Union Naval Build Schedule?

[enalut]

So after getting a new computer (and thus not having to wait 15-20 minutes to process a turn) I have restarted my Union '61 campaign. I was wonderign what kind of naval building program is recomended.

It is now early october and I essentailly started my naval buildup after the July recruitment window.

Essentially, my goal has been to build every transport as soon as it is available and send 80% of them to the shipping lanes. I have also been building Armored Frigates to give to Farrogot in prperation for Amphibious operaqtosn next year. I have also Built 3 Ironclads (including the Monitor) to cover Norfolk and the Merimack.

I have also been building a new blockade squadron every turn. So far my prioroty hass been to blockade Norfolk and the James River in preperation for an assault on Richmond. and once that was accomplished I sent enough Blockade squadrons to the Gulf to equal the atlantic squadrons. (I have been under the impression that both Blackade boxes should ahve hte smae number of squadrons--is this correct?)

I have also built 3-4 river Ironclads, but no other riverine ships (excepting the abstracted transports).


So my question is what type of naval buidlup do most union players go for?

When?
What?
How much?

[Le Ricain]

So after getting a new computer (and thus not having to wait 15-20 minutes to process a turn) I have restarted my Union '61 campaign. I was wonderign what kind of naval building program is recomended.

It is now early october and I essentailly started my naval buildup after the July recruitment window.

Essentially, my goal has been to build every transport as soon as it is available and send 80% of them to the shipping lanes. I have also been building Armored Frigates to give to Farrogot in prperation for Amphibious operaqtosn next year. I have also Built 3 Ironclads (including the Monitor) to cover Norfolk and the Merimack.

I have also been building a new blockade squadron every turn. So far my prioroty hass been to blockade Norfolk and the James River in preperation for an assault on Richmond. and once that was accomplished I sent enough Blockade squadrons to the Gulf to equal the atlantic squadrons. (I have been under the impression that both Blackade boxes should ahve hte smae number of squadrons--is this correct?)

I have also built 3-4 river Ironclads, but no other riverine ships (excepting the abstracted transports).


So my question is what type of naval buidlup do most union players go for?

When?
What?
How much?

I think that your US Navy build schedule is very aggressive.

I have never felt the need to build transports for the shipping lanes. The transports present at the start should be sufficient to meet your supply needs. The money and WS supplied by the shipping boxes are not significant. You need transports to supply your Atlantic and GOM blockade box fleets. Transports are also useful for building depots (at Ft Pickens for example).

Armoured Frigates are nice to have, but are not necessary for Farragut's fleet. He is pretty strong with his New York Fleet. Build a few steam frigates if you want.

Building monitors to support the brown water blockade groups in the Norfolk area is probably a good idea. The Monitor may not be enough on her own.

Blockading Norfolk should be your first priority. Also blockading the Ft Pickens area and the North Carolina coast that is free of the coastal forts is also easy to do. Remember that the North Carolina blockade force will need a transport in order to remain in supply.

The Atlantic and GOM blockade boxes should be equal in ships to be effective.

Regarding the west, building a couple of ironclads is not a bad idea. The priority, however, should be to build gunboats and start blocking the upper Mississippi and Ohio Rivers to Confederate cavalry and raiders.