Cannon Bune (TWS2 Unit)

Cannon Bune (TWS2 Unit)
Class	Cannon Ship
Recruitment Cost	800
Upkeep Cost	200
Requires	Buildings: Drydock
Marines	0
Seamen	30
Gunners	16
Accuracy	40
Reloading Skill	40
Hull Strength	200
Morale	11

Description

These are medium, moderately fast ships, armed with cannon and used to bombard enemy vessels before moving out of range.

Cannon bunes carry few crewmen and are no match for heavy ships in terms of manpower or size. Instead they are designed to act as “skirmishers” where their size is an advantage: their guns can do immense damage to an enemy vessel’s hull or crew. The bune’s oarsmen can put on a burst of speed for a short time, if needed. The sides and roof of the cannon bune are covered in thick bamboo, with small holes for the cannon to poke through, making it impossible for enemy soldiers to board it.

Medieval Japanese naval warships could be classified into three weights: heavy, medium and light. Light ships were primarily used for scouting and communication missions, and were considered too small for battle.

The Tokugawa clan did create a hybrid ship for their siege of the Osaka coastal fortress in 1615. It was small and light but also functioned as an assault ship. Based on the kobaya ships, this new type, the mekura bune, or ‘blind ship’, had fewer oarsmen to make room for additional cannons and archers. The bamboo protection covering it resembled a shell, drawing comparisons with the Korean’s famous ‘turtle ship’.

Strengths & Weaknesses

• Average speed but armed with deadly cannons.
• Vulnerable to smaller, faster ships.