The Age of Sail was a period roughly corresponding to the early modern period in which international trade and naval warfare were dominated by sailing ships, lasting from the 16th to the mid-19th century. This is a significant period during which square-rigged sailing ships carried European settlers to many parts of the world in one of the most expansive human migrations in recorded history.
Like most periodic eras the definition is inexact but close enough to serve as a general description. The age of sail runs roughly from the Battle of Lepanto in 1571, the last significant engagement in which oar-propelled galleys played a major role, to the Battle of Hampton Roads in 1862, in which the steam-powered ironclad CSS Virginia destroyed the sailing ships USS Cumberland and USS Congress, culminating with the advance of steam power, rendering sail power in warfare obsolete.
Sailing ships continued to be an economical way to transport cargo on long voyages into the 1920s. Sailing ships do not require fuel or complex engines to be powered; thus they tended to be more independent from requiring a dedicated support base on the mainland. Crucially though, steam-powered ships held a speed advantage and were rarely hindered by adverse winds, freeing steam-powered vessels from the necessity of following trade winds. As a result, cargo and supplies could reach a foreign port in half the time it took a sailing ship. It is this factor that drove sailing ships aside. Sailing vessels were pushed into narrower and narrower economic niches (see disruptive technology) and gradually disappeared from commercial trade. Today, sailing vessels are only economically viable for small scale coastal fishing, along with recreational uses such as yachting and passenger sail excursion ships.
Age of Sail is a real-time tactics naval combat PC video game produced by TalonSoft in 1996. The game covered the naval campaigns of the French Revolutionary Wars, Napoleonic Wars and other more minor conflicts in the period 1775 to 1820. In addition to the campaigns there are more than 100 independent scenarios based on significant naval actions including the battles of Trafalgar and Camperdown. The game includes a scenario editor with over 2,000 historically accurate sailing ships allowing the extension of the game by the user.
Age of Sail II (Russian: Век Парусников II) is a 2001 real-time tactics video game, developed by Akella. It is the sequel to Age of Sail. It has similar historically accurate game play, and is enhanced with 3D graphics and a free-floating camera. Unlike the original Age of Sail, the sequel's maps are embellished with strategic landmasses. Age of Sail II accurately portrays the mighty fighting ships from 1775 to 1820, and has a realistic combat engine. You can play its campaign which includes a full career ladder, or play one of the 100+ historical scenarios. The game also includes a map editor allowing players to create custom scenarios.
A stand-alone expansion, titled Age of Sail II: Privateer's Bounty, was released in 2002.
The gameplay of Age of Sail II features a minimap, helm, and lists of vessels in play. The player controls one or more vessels each with a specified amount of cannons, health, and sails. There are also controls for speed of the gameplay.
To achieve victory, the player must either cause the enemy ships to surrender, or simply sink them. Damage inflicted on a vessel is determined by the type of shots fired (round, chain, grape, canister), and the target (hull/sail). Each fire also inflicts damage on the ship's crew. Canister shots are made specifically to inflict damage on crew members. The fewer men aboard a ship, the higher chance for the ship to surrender. Speed of activities such as maneuvering the sails, repairing damage, and cannon reload speed are also affected.
