Hi Don,
Ever since steam became a possibility, posters have been suggesting islands for coaling stations, such as islands like Hammer's, Samson's Land, plus Westbreak and Greentree, as well as Hill etc.
Way back when, I went so far as to posit a possible history as to why Greentree isn't formally claimed by Harchong though its inhabited and ruled by South Harchong.
Since the ICN rules the waves all are possible and even probable.
I have suggested Greentree, Westbreak, the northeastern most Barren land island where the map now indicates its settled, and Hill now that it has a name and bays which remind me of Australia, as refuges for escaped or freed slaves.
Some posters took that further suggesting they be transported back to Charis etc to work the mines and farms etc, but just getting them to the islands will be enough for the ICN.
L
[quote="n7axw"]*quote="Hank Plantagenet"*[quote="Darman"]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.*quote*
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.[/quote]
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[/quote]
