II. Fundamentals of Naval Engineering
Naval Engineering is the discipline of designing, building and operating ships to perform a particular function - in this case the destruction of enemy military assets and the survival of the ship’s crew. Naval Engineers will design the ship so that it is able to maintain proper balance and buoyancy in a wide array of ocean conditions, while also retaining the speed and maneuverability to defeat enemy vessels.
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1. Bow
The forward section of the ship, including the Forecastle and Prow.
2. Prow
The Prow is the forward-most feature of the ship which cuts through water. Some ships will also include an ornamental wood carving along the prow or an extension for attaching a longitudinal headsail for maneuverability (most commonly featured on destroyers or fast frigates).
3. Forecastle (or Focsle)
The Focsle is a raised part on the bow, typically with an upper deck where crew can operate from and living quarters for the ship’s crew on the forward main deck. This space may also be used for forward-facing canons, giving the ship forward raking fire capability.
4. Midship
The middle section of the ship, also the most stable part of the ship and where the main mast will attach to the ship’s structure. On most Kul Tiran vessels, the forecastle and poop deck are typically accessible from midship. The midship will also have platforms to facilitate boarding and unboarding from Port Side (the left side of the ship when facing forward) and Starboard Side (the right side of the ship when facing forward).
5. Mast
Long vertical posts with cross members from which the ship’s sails are suspended. Masts may be arranged at different locations, but most capital ships will have at least two, with the largest one being referred to as the main sail. This is also usually the tallest of the masts and may feature a “crow’s nest” at the top which serves as an observation platform or sharpshooter’s position.
6. Crow’s Nest
A platform on the top of a mast where the surrounding area can be observed. Also useful as a sniper position during combat.
7. Poop Deck
Elevated part of the aft superstructure. Kul Tiran vessels will usually have the captain’s quarters and the messdeck within the poop deck, and the quarterdeck topside with the Ship’s Helm near the stern.
8. Messdeck
The part of the ship containing the eating and serving space, typically adjacent to the Captain’s quarters on most Kul Tiran vessels, with stairs leading down to the lower decks.
9. Quarterdeck
The uppermost level of the poop deck, typically features the ship’s helm.
10. Stern
The aft section of the ship. The rear-most part of the ship is referred to as the Stern.
11. Gun Deck
The deck just below the main deck, typically houses canons along Port and Starboard for broadside fire, and on larger ships may have canons on the bow and stern for raking fire. The deck will also have a powder magazine for storing canonballs and kegs of black powder.
12. Bottom Deck
Usable space on the bottom deck is usually fairly limited as the space is mostly used for the ship’s stores, and during emergencies may also be used as a sickbay. Fresh water is also stored at the bottom deck and can be repositioned as ballast to keep a balanced weight distribution between port, starboard, aft and stern.
13. Bilge
A small crawlspace below the Bottom Deck where waste and trash tends to accumulate and mix with salt water to produce a particularly disgusting toxic sludge.