River of Bones_Destroyermen
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Sgt. Kuaar-Ran-Taak “Seepy” (L)—Reddy’s “backseater.”
USS New Dublin (CV-6)—6th Naval Air Wing.
USS Raan-Goon (CV-7)—7th Naval Air Wing.
Line of Battle
Admiral E. B. Hibbs
9 Ships of the Line, including HIMSs Mars, Centurion, Mithra, Hermes, plus:
USS Sword—Former Dom Espada De Dios.
USS Destroyer—Former Dom Deoses Destructor.
Cmdr. Ruik-Sor-Raa (L)—One-armed former commander of USS Simms.
Lt. Parr—XO; former commander of HIMS Icarus.
Attached DDs
HIMSs Ulysses, Euripides, Tacitus
HIMS Achilles
Lt. Grimsley
2nd Fleet Allied Expeditionary Force
Army of the Sisters
General Tomatsu Shinya
Saan-Kakja (L)—High Chief of Maa-ni-la and all the Filpin Lands.
Governor-Empress Rebecca Anne McDonald
Lt. Ezekial Krish—Aide-de-camp.
Surgeon Cmdr. Selass-Fris-Ar (L)—Daughter of Keje-Fris-Ar.
X Corps
3 divisions Lemurian Army and Marines, 6 divisions Imperial Marines, 4 regiments “Frontier Troops”; total 10 divisions with heavy artillery and support train
General James Blair
Colonel Dao Iverson—6th Imperial Marines.
Captain Faal-Pel “Stumpy” (L)—1st Battalion, 8th Maa-ni-la.
Sister’s Own Division
“Colonel” Sister Audry—Benedictine nun; nominal command.
“Lord” Sergeant Koratin (L)—Marine protector and advisor to Sister Audry.
Major Blas-Ma-Ar “Blossom” (L)—2nd Battalion, 2nd Marines, and the Ocelomeh (Jaguar Warriors).
“Captain” Ixtli—Blas’s acting XO.
Lt. Anaar-Taar (L)—C Company, 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marines.
Spon-Ar-Aak “Spook” (L)—Gunner’s Mate, and 1st Sgt. of C Company, 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marines.
Colonel Arano Garcia—“El Vengadores de Dios,” a regiment raised from penitent Dominion POWs on New Ireland, augmented by disaffected Dom Christians represented by “Captain” Bustos, who replaced Ximen, KIA.
Teniente Jasso—Garcia’s XO (Pacal’s replacement).
XI Corps and Filpin Scouts
General Ansik-Talaa (L)
In Contact with New United States Forces
Lt. (jg) Fred Reynolds—Formerly Special Air Division, USS Walker.
Ensign Kari-Faask (L)—Reynolds’s friend and “backseater.”
Enemies
Japanese
General of the Sky Hideki Muriname
Lieutenant of the Sky Mitsuo Ando—Muriname’s XO.
Grik (Ghaarrichk’k)
Celestial Mother (G)—Traditional absolute, godlike ruler of all the Grik, regardless of the relationships between the various Regencies.
General Esshk (G)—First General of all the Grik, and Regent Champion Consort to the new Celestial Mother.
The Chooser (G)—Highest member of his order at the Court of the Celestial Mother; prior to current policy, Choosers selected those destined for life—or the cookpots—as well as those eligible for elevation to Hij status.
General Ign (G)—Commander of Esshk’s New Warriors.
First of Ten Hundreds (Ker-noll) Jash
In Persia
General Halik (G)
General Shlook (G)
General Ugla (G)
General Orochi Niwa (Japanese)
Holy Dominion
His Supreme Holiness, Messiah of Mexico, and by the Grace of God, Emperor of the World
Don Hernan de Divina Dicha—“Dom Pope” and absolute ruler, Blood Cardinal.
General Mayta—Commander of the Army of God.
League of Tripoli
Capitaine de Fregate Victor Gravois (French)
Oberleuitnant Walbert Fiedler (German)
Capitano di Fregata Ciano (Italian)
Contrammiraglio Oriani (Italian)—Organizations for Vigilance and Repression of Antifascism.
In Allied Custody
Capitaine Dupont (French)
SPECIFICATIONS
American-Lemurian Ships and Equipment
USS Walker (DD-163)—Wickes- (Little-) class four-stacker destroyer. Twin-screw steam turbines; 1,200 tons; 314′ x 30′. Top speed (as designed): 35 knots. 112 officers and enlisted (current) including Lemurians (L). Armament: Main, 3 x 4″-50 + 1 x DP 4″-50. Secondary, 4 x 25 mm Type-96 AA, 4 x .50 cal MG, 6 x .30 cal MG. 40-60 MK-6 (or equivalent) depth charges for 2 stern racks and 2 Y guns (with adapters). 2 x 21″ quadruple-tube torpedo mounts. Impulse-activated catapult for PB-1B Nancy seaplane.
USS Mahan (DD-102)—Wickes-class four-stacker destroyer. Twin-screw steam turbines; 960 tons; 264′ x 30′ (as rebuilt). Top speed: 25 knots. Rebuild has resulted in shortening and removal of 2 funnels and boilers. Forward 4″-50 is on a dual-purpose mount. Otherwise, her armament and upgrades are the same as those of USS Walker.
USS James Ellis—Walker-class four-stacker destroyer. Twin-screw steam turbines; 1,300 tons; 314′ x 30′. Top speed: 37 knots. 115 officers and enlisted. Armament: Main, 4 x DP 4″-50. 4 x .50 cal MG, 6 x .30 cal MG. 40-60 MK-6 (or equivalent) depth charges for 2 stern racks and 2 Y guns (with adapters). 2 x 21″ quadruple-tube torpedo mounts. Impulse-activated catapult for PB-1B Nancy seaplane.
USS Sular—Protected troopship converted from Grik BB. 800′ x 100′, 18,000 tons. Twin-screw, triple-expansion Baalkpan Navy Yard steam engine. Top speed: 16 knots. Crew: 400. 100 stacked motor dories mounted on sliding davits. Armament: 4 x DP 4″-50, 4 x .30 cal MGs.
USS Tarakaan Island—Self-propelled dry dock (SPD). Twin-screw, triple-expansion steam engine; 15,990 tons; 800′ x 100′. Armament: 3 x DP 4″-50, 6 x .30 cal MGs.
USS Santa Catalina (CA-P-1)—Protected cruiser; formerly general cargo. 8,000 tons, 420′ x 53′, triple-expansion steam, oil fired. Top speed (as reconstructed): 10 knots. Retains significant cargo/troop capacity, and has a seaplane catapult with recovery booms aft. 240 officers and enlisted. Armament: 6 x 5.5″ mounted in armored casemate. 2 x 4.7″ DP and 5 x 4″-50 DP in armored tubs. 20 x .30 cal MGs. 1 x 10″ breech-loading rifle (20′ length) mounted on spring-assisted pneumatic recoil pivot.
USS Savoie—26,000 tons; 548′ x 88′; 4 screws. Top speed: 20 knots. 1,050 officers and enlisted. Initial armament: 8 x 340 mm (13.5″), 8 x 138.6 mm (5.5″), 8 x DP 75 mm (3″), 5 x quad-mount 13.2 mm, 24 x 8 mm.
USS Fitzhugh Gray (CL-1)—Four-stacker light cruiser. Triple-screw, steam turbines; 3,800 tons; 440′ x 45′. Top speed: 30–35 knots. 211 officers and enlisted. Armament: Main, 3 x 2 DP 5.5″. Secondary, 5 x DP 4″-50, 2 x 21″ quadruple-tube torpedo mounts, 6 x twin .50 cal. MG, 6 x Y guns (with adapters), 80 MK-6 (or equivalent) depth charges for 2 stern racks. 2 x impulse-activated catapults for PB-1B Nancy seaplanes.
Carriers
USNRS (US Navy Reserve Ship) Salissa (Big Sal, CV-1)—Aircraft carrier/tender, converted from seagoing Lemurian Home. Single-screw, triple-expansion steam engine; 13,000 tons; 1,009′ x 200′. Armament: 2 x 5.5″, 2 x 4.7″ DP, 6 x 4″-50 DP, 4 x twin-mount 25 mm AA, 20 x 50 pdrs (as reduced), 50 aircraft assembled, 80–100 in crates.
USNRS Arracca (CV-3)—Aircraft carrier/tender converted from seagoing Lemurian Home. Single-screw, triple-expansion steam engine; 14,670 tons; 1009′ x 210′. Armament: 2 x 4.7″ DP, 50 x 50 pdrs. Up to 80 aircraft.
USS Maaka-Kakja (CV-4)—Purpose-built aircraft carrier/tender. Specifications are similar to Arracca, but it is capable of carrying upward of 80 aircraft, with some in crates.
USS Madras (CV-8)—Purpose-built aircraft carrier/tender. Second of 4 smaller fleet carriers (9,000 tons, 850′ x 150′). Faster (up to 15 knots) and lightly armed (4 x Baalkpan Arsenal 4″-50 DP guns—2 amidshi
ps, 1 each forward and aft). Can carry as many aircraft as Maaka-Kakja.
USS New Dublin (CV-6)—Same as above.
USS Raan-Goon (CV-7)—Same as above.
Frigates (DDs)
USS Donaghey (DD-2)—Square-rig sail, 1,200 tons, 168′ x 33′; 200 officers and enlisted. Sole survivor of first new construction. Armament: 24 x 18 pdrs, Y gun and depth charges.
*Dowden class—Square-rig steamer, 12–15 knots, 1,500 tons, 185′ x 34′; 218 officers and enlisted. Armament: 20 x 32 pdrs, Y gun and depth charges. Nearly all survivors of this class have been converted to AVDs (destroyer/seaplane tenders) or APDs (fast transports).
**Haakar-Faask class—Square-rig steamer, 15 knots, 1,600 tons, 200′ x 36′. 226 officers and enlisted. Armament: 20 x 32 pdrs, Y gun and depth charges. Nearly all survivors of this class have been converted to AVDs (destroyer/seaplane tenders) or APDs (fast transports).
***Scott class—Square-rig steamer, 17 knots, 1,800 tons, 210′ x 40′. 260 officers and enlisted. Armament: 20 x 50 pdrs, Y gun and depth charges. Nearly all survivors of this class have been converted to AVDs (destroyer/seaplane tenders) or APDs (fast transports).
Auxiliaries—Most heavy hauler, transport, and oiler hulls are now based on enlarged lines of Scott-class DDs. Virtually unarmed, they require small crews due to a vastly reduced sail plan and more reliable engines. Some fast, clipper-shaped vessels are still employed as long-range oilers. Fore and aft rigged feluccas remain in service as fast transports and scouts.
Respite Island–class SPDs—Self-propelled dry dock. Designed along similar lines to the new purpose-built carriers, and inspired by the massive seagoing Lemurian Homes. They are intended as rapid-deployment, heavy-lift dry docks, and for bulky transport.
USNRS Salaama-Na Home—Unaltered, other than by emplacement of 50 x 50 pdrs. 8,600 tons, 1014′ x 150′. 3 tripod masts support semirigid “junklike” sails or “wings.” Top speed: about 6 knots, but capable of short sprints up to 10 knots using 100 long sweeps. In addition to living space in the hull, there are three tall pagodalike structures within the tripods that cumulatively accommodate up to 6,000 people.
Woor-Na Home—Lightly armed (ten 32 pdrs) heavy transport; specifications as for Salaama-Na.
Aircraft
P-40E Warhawk—Allison V1710, V12, 1,150 hp. Top speed: 360 mph. Ceiling, 29,000 ft. Crew: 1. Armament: 6 x .50 cal Browning MGs, and up to 1,000-lb bomb.
PB-1B “Nancy”—W/G type, in-line 4 cyl 150 hp. Top speed: 110 mph. Max weight: 1,900 lbs. Crew: 2. Armament: 400-lb bombs.
PB-5D “Clipper”—4 x 10 cyl, 325 hp radials. Top speed: 145 mph. Max weight: 7,400 lbs. Crew: 5–6, and up to 8 passengers. Armament: 5 x .30 cal, 2,500-lb bombs/torpedoes.
P-1C Mosquito Hawk or “Fleashooter”—10 cyl, 325 hp radial. Top speed: 255 mph. Max weight: 1,640 lb. Crew: 1. Armament: 2 x .30 cal Browning MGs in wings.
Field artillery—6 pdr on stock-trail carriage—effective to about 1,500 yds, or 300 yds with canister. 12 pdr on stock-trail carriage—effective to about 1,800 yds, or 300 yds with canister. 3″ mortar—effective to about 800 yds. 4″ mortar—effective to about 1,500 yds.
Primary small arms—Allin-Silva breech-loading rifle (.50–80 cal), Allin-Silva breech-loading smoothbore (20 gauge), 1911 Colt and copies (.45 ACP), Blitzerbug SMG (.45 ACP). M-1917 Navy cutlass, grenades, bayonet.
Secondary small arms—Rifled musket (.50 cal), 1903 Springfield (.30–06), 1898 Krag-Jorgensen (.30 US), 1918 BAR (.30–06), Thompson SMG (.45 ACP). A small number of other firearms are available.
MGs—1919 water-cooled Browning and copies (.30–06). 400–600 rpm, 1,500 yds.
Imperial Ships and Equipment
Until recently, few shared enough specifics to be described as classes, but they can be grouped by basic size and capability. Most do share the fundamental similarity of being powered by steam-driven paddle wheels and a complete suit of sails, though all new construction is being equipped with double-expansion engines and screw propellers, and iron hulls are under construction.
Ships of the line—About 180′–200′ x 52′–58′, 1,900–2,200 tons. 50–80 x 30 pdrs, 20 pdrs, 10 pdrs, 8 pdrs. (8 pdrs are more commonly used as field guns by the Empire.) Speed: about 8–10 knots. 400–475 officers and enlisted.
Frigates—About 160′–180′ x 38′–44′, 1,200–1,400 tons. 24–40 x 20–30 pdrs. Speed: about 13–15 knots. 275–350 officers and enlisted. Example: HIMS Achilles, 160′ x 38′, 1,300 tons. 26 x 20 pdrs. New construction follows the design of the Scott-class DD.
Field artillery—The Empire of the New Britain Isles has adopted the Allied 12 pdr, but still retains numerous 8 pdrs on split-trail carriages—effective to about 1,500 yds, or 600 yds with grapeshot.
Primary small arms—Allin-Silva breech-loading rifle (.50–80 cal), rifle-musket (.50 cal), bayonet. Swords and smoothbore flintlock muskets (.75 cal) are now considered secondary and are issued to native allies in the Dominion.
Republic Ships and Equipment
The Republic has finally begun construction of blue-water warships, though details are scant.
Coastal and harbor defense vessels
Princeps-class monitors—210′ x 50′, 1,200 tons. Twin screw, 11 knots, 190 officers and enlisted. Armament: 4 guns in two turrets, 4 x MG08 8 x 57mm (Maxim) MGs on flying bridge.
Field artillery—75 mm quick-firing breechloader loosely based on the French 75, but without the geared traverse. Range: 3,000 yds, with black powder propellant and contact fuse exploding shell.
Primary small arms—Breech-loading bolt-action, single-shot rifle, 11.15 x 60R (.43 Mauser) cal. Secondary small arms—M-1898 Mauser (8 x 57 mm), Mauser and Luger pistols, mostly in 7.65 cal.
Republic military rank structure—As reorganized, it is still a combination of the ancient and the new, with a few unique aspects. The Army of the Republic is commanded by General Kim. Each division, also commanded by a general, is still ordinarily composed of 6 legions. Legions have 6 cohorts, led by a colonel. The senior cohort commander (and XO) is the prefect, and roughly equivalent to a major. The remaining cohorts are led by senior centurions (captains), who still command one of the 6 centuries in the cohort though their senior optio (2nd lieutenant), who has a junior optio (like an ensign) as his assistant. Other centurions are roughly equivalent to 1st lieutenants. The Republic also has provisions for temporary, special-purpose rank appointments. A military tribune may be given specific tasks requiring them to outrank all prefects and below, as well as single-ship captains. A legate may supersede the colonel of any legion for a specific purpose, unless countermanded by the general of the army the legion is attached to. Likewise, legates act as commodores at sea.
Enemy Warships and Equipment
Grik
New, unnamed class of Grik BBs (ironclad battleships)—800′ x 100′, 27,000 tons. Twin-screw, double-expansion steam engine. Top speed: 10 knots. Crew: 1,300. Armament: 3 x 15″ 400 pdrs (2 forward, 1 aft), 24 x 100 pdrs, 24 x 4″ AA mortars.
Azuma-class CAs (ironclad cruisers)—300′ x 37′, about 3,800 tons. Twin-screw, double-expansion steam engine, sail auxiliary. Top speed: 12 knots. Crew: 320. Armament: 20 x 40 or 14 x 50 pdrs, and 1 or 2 x 100 pdrs. 4 x firebomb catapults or 6 x 4″ AA mortars.
Tatsuta—Kurokawa’s double-ended paddle/steam yacht. It was also the pattern for all Grik tugs and light transports.
Aircraft—Hydrogen-filled rigid dirigibles or zeppelins. 300′ x 48′. 5 x 2 cyl 80-hp engines. Top speed: 60 mph. Useful lift: 3,600 lbs. Crew: 16. Armament: 6 x 2 pdr swivel guns, bombs.
AJ1M1c (“M” for “Muriname”) Fighter—9 cyl, 380 hp radial. Top speed: 260 mph. Max weight: 1,980 lbs. Crew: 1. Armament: 2 x Type 89 MG (copies) 7.7 x 58 mm SR cal.
DP1M1 Torpedo Bomber—2 x 9 cyl, 380 hp radials. Top speed: 180 mph. Max weight: 3,600 lbs. Crew: 3. Armament: 1 x Type 89 MG (copy) 7.7 x 58 mm SR cal. 1 tor
pedo or 1,000 lb bombs.
Field artillery—The standard Grik field piece is a 9 pdr, but 4s and 16s are also used, with effective ranges of 1,200, 800, and 1,600 yds, respectively. Powder is satisfactory, but windage is often excessive, resulting in poor accuracy. Grik field firebomb throwers fling 10- and 25-lb bombs, depending on the size, for a range of 200 and 325 yds, respectively.
Primary small arms—Copies of Allied .60 cal smoothbore percussion muskets are now widespread, but swords and spears are still in use—as are teeth and claws.
League of Tripoli
Leopardo—Leone- (Exploratori-) class destroyer. 372′ x 34′, 2,600 tons. Twin screw. Top speed: 30 knots. Armament: 8 x 120 mm, 6 x 20 mm, 4 x 21″ torpedo tubes. 210 officers and enlisted.
Holy Dominion
Like Imperial vessels, Dominion warships fall into a number of categories difficult to describe as classes, but again, they can be grouped by size and capability. Despite their generally more primitive design, Dom warships run larger and are more heavily armed than their Imperial counterparts.
Ships of the line—About 200′ x 60′, 3,400–3,800 tons. 64–98 x 24 pdrs, 16 pdrs, 9 pdrs. Speed: about 7–10 knots. 470–525 officers and enlisted.
Heavy frigates (cruisers)—About 170′ x 50′, 1,400–1,600 tons. 34–50 x 24 pdrs, 9 pdrs. Speed: about 14 knots. 290–370 officers and enlisted.