Shipbucket

Hello, I've been lurking for some time in the discord server, but the time has come to finally make my first post, since I have finally finished my first proper drawing (Other early attempts of mine are not worth the name!). It is an early destroyer for a fictional European island nation, approximate location being the Celtic Sea/English Channel. I chose this destroyer for simplicity's sake as drawing the larger ships I have schemed about might be a bit more than I can chew at this point.


A brief abstract of this ship; The Jean Luc class (alternatively 1899 Type torpedo boat destroyer) is a class of destroyers built at the turn of the century that are comparatively large, and designed to be able to outgun any opposition torpedo boat, while also being able to escort heavier fleet units through continental European waters.

My specifications for the ship are 452 tons displacement standard, a 27.7 knot practical top speed, and an armament of two 102mm (fore and aft) and two 18" torpedo tubes (on port/starboard beam).

A brief history of the class, more details from the depths of my documents are better suited for their own thread. Construction started in 1899, with 9 members of the class entering service between 1901 and 1904. A further 2 were built by 1908 as low cost alternatives to more modern destroyers.

Below is 1903 condition, originally the 102mm were not fitted due to supply issues, but by 1903 they were duly fitted. In the meantime, 76mm guns of British origin were fitted.


By 1910, although there were concerns about top-weight and stability, the decision was taken to refit the ships with a taller bridge for better visibility over the forward gun. This was prompted by the near loss of one of the class by running around, and several near miss incidents. At this time, the opportunity was also taken to install a mast aft and wireless equipment, to further their role as escorts. A second, smaller searchlight was added atop the bridge.


Come 1914, the last pair of destroyers taken in hand were given a more extensive refit, with the single 18" torpedo tubes being replaced by a double launcher of the same calibre on the boat deck aft of the third funnel.



Serving in Pacific and Mediterranean theatres initially, they were gradually moved to home waters. One ship was lost to striking a mine off Ostend in 1917, and the rest being decommissioned between 1918 and 1920, and none would see the year turn over to 1921.

Feedback is very welcome, there is bound to be something I can improve!

Welcome aboard!
This is a very nice little design.
The drawings look pretty good, I can't see any obvious errors or lapses of SB style. For a small boat drawing I think you've done very well to get so much detail on the boat without making the drawing too 'busy'. The rigging looks very good too.
One improvement might be to use the newer 3x3 pixel porthole instead of the older 4x4 as it fits the scale of smaller vessels better.

As the the design itself, I think perhaps two 4in guns might be a bit heavy for the 1899-1903 period. Most early destroyers still relied on a battery of smaller calibre QF guns, but by 1910 the 4in would indeed be standard. It's not a major problem though and I don't think the design suffers in any way. The vulnerable rudder layout might be slightly anachronistic but fits with the 1899 build date.

I look forward to seeing more of your work.

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Hood's Worklist
English Electric Canberra FD
Interwar RN Capital Ships
Super-Darings
Never-Were British Aircraft

Welcome aboard and a very good start to boot. Although I'm not that knowledgeable about old (and for that matter new) warships, I can't offer advice regarding the design, but I'll join Hood's comment about the portholes, the new 3x3 portholes are much better looking, particularly on small ships.
Ant way a warm welcome and hope to see more of your work.

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Thank you Kim for the crest

"Never fear to try on something new. Remember that the Titanic was built by professionals, and the Ark by an amateur"

Welcome to SB!
That's a very nice start indeed and I hope to see more of Your works in the future.

Thank you for the warm welcome! Apologies for leaving it over a month before responding, I was intending to respond earlier, but such is life.

I quickly switched out the 4" for some earlier British 3"/50 18cwt, for a potential 1901 to mid 1900s condition. The ship seems a bit too small for me to try and add any more armaments, although perhaps side by side in the current positions could work with smaller guns.



I am a bit sceptical of the 3 wide port holes, I'm on the fence if they look better or not. For any ships smaller than this I would agree wholeheartedly. Nevertheless I gave it go. It definitely has it's merits over the other drawings.



I've started on a few things bigger, but I might switch back to create a leader based on this destroyer, even if Jean Luc was intended to be a quasi-leader in the first place.

Nice!

Looks a nice improvement, cant wait to see what you draw next, a DL sounds a nice move.

_________________
Hood's Worklist
English Electric Canberra FD
Interwar RN Capital Ships
Super-Darings
Never-Were British Aircraft