Fantasy Airship Types

It’s the 1840’s in a steampunk fantasy world where magic exists alongside science. Europe has been ruled by a triumphant Empire of France…at least until the Elvish Dominion decides to “do something” about humanity. The Dominion goes to war with the major nations of the world, helped by their Fey allies and the magically bred soldiers, the Orakai, they’ve created and enslaved to fight for them. Magically powered airship fleets clash in the sky as battle rages across the world.

Here are the basic types of military airships that participating in this world-spanning war:

1. Dreadnought: A rare class of airship, mostly dominated by the Dominion. The Empire of France has one dreadnaught, the Bonaparte, based on a captured and restored Elven vessel. Dreadnoughts are the largest and most powerful airships, typically carrying between 70 to 100 guns on multiple gun decks.
2. Battleships: Also known as ships of the wall. These are large and heavily armed warships designed primarily for engaging in ship-to-ship combat. Battleships are equipped with powerful cannons and serve as the backbone of aerial fleets. They carry between 28 to 60 guns. They are also used in major fleet actions. At 36 guns, Shapiro (featured in the novella “Pivot Point”) is a small battleship, but faster and more nimble than most aerial battleships.
3. Frigates: Frigates are medium-sized airships that are highly versatile, typically armed with 10 to 20 guns. They are primarily used for escorting merchant ships, engaging in reconnaissance missions, and conducting patrols. Frigates are known for their speed and maneuverability and often carry a mix of cannons and smaller guns. At 12 guns, Vingador (encountered in “Pivot Point” and featured in the short story “Storm Chaser”) is a frigate, which helps make it an effective privateer.
4. Steam Frigates: A new class of ship, featuring a steam-powered propeller system. The fastest and most maneuverable of all ships, as long as their coal supplies last. Typically armed with 8 – 16 guns.
5. Sloops-of-War: Sloops-of-war are smaller vessels compared to battleships and frigates, but are still an important part of naval forces. These ships are typically used for tasks such as coastal defense, anti-piracy operations, and patrolling trade routes. Sloops-of-war are typically armed with less than 10 cannons and have a crew size that permit effective operations over long periods of time with little resupply.
6. Steam Packets: Small steam-powered airships used for high speed reconnaissance and as messenger couriers.