An old favourite from back in the day - 1980 to be exact - that I spent many hours grappling with at the club. The grey matter still winces at the memory of the abuse it suffered!
…..Mostly sorting through the ship data cards from the old Yaquinto board game of Ironclads and the expansion set.
I played Ironclads an awful lot ‘back in the day’ but it became a real struggle when you started fielding a large number of ships. It works really well with around half a dozen or ships a side and I have been tempted to use the rules along with my models for old times sake. I would definitely need to revisit the rules though!
A sample ship data cards from Ironclads, in this case the famous Union gunboat U.S.S. Carondelet
The main reason I have been going through the ship data cards is because they are quite useful in respect of what guns are mounted where on a given ship. This in turn is helpful as I am currently drawing up the ship specifications for the American Civil War - the start of the ‘Ironclads’ sub period - for my new rules. These will be appearing in the new book, along with a couple of surprises.
You will recall from my last post that I am currently preparing ship cards that show individual gun positions. This is quite old school in many ways but I am a firm believer in using this type of system for naval games as it gives some extra flavour to the action.
The rules from the Expansion Kit - more ACW ships along with those for the War of the Pacific and Lissa.
Once I have completed the Ironclads ship specs I will go on and produce the ship damage cards. The final part will of course be the Great War, or at least the 1914/15 part of it.
4 comments:
David -
Just a comment on the 'City Class' Union riverine gunboats: it seems that as the war went on, the guns carried were much reduced in number, to maybe five or six. I have no idea why, or when this decision was made. Possibly once the opposition was cleared out of the Mississippi and most of its navigable tributaries, thirteen guns were considered unnecessary.
You know, I haven't even looked at my ACW fleets in years. Mayhap it is time to set them once more 'afloat'...!
Cheers,
Ion
Ahh Yaquinto games, I have more than a few of these. The maps in the Ironclad series always seemed to be designed to provide a minor headache, the different blue lines being in play or not depending upon the scenario.The ship cards were an excellent play aid covering not just the Civil War but many other Navies too.
Hello there Ion,
Looking at the Yaquinto cards and the expanded ship specs in David Manley's 'By Sea and by River' you are absolutely right! The guns carried by these evolved over time so picking just one does not do them service. Fortunately it is easy enough to adjust the specs and charts accordingly!
Bring the ACW fleets out! A chance of pace would make a pleasant change for you!
All the best,
DC
Hi Michael,
The map is a visual delirium for sure! The ship cards are a great resource and I will be making full use of them - and for the other navies away from the ACW.
All the best,
DC
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