Fleet Train

[The Rock Doctor]

Definition

Non-warships intended primarily for the purpose of moving stuff - whether people, freight, or fuel.  Lightly armed for self-defence.  Usually built to civilian standards and may indeed be requisitioned civilian ships.

Nomenclature

At present, well-known Belgians.

Note

For non-warships that perform services - towing, repair, surveying - see "Auxiliaries".

[The Rock Doctor]

Rogier Class Collier

Charles Latour Rogier, laid down 1894
Joseph Lebeau, laid down 1895

There were purpose-built, and likely the first units actually ordered for the Belgian Navy (though with the knowledge that other vessels were on the way).  As with other units, they have a limited passenger/cargo capability to supplement the regular packet runs.

Enter ship name, Enter country Enter ship type laid down 1894

Displacement:
   1,921 t light; 2,020 t standard; 4,588 t normal; 6,643 t full load

Dimensions: Length (overall / waterline) x beam x draught (normal/deep)
   (354.33 ft / 351.05 ft) x 55.77 ft x (16.40 / 21.92 ft)
   (108.00 m / 107.00 m) x 17.00 m  x (5.00 / 6.68 m)

Armament:
      1 - 4.02" / 102 mm 45.0 cal gun - 32.66lbs / 14.81kg shells, 250 per gun
     Breech loading gun in deck mount, 1894 Model
     1 x Single mount on centreline, aft deck aft
      2 - 2.24" / 57.0 mm 45.0 cal guns - 5.70lbs / 2.58kg shells, 350 per gun
     Quick firing guns in deck mounts, 1894 Model
     2 x Single mounts on sides amidships
      Weight of broadside 44 lbs / 20 kg

Armour:
   - Gun armour:   Face (max)   Other gunhouse (avg)   Barbette/hoist (max)
   Main:   1.97" / 50 mm   0.79" / 20 mm            -
   2nd:   0.79" / 20 mm         -               -

Machinery:
   Coal fired boilers, complex reciprocating steam engines,
   Direct drive, 2 shafts, 1,800 ihp / 1,343 Kw = 12.39 kts
   Range 28,000nm at 10.00 kts
   Bunker at max displacement = 4,623 tons (100% coal)

Complement:
   278 - 362

Cost:
   £0.113 million / $0.452 million

Distribution of weights at normal displacement:
   Armament: 7 tons, 0.2 %
      - Guns: 7 tons, 0.2 %
   Armour: 9 tons, 0.2 %
      - Armament: 9 tons, 0.2 %
   Machinery: 310 tons, 6.8 %
   Hull, fittings & equipment: 1,265 tons, 27.6 %
   Fuel, ammunition & stores: 2,667 tons, 58.1 %
   Miscellaneous weights: 330 tons, 7.2 %
      - Hull above water: 330 tons
                     -40 t:  Accommodation for 20 passengers
                     -60 t:  Cargo
                     -200 t:  Coal-handling equipment
                     -30 t:  Weight reserve

Overall survivability and seakeeping ability:
   Survivability (Non-critical penetrating hits needed to sink ship):
     20,742 lbs / 9,409 Kg = 640.6 x 4.0 " / 102 mm shells or 4.9 torpedoes
   Stability (Unstable if below 1.00): 2.19
   Metacentric height 7.0 ft / 2.1 m
   Roll period: 8.8 seconds
   Steadiness   - As gun platform (Average = 50 %): 70 %
         - Recoil effect (Restricted arc if above 1.00): 0.00
   Seaboat quality  (Average = 1.00): 2.00

Hull form characteristics:
   Hull has raised forecastle, raised quarterdeck ,
     a normal bow and a cruiser stern
   Block coefficient (normal/deep): 0.500 / 0.542
   Length to Beam Ratio: 6.29 : 1
   'Natural speed' for length: 18.74 kts
   Power going to wave formation at top speed: 27 %
   Trim (Max stability = 0, Max steadiness = 100): 35
   Bow angle (Positive = bow angles forward): 0.00 degrees
   Stern overhang: 3.28 ft / 1.00 m
   Freeboard (% = length of deck as a percentage of waterline length):
            Fore end,    Aft end
      - Forecastle:   20.00 %,  19.69 ft / 6.00 m,  19.69 ft / 6.00 m
      - Forward deck:   30.00 %,  11.81 ft / 3.60 m,  11.81 ft / 3.60 m
      - Aft deck:   35.00 %,  11.81 ft / 3.60 m,  11.81 ft / 3.60 m
      - Quarter deck:   15.00 %,  16.40 ft / 5.00 m,  19.69 ft / 6.00 m
      - Average freeboard:      14.32 ft / 4.37 m
   Ship tends to be wet forward

Ship space, strength and comments:
   Space   - Hull below water (magazines/engines, low = better): 31.9 %
      - Above water (accommodation/working, high = better): 105.6 %
   Waterplane Area: 13,045 Square feet or 1,212 Square metres
   Displacement factor (Displacement / loading): 468 %
   Structure weight / hull surface area: 67 lbs/sq ft or 325 Kg/sq metre
   Hull strength (Relative):
      - Cross-sectional: 0.94
      - Longitudinal: 1.69
      - Overall: 1.00
   Excellent machinery, storage, compartmentation space
   Adequate accommodation and workspace room
   Ship has slow, easy roll, a good, steady gun platform
   Excellent seaboat, comfortable, can fire her guns in the heaviest weather

[The Rock Doctor]

Count Guy Class Transport

Count Guy, laid down 1895
Baron van Der Smissen, laid down 1896

These ships were originally built for a civilian steamship company for cross-Atlantic runs, but were requisitioned for military use at the beginning of the Liberian crisis and never returned.

As modified, they can embark a battalion (1,000 men) of men plus cargo and supplies for the unit.

Enter ship name, Enter country Enter ship type laid down 1895

Displacement:
   4,196 t light; 4,300 t standard; 4,884 t normal; 5,350 t full load

Dimensions: Length (overall / waterline) x beam x draught (normal/deep)
   (365.81 ft / 360.89 ft) x 52.49 ft x (16.40 / 17.64 ft)
   (111.50 m / 110.00 m) x 16.00 m  x (5.00 / 5.38 m)

Armament:
      1 - 4.02" / 102 mm 45.0 cal gun - 32.66lbs / 14.81kg shells, 250 per gun
     Breech loading gun in deck mount, 1895 Model
     1 x Single mount on centreline, aft deck aft
      2 - 2.24" / 57.0 mm 45.0 cal guns - 5.70lbs / 2.58kg shells, 350 per gun
     Quick firing guns in deck mounts, 1895 Model
     2 x Single mounts on sides amidships
      Weight of broadside 44 lbs / 20 kg

Armour:
   - Gun armour:   Face (max)   Other gunhouse (avg)   Barbette/hoist (max)
   Main:   1.97" / 50 mm   0.98" / 25 mm            -
   2nd:   0.98" / 25 mm         -               -

Machinery:
   Coal fired boilers, complex reciprocating steam engines,
   Direct drive, 2 shafts, 1,500 ihp / 1,119 Kw = 11.59 kts
   Range 6,000nm at 10.00 kts
   Bunker at max displacement = 1,050 tons (100% coal)

Complement:
   291 - 379

Cost:
   £0.185 million / $0.739 million

Distribution of weights at normal displacement:
   Armament: 7 tons, 0.2 %
      - Guns: 7 tons, 0.2 %
   Armour: 11 tons, 0.2 %
      - Armament: 11 tons, 0.2 %
   Machinery: 254 tons, 5.2 %
   Hull, fittings & equipment: 1,508 tons, 30.9 %
   Fuel, ammunition & stores: 688 tons, 14.1 %
   Miscellaneous weights: 2,415 tons, 49.5 %
      - Hull above water: 2,415 tons
                     -2,000 t:  Accommodation for 1,000 troops
                     -400 t:  Cargo, munitions, and such
                     -15 t:  Weight reserve

Overall survivability and seakeeping ability:
   Survivability (Non-critical penetrating hits needed to sink ship):
     9,302 lbs / 4,219 Kg = 287.3 x 4.0 " / 102 mm shells or 1.8 torpedoes
   Stability (Unstable if below 1.00): 1.19
   Metacentric height 2.6 ft / 0.8 m
   Roll period: 13.6 seconds
   Steadiness   - As gun platform (Average = 50 %): 70 %
         - Recoil effect (Restricted arc if above 1.00): 0.01
   Seaboat quality  (Average = 1.00): 2.00

Hull form characteristics:
   Hull has a flush deck,
     a normal bow and a cruiser stern
   Block coefficient (normal/deep): 0.550 / 0.560
   Length to Beam Ratio: 6.88 : 1
   'Natural speed' for length: 19.00 kts
   Power going to wave formation at top speed: 24 %
   Trim (Max stability = 0, Max steadiness = 100): 35
   Bow angle (Positive = bow angles forward): 0.00 degrees
   Stern overhang: 4.92 ft / 1.50 m
   Freeboard (% = length of deck as a percentage of waterline length):
            Fore end,    Aft end
      - Forecastle:   20.00 %,  19.69 ft / 6.00 m,  19.69 ft / 6.00 m
      - Forward deck:   30.00 %,  19.69 ft / 6.00 m,  19.69 ft / 6.00 m
      - Aft deck:   35.00 %,  19.69 ft / 6.00 m,  19.69 ft / 6.00 m
      - Quarter deck:   15.00 %,  19.69 ft / 6.00 m,  19.69 ft / 6.00 m
      - Average freeboard:      19.69 ft / 6.00 m
   Ship tends to be wet forward

Ship space, strength and comments:
   Space   - Hull below water (magazines/engines, low = better): 71.9 %
      - Above water (accommodation/working, high = better): 170.2 %
   Waterplane Area: 13,221 Square feet or 1,228 Square metres
   Displacement factor (Displacement / loading): 165 %
   Structure weight / hull surface area: 68 lbs/sq ft or 333 Kg/sq metre
   Hull strength (Relative):
      - Cross-sectional: 0.89
      - Longitudinal: 2.85
      - Overall: 1.00
   Excellent machinery, storage, compartmentation space
   Excellent accommodation and workspace room
   Ship has slow, easy roll, a good, steady gun platform
   Excellent seaboat, comfortable, can fire her guns in the heaviest weather

[The Rock Doctor]

Princess Charlotte Class Packet

Princess Charlotte, laid down 1897
Princess Louise-Marie, laid down 1897
Duke Francis, laid down 1898
Countess Augusta Reuss, laid down 1899

They're basically small multi-function transports running on a schedule from Antwerp to Boma via Monrovia; one unit might be held back as a reserve or for maintenance.  They'd be carrying businessmen, bureaucrats, missionaries and the like, along with limited amounts of cargo.

There's a limited self-defence capability - the kind of thing for use against local bandits rather than actual warships.

Enter ship name, Enter country Enter ship type laid down 1897

Displacement:
   1,996 t light; 2,053 t standard; 2,486 t normal; 2,833 t full load

Dimensions: Length (overall / waterline) x beam x draught (normal/deep)
   (267.39 ft / 262.47 ft) x 45.93 ft x (13.12 / 14.57 ft)
   (81.50 m / 80.00 m) x 14.00 m  x (4.00 / 4.44 m)

Armament:
      1 - 4.02" / 102 mm 45.0 cal gun - 32.66lbs / 14.81kg shells, 250 per gun
     Breech loading gun in deck mount, 1897 Model
     1 x Single mount on centreline, aft deck aft
      2 - 2.24" / 57.0 mm 45.0 cal guns - 5.70lbs / 2.58kg shells, 350 per gun
     Quick firing guns in deck mounts, 1897 Model
     2 x Single mounts on sides amidships
      Weight of broadside 44 lbs / 20 kg

Armour:
   - Gun armour:   Face (max)   Other gunhouse (avg)   Barbette/hoist (max)
   Main:   1.97" / 50 mm   0.98" / 25 mm            -
   2nd:   0.98" / 25 mm         -               -

Machinery:
   Coal fired boilers, complex reciprocating steam engines,
   Direct drive, 2 shafts, 2,500 ihp / 1,865 Kw = 14.77 kts
   Range 7,000nm at 10.00 kts
   Bunker at max displacement = 780 tons (100% coal)

Complement:
   175 - 228

Cost:
   £0.129 million / $0.518 million

Distribution of weights at normal displacement:
   Armament: 7 tons, 0.3 %
      - Guns: 7 tons, 0.3 %
   Armour: 11 tons, 0.4 %
      - Armament: 11 tons, 0.4 %
   Machinery: 410 tons, 16.5 %
   Hull, fittings & equipment: 842 tons, 33.9 %
   Fuel, ammunition & stores: 490 tons, 19.7 %
   Miscellaneous weights: 726 tons, 29.2 %
      - Hull above water: 726 tons
                     -100 t:  Cabin-class accommodation for 20
                     -300 t:  Steerage-class accommodation for 150
                     -300 t:  Cargo     
                     -26 t:  Weight reserve

Overall survivability and seakeeping ability:
   Survivability (Non-critical penetrating hits needed to sink ship):
     4,880 lbs / 2,214 Kg = 150.7 x 4.0 " / 102 mm shells or 1.1 torpedoes
   Stability (Unstable if below 1.00): 1.39
   Metacentric height 2.8 ft / 0.8 m
   Roll period: 11.6 seconds
   Steadiness   - As gun platform (Average = 50 %): 70 %
         - Recoil effect (Restricted arc if above 1.00): 0.02
   Seaboat quality  (Average = 1.00): 2.00

Hull form characteristics:
   Hull has a flush deck,
     a normal bow and a cruiser stern
   Block coefficient (normal/deep): 0.550 / 0.565
   Length to Beam Ratio: 5.71 : 1
   'Natural speed' for length: 16.20 kts
   Power going to wave formation at top speed: 45 %
   Trim (Max stability = 0, Max steadiness = 100): 35
   Bow angle (Positive = bow angles forward): 0.00 degrees
   Stern overhang: 4.92 ft / 1.50 m
   Freeboard (% = length of deck as a percentage of waterline length):
            Fore end,    Aft end
      - Forecastle:   20.00 %,  19.69 ft / 6.00 m,  19.69 ft / 6.00 m
      - Forward deck:   30.00 %,  19.69 ft / 6.00 m,  19.69 ft / 6.00 m
      - Aft deck:   35.00 %,  19.69 ft / 6.00 m,  19.69 ft / 6.00 m
      - Quarter deck:   15.00 %,  19.69 ft / 6.00 m,  19.69 ft / 6.00 m
      - Average freeboard:      19.69 ft / 6.00 m

Ship space, strength and comments:
   Space   - Hull below water (magazines/engines, low = better): 86.8 %
      - Above water (accommodation/working, high = better): 180.3 %
   Waterplane Area: 8,413 Square feet or 782 Square metres
   Displacement factor (Displacement / loading): 158 %
   Structure weight / hull surface area: 55 lbs/sq ft or 271 Kg/sq metre
   Hull strength (Relative):
      - Cross-sectional: 0.82
      - Longitudinal: 6.00
      - Overall: 1.00
   Adequate machinery, storage, compartmentation space
   Excellent accommodation and workspace room
   Ship has slow, easy roll, a good, steady gun platform
   Excellent seaboat, comfortable, can fire her guns in the heaviest weather

[The Rock Doctor]

Sylvain Van de Weyer Class Transport

Sylvain Van de Weyer, laid down 1898
Lieutenant-General Felix Chazal, laid down 1899

A second pair of transports, purpose-built for the task although obviously derived from the original units requisitioned into service.  The primary difference from the preceding type is marginally higher speed, courtesy of newer machinery.

Enter ship name, Enter country Enter ship type laid down 1898

Displacement:
   4,225 t light; 4,329 t standard; 4,884 t normal; 5,327 t full load

Dimensions: Length (overall / waterline) x beam x draught (normal/deep)
   (365.81 ft / 360.89 ft) x 52.49 ft x (16.40 / 17.58 ft)
   (111.50 m / 110.00 m) x 16.00 m  x (5.00 / 5.36 m)

Armament:
      1 - 4.02" / 102 mm 45.0 cal gun - 32.66lbs / 14.81kg shells, 250 per gun
     Breech loading gun in deck mount, 1898 Model
     1 x Single mount on centreline, aft deck aft
      2 - 2.24" / 57.0 mm 45.0 cal guns - 5.70lbs / 2.58kg shells, 350 per gun
     Quick firing guns in deck mounts, 1898 Model
     2 x Single mounts on sides amidships
      Weight of broadside 44 lbs / 20 kg

Armour:
   - Gun armour:   Face (max)   Other gunhouse (avg)   Barbette/hoist (max)
   Main:   1.97" / 50 mm   0.98" / 25 mm            -
   2nd:   0.98" / 25 mm         -               -

Machinery:
   Coal fired boilers, complex reciprocating steam engines,
   Direct drive, 2 shafts, 2,000 ihp / 1,492 Kw = 12.62 kts
   Range 6,000nm at 10.00 kts
   Bunker at max displacement = 998 tons (100% coal)

Complement:
   291 - 379

Cost:
   £0.195 million / $0.781 million

Distribution of weights at normal displacement:
   Armament: 7 tons, 0.2 %
      - Guns: 7 tons, 0.2 %
   Armour: 11 tons, 0.2 %
      - Armament: 11 tons, 0.2 %
   Machinery: 323 tons, 6.6 %
   Hull, fittings & equipment: 1,463 tons, 29.9 %
   Fuel, ammunition & stores: 659 tons, 13.5 %
   Miscellaneous weights: 2,421 tons, 49.6 %
      - Hull above water: 2,421 tons

Overall survivability and seakeeping ability:
   Survivability (Non-critical penetrating hits needed to sink ship):
     8,760 lbs / 3,973 Kg = 270.5 x 4.0 " / 102 mm shells or 1.7 torpedoes
   Stability (Unstable if below 1.00): 1.19
   Metacentric height 2.6 ft / 0.8 m
   Roll period: 13.6 seconds
   Steadiness   - As gun platform (Average = 50 %): 70 %
         - Recoil effect (Restricted arc if above 1.00): 0.01
   Seaboat quality  (Average = 1.00): 2.00

Hull form characteristics:
   Hull has a flush deck,
     a normal bow and a cruiser stern
   Block coefficient (normal/deep): 0.550 / 0.560
   Length to Beam Ratio: 6.88 : 1
   'Natural speed' for length: 19.00 kts
   Power going to wave formation at top speed: 27 %
   Trim (Max stability = 0, Max steadiness = 100): 35
   Bow angle (Positive = bow angles forward): 0.00 degrees
   Stern overhang: 4.92 ft / 1.50 m
   Freeboard (% = length of deck as a percentage of waterline length):
            Fore end,    Aft end
      - Forecastle:   20.00 %,  19.69 ft / 6.00 m,  19.69 ft / 6.00 m
      - Forward deck:   30.00 %,  19.69 ft / 6.00 m,  19.69 ft / 6.00 m
      - Aft deck:   35.00 %,  19.69 ft / 6.00 m,  19.69 ft / 6.00 m
      - Quarter deck:   15.00 %,  19.69 ft / 6.00 m,  19.69 ft / 6.00 m
      - Average freeboard:      19.69 ft / 6.00 m
   Ship tends to be wet forward

Ship space, strength and comments:
   Space   - Hull below water (magazines/engines, low = better): 76.5 %
      - Above water (accommodation/working, high = better): 170.4 %
   Waterplane Area: 13,221 Square feet or 1,228 Square metres
   Displacement factor (Displacement / loading): 158 %
   Structure weight / hull surface area: 66 lbs/sq ft or 323 Kg/sq metre
   Hull strength (Relative):
      - Cross-sectional: 0.89
      - Longitudinal: 2.85
      - Overall: 1.00
   Excellent machinery, storage, compartmentation space
   Excellent accommodation and workspace room
   Ship has slow, easy roll, a good, steady gun platform
   Excellent seaboat, comfortable, can fire her guns in the heaviest weather