and fitted with two rudders. Most of them don't have an actual "cabin" as such, but the crew or passengers are protected from rain (at least) by side awnings. The crew are usually a captain, a mate, two engineers, and two stokers. 18 passengers can be carried with enough space for each to lie down; about 150 could be carried jammed together like an Indian commuter train (with the gunwales dipping into the water).
Cargo capacity is about 15 tons. They can't carry big trucks or a V150, however -- clear deck space is only about 5 or 6 meters long, so maybe an XR311 or a pickup truck. They can pull small barges, however. If fitted with a condenser, 3 less tons of cargo can be carried.
Light armament is sometimes fitted, and (in exceptional circumstances) sandbags or timbers as crude armor. Most of them (but not all) are fitted with a simple electric generator, enough to operate a spotlight and a CB radio.
large river steamboat
A trading vessel on the Mississippi River and its tributaries -- specifically, the Emmylou Harris, operating out of Memphis.
The fully-loaded displacement is 250 tons. Length is 34 meters, beam is 11 meters , draft is only 0.8 meters.
A simple 300 HP steam engine, fueled by cordwood, propels the vessel at about 14 knots. The vessel is not fitted with a condenser, and cannot travel in salt water.
It's flat-bottomed, made of wood, with a stern paddle and fitted with two rudders. There are three "cabins" -- the boiler room, the engine room, and the wheelhouse. A space 6 meters long between the boiler room and engine room is more or less the "place under cover".
The crew are usually a captain, a mate, three engineers, and four stokers. Up to 30 passengers can be carried with some sheltered space out of the rain, including three cabins with 2 bunks each; probably a few hundred could be carried jammed aboard.
Cargo capacity is about 110 tons. Three military trucks or automobiles can be carried, two crosswise in the middle and one on the foredeck.
Light armament is sometimes fitted (one or two 37mm cannons, plus some machine guns), and (in exceptional circumstances) sandbags or timbers as crude armor. A small electric generator powers some spotlights, internal lamps, and a CB radio.
sailing vessels
ketch
A DRA and Makah wooden-hull two-masted sailboat, with an auxiliary engine. Length overall 10 meters, length on deck 8 meters; beam 3 meters, draft 1.4 meters. Displacement with no cargo is 4 tons (including 2 tons of ballast), loaded 6 tons. The engine is about 20 or 30 HP, usually a 20th Century small car or burly motorcycle engine converted to run on biofuel; it gives a cruising speed of 6.5 knots (top speed 8 knots, which doubles fuel consumption). The 150 liter (132 kg) fuel tank gives a motoring range of about 180 kilometers. A 12 volt electrical system is fitted, mostly for lighting and pumps; there's an electrical bilge pump and an emergency manual pump. Fore-and-aft rigged, with a boom on each mast; total sail area is 46 square meters (mainsails and two foresails). The best sailing speed is about 10 knots. There's a 150 liter fresh water tank, berths for five crew (one in the foc'sle and four in the cabin), a galley with sink, electrical hotplate, and stove; a large chart table, and an enclosed head. Time to build, 1 month, with the use of power tools and the standardized plan. Cost, $800 (of which $500 is the engine and other technical items).
-
The Makah like these as pleasure craft.
-
Southshore and some other Pacific coast communities build similar vessels -- but without a motor or any electrical accessories. The cost is about the same (since they usually are being built at Tech Level D or E), building time is about 2 months.
schooner - medium
shown at about Shipbucket scale
A DRA gaff topsail schooner, with an auxiliary biodiesel engine. Length on deck 22 meters, length overall 28 meters, beam 5.64 meters, draft 2.6 meters; displacement 59 tons empty (including 12.5 tons of lead ballast), 83 tons fully loaded . The engine is a V8 210 HP 10.4 liter diesel converted to biodiesel power; it drives an alternator and a five-bladed bronze propeller. 15 liters of oil are circulating in the engine; the oil should be changed every 240 hours. A 24 volt electrical system is fitted, with a couple of "refurbished old truck batteries" to supply power when the engine isn't running. Best speed under power is only 9 knots (7.5 knots is more typical); 2200 liters of fuel in the tanks provide a range of 1720 kilometers (in 3 days). A small boiler provides heat and hot water; there's an electrical bilge pump, another driven by the engine, and a manual (emergency) pump. The maximum speed under sail is 13 knots; sails total 446 square meters (spritsails, main sails, top sails); the top of the main mast is 26 meters above the water. The hull and both masts are wood. Fresh water tanks hold 2700 liters total; the ship can easily carry 25 people if no sleeping accommodations are required, and usually has bunks for 10 or 12 persons (three or four cabins and a foc'sle). A small "Baltic trader" pilot house is fitted under the main boom; it holds the usual bridge equipment, a simple long-range radio receiver, and (often) a CB radio. Her crew consists of a master, an engineer, three sailors and a cook; normally a dozen or so fishing hands are carried as well. For some types of fishing, a half-dozen or more dories are carried aboard; if not, a rowing and sailing dinghy are carried on davits. Time to build, 4 months; this includes the use of power saws and drills, and the standardized plan of the vessel. Cost new $5,000 (of which $1000 is the engine and other power plant items).
schooner - large
A DRA gaff topsail schooner, with an auxiliary biodiesel engine. Length on deck 38 meters, length overall 49 meters, beam 7.8 meters, draft 4.8 meters; displacement 147 tons empty, 240 tons fully loaded. The engine is a straight-6 350 HP 12.9 liter diesel converted to biodiesel power; it drives a five-bladed bronze propeller 1.65 meters in diameter. 40 liters of oil are circulating in the engine; a 24 volt electrical system is fitted. Usual motoring cruise speed is 7.5 knots (top speed under power is 9 knots, which doubles fuel consumption); 6000 liters of fuel in the tanks provide a range of 1500 kilometers at cruise speed. The maximum speed under sail is 13 knots; sails total 650 square meters (spritsails, main sails, top sails); the top of the main mast is 38 meters above the water. The hull and both masts are wood. Fresh water tanks hold 2800 liters total; the ship can easily carry 50 people if no sleeping accommodations are required, and has bunks for 32 persons. A small boiler provides heat and hot water; there's an electrical bilge pump, another driven by the engine, and a manual (emergency) pump. A small "Baltic trader" pilot house is fitted under the main boom; it holds the usual bridge equipment, a simple long-range radio receiver, and (often) a CB radio. Her crew consists of four sailors, a master, an engineer, and a cook; normally two dozen or so fishing hands are carried as well. For some types of fishing, a dozen or more dories are carried aboard. Time to build, 8 months; this includes the use of power saws and drills, and the standardized plan of the vessel. Cost new, $11,000 (of which about $1000 is the engine, prop, shaft and other "propulsion" equipment).
-
6000 liters of biodiesel weighs 5.3 tons; by adding another 78000 liters (69 tons) of fuel you could motor to Santiago and back. This would fill up the entire cargo hold, plus part of the fishermen's quarters, and probably some tanks on deck. I would hope that any decent crew wouldn't be such stink-pots as to ignore the sails for a whole trip.
-
the schooner Burya is a smaller example of this class (143 tons displacement at full load); it's more dependent on its engine, and has sails only as as backup.
exploration schooner
A DRA plan to explore the shores of Asia has led to construction of a 43 meter long steel-hulled schooner, of 100 tons light displacement, 150 tons loaded displacement, and capable of spreading 1000 square meters of sail. Construction is very slow, and the cost is very great.
Pacific trading schooner
A steel-hulled schooner, 43 meters long, with a 7 meter beam, and a loaded draft of 3 meters. She can carry 250 tons of cargo, in a 202 cubic meter cargo hold; the cargo gear can manage loads of up to 5 tons. A minimum of 8 crew are required (captain, two mates, engineer, cook, and four sailors). 434 square meters of sails are carried. A 45 HP 14 liter V12 diesel motor (GM 12V-71) is fitted, but the expense and difficulty of refueling mean that voyages are mostly made under sail. The ship can be configured to carry 4 to 12 passengers -- more than 4 will reduced the cargo volume and deck space.
West Coast medium ketch
at about Shipbucket scale
A wooden-hulled cutter-ketch, 38 meters long overall (33.5 meters long on the waterline), beam 7.1 meters, loaded draft 3.2 meters, loaded freeboard 0.7 meters. Fully loaded displacement is 400 tons. Two masts carry 8 sails (434 square meters area), with the cap of the mainmast being 21.3 meters above the waterline
A 45 HP bio-diesel engine (from a 20th Century bus) drives a single screw, but most voyages are made under sail at an average speed of 6.5 knots. The vessel carries 11 crew, and 4-8 passengers in 4 cabins. The cargo hold could be fitted with "pipe racks" for 42 troops (at 7 cubic meters per soldier), or a dozen cattle or horses in "nice" conditions, or two dozen cattle or horses in "pre-1940s" conditions (including provisions for fodder, etc.).
The salon seats 8 persons, the "open air" mess seats 12 persons.
The 11 crew are: captain, mate, engineer/mechanic, bosun, supercargo (cargo manager), cook/steward, 5 seamen. Two 6-person boats are normally carried, maybe a third (or a raft) if the owners care ...
Cargo capacity is 250 tons, carried in about 300 cubic meters of cargo space "under hatches" plus about 50 cubic meters on deck or in smaller spaces. There is one cargo hold (6.7 meters wide, 15.4 meters long) and hatch (4.6 meters wide, 10.8 meters long), served by one boom (5 ton capacity without undue strain).
West Coast large topsail schooner
at about Shipbucket scale
A wooden-hulled topsail schooner, 47 meters long overall (33.2 meters long on the waterline), beam 7.75 meters, loaded draft 4.2 meters. Fully loaded displacement is 520 tons. The three wire-stayed masts carry 14 sails (580 square meters area), plus a dozen studding sails; a 45 HP 14 liter V12 bio-diesel motor (a GM Detroit Diesel 12V-71) drives a single screw, but most voyages are made under sail. The vessel carries 13 crew, and up to 12 passengers in spartan (bunk/steerage) conditions, or 2-4 passengers if they are provided with 1- or 2-bunk "cabins". The mess seats 8 persons.
The crew are: captain, 2 mates, engineer/mechanic, bosun, 6 seamen, cook, steward/assistant cook. Two 8-person boats are normally carried, maybe a third (or a raft) if the owners care ...
Cargo capacity is 220 tons, carried in 350 cubic meters of cargo space "under hatches" plus about 50 cubic meters on deck or in smaller spaces. There are two cargo holds; the forward hatch (about 2.5 meters by 3 meters) is served by one boom (4 ton capacity without undue strain), the after hatch (3 meters by 3 meters) is served by two booms (total 7 ton capacity without strain).
scow schooner
An inexpensive vessel used in the Great Lakes. 20 meters long, 5.3 meters beam, 2 meters deep in the hold; larger examples are up to 30 meters long. Includes sails, ropes, anchor, ballast. Cargo capacity ~100 tons, crew of 3 or 4 (though a cheapskate captain might get by with only 1 other crewman). Flat bottomed hull, flat sides, square bilges, often with a flat bow and stern, fitted with one or two pivoting centerboards. The masts are fitted close to the ends; the hull planks are very thick (10 cm) but frames are widely spaced. Faster than you'd expect, but poor handling in heavy seas, and prone to considerable leeway in strong winds. Hazardous charter $7 to $60 per day; insurance or surety bond of $100 to $1000 required.
topsail schooner
A common freight carrying ship of the Great Lakes. 21 meters long. Includes sails, ropes, anchor, ballast. Cargo capacity 150 tons, crew of 3 or 4. Flat bottomed hull, fitted with a centerboard. Hazardous charter $135 per day; insurance or surety bond of $2000 required.
Comments (0)
You don't have permission to comment on this page.