Why Does Sharpfield Need All That Coal?

OK, so I've been re-reading LAMA and this line cuaght my attention: "here, and we’ll have the last of the coal loaded by the end of this five-day," It looks to be in November, part III anyway.

Now why is all this coal needed? I don't think there's a shortage of it in Siddarmark, and this seems to be talking about the supplies the troops will need, so the only thing I can think of is because their going to run a lot of steam engines, such as a small fleet of steam powered barges to get them across the seas, any other ideas?

=2014/07/13=
I believe the coal is destined for Claw Island where Charis will be building and stocking a coaling station for when the armored steamships get used to teach Thirsk a lesson.

R
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SCC wrote:OK, so I've been re-reading LAMA and this line cuaght my attention: "here, and we’ll have the last of the coal loaded by the end of this five-day," It looks to be in November, part III anyway.

Now why is all this coal needed? I don't think there's a shortage of it in Siddarmark, and this seems to be talking about the supplies the troops will need, so the only thing I can think of is because their going to run a lot of steam engines, such as a small fleet of steam powered barges to get them across the seas, any other ideas?

They're setting up coaling stations for the steamships that are accompanying the fleet. I don't think anyone over there is going to be selling it to them.

That will be a growing concern as the King Haarald's start joining the fleet.

Hi guys,

Since the range from Cherayth and Port Royal to Claw Island is ~10,000 miles and that happens to be the economic cruise range of the King Haarahld VII's, I expect they dropped off some of the coal at another coaling station roughly midway between them to prevent the King Haarahld VII's from running out of fuel half a day short.

L

AClone wrote:They're setting up coaling stations for the steamships that are accompanying the fleet. I don't think anyone over there is going to be selling it to them.

That will be a growing concern as the King Haarald's start joining the fleet.

lyonheart wrote:Hi guys,

Since the range from Cherayth and Port Royal to Claw Island is ~10,000 miles and that happens to be the economic cruise range of the King Haarahld VII's, I expect they dropped off some of the coal at another coaling station roughly midway between them to prevent the King Haarahld VII's from running out of fuel half a day short.

L

Considering that they didn't have any King Haaralds with them, I doubt that was an issue. I'm pretty sure they were more concerned with the ships they did have.

I understood that Sharpfield is only the advanced vanguard to seize Claw Island for the main fleet arriving later from Charis at which time the King Harahlds will need the coal.

Don

Once you introduce steam-powered vessels the logistics of naval warfare changes dramatically. Whereas previously you could almost always supply your ships from any friendly port with water, food, and ammunition, now you need coal, which is not always to be found in sizeable enough quantities without ensuring stockpiles are in place ahead of time. Additionally, food and water can be procured from pretty much any coast, whether at a port or otherwise. Coal, on the other hand, cannot.

Darman wrote:Once you introduce steam-powered vessels the logistics of naval warfare changes dramatically. Whereas previously you could almost always supply your ships from any friendly port with water, food, and ammunition, now you need coal, which is not always to be found in sizeable enough quantities without ensuring stockpiles are in place ahead of time. Additionally, food and water can be procured from pretty much any coast, whether at a port or otherwise. Coal, on the other hand, cannot.

Agreed.

Charis is going to have to establish coaling bases in various spots Safehold wide to support their operations.

This is good and bad at the same time. Good, in that now there is a safe harbor forward operating base to go to. Bad, in that now you have an isolated base closer to enemy territory that you need to defend. They will need to rebuild the fortifications to modern standards, put in modern artillery, a force of Marines, and most likely some permanently assigned defense ships/schooners to scout so that the base is not taken by surprise. More than likely, they will need to improve the anchorage and put in wharves and docks so that the tons of coal can be loaded without lightering it out to an anchored ship. Then, of course, since this is now a major base where your ships are returning to all the time to get coal, why not put in repair yards and dry docks so that ships do not need to return to Charis for repairs? You might as well put in an ammo dump so that your ships do not need to go elsewhere to re-arm. Let's not forget lodging, food, and water for all these assigned personnel.

Hank Plantagenet wrote:

Darman wrote:Once you introduce steam-powered vessels the logistics of naval warfare changes dramatically. Whereas previously you could almost always supply your ships from any friendly port with water, food, and ammunition, now you need coal, which is not always to be found in sizeable enough quantities without ensuring stockpiles are in place ahead of time. Additionally, food and water can be procured from pretty much any coast, whether at a port or otherwise. Coal, on the other hand, cannot.

Agreed.

Charis is going to have to establish coaling bases in various spots Safehold wide to support their operations.

This is good and bad at the same time. Good, in that now there is a safe harbor forward operating base to go to. Bad, in that now you have an isolated base closer to enemy territory that you need to defend. They will need to rebuild the fortifications to modern standards, put in modern artillery, a force of Marines, and most likely some permanently assigned defense ships/schooners to scout so that the base is not taken by surprise. More than likely, they will need to improve the anchorage and put in wharves and docks so that the tons of coal can be loaded without lightering it out to an anchored ship. Then, of course, since this is now a major base where your ships are returning to all the time to get coal, why not put in repair yards and dry docks so that ships do not need to return to Charis for repairs? You might as well put in an ammo dump so that your ships do not need to go elsewhere to re-arm. Let's not forget lodging, food, and water for all these assigned personnel.

You guys are thinking long term and that is good. Eventually Charis merchant fleet will be steam and those coaling stations can be taken over by the private sector and the navy can just buy its coal like any merchi passing by.

But for now, I think it might turn out easier than you are visualizing. You aren't going to need to fortify too heavily, for example. Certainly shore batteries and Marines to discourage pirates and other bad guys. But Charis owns the seas right now. With the Rotweilers already on scene and the King Harahlds soon to arrive, no one is going to be in a position to challenge Charis for the forseeable future on water. In the Gulf of Dohlar visualize the riverclads arriving via canal. Keep your coal on places like Claw and perhaps on one or two other islands as satelite locations and the Gulf is buttoned up tight.

It would be fun to figure out where else on Safehold the same principles might be applied to establish coaling stations ala naval bases.

Don

I'm not even really looking into the long term right now. In the immediate future Charis will need coaling stations in and around the major areas of naval operations. These will require an investment of time, effort, and resources that will be worth protecting. Fortunately from Charis' perspective, coal is extremely easy to store, since you don't need to protect it from the elements. You can literally build a wharf and some barracks for your labor force and pile the coal on the beach. Building more extensive stations and potentially turning them into outright naval bases can take decades. Also, expanding coaling stations can be done by civilian contractors, and the first time they are attacked they will want to fight back: SeaBees!

Longer term:
Eventually, someone will figure out that there are ways to build loading mechanisms for coal (which might also work for iron ore and other bulk cargo). The infrastructure needed to maintain a naval base distant from Charis would also encourage civilian investment in the growing port (all those sailors and marines on shore leave would call for a rather large red light district, if nothing else).