Iron and Fire

1850-1880 Naval Rules

review by Tony Gibbs

by David Manley

This is the set of rules. It has been written to cover the ironclad period 1850-1880. The author has been a wargamer for some 25 years or so, and has published at least five sets of rules that I can find credit for. As usual with Mr. Manley, nothing appears to have been overlooked - there are 19 pages of rules dealing with the obvious right down to sniper fire, temporary armour, and even fledgling submarines. Also included are 12 pages of ship data, tables, and charts, followed by 16 different blank ship data sheets, and then 3 pages of quick-play ‘cheat sheets’ of all the crucial tables (gunnery, penetration, effects, criticals, etc.). It must be noted that the ship data covers only some of the many and varied ships afloat at the time. For a more comprehensive list, the supplements are needed.

In the manner the author seems to prefer, he bases the rules on initiative per turn (based on commander’s ability and a die roll) to determine movement order - a great advantage when it comes to the gunnery phase. There are two ways to inflict damage - Structure Points (SP) and Buoyancy Points (BP). Along with this are 20 possible critical hits, about half of which do not require penetration. One note here is that the rules state you will need six d6, ten d10, and twenty d20 - I’m not sure we have that many d20s in the club, let alone my basement! (This may cause a run on d20s, so stock up now.)

Written for 1/1200 scale on a 6’x4’ table, looks as if I shall have to trot out the Houston’s Ships again as we now have a viable rules set.

Blue Steel, Grey Thunder

The American Civil War supplement is mainly about expanded ship lists and specific rule tweaking for this particular war. Forts are included as well as rules to cover minor land based actions, such as troop landings to take a fortification. A campaign rule I found amusing is that of character traits for the commanders, allowing a range from ‘compassionate and razor-sharp’ to ‘slow-witted, cowardly alcoholic.’ A useful book if this is your area of interest.

Ironclads at War

This European supplement is very interesting, covering as it does three main conflicts: The Franco-Prussian War, The Lissa Campaign; and that old favorite The Second Schleswig War. All three get a brief but detailed history of the conflict and its causes. The Lissa Campaign gets my top marks for giving a variety of possible scenarios, from the straight naval engagement, through naval bombardment (and vice versa) of show batteries, and even - yes - a Martello tower or two, to finally a landing and invasion. From A&A Games, available through Brookhurst hobbies for a mere $14.98. Also two supplements: ‘Blue Steel, Grey Thunder,’ and “Ironclads at War,’ both $14.98 each.

Addresses for Brookhurst Hobbies are 12188 Brookhurst St., Garden Grove, CA 92840, phone 714-636-3580, fax 714-636-9150, e-mail “mail to:info@brookhursthobbies.com”info@brookhursthobbies.com, website “http://www.brookhursthobbies.com/”www. brookhursthobbies.com

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