Shadow Master
Banned
Ever had a flat tire, and had to call a tow truck for roadside assistance?
So, along with the idea of alternate warship designs, I would like to discuss some non-combatant ships designs, and in this thread in particular, I am looking for a couple of specific time frames from say 1900-1915, 1915-1930, 1930-1945. I know the time frames are arbitrary, and using hindsight and such, but I am not looking at discussing the international organization(s) that would have to have come into existence, nor the framework of treaties that need to be in place, in this thread, as that is best left for a discussion focused exclusively on those issues.
In this thread then, let us say that back in 1890ish, talks got started on setting up an international fleet of ships that are merchantmen most of the time, carrying limited cargoes to cover the cost of their operations, but with a very large volume set aside for Emergency Accommodations Spaces with lifeboats aplenty, designed to be able to operate in any climate on earth, and able to carry out rescue operations in the worst weather conditions they can stand up to.
What I have in mind, and just possibly may not be conveying clearly, is that in peace time, such ships would be set up to run whatever cargo would take them into the worst areas of historical maritime disasters, with the cargo being sufficient to pay the operational costs of the ships (and with lucrative shipping insurance payments for an actual rescue rounding out their profit making potential), but that they also serve as designated rescue ships, that have a large capacity for all weather lifeboat operations, with whatever equipment would be needed (Lifeboats that have heaters, for rapidly offsetting effects of hypothermia for those pulled out of the water, or lifeboats constructed stoutly enough to withstand a rough tossing about in stormy seas, and perhaps this could also have large lifeboats that offer enclosed spaces that can be made water tight), the list goes on and on, but what I want to focus on in this thread is discussions on the types of rescue ships themselves, their needed complement of lifeboats, the designs of these lifeboats, the gear the lifeboat crews would have to have, the specialized training needed, and the specialized equipment both the mothership and lifeboats would have, if their mission were to be rescue of persons in the water or lifeboats of their own.
And if a few of these ships could be built, in accordance with some hypothetical international agreements and/or treaties (Which should be discussed in a separate thread, made for the purpose), and be in the world’s most disaster prone areas such that at least one spectacular rescue is made by such a ship years before WWI, what might be the case for purpose designed ships and organizations leading up to WWI, those that come into being in WWI and the after war years, and finally those ships and organizations that could have come about in the years leading up to and during WWII.
In my mind, such a thing would probably start off with nothing more than a run of the mill cargo carrier, with some rudimentary passenger capacity, and an extra generic lifeboat or two. Let’s have some fun with this, and post design drawings of rescue ships and their lifeboats. Remember though, let us keep the politics, treaties, and organizations talk out of this thread. If we need to talk about that kind of stuff right off the bat, and along with the ships themselves, then vote “One thread to rule them all” in the attached poll. If you like the idea of separating (what I expect to be a very spirited discussion) politics from the much more focused ships and boats, then vote “Separate, but equally important threads” in the poll.
Any thoughts?
So, along with the idea of alternate warship designs, I would like to discuss some non-combatant ships designs, and in this thread in particular, I am looking for a couple of specific time frames from say 1900-1915, 1915-1930, 1930-1945. I know the time frames are arbitrary, and using hindsight and such, but I am not looking at discussing the international organization(s) that would have to have come into existence, nor the framework of treaties that need to be in place, in this thread, as that is best left for a discussion focused exclusively on those issues.
In this thread then, let us say that back in 1890ish, talks got started on setting up an international fleet of ships that are merchantmen most of the time, carrying limited cargoes to cover the cost of their operations, but with a very large volume set aside for Emergency Accommodations Spaces with lifeboats aplenty, designed to be able to operate in any climate on earth, and able to carry out rescue operations in the worst weather conditions they can stand up to.
What I have in mind, and just possibly may not be conveying clearly, is that in peace time, such ships would be set up to run whatever cargo would take them into the worst areas of historical maritime disasters, with the cargo being sufficient to pay the operational costs of the ships (and with lucrative shipping insurance payments for an actual rescue rounding out their profit making potential), but that they also serve as designated rescue ships, that have a large capacity for all weather lifeboat operations, with whatever equipment would be needed (Lifeboats that have heaters, for rapidly offsetting effects of hypothermia for those pulled out of the water, or lifeboats constructed stoutly enough to withstand a rough tossing about in stormy seas, and perhaps this could also have large lifeboats that offer enclosed spaces that can be made water tight), the list goes on and on, but what I want to focus on in this thread is discussions on the types of rescue ships themselves, their needed complement of lifeboats, the designs of these lifeboats, the gear the lifeboat crews would have to have, the specialized training needed, and the specialized equipment both the mothership and lifeboats would have, if their mission were to be rescue of persons in the water or lifeboats of their own.
And if a few of these ships could be built, in accordance with some hypothetical international agreements and/or treaties (Which should be discussed in a separate thread, made for the purpose), and be in the world’s most disaster prone areas such that at least one spectacular rescue is made by such a ship years before WWI, what might be the case for purpose designed ships and organizations leading up to WWI, those that come into being in WWI and the after war years, and finally those ships and organizations that could have come about in the years leading up to and during WWII.
In my mind, such a thing would probably start off with nothing more than a run of the mill cargo carrier, with some rudimentary passenger capacity, and an extra generic lifeboat or two. Let’s have some fun with this, and post design drawings of rescue ships and their lifeboats. Remember though, let us keep the politics, treaties, and organizations talk out of this thread. If we need to talk about that kind of stuff right off the bat, and along with the ships themselves, then vote “One thread to rule them all” in the attached poll. If you like the idea of separating (what I expect to be a very spirited discussion) politics from the much more focused ships and boats, then vote “Separate, but equally important threads” in the poll.
Any thoughts?