Neverseas - Developer's Log №5

Ahoy, Captains!

The sailing ship of the XVI–XVIII century is an incredibly complex technological object. The construction of the new sailing ship was an event, the result of the hard work of a huge number of people.

The sailing ship was built taking into account the fact that it would spend most of its shipboard "life" on a raid – in battles, or off foggy distant shores, or, loaded to the waterline, scurrying back and forth - in a word, beneficial. Repairs and upgrades - "simple" in the port - were expensive for shipping companies.

To increase the degree of autonomy, some of the maintenance tasks were transferred from the port to the ship, for example, workshops were set up.

Workshops on sailing ships performed several important functions. They were used to repair sails, rigging and other important elements of the ship, as the sails could tear or wear out, and they needed to be repaired in a timely manner. The workshops also produced new sails, ropes and other parts necessary to maintain the ship's combat capability. This made it possible to prepare spare parts and materials, which was especially important during long sea voyages. On shore or in port, workshops provided the opportunity to carry out the necessary work to modernize and improve the design and equipment of the vessel. In addition, they served as a place to train crew members in the necessary skills related to ship repair and maintenance. Thus, the presence of workshops on sailing ships significantly increased their efficiency and readiness to perform tasks.

Let's turn to one of the best representatives in history – HMS Victory, a 104-gun battleship of the first rank of the Royal Navy of Great Britain.:

HMS Victory had various workshops, each of which performed specialized functions.:

1. Sail Workshop

Sails were made and repaired in this workshop. Ship carpenters here worked with various fabrics to create reliable and durable sails for efficient sailing.

1. Tackle Workshop

This workshop was engaged in the production and repair of ropes, chains and other elements of gear. It was critically important for sailing a sailing vessel, as the correct adjustment of the rigging ensured the maneuverability and safety of the ship.

1. Carpenter's workshop

The carpentry workshop carried out work on the repair and maintenance of the wooden structure of the ship. Carpenters repaired damage to the hull, as well as carried out work to improve the interior.

1. Gunsmiths Workshop

The ship's artillery armament was maintained and repaired here. The gunsmiths monitored the condition of the cannons and other weapons, which was important for their combat capability.

1. Workshop of glaziers and coppersmiths

These workshops were engaged in the maintenance of glass and copper elements on the ship. The workers updated and repaired the windows, and also dealt with the copper parts that were used in various mechanisms.

Each of these workshops played an important role in maintaining the functionality of HMS Victory and ensuring its readiness for combat operations.

It is clear from the history itself that the installation and development of workshops on the ship is not just a secondary option or a cosmetic improvement. This is the basis of true autonomy, survivability and strategic flexibility of a player in a naval game. A ship without workshops is like an army without a rear: it is strong, but until the first serious battle, after which it becomes vulnerable, dependent on ports, resources and finances.

Workshop system on board

After studying real-world examples, we were transported to the world of Neverseas and delved into the development