The Independent State of Caledon

To criticise someone's appearance would be most decidedly impolite. And manners are key.

HAH! You sir, have made some of the most INCREDIBLE things. I'm going to tout your penny farthing bicycle as soon as you tell me it's finished.

If you please - help me fill my streets and skies with motile marvels of Steam Technology, and usher in the Future!


Garnet love, I think that would be a fair neutral ground upon which to meet representatives of Newfie's Imagination. We are preparing our cannons, and basted chicken for the day that this may come about.


Rocketry: We have discovered a Cavorite mine on the mainland, in Alice sim... not exactly rocketry, but flight may be a possibility soon!



Titfer.

*smile*

Titfer!

*giggle*

God, I love that word... we have GOT to get a Hatter in Caledon - we have a few in the clothier's shops, but a proper Hatter - Who's with me?

"titfer"

By gum.

Well, I am just all astonishment at the quaintness and charm of that one...

Swat me with a hockey stick and call me puck, I swear, you learn something new every day here.

Anyway...

Yes, Mr. Shang, we definitely need a good hatter. And probably a smith and a ferrier for the growing number of horses. And a sanitation engineer with one of those ash cans on wheels and a push broom to follow around after the growing number of horses. But most of all an improved source of hats. After all, as Ordinal so aptly points out, "manners are key" and how can one tip one's hat in greeting to a fine gent or lady, if one ain't got the hat in the first place?

Seriously, has anyone done a "tip of the hat" animation to go with a nice bowler or boater?

Oh dear, we've kind of strayed from politics here, yes?

NO!

of course!

We've got to have good hats to "throw into the ring" for political purposes, eh?

By the way...I've been thinking (it's a long boring train ride back home), that if the reigning Steward (Long may He/She do jolly good things for His/Her People) does form a Caledonian Royal Navy--once the MTH is in place of course--may I suggest He/She start with one or two shallow draft coastal monitors?

You know, simple, low, flat ironclads with a revolving turret or two...only a few guns necessary, and fully steam powered--none of this messing about with wind stuff--and a few less prims than say...oh...a dreadnought). The apprearance of such vessels surely would suggest that the good people of Caledon are only interested in self defense of their own coastline and native waters...thereby lulling neighboring nation-states into a delightfully false sense of security.

Cavorite, jings.
Listen laddie that aint natural, you be marking my words.
Better be careful handling that else your whole island might be pulled clear from the surface of the land.

Never trust yon weird green stuff - nothin good will come of it.
Foolish sassenachs!

The bicycle is on sale now at my lab on the hill (it is listed under Deckard & Quinn Co., with serveral references to steam, steampunk, victorian in find. and links in my profile to classifieds). Sold 3 so far. Once I get proper pics to my Hard Drive, will be added to SLExchange.

Just finished a Electrical Aerial Conveyor, nice small zeppelin with twin props, but that is not on the vendor yet. The large Transport Zepplin seems to have a problem....1 in 4 landings and it bounces UNDER the ground...this may be a SL problem, since it uses the same code as the conveyor, and it dosen't sink. Can you see if Torley or one of the island support Lindens knows if this is an issue?

We do need a hatter...but until we get one, look up Simwear. has top hats, bowlers and a couple others. Also carries canes.

Oh no, now wheels are going in my mind. A nice american-style 'cheesebox on a raft' style, like the USS Monitor... Oh my...we do need a gunboat to engage in diplomacy, do we not? Does anyone know if Newfie's imagination has an imaginary gunboat?

As soon as my workshop is up and running, I have some theories in this direction...

Yes that is precisely what I was thinking stylistically--interestingly though, that "cheesebox on a raft" concept was used for a good half a century after the American Civil War, especially in South America and in some British Colonies. In fact, if I recall correctly, during the Great War around late 1914 or maybe it was in '15, British river monitors were used to attack the German commerce raider "Konigsberg" when it was bottled up in a river in East Africa. These later monitors were, of course, a good bit more complex than the original monitor, looking sort of like an ordinary gunboat or small destroyer escort with almost no freeboard...

but I digress (as usual)

Maklin, do you agree with me that a simple monitor style gunboat, would be pretty straightforward to build and crew? Like I said, certainly not as many prims as a Dreadnought, or even a conventional steam Gunboat--and yes, I had completely forgotten what you have wisely pointed out, i.e., it's going to look much better if the beloved Steward of Caledon (Long may he/she/it live and prosper!) carries out "gunboat diplomacy" while in posession of an actual gunboat. (Do you happen to know if Newfie's imaginary Republic has groves of imaginary bananas?). I may be wrong about this...I geuss there are certain cost-savings that result from not actually having a gunboat, and relying on a metaphorical one instead...

yes, I'm sure a metaphorical gunboat would use a good bit less coal than an actual one...

but it still seems like a non-metaphorical version would be very nice to have on hand should someday the residents of Caledon wake up to find the morning sunlight glinting off the muzzles of guns poking out of gunports on somebody else's gunboat anchored in the harbor.

Dear Caledons,
Why fight the obvious above the water battles, when the submarine is much more subtle.
Some history on the first steam powered submarine launched in 1867

http://scalemodel.net/IctineoII.aspx

http://www.travelinginspain.com/barcelona/ictineo.htm

This I belive the to be the future of Caledon sea power.

The moon launch will have to be a combination of technologies.

Here is the idea, quite well put

http://www.vectorsite.net/tarokt_4.html

But then adding the rockets the to end of the capsule, and have them fire just after leaving the barrel, is just a simple engineering problem.

carpe noctem good fellows

well said Mr. Plasma...especially when one realizes that one can have the best of both situations by taking another page out of the Royal Navy's Great War playbook with the... (wait for it)...Submarine Monitor!

That's right, a sub with a monitor type turret mounting a couple of heavy rifled breechloaders!

Travels like a sub...surfaces and shells their imaginary banana plantations like a coastal monitor!

In effect, Stealth Gunboat Diplomacy!

(notice how the madman managed to get things back into the realm of politics?)

But seriously Shock, that Spanish sub is just too cool for words..thanks for the link!

And while wandering the shores of our beloved homeland, I managed to take this PICTURE. Long live the steward!

I was wondering when I saw them park in front of me Makin, I thought perhaps it was friends of an un-named Baron come to extract revenge upon me, glad to hear they were friendly

It's Ms Plasma ...Coincidently I was in Barcalona two weeks ago. On the siteseeing bus trip I went past the submarine in that photo. I didn't realize what it was at the time.

Oh I love all this stuff!

I can hardly wait to finish up the Port development business, so I have a chance to relax a moment and see all these wonderful things close up.

I'm a builder at heart - and all these incredible technologies will bring Caledon into a Golden Age!

And I have *no* doubt that we will become economically strong, once our military-industrial sector starts to supply these advanced armaments to support nations all over the grid!

I do believe a World's Fair is in order to showcase these fine technologies, and the other glorious achievements of our citizens. I have a bit remaining to do, to complete the launch of our fine Academy first. But after that, consider a Crystal Palace to be in the works!




Elvawin, as landed gentry you have full protection of the State - just say the word to the Steward or myself, and Caledon will expel anyone who would offend your sensibilities.

And I'll do what I can to get people to stop calling you Elvawin "Baronslayer" Rainbow.

I realise it's problematic for you, but I fear the nom de guerre has stuck...

Indeed they are. With one gunboat as discussed earlier, our diplomatic options are...how shall I say it...limited. Now, we can simultaneously engage in the grand game of diplomacy with up to three imaginary nations! Or INTENSE diplomacy with one nation's bananna groves!


(On a side note, its amazing what lack of sleep, lack of interest in building something productive and a wee bit of Crown Royal will end up encouraging one to build)

My dear Ms. Plasma, my sincerest apologies. I meant no offense, and again, I think it is a wonderful link--the sub itself looks like a work of art, a sculpture, more than a machine.

And Mr. Deckard, a tip of the cap to you my good man. Impressive work!

I am sure that the citizens of Caledon already feel more secure in the beds (or other resting place of choice). The evidence suplied by the results of your judicious application of insomnia, technoligcal enthusiasm, and recreational distillates suggests that perhaps we already are on our way to having our own equivalent to the House of Krupp--or perhaps Vickers might be a better analogy as I belive they built everything including planes, gunboats, etc., and your skills seem to be a bit more wide-ranging than Krupp ever was, who after all stuck mainly with artillery of various sorts.

but I digress.

The monitors look really good.

I am pleased that my humble suggestion proved something of an inspiration.

That, is a splendid idea Mr. Shang.

Might I also suggest a Commision be formed that might invite a carefully chosen selection of the most skilled inventors from other nations who also are making Victorian period/steampunk technical and cultural artifacts to exhibit their work for sake of comparison. Also it could be an opportunity to recruit some of those individuals to relocate themselves to Caledon, as they could see firsthand the benefits of living in a community where the creative sciences are encouraged to flourish.

Long Live the Steward (May he/she/it never suffer the pangs and heartbreak of worrisome seasonal rashes)

Brilliant! So it shall be!



Folks, the raw land of Port Caledon has breached the surface of the Great Western Sea of Void, far ahead of schedule.

I shall be terraforming at a mad pace, and moving folks in hopefully in a few days.



It appears that our particular meld of industry, economy, and politics seems to be working quite effectively.

Our collaborative effort is far, far bigger than anything I could have possibly achieved on my own.




This latest sim is a financially definitive step forward.

Tier payments for four sims finally exceeds the gross output of my personal underwriting business, West Trade Imports LTD.

Thus, the landed gentry of Caledon collectively grow a little in power, and in a few more sims, they may decide to flex their national strength.

What will they desire? Should we reach a dozen or more sims and gather economic reserve, what will be done with it? Better infrastructure? Changes in domestic policy? More expansion, perhaps in new and unique ways?

Only time will tell

I vote for expansions, imperialism, colonialism, and then tea-time.

Churchill Industries Deliver new WARSHIP

Churchill Industries (Caledon Highlands & Pandorus) today delivered the first prototype of the new Ambassador class diplomatic monitor ship to the fledgling Caledon Aerial Navy.

The cavorite-hulled ship is capable of flight up to an undisclosed height (for reasons of secrecy and state security) and rumoured to be able to travel at speeds of more than 90 knots !!!





The image above shows the new vessel leaving the Churchill Industries works in the Caledon Highlands and passing over the Isambard Kingdom Brunel Memorial Bridge.

The new vessel is to be named Caledon Naval Vessel (CNV) 'Take A Hint'.

Future vessels planned for the class are CNV Who Do You Think You're Looking At? & CNV You Can Run If You Want - You'll Just Die Tired.

The vessels' duties will include transport of Ambassadors and envoys, and oversight of negotiations with other states.

An intriguing concept Mr. Churchill!

The "Aerial Monitor" opens up an additional dimension to the physical planes upon which the art of diplomacy may be practiced.

I find it interesting that your design exhibits many of the elements of a Great War era river monitor such as HMS Severn, with the exposed (and I assume armored) surperstructure and full battle-bridge, combined with developments of your own, ranging from the cavorite hull to the unique ball-turret-style gun sponsons on the main deckhouse.

Out of curiosity, are the sponson-mounted guns the same caliber as the main deck turret armament, which looks to be, what, perhaps 3-inch QF rifled breechloaders?

And as it is a prototype, do you anticipate further improvements once sea/air trials are completed?

Now it really is getting to be time to address the MHT issue and get some proper "fore-and-afts" for the high-ranking members of Caledon's admiralty (Mr. Shang, do you take about a seven-and-a-half?). Clearly, as the "diplomatic" fleet begins to take shape, the situation with regard to the lack of titfer resources becomes more crucial on a daily basis.

In similar news, Uuearebaeyelle Heavy Industryes is proud to announce the delivery of two XS-1 submersible monitor prototypes under the auspices of Naval Construction Contract #2.

The tentatively named "CNV Bite My Shiny Metal Turret" and "CNV Enter For A Prize" are shown here at anchor off the Caledon Highlands.

http://static.flickr.com/45/141398106_f1eb1c0c35_o.jpg

On static display:
http://static.flickr.com/45/141411034_58a17e5f7a_o.jpg

Shown together with the currently-under-development XA-1 and XA-2 vitreous-aluminium-framed dirigibles:
http://static.flickr.com/50/141425993_098508190a_o.jpg

Location: Caledon Highlands 61,64,26

A huge buildup of dreadnoughts, a terrible titfer shortage, how will this situation resolve itself?


But please, everyone... allow us to grow economically a bit more first If it is expansion you want, expansionism it will be - but let us strive to do so in a civilised manner.

I would suggest making our heavy military-industrial resources available for a price to all foreign nations.


No doubt many of you will become sickeningly wealthy in the process, thus increasing Caledon's Gross Domestic Product, and increasing our global influence.


And god yes, the admiralty needs jackets and hats...

If done correctly, we could also periodically present selections from "Pinafore" so perhaps from a political perspective, the situation should be reviewed by the Steward's Cultural Commission as well as representatives of the Admiralty.

Seriously, Desmond, all jocularity aside--the intense creative response to some... well, admittedly off-the-cuff ideas that were tossed out just for fun, suggests something about the depth and vitality of the innovative spirit that is flourishing among the people of Caledon. Have you thought about what you might set up as an administrative framework to support the Steward (Long may he/she/it enjoy the perks of public life) and help channel the community's creative energies in paths that are useful to the communal good as well as bringing a sesne of satisfaction and enjoyment to the innovators themselves?

As a matter of historical interest I might draw your attention to these rather striking, but little known ships. Known as Cigar ships, again ahead of their time.

http://home.att.net/~karen.crisafulli/CigarBoats.html

Also is it posible to have a lottery for the naming of some of the future vessels ? Then possibly a grand ship launch?