<!--quoteo(post=324280:date=Jun 1 2009, 03:40 PM:name=PeterWillemoes)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (PeterWillemoes @ Jun 1 2009, 03:40 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=324280"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->The galleys, galeoths - oar-driven wessels in general - have always proven necessary in the some waters, especially the middleterrainean. Sudden lack of wind turns critical in situations. Maybe Holland or Britain did not need these wessels in their territories, but a lot of nations made succesfull use of them all the way up to the 18th century. As ramming-, bombardment or pullingvessels.
But I personally dont like the idea of oars used in any age of sail game. First of all, because the use of wind makes a more interesting game and plays a common and decisive part in winning a battle for both sides. Second, never-ending discussions on ethics about whiplashing your crew of slaves or prisoners on these wessels would come up. Third and foremost, I would hammer my computer to pieces in frustration, if my wind-driven ship were up against an oar- or dieseldriven wessel in such weatherconditions.
Not very fair, is it? <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid="
" border="0" alt="smile.gif" />
<img src="http://navalhistory.dk/images/Episoder/Englandskrigene/brig_angibes.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" />
HMS Tickler, the first of ten warships and a larger number of merchant wessels captured by gunboats in conditions of no wind, Great Belt 1808. A very annoying way to be defeated...<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Hi,
realism is always fair... And speaking of pirate games in general, there were pirates in every period, with and without oars. Besides, pitting an oared ship vs sailers poses its own challenges.
Imagine what will come if you allow the enemy to rake your oarsmen.
It is a misconception that galley fleeets were totally reliant on slaves and prisoners. For a very long time oarsmen were highly respected, decently paid and treated professionals.
Until a shortage of them forced first to instigate pressing(Venice at the end of 16-th century) and multi-man oars becuse of lower rowing skills. Then convicts. Of course religious enemies were a completely different matter.
Anyways, the ideal always was volunteer, professional oarsmen.
BTW, slavery, corporal punishment and absence of women in combat units and in many other walks of life(particularly in leading positions) was a historical reality and while it may offend many I think that such realism games will attract lots of people sickened by the history being falsified on grounds of political correctness.
Anyway, my setting enables a unique naval game, not seen before and I think this will be enough to attract quite a few people.
Regards, Oldtimer