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Difference between revisions of "Fourth Rate Ship of the Line (ETW Unit)"

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{{Unit|image=[[Image:4th rate.png]]|Class=4th Rate|Men=152|Guns=56|Recruitable From=Dockyard|Region=Worldwide|Recruitment Cost=1850|Upkeep Cost=460|Technology Needed=None}}
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{{Unit|image=[[Image:4th rate.png]]|Class=4th Rate|Men=152|Weaponry=56 guns|Minimum Building Requirement=Dockyard|Region=Global|Recruitment Cost=1850|Upkeep Cost=460|Technology Needed=None}}
  
 
==Overview==
 
==Overview==

Revision as of 16:23, 13 July 2011

Fourth Rate Ship of the Line (ETW Unit)
4th rate.png
Class 4th Rate
Unit Size
Weaponry 56 guns
Morale
Melee Attack
Ranged Attack
Defence
Charge Bonus
Accuracy
Range
Ammunition
Region Global
Recruitment Cost 1850
Upkeep Cost 460
Turns to Build
Unit Limit
Building Requirements
Technology Requirements
Attributes


Overview

Ships of the line of battle are the mainstay of fighting fleets: strong and stable gun platforms for battering enemy vessels into submission. The designation of “fourth rate” for ships of this size is a British Royal Navy one, and covers a number of designs, all with very similar handling and combat power. All fourth rates are square-rigged, two-deck ships, with up to 60 guns on board in a mixture of calibres: usually a mixture of 24-, 18- and 12-pounders, with the heavier guns mounted on the lower deck.

Even though fourth rates are obviously smaller than the third-rate 74s, their firepower is much lower than a simple number-of-guns comparison would indicate. There is no structural strength or space for coping with the recoil of massive guns. As a result, a fourth rate may only have half the weight of fire of a larger ship, although partially it makes up for this by being a handier sailing vessel, especially in shallow waters.

Historically, it was obvious by the 1750s that ships of this size were not tough enough to stand in the line of battle against larger vessels. Over time, various admiralties removed these smaller battle ships from the active service, or sent them to minor stations where they were unlikely to encounter powerful enemies. Some survived as converted transports.

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