itch.io

I assume it is at the load waterline. Sadly I don't have the table of lading, nor an accurate set of curves to integrate. It could be the ship fitted out, but with few stores. On a different point, ordnance seems to be relatively weak vs the structure of the hull (and guns on the engaged side or on the upper deck in general). I had to station within ~100yds to see hulling or a very few 9lb gun losses (and the majority on the unengaged side hit over the rail). While these are "only" 18 and 9lb long guns, the expected performance of the 32lb gun was 1200yds to penetrate the gun deck of a 74, 400 when fired double (with reduced charge). This level of performance should be seen from an 18lb (short pattern) long gun as used on the frigates at around 700yds (0 yds for double) The frigate is more lightly built, so there should be a small useful distance for double (with it's necessary reduced charge), but also an significant extension of the useful range of the single shot with distance charge (full 1/3rd weight proportion). (Similarly the 9lb single shot from the typical pattern of gun should give a useful penetration of the 74 at around 400 yds, but no useful penetration of double). Rigging seems to fall apart a little too quickly compared to damage to the hull systems (crew/guns/hulling) accruing. (A 12lb shot penetrating the side was considered a minimum to be useful in disabling guns, the lighter ordnance being taken as only useful for damaging wooden structures and rigging, or wounding crew. Rate of fires seem a touch high (I interpret the 3 rounds in 5 minutes to include the first loaded shot, and to not include restoring the ordnance to a loaded state at the conclusion - so ~2.5 minutes for the (complete) cycle for each of the first three shots - later shots are limited by heating, with no more than 20 shots permitted per hour if premature discharges (from heat of the bore), excessive recoil and bursting being a risk with higher rates. This makes coming into the wind less obviously a bad idea than with a 30-60 second reloading cycle, as you pass your head or stern across the direction to the opposing vessel.