Middlesea Fleet

== Caledon Middlesea Fleet 17 October 2007 to 17 August 2008 ==
(also known as "Grand Middlesea Fleet" or simply "The Middlesea Fleet")
The now defunct Middlesea Fleet was officially sanctioned by the Guvnah of Caledon 14 October 2007. The Fleet is established as a group of 19th-Century-themed Sea-Fencibles, sporting technology and uniforms from the latter half of that era, and inspired by (primarily) the revolutionary naval development that transpired from the American Civil War to (roughly) the birth of the Dreadnought fighting vessel. The Organization was primarily sponsored by the Duchess of Middlesea, Gloire Thibaud, and headquartered at the dock on that island. Due to change of ownership of Middlesea sim, the fleet disbanded (as Middlesea Fleet) and "sailed Eastward", an allusion to finding service with another nation in Second Life. The successor organization holds no claim to the title "Middlesea" or even service to the Caledonian state. The last action of the Middlesea Fleet was an epic rescue mission of various Caledonian citizens stranded on Saint Kitts Island during the eruption of the Saint Kitts Volcano. The Fleet crossed several hundred nautical miles of open sea at flank speed to get to the island in time, losing four sailor and three ships in the process: The White Lady, Experimental Monitor One, and an unnamed Fiskdale class Ironclad. 
Relationship to other Navies and Military Organizations
The Middlesea Fleet is an independent force that operates for the defense of coastlines and rivers in Caledon. As such, they are active on the national borders and a full and equal partner in national defense. The Middlesea Fleet recognizes and supports their neighbors in the Imperial Navy of Caledon, and regards them as natural allies, although they act independently from that organization. The Middlesea Fleet is a founding member of the Fleet Cooperative Council.
Organization and Structure
The Middlesea Fleet is organized according to their Fleet Articles, which state that they are "Sea-Fencibles organized by a band of ironclad driving yachtsmen". Membership is pretty easygoing; their only real duty being strict attention to defense of Caledon's borders, which have not seen nautical incursion since the Babbage Incident. With the growth of other fleets in other micronations, that may soon change. The highest rank in the Middlesea Fleet is Commodore; this is nominally held by the Guvnah, Desmond Shang, as well as one other elected Commodore (although the Fleet has not yet gotten around to electing one). Initial rank is Lieutenant for any recruit who does not possess at least one fighting ship. Lieutenant Commander is automatic upon proof of ownership of a fighting ship. Commanders hold key staff positions (Intelligence, Support, Line, Fleet Air Arm and Marines), and Post-Captains command groups of ships. There is currently only one active Post-Captain, Hotspur O'Toole, who performs most daily administrative duties.
Techology Base and Fighting Systems
The Middlesea Fleet seems grounded in 19th century naval history, which they classify as being of three somewhat distinct periods of naval history: Age of Sail, Age of Iron, and the Birth of the Pre-Dreadnought (which includes the discovery of liftwood and cavorite engine systems). Battles will usually be themed in one of those eras as most ship combat systems are designed for specific types of fighting. The two most common combat systems in use at the moment are the Sanchon Sailing Ship system designed by Chase Speculas and the Ironclad Combat System from Murakami Steamworks. There seems to be a preference for Ironclad and Aether Flyer ships from the Age of Iron era amongst Middlesea Fleet Captains, currently. 
Uniform Regulations
The uniform of the Caledon Middlesea Fleet is a dark green color with a hint of grey. The Fleet uniform is modeled heavily on the historic ACW Union Naval officer's officer's uniform. Piping is indicative of branch of specialty; Black for Line Officers, Reddish Orange for Support and Intelligence, Pale Blue for Fleet Air Arm, and Golden for Fleet Marines. Uniforms are snazzy and well received at social functions, but they are not required-- for instance, the Fleet Engineer wears his own quirky custom uniform and Commander Amplebeak Tinlegs commands his ships in civilian clothes. Inquiries are being made about a formal version for Caledon's numerous social events, as well as a Marine Version, Aviator Version and enlisted "Swabbies."
Fleet Air Arm
The Middlesea Fleet utilizes aircraft generally accepted as part of the "Steampunk Era", notably balloons, airships and primitive aircraft such as the Ornithopter. Aircraft are currently used mostly in a reconnaissance/spotting role, and the fleet's first Balloon Barge, The Narragansett, is currently being built for that purpose. Plans are afoot for a very crude "aircraft carrier" that could launch either a bicycle blimp or an ornithopter to engage in long distance scouting or limited combat. Aircraft from a later era (the Great War, the Interwar Period, World War II, modern and science fiction) are generally not accepted as being "in period", but so-called Aether Ships (similar to those published in the roleplaying game SPACE:1889 for instance), are very much in period, as well as any obvious steam powered aircraft. There is currently no leader of the FAA, although recent rapid expansion of the aether ship force (two Hornet class Aether Destroyers, the Black Maria and the Bonadventure, and one as-yet un-named Aether Dreadnought) has made finding an air arm commander of prime importance.
Fleet Marines
The Fleet Marine Corp has recently sprung up under Commandant Telemachus Dean, who is actively recruiting a few good AVIs to practice ship boarding and marine landing combat.
Notable Members
Honorary Commodore Desmond Shang, Patron
Honorary Post-Captain Gloire Thibaud, Patroness
Post-Captain Hotspur O'Toole, Line, Administration
Commander Exrex Somme, Line
Commander Amplebeak Tinlegs, Support, Line
Commander Eva Bellambi, Fleet Intelligence
Commander Virrginia Tombola, Fleet Support, Line
Lieutenant Commander Diamanda Gustafson, Line
Commander MrBunwah Murakami, Fleet Engineer
Commandant (equivalent to Commander) Telemachus Dean, Fleet Marines
Ladies' Auxiliary, Nabilah Nadir
Notable Ship Classes
The Narragansett: Fleet Spotter/Intelligence gathering ship, currently in drydock
The Little David: The Fleet's unarmed speed competition craft, built to compete against Edward Pearse's Steam Ray.
Several Monitor Class Ironclads: Part of the backbone of the fleet, the turreted Monitor class (and her derivative multi-turreted sisters) are an important part of the fleet's striking power. The monitor "rotating turret" classes have recently gone through a major upgrade.
Several Casemate Class Ironclads: Essex, Virginia, Nashville and Columbia class "slab-siders" for the mass striking power of broadside Dhalgren guns.
The David: Spar Torpedo craft, capable of instant ship kills.
The Hunley: the Fleet's sole submarine. Rigged with a spar torpedo capable of instant ship kill, it can approach a target under water.
Aether Ship Class:
:The Hornet: An Aether ship powered by a combination of liftwood planking and cavorite engines. Medium armor, one large quickfire gun forward and two waist guns. Two in service: the Black Maria and the Bonadventure. The Black Maria was recently tested in battle against a pirate zeppelin over Eyre.
:The Skorpion: An Aether ship of immense size with large caliber weapons all around fired at strategic points. One in service, still in the yards and not yet christened.
:The Sky Galleon: featuring a forward firing cannon of medium bore and small crew, primarily uses a liftwood design with a small auxiliary engine.
Spotting/Reconnaissance aircraft:
:The Ornithopter: flapping winged aircraft, firing light lewis gun. Plans are in work to refit a Narragansett-style barge with a sloping deck from which to launch an Ornithopter, creating the Fleet's first powered aircraft carrier.
:The Fighter/Recon Steam Fighter (aka Steam Doughnut): highly unusual Edison Corporation aerial fighter crafted as a steam powered circular fan with dual cockpit-- pilot and gunner. Recently tested against sky pirates from the future and bested them.
Strategic Partnerships
* Murakami Steamworks
* Edison Corporation
Category:MilitaryCategory:Groups