Starships
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| Book 2 | |
|---|---|
 Starships | |
| Publisher | Game Designers' Workshop |
| Version | Classic Traveller |
| Author | Marc Miller |
| Format | Digest |
| Canonical | Yes |
| Edition | 1st |
| Year Published | 1977 |
| Pages | 48 |
Ship Design
Starships are constructed and sold at shipyards throughout the galaxy. Any class A starport has a shipyard that can build any kind of ship, including a starship with jump drives; any class B starport can build a small craft and ships which do not have jump drives. The military procures vessels through these yards, corporations buy their commercial vessels from these shipyards, and private individuals can purchase ships that they have designed through them as well. The major restriction on the purchase of ships is money.
Design Plans
Most vessels are constructed from standard design plans which use time-tested designs and combinations of features. Shipyards work from these plans which cover every detail of construction and assembly. Naval architect firms can produce a detailed set of design plans in about four weeks for a price of 1% of the final ship cost; they can be hurried to finish the job in two weeks if paid 1.5%. Once the design plans are received, the shipyard may be commissioned to produce the vessel desired.
Standard Designs
There are a number of standard design plans available; they have been in use for a long time, and are available for a nominal fee for the set. A 10% final cost discount is available for ships built to a standard design plan.
Custom Designs
A naval architect will assist in providing the design plans for any specific vessel that is not designed around a standard hull size. The naval architect will insist on receiving his 1% fee upon delivery of the plans and specifications.
Construction Time
The time required for building any vessel depends primarily on the hull. The standard hulls require shorter construction times for those hulls; they are more familiar to the shipyard and easier to build.
Financing
A shipyard will insist upon a down payment with the order for the vessel, as well as requiring a demonstration that proper financing is available to cover the balance when due.
Ship Construction
Starships are constructed on the foundation of a hull, into which are fitted the drives and other fittings that adapt it to its intended function. The total tonnage of the installed fittings cannot exceed the tonnage of the hull.
Hull
Hulls are identified by their mass displacement, expressed in tons. When hulls are constructed, they are divided into an engineering section for the drives and the main compartment for everything else. Standard hulls are available at reduced prices and construction times. Any other hull must be produced on a custom basis. Hulls vary in their requirements for drives and power plants based on tonnage.
Engineering Section
Drives are installed in the engineering section. A non-starship must have a maneuver drive and a power plant. A starship must have a a jump drive and a power plant; a maneuver drive may also be installed, but is not required. The total tonnage of the drives may not exceed the tonnage of the engineering section of the vessel.
Main Compartment
The ship's main compartment contains all non-drive features of the ship.
Bridge
All ships must allocate tonnage to controls and other equipment for proper operation of the ship.
Computer
The computer is identified by its model number. In general, larger computers are more advantageous in combat situations. In addition, the model number indicates the highest level of jump which can be achieved by the ships.
Staterooms
Quarters for the crew and passengers are provided in the form of staterooms containing sleeping and living facilities.
Low Passage Berths
Facilities for carrying passengers in cold sleep may be installed in a ship.
Fuel
The total fuel tankage for a ship must be indicated in the design plans and must be included within the ship's hull.
Cargo Hold
The design plan must indicate cargo capacity. The amount of cargo carried may not exceed cargo capacity.
Armaments
Any ship may designate hardpoints for weapons. Hardpoints may be left unused if desired. One turret may be attached to each hardpoint on the ship. When it is attached, space in the hull for fire control must be allocated. Turrets are available in a number of different mounts and configurations. Turrets and weapons can be altered or retrofitted. Various weapons for installation in turrets are available.
Optional Components
Otional components can be included in design plans, or may be acquired for later installation on a vessel.
Atmospheric Streamlining
Standard hulls are rough deep space configurations incapable of entering atmospheres. They may be streamlined by indicating this in the design plans. This streamlining includes fuel scoops. Streamlining may not be retrofitted; it must be included at the time of construction.
Ship's Locker
Every ship has a ship's locker. Typical equipment carried aboard will include protective clothing, vacc suits, weapons and survival aids.
Ship's Vehicles
A ship may have one or more subordinate vehicles specified as part of the ship's equipment, and tonnage may be devoted to the permanent stowage or hangarage of the vehicles.
Crew
Each ship requires a crew. On small ships, the crew may be one person; on larger ships, the crew can be quite large. The following are the basic crew positions:
Pilot
Each starship and non-starship requires a pilot. Small craft require a pilot.
Each starship displacing greater than 200 tons must have a navigator. The pilot of a small craft or non-starship can handle its navigation requirements.
Engineer
Any ship with tonnage 200 tons or more must have one engineer. If there is more than one engineer, then the most skilled (or the oldest) becomes chief engineer. Ships under 200 tons and small craft do not require an engineer, although engineering skill may prove useful.
Steward
If high passengers are carried, then a steward is required. There must be at least one steward for every eight high passengers on the ship. If there is more than one steward, the most skilled is designated chief steward (or purser).
Medic
Each starship of 200 tons or more must have a medic. In addition, there must be at least one medic per 120 passengers carried. If there is more than one medic, the most skilled is designated ship's doctor. Non-starships and small craft do not require medics.
Gunner
One gunner may be hired per turret on a ship. Armed small craft require a gunner in addition to the pilot. If there is more than one gunner, the most skilled is designated the chief gunner. The gunner position may be omitted if there is no major threat to the ship.
Other Positions
One person may fill two crew positions, providing they have the skills to perform the work. However, because of the added burden, each position is filled at a reduced skill level, and the individual draws salary equal to 75% of each position. Other crew positions may be created depending on the facilities of the starship: for example, a starship with a cutter might have a position for cutter pilot (and possibly cutter gunner) in addition to the normal positions. Specific jobs or tasks require crew members to perform them.
Large Starships
For starships of greater than 1000 tons hull displacement, the crew should also include a commanding officer (or captain), his executive officer, and at least three administrative personnel.
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