IV. Weapons
Marines will rely mainly on handheld weapons during shipboard operations for the purpose of boarding enemy vessels and conducting amphibious assault. This will constitute of melee and ranged weapons of choice, and may also include the use of auxiliary tools such as grappling hooks for ease of movement from ship to ship or ship to shore.
Among other duties such as damage control, Marines may also be required to man the ship’s main weapons during shore bombardment and while conducting maneuvers at sea. No sense having idle hands during any combat scenario. Here are the main shipboard weapons and how to deploy them:
1. Canons
Canons are mounted broadside, as well as forward and aft to allow for full coverage around all sides of the ship, but the majority of the canons are mounted for broadside volleys. Different types of cannon shot are used, depending on the intended effect (discussed below). Loading requires scouring the inside of the canon with a sponge rod before loading (don’t want any unexploded powder blowing up in your ugly face!), loading and packing the fresh explosive charge with a rammer, loading the shot into the breach, aiming and lighting the fuse to fire.
a) Canonballs, used for inflicting maximum damage on enemy ships. Fire against enemy canon crew if intention is boarding, fire just above the waterline or magazine if intention is to sink the enemy ship. Also used for attacking shore defenses.
b) Chain Shot, ship disabling round. Two iron balls connected with a chain spin about when fired, cutting rigging, ropes, sails to disable enemy ship’s ability to maneuver.
c) Anti-personnel Shot, a canister loaded with smaller balls and shrapnel to kill the crew on the enemy ship while inflicting minimal damage to the enemy ship’s structure. Also used for killing enemy shore personnel.
d) Explosive Shot , a cylinder packed with explosive, fired at the enemy canon deck with the intention of detonating the enemy powder stores and cause a massive chain explosion throughout the ship. Can also be used for destroying enemy artillery on-shore.
2. Depth Charge
Depth charges are barrels full of explosive that will automatically detonate at a predetermined depth. These are for taking out enemy submarines. A direct hit is not needed, the hydraulic shock from a proximity detonation will cause hull damage to the enemy submarine, causing it to flood and sink. Simply roll them off the aft portion of the ship (never off the front!) so we have enough time to clear the blast radius. Don’t be stupid and roll one off the front!
3. Harpoon
A massive harpoon is used against sea monsters, whales and flying targets such as dragons where deep penetration through soft tissues and armored scales is needed to reach vital organs. These are shorter range than canons and take longer to load, but are able to be aimed in all directions, so be sure of your target when firing. If you miss the kill points and hit your target in an arm, foot or tentacle, you’re just going to piss them pretty good off so keep your snot picker off the trigger until you know you’ve got a good shot!