Thirsk & Ahlvarez - SPOILER

RFC has been quiet about the disposition of the 28 Ironclad Riverboats (Delthak II ??) that were approaching completion at the end of LAMA. They checked out as good sea vessels as well. These will be the decisive Gulf of Dohlar forces. The Haaralds will project Overbearing Sea Power but are not the vessels to chase down every one of Thirsk’s ships where ever they go to hide. The Gwylym Mahnthyr, eight Riverboats and the screening Galleons & Schooners should turn the Gulf of Dohlar into a Charisian bathtub

Thirsk will have the wisdom to surrender to save the crews of his ships, even if it means his family is in the Inquisition’s hands. The SSK could be his key there. When Gorath's Castle is being shelled and confusion reigns, The SSK could recover Thirsk’s family and a snark could deliver a message to Thirsk from his wife. OR Thirsk’s own plans may get them out of the Inquisition’s control.

In any case with the Dohlar navy ceasing to exist, their Army will be in the same situation. Ahlvarez may be caught in the open between Hanth and Eastshare. Starving, beaten and facing certain destruction he will be in Thirsk’s shoes and Surrender. Then with the Alliance's forces in control and at the border, Dohlar is toast.

Perhaps Ahlvarez and Thirsk will have a poignant moment together in their capture to discuss how honorably they have been treated in this war as opposed to the dictated Church/Inquisition treatment of the ‘Heretics’

Thirsk may also get that apology.

dwileye13 wrote:RFC has been quiet about the disposition of the 28 Ironclad Riverboats (Delthak II ??) that were approaching completion at the end of LAMA. They checked out as good sea vessels as well.

Er... they cheked out that they could survive the sea. They have low sides, and they aren't really good for sea battle even with galleons.

Dilandu wrote:

dwileye13 wrote:RFC has been quiet about the disposition of the 28 Ironclad Riverboats (Delthak II ??) that were approaching completion at the end of LAMA. They checked out as good sea vessels as well.

Er... they cheked out that they could survive the sea. They have low sides, and they aren't really good for sea battle even with galleons.

If they have to, they will do adequate for fighting galleons. Needs must when the devil drives after all. If they are caught by galleons at sea, they will either turn into the wide and outrun them that way or turn to fight. There's little choice and if they are sailing with other sailing ships, I think they are far more likely to fight than run. Not that many Church galleons would fight the smoke belching behemoths.

Zakharra wrote:
If they have to, they will do adequate for fighting galleons. Needs must when the devil drives after all. If they are caught by galleons at sea, they will either turn into the wide and outrun them that way or turn to fight. There's little choice and if they are sailing with other sailing ships, I think they are far more likely to fight than run. Not that many Church galleons would fight the smoke belching behemoths.

In theory - yes. In practice... Do you think that CSS "Vigrinia" could really engage even the sail warship in open and not completely quiet sea? It would be dangerous for river ironclads even to simply open the gunports in heavy weather.

Dilandu wrote:

Zakharra wrote:
If they have to, they will do adequate for fighting galleons. Needs must when the devil drives after all. If they are caught by galleons at sea, they will either turn into the wide and outrun them that way or turn to fight. There's little choice and if they are sailing with other sailing ships, I think they are far more likely to fight than run. Not that many Church galleons would fight the smoke belching behemoths.

In theory - yes. In practice... Do you think that CSS "Vigrinia" could really engage even the sail warship in open and not completely quiet sea? It would be dangerous for river ironclads even to simply open the gunports in heavy weather.

True, but in heavy weather, it's unlikely that even galleons will be fighting. Only the Charsian navy fights in bad/heavy weather. But they are known to be insane sailors to begin with.

Zakharra wrote:
True, but in heavy weather, it's unlikely that even galleons will be fighting. Only the Charsian navy fights in bad/heavy weather. But they are known to be insane sailors to begin with.

The problem is, the galleon could at least somehow fight in rough seas. And the river-type ironclads... Well, the first USS "Monitor" was actually more seaworthy than CSS "Virginia" and all she attempted to is to reach Charleston. She failed.

Dilandu wrote:

Zakharra wrote:
True, but in heavy weather, it's unlikely that even galleons will be fighting. Only the Charsian navy fights in bad/heavy weather. But they are known to be insane sailors to begin with.

The problem is, the galleon could at least somehow fight in rough seas. And the river-type ironclads... Well, the first USS "Monitor" was actually more seaworthy than CSS "Virginia" and all she attempted to is to reach Charleston. She failed.

Well we know that these riverclads do fairly well at sea. The first ones sailed over 6,000 miles with no problems so I don't think these will have that much of a problem. Especially since RFC can dictate what problems they can and cannoty have.

Zakharra wrote:
Well we know that these riverclads do fairly well at sea. The first ones sailed over 6,000 miles with no problems so I don't think these will have that much of a problem. Especially since RFC can dictate what problems they can and cannoty have.

And the "Miantonomo" crossed Atlantic in 1867. So? She was able to cross the ocean, but she still wasn't able to fight in onceans.

Zakharra wrote:
Well we know that these riverclads do fairly well at sea. The first ones sailed over 6,000 miles with no problems so I don't think these will have that much of a problem. Especially since RFC can dictate what problems they can and cannoty have.

IIRC, RFC said they tested out surprisingly well as an ocean going craft. The western Gulf of Dohlar seems be the ideal body of water to work. These ships are the equivalent of an Armored ocean going Tug Boat with lots of teeth.

I do not get the idea that they would not be excellent screening ships against anything Dohlar can put on the water.

dwileye13 wrote:

Zakharra wrote:
Well we know that these riverclads do fairly well at sea. The first ones sailed over 6,000 miles with no problems so I don't think these will have that much of a problem. Especially since RFC can dictate what problems they can and cannoty have.

IIRC, RFC said they tested out surprisingly well as an ocean going craft. The western Gulf of Dohlar seems be the ideal body of water to work. These ships are the equivalent of an Armored ocean going Tug Boat with lots of teeth.

I do not get the idea that they would not be excellent screening ships against anything Dohlar can put on the water.

I also would like to point out the rescue of the ship in an incredible storm off the coast of Siddermark and towing that same ship all the way to Thesmar