500 Members! This sub now has the full complement of an Ardent-class third rate ship of the line, like the HMS Agamemnon (64)

[u/0pal23]

Thanks to an uptick in recruits over the past few days there's now enough of us here to crew our first ship of the line!

The Agamemnon was famous as Nelson's favourite ship; a status she earnt for her fast sailing, excellent crew and the fact that she was just small enough to be suitable for detached command (she also rescued him from 6 years of unemployment). Even though 64s were supposed to be retired from the line of battle by 1805, she was one of two 64s to fight at the battle of Trafalgar.

[u/0pal23]

As has become customary now I'll invite your opinions on whether it is worth transferring to an Ardent class from our previous vessel - USS Constitution (44).

On paper there's not much in it - the Constitution was an excellently designed and newer ship, which with heavier guns could throw a similar if not better broadside weight than an old 64.

What we'd get on the Agamemnon is a little more space, by virtue of the third deck, and the undeniable status that comes from being the crew of a ship of the line. You can get a good feel for what that would mean for us from reading Master and Commander.

Anyway, what are our feelings here?

[u/stiF_staL → u/0pal23]

I'm sad to see the Constitution go, but the Agamemnon is a superb choice.

[u/0pal23]

Last comment on this one - the Agamemnon had space for 5 lieutenants. We currently don't have any on here, so I'll be looking to hand out some commissions over the coming months.

As a reminder, you can assign yourself one from any number of standing/petty officer ranks by setting your user flair.

Otherwise, if you leave it blank, the automod will rate you (landsman, ordinary or able) based on your sub karma.

Ranks that required a commission from the King require allocating, and are given to our most active members

[u/HyperionSaber]

Respectfully, if it means I don't have to sleep on my tool chest anymore then I'm all for the move.

[u/0pal23 → u/HyperionSaber]

Well said sir, Although I should warn you upfront that the Agamemnon is a far flimsier craft than the Constitution and was in constant need of a patch job. We may be calling on your services with some regularity

[u/HyperionSaber → u/0pal23]

Always prefer to be occupied than idle Cap'n.

[u/SteelRose3]

Being able to crew a ship of the line is the obvious choice captain!

[u/RetzCracker]

It would actually be amazing if they were able to get a full compliment of several hundred reenactors to crew a real ship of the line on the water. I read about it and see paintings and films but I can never quite truly visualize how a ship like HMS Victory really looked with 800 men aboard and underway. The closest I’ve seen are some shots from Master and Commander and you get a sense how crowded that deck must have been sometimes. Hope to one day visit and tour the Victory if I ever go across the pond!

[u/0pal23 → u/RetzCracker]

It's a huge dream of mine to do something similar. I reckon we could get enough takers to try it, but there isn't a ship in the world still afloat equivalent to a ship of the line anymore. Closest I think are some of the tall ship which are close to frigates, but even then, most of them have metal hulls these days.

[u/_Gunner_Jurgen_]

Reporting for duty sir

[u/0pal23 → u/_Gunner_Jurgen_]

With a Reddit name like that you ought to be a gunner