Shipbucket

FORWARD

The Kingdom of Grays Harbor was “born” in January of 2003 as a nation on NationStates, and has been a WIP since then.

The initial concept was to have GH as a take on the British Empire moved into modern times. I’ve tried to stay with that concept to some degree, but have more or less moved off in my own direction, using several different elements from throughout history as inspiration and ideas. As it stands now, it is somewhat British-like, but with a few Americanisms tossed in as well. Hopefully, the idea comes off as something unique, and not just a copy/paste of any particular real nation.

The setting for GH is part of a larger world, not the earth, so the maps and histories will not be found in any history books. The primary map locations come from a larger ‘world map’ from my region in NS, a map that has also been a WIP since its inception in December 2002 and one which continues to evolve. Our primary adversaries have been the Vendellian Alliance (a loose confederation of several German themed nations) and Vassfforcia (a Hispanic-Venetian amalgamation). Allies have historically been Aerigia, New Yavin and Clearwater. Los Paises Lejanos is sometimes an ally, sometimes a rival, dependent on the situation.

My goal has been to create a well-rounded nation, touching on many different aspects. There is the government, flags, stamps, currency, railroads, airlines, corporations, and of course, the military. As SB is primarily concerned with naval matters, that will of course be my main focus here, the Royal Navy. I may well touch on other aspects briefly on occasion, but the RN will naturally be foremost.

As I will not be posting things in any particular order, but instead as they are created, re-created or just mentioned, there will be Table of Contents which will be to keep things in proper order, with the relevant posts or images to each “chapter” linked to. Hopefully, that will assist with continuity.

When I started creating my navy I used existing designs and classes of warships currently in service. To try and lend a level of believability, I used images of those ships along with their stats and descriptions. As that method caught on among other players, and not wanting to be just another lemming in the herd, I took it another step and began adding former ships as well, eventually having an entire history of ships reaching back to the 1880’s. At this point, I hadn’t tried creating my own quite yet, but then I found the Blueprints website a few years ago, which led me to Shipbucket. Liking what I saw, I downloaded ships galore so that I could get better ideas on what my navy consisted of. I still used actual photos for my websites, but the quality of the SB drawings kept drawing me back to them.

Of course, now that everybody and their cousin are also using real designs for their own navies, it has become less satisfying than it had been in the past to use real ships, particularly when naval dolts began claiming they had fleets of 500 Kirov’s and 1000 Nimitz’s. So, it was back to the drawing board for me, so to speak, and start to re-invent my navy yet again. Eventually, I hope to have all my ships replaced with either kitbashes or original designs. It may take a while, but I have patience. I’ve spent 9 years already creating this little bit of fictitious fantasy, I guess I can spend a few more re-creating it.


A couple ground rules that I would ask be followed, please
1.) If you wish to quibble or comment about any particular ship, please do so here in that topic so as not to clutter this 'factbook' up with page after page of point-counterpoint-argument. Yes, I make mistakes, that much should be pretty obvious by now, but I'd like to keep this particular topic clean.
2.) Any errors in crediting are just that, errors. If I make one, please just PM me and let me know, don't make a big deal about how I left a name off the credits or whatever. Its not malicious. Its not meant as an insult. It would be a goof, simple as that, and I would prefer not to look anymore foolish than I already do.

Now that I have thoroughly confused everybody, lets get on with the show.

_________________
"Anybody remotely interesting is mad in some way." - The Seventh Doctor

TABLE OF CONTENTS

I. THE KINGDOM
(1) General Demographics
(2) Flags of the Kingdom and Commonwealth

II. THE ROYAL NAVY (OVERVIEW)
(1) Fleet Organization
Organizational chart of 1985
(2) History of the Royal Navy
(3) Naval Rank and Branch Insignia
(4) Hull Numbers and Ship Classifications
(5) Naming Conventions

III. AIRCRAFT CARRIERS
Harpy Class 1919 CV
Titania Class 1924 CV
Basilisk Class 1929 CV
Cyclops Class 1932 CV
Unicorn Class 1935 CV
Medusa Class 1937 CV
Salamander Class 1939 CV
Gargoyle Class 1940 CV
Cerberus Class 1942 CV
Wyvern Class 1942 CVL
Quinn Bay Class 1942 CVE
Phoenix Class 1946 CV
Manticore Class 1950 CV
Triton Class 1952 CVL
Chimera Class 1956 CV
Scylla Class 1965 CV
Royal Class 1967 CVN
Minotaur Class 1972 CVN
Pegasus Class 1981 CVN
Dragon Class 1988 CVN
Bastet Class 1992 CVLN
Buccaneer Class 1997 CVH
Valkyrie Class 2005 CVN


IV. BATTLESHIPS & BATTLECRUISERS
Battleships (Pre-Dreadnaught)
King David I Class – 1879
Perseus Class – 1882
Majestic Class – 1885
Royal Isles Class – 1889
Aberdeen Class – 1890
Warrior Class – 1895
Berelain Class – 1898
Bulwark Class – 1900
Valiant Class - 1903
Royal Stag Class – 1907

Battleships (Dreadnaught)
Sovereign Class - 1906
King Stephen III Class - 1909
Triumph Class - 1910
Centurion Class - 1912
Glorious Class - 1913
Red Queen Class - 1914
King Malcolm Class -1917
King Robert Class - 1920
Stella Maris Class - 1924
Harberia Class - 1935
Grenadier Class - 1940

2nd Class Battleship (Battlecruiser after 1925)
Royal Crown Class - 1910
Superb Class -1912
Sanxay Straits Class - 1913
Heroic Class - 1914
Victorious Class - 1917
Matchless Class - 1924
Captains Class - 1936
Sentinel Class - 1942

V. CRUISERS
1885-1925
Armoured Cruisers
Minerva Class - 1888
Cassandra Class - 1891
Argonaut Class - 1897
Poseiden Class - 1900
Artemis Class - 1905
Pluto Class - 1909
Ajax Class - 1911
Orion Class - 1914
Saturn Class - 1917 (Heavy Cruiser after 1925)
Matchless Class - 1924 (Battlecruiser after 1925)

Protected Cruisers
Barracuda Class - 1885
Mountain Class - 1893
River Class - 1899
Bay Class - 1903
Valley Class - 1908

3rd Class Cruisers
Mordred Class - 1885
Cavalier Class - 1889
Firefly Class - 1895
Adventure Class - 1908
Dauntless Class - 1910

Admiralty Board War Emergency Cruisers
(all classified as light cruisers after 1925)
Illustrious Class - 1914/15
Resolute Class - 1914/15
Tempest Class -1915/16
Bonaventure Class - 1916
Enterprise Class - 1916

Scout Cruisers
Wyvern Class - 1889
Phoenix Class - 1893
Cockatrice Class - 1897
Minotaur Class - 1906
Dragon Class - 1911
Lilith Class - 1922 (light cruiser after 1925)

1925-Present
Heavy Cruisers
Saturn Class - 1917
Jupiter Class - 1927
Vesta Class - 1927
Atlas Class - 1928
Hera Class - 1929
Neptune Class - 1932
Rhiannon Class - 1940

Light Cruisers
Cordelia Class - 1926
Savage Class - 1932
Colonies Class (Windward Islands Class - 1937, Newydd Arwr Class - 1940, Grayson Islands Class - 1941)
Mt Monarch Class - 1947
Mt Diamond Class - 1958 (CLH)

Missile Cruisers
Greensward Class - 1964
Phaeton Class - 1969
Gorgon Class - 1974
Mars (Groups I, II, III) Class - 1980
St Edward Class - 2007

VI. DESTROYERS
Large Destroyers
Olympia Class - 1930
Bremerton Class - 1935
Kittings Class - 1939
Eugene Class - 1943

Fleet Destroyers
Beluga Class (1888)
Harbour Seal Class (1892)
Peregrine Class (1895)
Aberdeen Class (1897)
Richardson Class (1902)
Berkings Class (1906)
Fannon Class (1909)
Westport Class - 1911-13
Port Hope Class (1914-16)
Yelm Class - 1916-17 (Yelm Class Group 1)
Port Ludlow Class - 1917 (Yelm Class Group 2)
Remsley Class - 1917 (Yelm Class Group 3)
Union Class - 1918 (Yelm Class group 4)
Richardson Class - 1929
Leichester Class - 1931
Elma Class - 1932
Brentwood Class - 1934
Fanchester Class - 1935
Chehalis Class - 1936
Riverside Class - 1941
Sumerdale Class - 1944
Gold Hill Class - 1950

Missile Destroyers
Aberdeen Class - 1959
Carsden Class - 1973
Kasten Class - 1991
Port Lucie Class - 1995
Olympia Class - 1997
Port Blanche Class - 2007

VII. TORPEDO BOATS & FRIGATES
Torpedo Boats

Frigates
Starlight Class - 1936
Vigilant Class - 1937
Tornado Class - 1940
Archer Class - 1942
Enchanter Class - 1943
Diablo Class - 1946
Duncan Class - 1955
Cavalier Class - 1956
Jeanne Class - 1958
Cutlass Class - 1961
White Rose Class - 1966
Ruffian Class - 1974
Intrepid Class - 1982
Regal Class - 1991
Millennium Class - 2000

VIII. PATROL & CORVETTES
Inshore Patrol Boats
Peregrine Class - 1985
Defender Class - 1991

Corvettes (Offshore Patrol & Aviso)
Castle Class - 1927
Foxglove Class - 1929
Primrose Class - 1933
Elm Class - 1937
Stewart Class - 1941
Perpugilliam Class - 1943
Wraith Class - 1956
Seahorse Class - 1978
Blakely Class - 2005
Lionsgate Class - 2013

IX. AMPHIBIOUS WARFARE

X. SUBMARINES
Fleet Submarines (Diesel-Electric)
Moray Class - 1900
Tigershark Class - 1903
Archerfish Class - 1907
Batfish Class - 1908
Catfish Class - 1909
Hammerhead Class - 1912
Great White Class - 1919
Quillback Class - 1928
Darter Class - 1929
Cowray Class - 1930
Sturgeon Class - 1933
Conger Class - 1934
Triggerfish Class - 1937
Moonfish Class - 1940
Seahorse Class - 1954
Perch Class - 1960

Fleet Submarines (Nuclear)
Marlin Class - 1954
Skate Class - 1958
Starfish Class - 1967
Barracuda Class - 1971
Witch Eel Class - 1982
Drumfish Class - 2004

Coastal Submarines
Fitzhugh Class - 1930
Durning Class - 1933
Serra Class - 1939

Special Service Submarines
Flying Fish Class - 1936 (SSR)
Skipjack Class - 1943 (SSR)
Harbour Seal Class - 1959 (SSBN)
Darkwater Class - 1971 (SSXN)
Prince Edward Class - 1976 (SSBN)
Lord Vincent Class - 1997 (SSGN)
Ichthyosaur Class - 2009 (SSXN)

XI. MINE WARFARE
Minelayers
Vincent Stourley Class - 1919
Edmund Boyle Class - 1927

Minesweepers & Mine Hunters

XII. INTELLIGENCE VESSELS
Stargazer Class - 2005

XIII. FLEET AIR ARM
Aircraft of the Fleet Air Arm and Marine Aviation, 1912-49
Aircraft Chart, 1911-1946
SC-3 Class Scout Balloon

XIV. ROYAL FLEET AUXILLERY
1. Royal Yachts
2. Hospital Ships
Lt Elizabeth Rhamey Class
Solace Class
3. Training Ships
Plover Class Helicopter Training Ship 2003
4. Tenders
Tair River Class - 1934 (Seaplane Tender)
5. Deck, Dock & LASH Ships
6. Transports
7. Stores Ships
8. Colliers
9. Oilers
10. Repair & Salvage Ships
11. Harbour Vessels
12. Icebreakers
13. Combat Support Ships
14. Miscellaneous Classification

XV. ROYAL MARINES
A. Rank and Insignia

XVI. ROYAL OCEANOGRAPHIC BUREAU

XVII. OTHER SEA SERVICES
A. Royal Coast Guard
Peregrine Class Inshore Patrol- 1985
Blakely Class Corvette - 2005

XVIII. MERCHANT NAVY

XVIV. APPENDIX
(1) List of RW equivelents to equipment and weapons systems used
Missiles

NOTE: This page is a constant WIP and will be updated as new items are added or linked.

_________________
"Anybody remotely interesting is mad in some way." - The Seventh Doctor

Full official name: United Kingdoms of Grays Harbor
General Usage Names: Kingdom of Grays Harbor, Grays Harbor, Insufferable Dandies

Head of state's title: King
Standard term in office for head of state: Indefinate
Current head of State: King Paul-Emil II
Head of Government: Prime Minister
Current Head of Government: Sir William FitzMorris (Whig)

Capital city: Aberdeen (pop. 467,000; metro area 4,620,000 including the city of Richardson (pop. 419,000))

MAP OF THE KINGDOM


POPULATION DEMOGRAPHICS:
Population:
Metropolitan: 407,350,150
Overseas States: 29,326,475
TOTAL: 436,676,625
Male: 49.7%
Female: 50.3%
Median age: 36.7 years
Population growth rate: 0.89%
Birth Rate: 14.7/1000
Death Rate: 8.3/1000
Life expectancy: total population: 78.10 years (male: 75.20 years, female: 81.00 years)
Unemployment Rate: 2.67%
GDP Per Capita: $28,404.69
Citizens are referred to as Harberian or Harbs.

AREA:
Grays Harbor Metropolitan: 1,856,725 sq m
Southern Territories: 512,625 sq mi
Alterdamm: 3850 sq mi

The Top 5 Largest Cities of the Kingdom:
Westport: City-7,995,850; Metro-18,940,000
Cushman: City-5,350,000; Metro-13,652,000
Montesano: City-3,980,000; Metro- 10,800,000
Copalis: City-3,271,000; Metro- 8,600,000
Union: City- 2,680,000; Metro-5,723,000

The Official State religion of the Kingdom is the Harberian Catholic Church. The HCC recognizes the Authority of the Old Catholic Church and the Pope, however, Primacy within the Harberian Catholics is held by the Archbishop of Hoodsport, currently Cardinal Eoewn Falkirk.

The Kingdom, even though the HCC is recognized as the Official Church of the nation, has religious tolerence laws in effect, and all religions are legal to practice.
General breakdown of religious affiliation:
Harberian Catholic Church - 70%
Various Protestant Denominations - 11%
Roman Catholic Church - 4%
Coptic Church - 3%
Jewish - 3%
Various pagan Religions - 3%
Atheist/Agnostic - 3%
Buddhist - 2%
Other - 1%


Provinces:
The Provinces are the original 15 former independent Harberian States which unified in 1801 to form the Kingdom, plus East Olympia and West Saxony.
Aberdeen
Andor
Arafel
Berelain
East Olympia
Eldiwynn
Illian
Kandor
Loannis
Malkier
Mason
Saldaea
Shienar
Simpson
West Olympia
West Saxony
Whidby

Overseas Provinces:
The Overseas Provinces, or Territories as they are also known, are overseas possessions of the Kingdom, and are considered an integral part of the Kingdom. As with the home Provinces, they have limited local autonomy but defer to the Crown for Foreign affairs and Military matters.
The Territories are:
Alterdamm (1,654,000)
Swannsland (5,320,000)
New South Kitsap (7,810,000)
Torrea (4,400,000])
Wakefield (3,520,000)
Western Audentia (3,675,000)

Dominions:
The Dominions are former colonial possessions which have been granted full independence, yet remain members of the Commonwealth.
The Dominions are:
Aldeshar (64,400,000) [1888]
New Kandor (103,800,000) [1903]
Salish Confederacy (Wiesta Amereka) (29,600,000) [1936]
Shan Khai (39,550,000) [1936]
Leegesia (17,500,000) [1947]
Grayson (17,220,000) [1951]
Amandaea (22,390,000) [1962]
North Justorica (38,400,000) [1970]
Devons Island (7,325,000) [1987]
Channelview (753,000) [2008]
Schwerhaven (N/A) [1936] {Schwerhaven left the Empire and joined the Germanic Alliance in 1954 as a Prussian Province}

Crown Colonies:
The Colonies are possessions of the Crown. They have local autonomy under an appointed governer and locally elected council. Foreign affairs for the colonies are conducted by the Royal government under the Colonial Office of the Home Ministry and the Foreign Ministry. Military affairs are under the Defence Ministry and Naval Ministry.
The Colonies are:
Beltain (2,460,000)
Genesia (1,970,000)
Harberian Georgia (4,400,000)
Laird Islands (43,000)
Louth (4,250,000)
Manetheron (3,167,000)
Marilina (2,500,000)
New Brikken (9,800,000)
North Bartow (6,180,000)
Penneforthe (4,400,000)
Puhau (2,720,000)
Receland (8,800,000)
Rhall Islands (1,290,000)
Shelton & Mason (435,000)
Sevia (2,100,000)
South Bartow (5,800,000)
Tega Cay (1,950,000)
Vaughn Islands (870,000)
Windward Islands (3,630,000)

Dependencies and Protectorates:
The Dependencies are possessions of the Crown which do not have either colonial or provincial status, but are adminstered direct by the Home Ministry. They have limited local autonomy.
The Chunu Protectorates are Aboriginal groups which have full local autonamy, but depend on the Kingdom for Defense purposes and to conduct foreign affairs. They are part of the Commonwealth but not the Kingdom.
The other dependencies are special cases. Lost Vegas and Nastic are fully independent nations which rely on the Kingdom for defence purposes. Nastic is also a former colonial possession which obtained ther independence in 1970, but who opted to not remain as members of the Commonwealth.
Dependencies:
Tern Bay (46,000)
Richmond Island (758, mostly arctic researchers and their support staff)
St Anna (2,300)

Chunu Protectorates:
Kechunu (630,000)
Enchunu (865,000)
Chuchunu (1,240,000)
Panakol (2,248,000)
Bankonna (550,000)

Other Protectorates:
Lost Vegas (2,750,000)
Nastic (115,000)

_________________
"Anybody remotely interesting is mad in some way." - The Seventh Doctor

National and Subnational flags of the Kingdom and Commonwealth

National Flags
The Kingdom of Grays Harbor


The Dominions


Subnational Flags
States and Provinces


Colonies
The state flag of the Kingdom is the national flag for all colonies. They are permitted their own distinct merchant ensign and governers flags, which are in many cases used as unofficial "national" flags by the colonial residents.


Dependencies and Protectorates


CIVIL ENSIGN
The civil ensign is the flag flown by privately owned non-commercial boats and yachts. The standard ensign has the crossed anchors in a deep blue canton. There are also several yacht clubs and boating societies who, over the years, have been granted permission to fly their own ensign on Royal authority. These are the same as the standard civil ensign except the crossed anchors are replaced by the club or society logo or arms. Yacht clubs, as a general rule, are based in a single locale with limited membership. Boating Societies can be at-large societies who draw their members from various fraternal or professional associations.


SHIPPING COMPANY FLAGS
Each Registered Shipping Company has their own house flag, as well as funnel identification. The shipping company flag is flown from the mast nearest the con while at sea, and as the jack while in port. The appropriate merchant ensign is flown from the stern.
From L to R; House Flag, Funnel Markings, and Cap Device.

_________________
"Anybody remotely interesting is mad in some way." - The Seventh Doctor

MISSILE CRUISER - ST EDWARD CLASS



General Characteristics
Length: 539' / 163.4 m
Beam: 58' / 17.7 m
Draught: 19'
Machinery: CODAG: 2 x Mann-Ringgold diesels; 2 x D300 gas turbines
Speed: 33 knots
Range: 7400 NM @ 15 knots
Complement: 368

Armament
Guns: .. 2 x 4.5"/55 Mark VIII (2 x 1)
............ 2 x 20mm CIWS
............ 4 x 20mm Autocannon (4 x 1)
............ 6 x Stingray ASW TT (2 x 3)
Missiles: .. 2 x 64-Cell Mark 41 VLS (Viper SSM; Tsunami Cruise Missile; SeaTiger ASROC; SeaDragon SAM)
............... 1 x 21-Cell SeaDagger BPDMS
Aircraft: 1 x Helicopter

Ships in class
Royal Navy
HMS St Edward (2007)
HMS St Mark (2007)
HMS St Michael (2008)
HMS St William (2008)
HMS St Catherine (2009)
HMS St Mary (2010)
HMS St Francis (2011)
HMS St Rose (2012)

Amandaea
HMAmS Condor (2009)

The St Edward class was the result of a 2001 requirement by the Admiralty for a smaller, less expensive, alternative to the larger Mars class cruisers. In order to save space a central battery was settled upon, however, this has proven to result in extremely cramped engine spaces without adding much benefit. While the initial goal of having a smaller cruiser with similar offensive capabilities as the Mars class was accomplished, the tradeoffs in tight spaces for the missile battery and engines have proven problematic. The lack of room for Flag facilities has also limited their use to secondary/supplemental roles.

RETURN TO TABLE OF CONTENTS

_________________
"Anybody remotely interesting is mad in some way." - The Seventh Doctor

GH Missiles and their RW equivalents

SSM
Asp = SAAB RB-04 (1955-1973) (FAA aircraft only)
Mongoose = Gabriel (1962-75)
Tarantula = SAAB RB-08 (1972-87)
Scorpion = SAAB RBS-15 (1983-2008)
Ferret = Norway Penguin (1972-Present)
Viper = Norway NSM (2004-Present)

Cruise Missile
Tsunami = Tomahawk

SAM
SeaGuard = UK Sea Wolf
-----------------
SeaDragon
Mk I = RIM-66A 1MR
Mk II = RIM-66B 1MR
Mk III = RIM-67
Mk IV = RIM-66C 2MR
Mk V = RIM-66D 2MR
MK VI = RIM-66H 2MR
Mk VII = RIM-66J 2MR
MK VIII = RIM-66K 2MR
Mk IX = RIM-66L 2MR
Mk X = RIM-66M 2MR
Mk XI = RIM-156
Mk XII = RIM-161B
Mk XIII = RIM-166D
Mk XIV = RIM-174
------------------
SeaSpike
Mk I = RIM-7E Sea Sparrow
Mk II = RIM-7H Sea Sparrow
Mk III = RIM-7M Sea Sparrow
Mk IV = RIM-162 ESSM
------------------
SeaDagger = RIM-116 RAM
------------------
SeaDart = SeaCat
------------------
SeaBolt = Aster

ASW
Sea Tiger = ASROC
Stingray = Mark 32 SVTT system

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_________________
"Anybody remotely interesting is mad in some way." - The Seventh Doctor

RANK AND BRANCH SPECIALTY INSIGNIA


Notes: Fleet Midshipman is the equivelent of an Ensign in most navies. Their insignia is differentiated from Academy Midshipman by the addition of the knot. They must serve a one year probationary period in the fleet or shore installation prior to promotion to Sub-Lt.
Line branch officers have a curl above their topmost stripe, non-line officers do not.

RATINGS AND ENLISTED RANK

Both Command Chief Petty Officer and Command Chief Petty Officer of the Navy are E-10 Grade and are the only enlisted grades which do not wear an occupational specialty as part of their rating insignia. Both are Brevet ratings for an E-7/8/9, and are held by the senior enlisted person of an organization or ship for the Command Chief, and the senior enlisted person of the Royal Navy for the Command Chief of the Navy. Once they leave that position they revert to their previous rating for administrative purposes but continue to draw pay at the E-10 rate, and are awarded the Command rank permanently upon retirement.

RATINGS OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTY INSIGNIA


RETURN TO TABLE OF CONTENTS

_________________
"Anybody remotely interesting is mad in some way." - The Seventh Doctor

Its great to see that you use the Belgian Navy branch insignia, in my case i am an gunners mate and i wear the (in your navy the ordnance branch insignia) in my navy i can also use the gunners branch insignia, i don't want to nitpick just thinking out loud. May i however make one suggestion ?? The branch insignia for naval police, the arms mate is used in my navy for divers, perhaps you can replace it by the P insignia of naval police, if you need an pic of it let me know and i will mail it to you. By all means and marvelous thread worth folowwing and where do i enlist

An original combination of insignia of the Royal Navy and the Belgian Zeemacht bravo zulu

Thanks. I think the Belgian insignia is some of the best looking, so how could I not want to use it. I kinda like the anchor and trident insignia and wanted to use it someplace, and my divers already had the " dive helmet" insignia. I suppose I could add a P on there for the arms mate. If you have a pic available, yes, definately shoot me a PM with it.

_________________
"Anybody remotely interesting is mad in some way." - The Seventh Doctor

MISSILE CRUISER - MARS CLASS

The Mars Class was first developed in the mid 1970's. The initial design was for a primary anti-air armament with twin launchers fore and aft and secondary ASuW missiles and light guns armament. The name ship of the class, HMS Mars, was laid down in 1977 and commissioned in 1980. The 7th ship of the class, HMS Minerva, was the first to receive the new VLS launch system and began the Group 2 series. The mid 80's doctrinal shift saw the role of RN cruisers change from a primary AA role to that of surface combatant, with a corresponding shift in missile load out to SSM heavy with SAM and ASROC for local defense.

General Characteristics: (Groups 1 and 2)
Displacement: 13,095 tons
Length: 609' / 185.6 m
Beam: 69' / 21 m
Draught: 27.5' / 8.4 m
Machinery: 4 x G2700 Gas Turbines; 2 screws
Speed: 33 knots
Complement: 410


GROUP 1A

Mars (1980) {to North Justorica 2004, name retained}
Saturn (1981) {to New Kandor 1996, renamed Vancouver}
Athena (1981) {to Salish Confederacy 2001, renamed Kweyechun}
Artemis (1982) { to New Kandor 1996, renamed Ksanti}

Armament:
2 x Mark 26 twin arm launcher with SeaDragon Mk IV (RIM-66C) and SeaTiger (ASROC)
2 x 4.5" guns
4 x Tarantula (SAAB RB-08) Missiles (2 x 2)
3 x 20mm CIWS
1 x 8-Cell SeaSpike
2 x Stringray TT (Mark 32 SVTT)


GROUP 1B

Heracles (1983) {to Amandaea 2002, name retained}
Diana (1984) {to New Kandor 1996, renamed Lowell Bay}

(Built in Aldeshar)
Orpheus (1983)

Armament:
2 x Mark 26 twin arm launcher with SeaDragon Mk IV (RIM-66C) and SeaTiger (ASROC)
2 x 4.5" guns
8 x Scorpion Mk III (SAAB RB-15 Mk 3) Missiles (4 x 2)
3 x 20mm CIWS
1 x 8-Cell SeaSpike
2 x Stringray TT (Mark 32 SVTT)


The Group 1A ships had their Tarantula launchers removed and replaced with Scorpion launchers in 1986-90. All 6 Group 1 ships were retired early and transferred to various Dominion navies owing to the lack of VLS on them. There has been some discussion of refitting them all with VLS systems, but it is currently being debated for cost effectiveness of doing this vs construction of newer cruisers.

GROUP 1B-BR EXPORT

General Characteristics:
Displacement: 13,750 tons
Length: 609' / 185.6 m
Beam: 69' / 21 m
Draught: 27.5' / 8.4 m
Machinery: 4 x G2700 Gas Turbines; 2 screws
Speed: 33 knots
Complement: 448

Armament:
2 x Mark 26 twin arm launcher with SeaDragon Mk IV (RIM-66C) and SeaTiger (ASROC)
4 x 6"/53 DP guns (2 x 2)
8 x Scorpion Mk III (SAAB RB-15 Mk 3) SSM (4 x 2)
2 x Moray ASW TT (Mark 32 SVTT)
1 x SeaTiger (ASROC) Launcher
1 x SeaDragon BPDMS
3 x 20mm CIWS
4 x Chaff Launcher

Aviation:
2 x LAMPS ASW Helicopter

Export version of the Mars Class, Group 1B. Contracted by the Brightenburg Navy in 1983, four ships were laid down in this modified export version in 1984-5, with commissioning of the first pair in 1988 and the second pair in 1989.

At the request of the Brightenburg Navy, the forward Mk 26 was moved to position main #4, with position main #2 being taken by a superfiring twin 6"/53 DP gun turret. Main #1 was also replaced with a twin 6"/53. An 8-cell SeaTiger launcher was also added foreward of the superstructure, with reload station added to the fore section of the superstructure as well, with a capacity for up to 16 reloads being carried. SeaTiger capability was retained for the Mk 26 in Position Main #3.

GROUP 2A

Minerva (1984)
Juno (1985)
Hermes (1985)
Vesta (1986)

(Built in Aldeshar)
Oracle (1986)

Armament:
2 x 61-cell Mark 41 VLS with SeaDragon Mk IV (RIM-66C), SeaTiger (ASROC) and Tsunami (Tomahawk)
2 x 4.5" guns
8 x Scorpion Mk III (SAAB RB-15 Mk 3) Missiles (4 x 2)
3 x 20mm CIWS
1 x 8-Cell SeaSpike
2 x Stringray TT (Mark 32 SVTT)


GROUP 2B
Group 2B had their seperate Scorpion launchers deleted from the design as the newer Scorpion Mk V VLS capable missile was available. They also had their VLS increased from 61-cell to 64-cell by the removal of the loading crane, which had proven itself rather useless in practice. 2B was the largest single group of the Mars Class.

Ceres (1986)
Doris (1987)
Orion (1987) (Renamed Paul Emil II - 2005)
Myrmidon (1988)
Cronus (1989)
Cassandra (1989)
Rhea (1990)
Diomede (1990)
Argonaut (1991)
Icarus (1991)
Tyr (1992)
Gwydion (1993)
Neptune (1993)
Agrona (1994)
Thor (1995)

(Built in Aldeshar)
Hades (1992)

(Built in New Kandor)
Zathras (1987)
Delenn (1989)
Molari (1991)
Zhekhar (1993)

Armament:
2 x 64-cell Mark 41 VLS with SeaDragon Mk IV (RIM-66C), SeaTiger (ASROC), Scorpion Mk V (SAAB RB-15) and Tsunami (Tomahawk)
2 x 4.5" guns
3 x 20mm CIWS
1 x 8-Cell SeaSpike
2 x Stringray TT (Mark 32 SVTT)


GROUP 2C
Group 2C is comprised of a single ship and is widely regarded as the transition between groups 2 and 3. Essentially the same to the 2B ships, the only difference being the flight deck was slightly lengthened by squaring off the end of the platform instead of having it angled inwards, and the aft mark 41 was moved further aft to accomodate this.

Tamesis (1995)

Armament same as Group 2B


GROUP 3
Group 3 ships were lengthened by 20 feet in the stern to accomodate the new turret in the X position. They were also the first to receive the new Mod 1 4.5" turret. Three further un-named cruisers were cancelled in 1998 prior to being laid down in favor of the next class of ship, the St Edward Class. They are, so far, the only ships to receive the twin 6" turrets.

Poseiden (1998)
Taliesen (1999)
Ares (2000)

General Characteristics: (Group 3)
Displacement: 14,850tons
Length: 629' / 191.7 m
Beam: 69' / 21 m
Draught: 27.5' / 8.4 m
Machinery: 4 x G2700 Gas Turbines; 2 screws
Speed: 31 knots
Complement: 435
Armament:
2 x 64-cell Mark 41 VLS with SeaDragon Mk IV (RIM-66C), SeaTiger (ASROC), Scorpion Mk V (SAAB RB-15) and Tsunami (Tomahawk)
1 x 4.5" gun
2 x 6" guns (2 x 1)
3 x 20mm CIWS
1 x 8-Cell SeaSpike
2 x Stringray TT (Mark 32 SVTT)


All Group 2 and 3 ships have, since 2003, had the Scorpion missiles replaced with the newer Viper (NSM) missile. Newer marks of the SeaDragon have also been loaded as they become avialable.


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