.. @(#)sail.6 2.1 83/10/31
sail \- multi-user wooden ships and iron men
is a computer version of Avalon Hill's game of fighting sail
originally developed by S. Craig Taylor.
is really two programs in one. Each player keeps track of his
program is execl'd (by the first player) to keep track of the
The player is given the first available ship in a scenario and the
computer takes the rest. Obviously the more ships in your game, the
will take to move them. If additional players join the game, they
will be given ships and the
will have less work to do.
Old Square Rigger's were very maneuverable ships capable of intricate
sailing. Their one main disadvantage was being unable to sail very
close to the wind. The design of wooden ship allowed only for the
guns to bear to the left and right sides. A few guns of small
aspect (usually 6 or 9 pounders) could point forward, but their
effect would be small compared to a 68 gun broadside of 24 pounders.
The guns bear approximately like so:
\\ up to a range of ten (for round shot)
An interesting phenomenon occurred when a broadside could fire
down the length of an enemy ship. The shot tended to bounce along
the deck and did several times more damage. This phenomenon was called
a rake. It happened that a stern rake (firing from the stern to the
bow) occasioned more damage than a bow rake, so that was the most
Most ships were equipped with Carronades which were very large, close
range cannons. The carronades have a range of two in this game and can
considerably add to your fire-power when they come to bear.
If the distance to the target ship is greater than 6, the guns
can only fire at the rigging.
A ship's guns could fire a variety of ammunition. For example:
Range of 10. Good for hull or rigging hits.
Range of 1. Extra good for hull or rigging hits.
Double takes two turns to load.
Range of 3. Excellent for tearing down rigging.
Cannot damage hull or guns, though.
Range of 1. Devastating against enemy crews.
When a ship has been battered into a hulk (zero hull), it has no
choice but to surrender to the firing ship. This ceremony is called
\'striking your colours.\' A struck ship has a chance of exploding or
sinking after a while. When a ship surrenders, its point value is
given to the aggressor. When a ship is captured, twice the point
value is awarded the victor.
Normally, ships sailed into battle with greatly shortened sail to
avoid excessive damage to the precious rigging. However, in this game
the player can increase to full sails and move much faster if he wishes.
But, all rigging hits incurred with full sails set are doubled.
The direction rose displayed on the sample screen gives the maximum
speeds possible for a specific ship at all attitudes to the wind.
The full sail speeds are in parenthesis.
Repairs can be made at the slow rate of two (hull, gun, or rigging)
hits restored per three turns.
Ships of class 3 or greater drift when there is wind at the rate of
one \'square\' per turn. Ships of the Line drift one \'square\'
follows the Avalon Hill advanced rules very closely using the
optional rules for 'exploding ships', 'full sails', and some others.
A few unique commands have been added which seemed to be helpful on
the reduced screen. 'i' is such a command.
Boarding had to go through a major revision. To prevent immediate
capture of an unprepared crew (fouling is often not reported until
after boarding has commenced) the boarded ship automatically fights
defensively (at a small disadvantage) if no DBP's have been prepared.
The Order of Play has been eliminated for the player, but the
The commands for the player were designed to be as intelligent as
possible to save typing. Some of the nuances I developed should be
The others I will illustrate with examples.
move(3, 2): r1l /* 3 movements max, of which two
move(3,'2): 1r1 /* 3 movements max of which two may
be 45' turns, but the ship must
move ahead before turning (there
is a loss of headway after
move(0,'0): r /* You can always make one turn
even when you can't move straight
If you are grappled, fouled, or out of crew, you cannot move of course.
'f' Fire broadsides if they bear
'm' Move (see above & below)
'i' Ask lookout for closest ship
'I' Ask lookout for closest enemy ship
's' Send a message around the fleet
'b' Attempt to board an enemy ship
'L' Unload broadsides (to change ammo)
'B' Recall boarding parties
Wind from the N, blowing a fresh breeze.
(a) Ranger 19 gun Sloop (crack crew) (7 pts)
(b) Drake 17 gun Sloop (crack crew) (6 pts)
.SH The Battle of Flamborough Head:
Wind from the S, blowing a fresh breeze.
This is John Paul Jones' first famous battle. Aboard the Bonhomme
Richard, he was able to overcome the Serapis's greater firepower
(a) Bonhomme Rich 42 gun Corvette (crack crew) (11 pts)
(b) Serapis 44 gun Frigate (crack crew) (12 pts)
.SH Arbuthnot and Des Touches:
Wind from the N, blowing a gale.
(b) America 64 gun Ship of the Line (crack crew) (20 pts)
(b) Befford 74 gun Ship of the Line (crack crew) (26 pts)
(b) Adamant 50 gun Ship of the Line (crack crew) (17 pts)
(b) London 98 gun 3 Decker SOL (crack crew) (28 pts)
(b) Royal Oak 74 gun Ship of the Line (crack crew) (26 pts)
(f) Neptune 74 gun Ship of the Line (average crew) (24 pts)
(f) Duc Bougogne 80 gun 3 Decker SOL (average crew) (27 pts)
(f) Conquerant 74 gun Ship of the Line (average crew) (24 pts)
(f) Provence 64 gun Ship of the Line (average crew) (18 pts)
(f) Romulus 44 gun Ship of the Line (average crew) (10 pts)
Wind from the S, blowing a fresh breeze.
(b) Monmouth 74 gun Ship of the Line (average crew) (24 pts)
(b) Hero 74 gun Ship of the Line (crack crew) (26 pts)
(b) Isis 50 gun Ship of the Line (crack crew) (17 pts)
(b) Superb 74 gun Ship of the Line (crack crew) (27 pts)
(b) Burford 74 gun Ship of the Line (average crew) (24 pts)
(f) Flamband 50 gun Ship of the Line (average crew) (14 pts)
(f) Annibal 74 gun Ship of the Line (average crew) (24 pts)
(f) Severe 64 gun Ship of the Line (average crew) (18 pts)
(f) Brilliant 80 gun Ship of the Line (crack crew) (31 pts)
(f) Sphinx 80 gun Ship of the Line (average crew) (27 pts)
.SH Nymphe vs. Cleopatre:
Wind from the S, blowing a fresh breeze.
(b) Nymphe 36 gun Frigate (crack crew) (11 pts)
(f) Cleopatre 36 gun Frigate (average crew) (10 pts)
Wind from the S, blowing a fresh breeze.
(b) Mars 74 gun Ship of the Line (crack crew) (26 pts)
(f) Hercule 74 gun Ship of the Line (average crew) (23 pts)
.SH Ambuscade vs. Baionnaise:
Wind from the N, blowing a fresh breeze.
(b) Ambuscade 32 gun Frigate (average crew) (9 pts)
(f) Baionnaise 24 gun Corvette (average crew) (9 pts)
.SH Constellation vs. Insurgent:
Wind from the S, blowing a gale.
(a) Constellation 38 gun Corvette (elite crew) (17 pts)
(f) Insurgent 36 gun Corvette (average crew) (11 pts)
.SH Constellation vs. Vengeance:
Wind from the S, blowing a fresh breeze.
(a) Constellation 38 gun Corvette (elite crew) (17 pts)
(f) Vengeance 40 gun Frigate (average crew) (15 pts)
Wind from the S, blowing a fresh breeze.
(b) Amphion 32 gun Frigate (elite crew) (13 pts)
(b) Active 38 gun Frigate (elite crew) (18 pts)
(b) Volage 22 gun Frigate (elite crew) (11 pts)
(b) Cerberus 32 gun Frigate (elite crew) (13 pts)
(f) Favorite 40 gun Frigate (average crew) (15 pts)
(f) Flore 40 gun Frigate (average crew) (15 pts)
(f) Danae 40 gun Frigate (crack crew) (17 pts)
(f) Bellona 32 gun Frigate (green crew) (9 pts)
(f) Corona 40 gun Frigate (green crew) (12 pts)
(f) Carolina 32 gun Frigate (green crew) (7 pts)
.SH Constitution vs. Guerriere:
Wind from the SW, blowing a gale.
(a) Constitution 44 gun Corvette (elite crew) (24 pts)
(b) Guerriere 38 gun Frigate (crack crew) (15 pts)
.SH United States vs. Macedonian:
Wind from the S, blowing a fresh breeze.
(a) United States 44 gun Frigate (elite crew) (24 pts)
(b) Macedonian 38 gun Frigate (crack crew) (16 pts)
.SH Constitution vs. Java:
Wind from the S, blowing a fresh breeze.
(a) Constitution 44 gun Corvette (elite crew) (24 pts)
(b) Java 38 gun Corvette (crack crew) (19 pts)
.SH Chesapeake vs. Shannon:
Wind from the S, blowing a fresh breeze.
(a) Chesapeake 38 gun Frigate (average crew) (14 pts)
(b) Shannon 38 gun Frigate (elite crew) (17 pts)
.SH The Battle of Lake Erie:
Wind from the S, blowing a light breeze.
(a) Lawrence 20 gun Sloop (crack crew) (9 pts)
(a) Niagara 20 gun Sloop (elite crew) (12 pts)
(b) Lady Prevost 13 gun Brig (crack crew) (5 pts)
(b) Detroit 19 gun Sloop (crack crew) (7 pts)
(b) Q. Charlotte 17 gun Sloop (crack crew) (6 pts)
Wind from the S, blowing a light breeze.
(a) Wasp 20 gun Sloop (elite crew) (12 pts)
(b) Reindeer 18 gun Sloop (elite crew) (9 pts)
.SH Constitution vs. Cyane and Levant:
Wind from the S, blowing a moderate breeze.
(a) Constitution 44 gun Corvette (elite crew) (24 pts)
(b) Cyane 24 gun Sloop (crack crew) (11 pts)
(b) Levant 20 gun Sloop (crack crew) (10 pts)
.SH Pellew vs. Droits de L'Homme:
Wind from the N, blowing a gale.
(b) Indefatigable 44 gun Frigate (elite crew) (14 pts)
(b) Amazon 36 gun Frigate (crack crew) (14 pts)
(f) Droits L'Hom 74 gun Ship of the Line (average crew) (24 pts)
Wind from the SW, blowing a moderate breeze.
(b) Caesar 80 gun Ship of the Line (crack crew) (31 pts)
(b) Pompee 74 gun Ship of the Line (crack crew) (27 pts)
(b) Spencer 74 gun Ship of the Line (crack crew) (26 pts)
(b) Hannibal 98 gun 3 Decker SOL (crack crew) (28 pts)
(s) Real-Carlos 112 gun 3 Decker SOL (green crew) (27 pts)
(s) San Fernando 96 gun 3 Decker SOL (green crew) (24 pts)
(s) Argonauta 80 gun Ship of the Line (green crew) (23 pts)
(s) San Augustine 74 gun Ship of the Line (green crew) (20 pts)
(f) Indomptable 80 gun Ship of the Line (average crew) (27 pts)
(f) Desaix 74 gun Ship of the Line (average crew) (24 pts)
Wind from the N, blowing a fresh breeze.
(a) Saratoga 26 gun Sloop (crack crew) (12 pts)
(a) Eagle 20 gun Sloop (crack crew) (11 pts)
(a) Ticonderoga 17 gun Sloop (crack crew) (9 pts)
(a) Preble 7 gun Brig (crack crew) (4 pts)
(b) Confiance 37 gun Frigate (crack crew) (14 pts)
(b) Linnet 16 gun Sloop (elite crew) (10 pts)
(b) Chubb 11 gun Brig (crack crew) (5 pts)
.SH Last Voyage of the USS President:
Wind from the N, blowing a fresh breeze.
(a) President 44 gun Frigate (elite crew) (24 pts)
(b) Endymion 40 gun Frigate (crack crew) (17 pts)
(b) Pomone 44 gun Frigate (crack crew) (20 pts)
(b) Tenedos 38 gun Frigate (crack crew) (15 pts)
.SH Hornblower and the Natividad:
Wind from the E, blowing a gale.
A scenario for you Horny fans. Remember, he sank the Natividad
against heavy odds and winds. Hint: don't try to board the Natividad,
her crew is much bigger, albeit green.
(b) Lydia 36 gun Frigate (elite crew) (13 pts)
(s) Natividad 50 gun Ship of the Line (green crew) (14 pts)
.SH Curse of the Flying Dutchman:
Wind from the S, blowing a fresh breeze.
Just for fun, take the Piece of cake.
(s) Piece of Cake 24 gun Corvette (average crew) (9 pts)
(f) Flying Dutchy 120 gun 3 Decker SOL (elite crew) (43 pts)
Wind from the S, blowing a strong breeze.
(a) USS Scurvy 136 gun 3 Decker SOL (mutinous crew) (27 pts)
(b) HMS Tahiti 120 gun 3 Decker SOL (elite crew) (43 pts)
(s) Australian 32 gun Frigate (average crew) (9 pts)
(f) Bikini Atoll 7 gun Brig (crack crew) (4 pts)
.SH Hornblower and the battle of Rosas bay:
Wind from the E, blowing a fresh breeze.
The only battle Hornblower ever lost. He was able to dismast one
ship and stern rake the anothers though. See if you can do as well.
(b) Sutherland 74 gun Ship of the Line (crack crew) (26 pts)
(f) Turenne 80 gun 3 Decker SOL (average crew) (27 pts)
(f) Nightmare 74 gun Ship of the Line (average crew) (24 pts)
(f) Paris 112 gun 3 Decker SOL (green crew) (27 pts)
(f) Napolean 74 gun Ship of the Line (green crew) (20 pts)
Wind from the NE, blowing a strong breeze.
(a) Concord 80 gun Ship of the Line (average crew) (27 pts)
(a) Berkeley 98 gun 3 Decker SOL (crack crew) (28 pts)
(b) Thames 120 gun 3 Decker SOL (elite crew) (43 pts)
(s) Madrid 112 gun 3 Decker SOL (green crew) (27 pts)
(f) Musket 80 gun 3 Decker SOL (average crew) (27 pts)
Wind from the SE, blowing a fresh breeze.
Watch that little Cypress go!
(a) Alligator 120 gun 3 Decker SOL (elite crew) (43 pts)
(b) Firefly 74 gun Ship of the Line (crack crew) (27 pts)
(b) Cypress 44 gun Frigate (elite crew) (14 pts)
Wind from the N, blowing a fresh breeze.
(b) Shark 64 gun Ship of the Line (average crew) (18 pts)
(f) Coral Snake 44 gun Corvette (elite crew) (24 pts)
(f) Sea Lion 44 gun Frigate (elite crew) (24 pts)
.SH Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea:
Wind from the NW, blowing a fresh breeze.
This one is dedicated to David Hedison.
(a) Seaview 120 gun 3 Decker SOL (elite crew) (43 pts)
(a) Flying Sub 40 gun Frigate (crack crew) (17 pts)
(b) Mermaid 136 gun 3 Decker SOL (mutinous crew) (27 pts)
(s) Giant Squid 112 gun 3 Decker SOL (green crew) (27 pts)
Wind from the E, blowing a fresh breeze.
(a) Killdeer 40 gun Frigate (average crew) (15 pts)
(b) Sandpiper 40 gun Frigate (average crew) (15 pts)
(s) Curlew 38 gun Frigate (crack crew) (16 pts)
.SH The Battle of Midway:
Wind from the E, blowing a moderate breeze.
(a) Enterprise 80 gun Ship of the Line (crack crew) (31 pts)
(a) Yorktown 80 gun Ship of the Line (average crew) (27 pts)
(a) Hornet 74 gun Ship of the Line (average crew) (24 pts)
(f) Akagi 112 gun 3 Decker SOL (green crew) (27 pts)
(f) Kaga 96 gun 3 Decker SOL (green crew) (24 pts)
(f) Soryu 80 gun Ship of the Line (green crew) (23 pts)
/ Max distance (including turns)
/ Max number of 45 degree turns (one at a time only)
Move(3, 2): r1l /* move right, ahead, left
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NUMBER SHIPS IN PLAY TITLE
0): 2 no Ranger vs. Drake
1): 2 no The Battle of Flamborough Head
2): 10 no Arbuthnot and Des Touches
3): 10 no Suffren and Hughes
4): 2 no Nymphe vs. Cleopatre
5): 2 no Mars vs. Hercule
6): 2 no Ambuscade vs. Baionnaise
7): 2 no Constellation vs. Insurgent
8): 2 no Constellation vs. Vengeance
9): 10 no The Battle of Lissa
10): 2 no Constitution vs. Guerriere
11): 2 no United States vs. Macedonian
12): 2 no Constitution vs. Java
13): 2 no Chesapeake vs. Shannon
14): 5 no The Battle of Lake Erie
15): 2 no Wasp vs. Reindeer
16): 3 no Constitution vs. Cyane and Levant
17): 3 no Pellew vs. Droits de L'Homme
20): 4 no Last Voyage of the USS President
21): 2 no Hornblower and the Natividad
22): 2 no Curse of the Flying Dutchman
23): 4 no The South Pacific
24): 5 no Hornblower and the battle of Rosas bay
28): 4 no Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea
30): 6 no The Battle of Midway
Your ship is the Lydia, a 36 gun Frigate (elite crew).
Your name, Captain? Dave #1
Initial broadside left (grape, chain, round, double): d
Initial broadside right (grape, chain, round, double): r
Class 3 (36 guns) Frigate 'Lydia' (b0) Points: 0 Fouls: 0 Grapples: 0
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
| b #1 -- an exploding ship |
| bow of Lydia |----------------------|
| | (blowing from right) |
| ! -- a struck ship S0 |----------------------|
| Natividad has full sails set. |
------------------------------------Turn 0--------------------------------------
Aye aye, Sir load: port and starboard - Load D! R! 0 1(1)
crew: 3 sections --------- Crew 4 4 2 -^-1(1)
guns: port and starboard - Guns 4 4 /|\
carronades: port and starboard --- Carr 2 2 | 3(5)
rigging 4 masts ---------- Rigg 5 5 5 5 2(4)
Ed Wang (pronounced Wong)
projects / unix-history / blob