Ship Recognition for dummies

Stormflux · 07-27-10, 10:14 AM

It took me *forever* to figure this out, squinting at the recognition books, counting the number of cables on the masts, number of doodads on the deck, not knowing which identifying features to look for.

Then one day I decided to research what exactly a "old split freighter" meant, and it's actually ridiculously simple! Here's a chart:

Split superstructure freighters have the smokestack completely separated from the bridge, while Composite superstructure freighters have a big structure in the middle containing everything.

To tell modern from old, the easiest way I've found is to look at the bow. If the bow is straight, it's an old freighter. Newer freighters had an angled, "swept" look. You can also look at the bridge, older freighters have a larger, 'Titanic' style bridge whereas newer freighters have a smaller, enclosed bridge.

Freighters also come in three sizes: small, medium, and large. There are only two large freighters in the game: the large modern composite and the large old split. These are recognizable by their many masts & loading cranes, as well as their tiny ant-like crew members. Conversely, if you see gigantic crew members looming over the deck, you're probably dealing with a Small freighter!

Major Johnson · 07-27-10, 10:42 AM

Personally I'd like to know why the recognition manual doesn't have merchant ships. The original SH did, and it also listed armament which was a big help in deciding whether to surface attack or not. But I guess after thinking about it, if anyone wanted to mod a ship into the game, they would also have to add it to the recognition manual, which may or may not be possible.

Raven79 · 07-27-10, 10:58 AM

The manual has all merchants in it. They're just listed as an own country, if I might say so. Before you click on the japanese flag, try turning the page over.

Thx for the hint, I always wondered how those names were made up ^^

Major Johnson · 07-27-10, 11:03 AM

Oh crap! So you're telling me the mechant shipping is under the Japanese flag without the stripes?? Man, now I feel dumb!!

Thanks!

sergei · 07-27-10, 11:28 AM

Good work Stormflux

I've always wondered what the differences were.

Raven79 · 07-27-10, 11:46 AM

Merchants are listed as country "Merchants" without a flag symbol, because all forces use them and just put up their flag at the mast

07-27-10, 10:14 AM	#1
Stormflux Watch Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 16 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Ship Recognition for dummies It took me forever to figure this out, squinting at the recognition books, counting the number of cables on the masts, number of doodads on the deck, not knowing which identifying features to look for. Then one day I decided to research what exactly a "old split freighter" meant, and it's actually ridiculously simple! Here's a chart: Split superstructure freighters have the smokestack completely separated from the bridge, while Composite superstructure freighters have a big structure in the middle containing everything. To tell modern from old, the easiest way I've found is to look at the bow. If the bow is straight, it's an old freighter. Newer freighters had an angled, "swept" look. You can also look at the bridge, older freighters have a larger, 'Titanic' style bridge whereas newer freighters have a smaller, enclosed bridge. Freighters also come in three sizes: small, medium, and large. There are only two large freighters in the game: the large modern composite and the large old split. These are recognizable by their many masts & loading cranes, as well as their tiny ant-like crew members. Conversely, if you see gigantic crew members looming over the deck, you're probably dealing with a Small freighter!

07-27-10, 10:42 AM	#2
Major Johnson Frogman Join Date: May 2007 Location: Jeresey Shore USA Posts: 288 Downloads: 25 Uploads: 0	Personally I'd like to know why the recognition manual doesn't have merchant ships. The original SH did, and it also listed armament which was a big help in deciding whether to surface attack or not. But I guess after thinking about it, if anyone wanted to mod a ship into the game, they would also have to add it to the recognition manual, which may or may not be possible. __________________ MJ! ASUS Sabertooth 990FX R2.0 AMD FX8350 8 Core 4.0 Ghz CPU GeForce GTX 560 Ti PCIx Video Card 8 GB Corsair Vengence RAM Rosewill 850W Power Supply

07-27-10, 11:03 AM	#4
Major Johnson Frogman Join Date: May 2007 Location: Jeresey Shore USA Posts: 288 Downloads: 25 Uploads: 0	Oh crap! So you're telling me the mechant shipping is under the Japanese flag without the stripes?? Man, now I feel dumb!! Thanks! __________________ MJ! ASUS Sabertooth 990FX R2.0 AMD FX8350 8 Core 4.0 Ghz CPU GeForce GTX 560 Ti PCIx Video Card 8 GB Corsair Vengence RAM Rosewill 850W Power Supply

07-27-10, 10:58 AM	#3
Raven79 A-ganger Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Germany Posts: 77 Downloads: 7 Uploads: 0	The manual has all merchants in it. They're just listed as an own country, if I might say so. Before you click on the japanese flag, try turning the page over. Thx for the hint, I always wondered how those names were made up ^^

07-27-10, 11:28 AM	#5
sergei Sea Lord Join Date: May 2008 Location: London UK Posts: 1,788 Downloads: 405 Uploads: 29	Good work Stormflux I've always wondered what the differences were.

07-27-10, 11:46 AM	#6
Raven79 A-ganger Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Germany Posts: 77 Downloads: 7 Uploads: 0	Merchants are listed as country "Merchants" without a flag symbol, because all forces use them and just put up their flag at the mast