Historic Navy - pack 29 - Collier Vestal  1.0.0

VESTAL CLASS Repair Ship

USS Vestal - 1908

12,585 tons – 142m (465 ft) length – 18.3m (60 ft) beam – 7.9m (26 ft) draft – 16 knots –4x76.2mm (3-in) guns -- compliment: 35 officers and 748 enlisted.

The USS Vestal was commissioned into service in 1908 as a fleet collier (Prometheus Class), but was taken out of service in 1912, overhauled, converted, and recommissioned in 1913 as a fleet repair ship. Many navies had various auxiliary support ships lying about their harbours – accommodation ships, depot ships for destroyers, colliers, depot ships for submarines – and usually one or more repair ships of various types. The United States, unlike Great Britain, did not have numerous colonial ports and coaling stations where repair facilities would be available, and the problem was particularly troubling in the vast reaches of the Pacific. Since repairs could not be preformed in Guam or the Philippines, a fleet would have to be maintained on the voyage out, while operating in the area, and on the return voyage to the West Coast. Consequently, the US Navy practically invented the concept of “Fleet Trains”. Like supply trains for a marching army, the Fleet Trains would sail with the warships and carry supplies, ammunition, fuel, and the necessary repair facilities across the wide Pacific. Vestal was capable of preforming blacksmith work, boiler repair, carpentry, coppersmithing, electrical work, foundry work, pipe-fitting, plating and sheet metal work, welding, and repair of optical instruments and mechanical components.

Vestal was anchored astern of the USS Arizona on 7 December 1941. She was damaged, but survived the war years to anchor among the battle fleet for Japan’s surrender in Tokyo Bay in 1945. Along the way, she earned two Battle Stars for action against the enemy. After 38 years of active sea service, Vestal was stricken from the Naval Register in 1946 and sold for scrap in 1950.

How to use

This pack contains .SC4model-files and props as .SC4desc-files. So, by installing this pack nothing will directly appear in your game. You can use the props on your own lots or convert the SC4models into buildings, as you please. Since most props are to be used on water lots and props naturally align with the surface level, they will sink to the sea floor, if you do not stick to the guidelines on how to use props on water lots. Finally you will need to follow the instructions on how to make a lot transparent. You will find the props in any Lot-Editor under the prefix A_1P_h_

As per request from the community, I have also included a version of the ship without historic flags and crew.

Please visit @Dreadnought's CJ to get detailed descriptions and the historical backgrounds to these prop packs. You will see a wonderful display of the results of our long collaboration there and can get a preview of what might be hidden in the coming prop packs or simply get some inspiration for your own harbour!