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Due to the lack of a universally accepted historical term for this procedure, I will use the term “Emergency Flanking Speed” (EFS) throughout this suggestion.
- Introduction:
- EFS is a non-routine procedure ordered by the captain during a pursuit or a retreat.
- HMS Hood’s Standing Orders: “Full Speed on both Telegraphs is used only in emergency and calls for maximum power regardless of maintaining steam.”
- Improved acceleration and a modest increase in top speed would allow heavier ships to recover from a standstill or complete a low-speed manoeuvre more effectively, increasing their chances of avoiding incoming torpedoes.
- Lighter ships, such as frigates and destroyers, could also use EFS to briefly expose themselves while repositioning around islands, reducing the amount of time they remain under concentrated enemy fire.
- Historical Background:
- HMS Hood normally did not require all of her boilers to maintain full speed. According to her Standing Orders, six boilers were reserved for maximum power in an emergency.
- RMS Carpathia, after receiving Titanic’s distress signal, altered course toward her last reported position. The order “Make all possible speed to Titanic” demonstrates that civilian vessels also used maximum available propulsion during emergencies
- Flanking Speed (or Full Speed) represents the highest output the boilers can safely produce, whilst Emergency Flanking Speed (or Emergency Power) pushes the ship’s propulsion machinery beyond it’s safe operating limits, causing increased wear and damage to the boilers after prolonged use.
- Mechanic:
- Activating EFS is by a toggle keybind with no cooldown to how often you can use it.
- After activating EFS, acceleration and top speed increases for the duration of use.
- Prolonged use of EFS causes your engines to gradually receive damage.
- Once one or more engines are damaged (module is orange-red) an alarm will sound.
- Ignoring the alarm and keeping EFS enabled eventually causes one or more of the engines to fail.
- If an engine is crippled (black), you’re restricted to your remaining operational engines.
- Disabling EFS allows the ship to continue operating, but at reduced speed due to damaged engines.
- Functionally, EFS would operate similarly to WEP for aircraft, granting increased performance at the cost of mechanical stress.
- No temperature indicator to avoid cluttering the UI, the alarm will sound until EFS is turned off.
- The alarm could be the voice of the engineer or an unique ring, or a shot telephone communication between the engineer and the captain.
- Balance:
- Increase in speed and acceleration would depend on the vessel type, size and propulsion system.
- Larger vessels would be able to maintain EFS for longer periods due to their larger propulsion systems and greater machinery redundancy.
- Coastal vessels that are below aproximately 500 tonnes will not receive this feature due to their already high speed and agility, but limited endurance.
- Coastal vessels that could have this feature are Frigates and Subchasers
- Engines can not be repaired if EFS is enabled due to the manpower demand historically, all other repairs are possible.
- Penetrating the engine room during EFS causes more crew losses than normal.
- Visual & Audio Feedback:
- EFS indicator with on and off versions could be present next to the engine order telegraph or on the action bar.
- Seperated from the EOT (engine order telegraph) to avoid accidentally turning it on.
- Increased funnel smoke upon activation.
- Increased machinery noises and upon critical damage, bursting pipes and whistling (much like piston aircraft sputtering with damaged engine).
- Upon boiler failure, white steam would vent around the ship, much like when you penetrate the engine room.
- Additional Notes:
- More accurate statistics on performance increases and engine endurances would require tremendous amount of research.
- I welcome all users to introduce their own ideas as an addition to this and I am open to constructive criticism if it helps me with this suggestion.
- While this suggestion is inspired by historical practices, many details have been adapted with gameplay balance and accessibility in mind rather than being a perfect historical simulation.
- There are some exceptions to the subchaser category as there are vessels that are below the aproximated 500 tonne displacement, therefore are too small to receive EFS. This includes the Schütze-class, Schütze (M1062) and the MPK Pr.201M as examples.
Sources used:
H.M.S. Hood Technical Specifications & Armament Information
NOTES ON HANDLING THE “HOOD”
United States Senate Inquiry | Report | The Rescue