American Civil War mod

[WalterJConklin]

I have always wanted to see an American Civil War naval PC game created. The discussion about the possibility of a Cold War got me thinking about solicating your opinions about the possibility an American Civil War Mod using the Silent Hunter IV game engine. Correct me if I am wrong, as I am not a naval history expert but I believe the Civil War saw the first and short-lived use of a submarine. That said, I believe an American Civil War in Silent Hunter IV might be a fun project. That is to say, if it would be possible to create drivable (or shall I say steerable) ships, notably ironclads. Scenery developers could backdate SH4 ports in the continental USA or create new ports and forts, which saw action during the Civil War era. What do you guys think about a Civil War mod?


Sincerely,
Walter Conklin

[AVGWarhawk]

Walter,

I changed the color from black to white. Can not read the black letters in smart dark forum colors.

[Canonicus]

As an avid and long time fan of the naval front during the American civil war...I would love to see a sim come into reality...

alas...I suspect it will never be done...for the obvious reason, (money)

[WalterJConklin]

Civil War PC games have been quite popular over the years.

[andycaccia]

Welcome!
I think it's a nice idea, but the submarines? American civil war saw mainly surface vessels...maybe a few "secret weapons" like primitive subs were actually used...i don't know much of american history, sorry..

[WalterJConklin]

As you pointed out, the Civil War saw limited use with submarines. The failed Hunley first comes to mind. A Civil War game using the Silent Hunter IV game engine, which I am really unfamillar with, would need to support playable ships. Is that possible now with the existing game engine? The submarine element would not be the main thrust of a Civil War naval game. I know Totem Games might be creating a Civil War naval game.

[andycaccia]

The creation of a mod that allows the player to take command of surface ship has already been discusse in many threads. The bad news are that it seems to be impossible, or at least very very difficult to achieve such. Not to mention that we would have to rebuild the entire campaign to fit the new theatre and of course create the models for enemy ships.
Seems *very* diffcult. A huge work indeed. I do not know if theer will be someone capable of making a total conversion like this. It's sad however... your idea is indeed brilliant ad orginal!!
I think that all we can do is to wait for a specific game. (await and hope...as we say )

Thank you for you nice idea Walter!

[Torplexed]

To create a viable American Civil War naval game with ironclads and such you'd really have to start from the ground (waterline?) up. A lot of the combat took place in shallow water, estuaries, rivers, even swamps. You'd have to simulate things like log booms, currents, tides, shoals, snags, and old-fashioned mason forts. Plus, there were so many unique ship types of the era. From side paddlers to fully rigged sailing ships to monitors. The crude submarines built back then usually didn't survive the mission. The Hunley killed every crew that sailed in her. The partially-submerged Confederate 'Davids' did a little better but that just means some of the crew got out alive. Basically the Confederate fore-runners of the Japanese kaiten. Such a niche market in a niche market I don't know if it'll ever be covered.

[AkbarGulag]

Was the Hunley that wooden egg that you ride like a bicycle ? Moddeling a wooden egg would be easy for some I guess

The only sailing ship in SH4 is the ghost frigate/galleon.

[Torplexed]

Originally Posted by AkbarGulag

Was the Hunley that wooden egg that you ride like a bicycle ? Moddeling a wooden egg would be easy for some I guess

You're thinking of the Revolutionary War sub the Turtle. CSS Hunley was hand-propelled too, but larger. Basically a streamlined boiler with an explosive charge on a wooden spar as a weapon.

[AkbarGulag]

Originally Posted by Torplexed

You're thinking of the Revolutionary War sub the Turtle. CSS Hunley was hand-propelled too, but larger. Basically a streamlined boiler with an explosive charge on a wooden spar as a weapon.

Hey wow, thats pretty inovative :hmm:

Those submariner pioneers really had some OO's

[kylesplanet]

The Hunley had a bad habit of making widows. It went through more than one crew also. It is a really cool piece of history though. I really hope to get down to Charleston and see it this year.

You can also tour the USS Clagamore, DD USS Lafey, USCG Ingham and of course the Yorktown is there. I was down there about thirteen years ago and it was great.

[sergbuto]

Originally Posted by AVGWarhawk

Walter,

I changed the color from black to white. Can not read the black letters in smart dark forum colors.

And now the post is not readable for haylazblue settings of the forum because it is impossible to see white letters on the light grey background.

[Gunfighter]

Originally Posted by kylesplanet

The Hunley had a bad habit of making widows. It went through more than one crew also. It is a really cool piece of history though. I really hope to get down to Charleston and see it this year.

You can also tour the USS Clagamore, DD USS Lafey, USCG Ingham and of course the Yorktown is there. I was down there about thirteen years ago and it was great.

Hi If you do get down to see The Hunley post some photos I'd like to see them I am a great fan of The America Civil War and anything about Wild West.I help Run A Country & Western Music Club here in UK check out our site .
www.thebuckaroosuk.co.uk and links to "Gunfighters" and my photo gallery of our club "REBEL".
Bill across the pond

[USS_Trigger]

only see with the hunley is, can you imagine corssing hundreds of miles of ocean at 3 knots :rotfl: