[OL-FB3] Return to Isla De Ceniza

[Franco Clarke]

Stingray juddered and rolled over the calm sea in a most un-characteristic manner. Erwin grimly held the wheel in a vain attempt to keep her on course, but it was really the stiff breeze which was keeping the ship on course.  Erwin looked to the right at what was making Stingray so unseaworthy. A small barge was tied to Stingray's starboard side, and had completely ruined the ship's balance and streamlining.  Aboard this barge was a new weapon, hidden under a canvas at the bow, and Erwin had mistakenly volunteered to escort the barge to test the weapon.

The inventor of the new weapon had come along for the testing so that he could observe its capabilities, and if required, make adjustments to improve its viability. He had said that he wouldn't reveal the weapon's type and design until they reached the testing point, for fear of an enemy spy. Erwin had assured him that Stingray's crew were as loyal as any other in Oleon's fleet, but the inventor would hear none of it.

The lookout announced that the target was close and soon it was visible on the horizon. The selected testing ground was Isla de Ceniza, and island known to harbour a small band of pirates. Indeed Erwin had discovered these pirates a few months back, but had been unable to root them out due to their heavy cannon. The inventor had assured Erwin that the new weapon would outrange the pirate's cannon, meaning they could deal with them without being in any danger of return fire.

Erwin ordered Stingray to drop anchor and they let the Inventor board the barge and prepare it for action. A squad of marines boarded the small vessel and untied it from Stingray's side. They then rowed until they were a decent way from Stingray, and then too they dropped an anchor to hold the barge steady.  Then they removed the cover from the weapon and Erwin, watching through his telescope saw that it appeared to be a series of poles, a bit like an organ laid upon its side. Indeed this was a very strange weapon, since it didn't appear to have a barrel to load shot into. Perhaps it might be some sort of catapult? Intrigued, Erwin turned his gaze onto the island. The pirates had noticed their arrival and had began preparing their boat. New weapon or not, Stingray still outmatched their defences, and they were taking advantage of Stingray's halt to try and escape.

Back on the barge, the Inventor had got everyone to stand at the far end of the barge, away from his weapon, and then approached it alone holding a burning torch. He touched the torch to a small lump at the end of one of the poles, and immediately it shot along the pole and flew into the air. It followed a curving arch, trailing a jet of fire and screaming like some unholy monster, until it landed upon the island and exploded, lighting a fire which quickly took hold in the dense undergrowth.

Obviously pleased that he had got the range right, the inventor began lighting all of the poles, and they too followed the first and howled towards the island. In little under a minute the small piece of land was turned into a raging inferno. The flames shot high into the sky as they consumed the plants, and trees. One missile fell short and hit the pirate's boat, setting that alight too, and the charred remnants of it soon sunk beneath the waves.

The fires continued to burn for over an hour and once they had died down, the inventor landed to inspect his handiwork. Erwin wandered around the island, now little more than a pile of ash and sand. He found Private Collins looking at the barrel of the pirate's cannon, still glowing faintly from the heat of the fire.

'That is quite a weapon' Collins commented. 'I'd hate to see what it could do to a wooden ship.'

Erwin nodded 'Indeed I fear it may make the old cannon obsolete.'

This story showcased my design for a small general purpose barge, seen here used as an experimental weapons platform. I actually had half-made this when I wrote the original Isla de Ceniza story, but it has been languishing incomplete until now.

The barge was designed so that it could be used for a wide variety of purposes. Here it can be seen as an infantry transport barge, perhaps to be used on a ship of the line.

Alternately you could remove a few soldiers and instead use this barge as a 1A ship, with a cannon in the front.

Or you could remove the gun and load some supplies. 

The only thing which I originally wanted this barge to do which it currently can't is to transport a wagon. However I might make an enlarged version which can do this at a later point. I will finish off with picture of the two barges I have completed so far.

 

[Elostirion]

That third pic is fantastic!

[TitusV]

5 hours ago, Elostirion said:

That third pic is fantastic!

Seconded! And I also really like the fact that the barge has multiple uses, like the cannons and troop-transport

[SilentWolf]

I shall echo the above. You did really well pulling off the action of the fire trail. Plus the island in flames looks great. 

The barge is well done. I'll take one!  The multiple uses also makes it a great vessel no matter the need. 

[Garmadon]

Very nice build (and story as usual! ), Franco Clarke, that barge looks great, and the different uses of it are awesome!   It's good to see that there are three less pirates in the Brick Seas as well, and I'm intrigued by that new weapon!   Keep it up!

[Franco Clarke]

On 11/10/2016 at 1:48 PM, Garmadon said:

 

On 11/10/2016 at 1:48 PM, Garmadon said:

 

 

 

Edited October 14, 2016 by Franco Clarke

[Franco Clarke]

On 11/10/2016 at 1:48 PM, Garmadon said:

Very nice build (and story as usual! ), Franco Clarke, that barge looks great, and the different uses of it are awesome!   It's good to see that there are three less pirates in the Brick Seas as well, and I'm intrigued by that new weapon!   Keep it up!

Thank you, it is always a pleasure to rid the seas of pirates! I'm glad you liked the new weapon, but it might take a while to reach frontline service.

On 10/10/2016 at 9:19 PM, SilentWolf said:

I shall echo the above. You did really well pulling off the action of the fire trail. Plus the island in flames looks great. 

The barge is well done. I'll take one!  The multiple uses also makes it a great vessel no matter the need. 

Thank you, the shot of the rocket firing was my favourite too. I'm glad you like the barge, I plan to make a few more since they are so simple.