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38-gun Steam Ship NTW Icon

The 38-gun Steam Ship is a type of steam frigate in Napoleon: Total War.

Description[]

A steam-powered ship is not at the mercy of the wind, a valuable attribute for any admiral.

By fitting a steam engine and all its machinery into an existing hull, naval architects created a small ship-of-the-line not entirely tied to the wind and tide. The results are moderately successful, as a steamship can sail independently of the wind, but still spend a good deal of time under sail to save fuel. Tactically, however, the steamship has another advantage: manoeuvrability. The 38 guns aboard can be brought to bear with ease.

Historically, steam shipbuilding owes a great debt to the British engineer Isambard Kingdom Brunel, a man who built ships, bridges and railways. His first ship, the SS Great Western, made 74 Atlantic crossings during its life. Not content with this, Brunel designed and built an iron, screw-driven “liner”, the SS Great Britain. The first screw-driven ship to cross the Atlantic, she is now splendidly restored and preserved at Bristol Docks in England.

General Information[]

38-gun steam ships are statistically similar to 38-gun frigates, with identical numbers of men and cannon, reloading skill and accuracy. However, 38-gun steam ships have superior hull strength, firepower, and speed. They are among the fastest ships in the game, and the only ships that are faster, sloops and brigs, cannot sail into the wind effectively; 38-gun steam ships therefore represent the fastest ships in the game when sailing against the wind. 38-gun steam ships are more expensive than 38-gun frigates, but are still relatively cheap, especially when compared to ships of the line. Like most other steam ships, they are only available in the very late game thanks to the requirement of a Steam Drydock and the late game technologies Uniform Armament and Screw Propeller.

While small and not possessing much firepower compared to most late game ships, 38-gun steam ships are still invaluable for chasing down and capturing routing enemy ships: they have the advantage of being able to perform this duty well regardless of wind direction.

Some factions' ship statistics are different from others; differences are listed below (traits that to not differ are not listed).

Faction Accuracy Reloading Hull Strength Speed Morale Cost Upkeep
France 65 45 660 24 9 900 SP/ 1080 MP 220
Great Britain 55 35 680 23 11 850 SP/1000 MP 210
General 55 35 660 23 9 860 SP/1020 MP 210
Napoleon: Total War Ships
Light Ships BrigGalleySloop
Frigates 24-gun Frigate32-gun Frigate38-gun FrigateCarronade FrigateRazee
Ships of the Line 106-gun Ship-of-the-Line122-gun Ship-of-the-Line50-gun Ship-of-the-Line64-gun Ship-of-the-Line74-gun Ship-of-the-Line80-gun Ship-of-the-Line86-gun Ship-of-the-Line98-gun Second RateHMS ElephantSantissima Trinidad
Steam Ships 38-gun Steam Ship80-gun Steam ShipIroncladSteam Paddle Frigate
Trade Ships Dhow (Trade Ship)Indiaman (Trade Ship)Merchantmen (Trade Ship)
Support Ships Bomb KetchRocket Ship
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