Ironclads tactics

Hello all. I'm new to this forum but have been wargaming since the mid-70s. I've been a PC flightsimmer for the past several years, and recently bought Ironclads Anthology for a change, to get my feet wet in this genre (pun intended). I really love it, but I'm a total noob in tactical sea warfare and would really appreciate some advice on battle planning and maneuvering. I've played a few Ironclad scenarios and so far wind up either limping back or gulping seawater. Thanks in advance for any help.

[Maxim]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crossing_the_T

Theorists believed that the need to mess ram each other. It was misleading. When they tried to exercise use this tactic, it became clear that it is dangerous even for their own ships. Battle of Lissa was an accident, but because of another experience was not, then rammed announced the foundation of battle.

Only in the line of battle ships can be controlled. I would recommend you use two columns against an enemy column. Clamp it between the two squdrons.

I have tried several times to "cross the T" - it requires very good understanding of both your ships and the enemy's, and the speed of all ships. Timing is critical. Often, I either am too far away to shoot, or collide with enemy ships. Trading broadsides often ends with both sides' ships sinking. Also, I am surprised that the turning radius of ships during the period of "Ironclads Anthology" was so large; it seems to take forever to maneuver.

One suggestion for your Ironclad game series: could you add a scale marker on the battle screen to show distance relative to the screen view (like Google Earth does when you zoom in or out)? That would be nice. And for those people who do not want it, map a key to turn it on and off.

[Gerald]

Thank you, Vendor.

[Maxim]

Time of full circulation.

ironclad "Ferdinand Max"

Length and width: 83.8 x 15.9 m
greatest angle:
Full Speed: 12.5 knots
circulation time:
diameter of the circulation: 1260 m

battleship Victoria two screws + steam steering engine

Length and width: 104 x 21.3 m
greatest angle:
Speed: 8.8 knot
circulation time:
diameter of the circulation: 640 m

ironclad "Hector"

Length and width: 73.62 x 17.20 m
greatest angle: 20 deg.
Full Speed: 11 knots
circulation time: 5 minutes
diameter of the circulation: 220 m

ironclad "Warrior"

Length and width: 110 x 17.68 m
greatest angle: 15 deg.

Speed: 14 knots
circulation time: 8 min. 11 sec.
diameter of the circulation: 700 meters

Speed: 12 knots
circulation time: 7 min. 46 sec.
diameter of the circulation: 695 m

Speed: 5 knots
circulation time: 11 min. 34 sec.
diameter of the circulation: 560 m

time to circulate at full speed on average 10 minutes



Prohibited from turning battle lines more than 22 degrees at the distance between the ships in the line of 350 meters, more than 33 degrees at a distance of 500 meters.

This general rule for any navy of that period. Turning radius of a single ship is much smaller than the turning radius of the column. Flagman has no right to turn around so that by the end of turn crash with any of their ships.

Another effective tactic is to stick on the T for the last ship. You can also try the tactics of Nelson at Trafalgar.

Thank you for the good information, Typical Russian. Do you have any plans to make a Ironclads game of the Battle of Hakodate, or an RTS version of the ACW Battle of Hampton Roads?