Ship of the Line

	Ship of the Line
	Basic data Type Naval units Statistics Hit points 95000 Attack Cannon: 1800 Defense Protection: 100 Requirements Prerequisites Design new rib system and new hulls Built at Shipyard Cost Wood: 9000 Gold: 3200, upkeep 18.75 Iron: 700 Coal: 6500

Ship of the Line is a naval units unit in Cossacks 3, available at the Shipyard. Ukraine is the only nation that doesn't have this ship and has no proper replacement.

Background

Battleships intended for conquering and domination at sea were the heart of the navy from the mid-17th century onwards. They featured the most powerful weapons and the highest degree of manoeuvrability.

European ships with rectangular rigging were unusually fast for sailing ships. Thanks to their high sides, these ships could withstand heavy weather. However, they were strongly dependent on wind. In time, their rigging was improved and their displacement increased. The improved vessels were armed with artillery placed at the sides. Before a battle, ships would form a line which crumbled in combat, turning the battle into a chaotic scramble. Artillery was used inefficiently and vessels often prevented each other from firing. Small ships packed full with explosives and inflammables drifted down wind to their targets. Amazingly, some battles were actually won thanks to them.

By the mid-17th century, vessels were grouped in strict columns, which made them much more efficient. However, for a fleet to be really strong, the column had to consist of many similar vessels. Otherwise the enemy would always find a weak spot and breach the formation. This was how battleships appeared. Gunsmiths established standard calibre cannon in repeatable work and made it possible to rank vessels according to the number of cannon they carried. In 1653, the British Admiralty divided ships into six ranks: 1st - more than 90 cannon, 2nd - more than 80 cannon, 3rd - more than 50, 4th - more than 38, 5th - more than 18, and 6th - more than 6 cannon. This classification determined the number of decks and the size of a ship. The first three classes comprised battleships. A fine example of their features is given by the following specifications of the English battleship "Royal Sovereign", built in 1637 by Finneas Pett: Battery deck length - 53 m (174 ft); keel length - 47.2 m (155 ft); displacement - 2,000 tons; width - 15.3 m (50 ft); hold depth - 6,1 m (20 ft); 30 cannon on the lower and the middle deck, 26 cannon on the upper deck, 14 under the forecastle and 12 under the poop, adding up to a total of 82 cannon.

The ship was ornate. Its sculptures were reproductions of sketches by famous painter Van Dyck. The front sculpture depicted English King Edward mounted on a horse and trampling the seven lords - the enemies of the Albion. The vessel was a flagship of the British fleet and took part in many sea battles. Unfortunately, an absurd accident led to the ship's destruction. In 1696, the "Royal Sovereign" burned down in a fire caused by a fallen candle. The English used to say that the "Royal Sovereign" cost King Charles his head: In order to achieve his dream of a sea campaign, Charles raised taxes in his country and thus caused the downfall of his government and, ultimately, his own decapitation. It was Cardinal Richelieu - a great political figure and military reformer - who created the French navy. In 1626, the battleship "Saint Louis" was built.

In Russia, Tsar Peter I created the battleship navy. Thanks to his great vessels, Russia managed to strengthen its hold on the sea and sea trade.

Characteristics

• High tier warship.
• High rate of fire and firepower.
• Requires a lot gold for upkeep.
• Low consumption of coal and iron.
• Low movement speed.

Upgrades

Upgrade name	Effect	Wood	Stone	Gold	Iron	Coal
Design new rib system and new hulls	Battleship construction	32300	---	6800	9000	12800
Train carpenters	Shipbuilding speed +50%	2300	42700	1150	---	---

Strategies

Units Infantry Melee infantry Basic Pikeman, 17th century Polish Pikeman, 17th century Ottoman Pikeman Spearman Light Infantryman Roundshier Advanced Pikeman, 18th century Swedish Pikeman, 18th century Mercenaries Light Infantryman (mercenary) Roundshier (mercenary) Ranged infantry Basic Strelets Musketeer, 17th century Austrian Musketeer, 17th century Polish Musketeer, 17th century Spanish Musketeer, 17th century Serdiuk Janissary Algerian Archer Advanced Musketeer, 18th century Prussian Musketeer, 18th century Grenadier Chasseur Highlander Pandur Mercenaries Grenadier (mercenary) Algerian Archer (mercenary) Support infantry Workers German Peasant Ukrainian Peasant Turkish Peasant Serf Poland Peasant Mediterranean Peasant Western Peasant Military officers Commander Officer, 17th century Turkish Officer Officer, 18th century Military musicians Russian Drummer, 17th century Drummer, 17th century Turkish Drummer, 17th century Drummer, 18th century Bagpiper Healers Priest Pope Mullah Cavalry Fast cavalry Basic Croat Winged Hussar Sich Cossack Advanced Hussar Prussian Hussar Mercenary Sich Cossack (mercenary) Regular cavalry Basic Reiter Swedish Reiter Light Reiter Hetman Don Cossack Vityaz Register Cossack Spakh Mameluke Advanced Cuirassier Ranged cavalry Basic King's Musketeer Tatar Dragoon, 17th century Advanced Dragoon, 18th century French Dragoon, 18th century Mercenary Dragoon, 18th century (mercenary) Artillery Cannon Howitzer Bombard Multi-barrelled Cannon Ships Boat Yacht Turkish Yacht Galley Frigate Ship of the Line Ferry Xebec