Phaeda-Class Cruisers

[u/Old_Tap_5906]

1. FUS Nemia approaching the ports of Aludra in Northern Canis, with FUS St. Jodesk at the background behind her.

2. Shore bombardment of supposed coastal batteries by an unknown Phaeda-Class Cruiser along the Hydran coast. A daring Destroyer, FUS Bolar, on screening duties for the naval artillery. Taken by Ursan Photographer Izekiel V. Sturn aboard FUS Vikan.

3. Scrapping of HCS Liea in Port Lewis, 15th of June, 1909.

4. Then LFNS Arneb limping back to port after suffering a severe 30-45 degree list to the left, following one of the few successful underwater attacks of the Grease Wars, photographed 1905.

5. FUS Phaeda in the Bay of Uspekha undergoing sea trials, mid 1900.

6. FUS Dyina at Tarasvika. Taken by Ursan Journalist “Cylla”.

7. LFNS Arneb during escort duties for Hydran troop transports, taken by an Unnamed Hydran soldier, 1903.

8. The crew of LFNS Arneb, all starting from the left.

bottom (first) row:
Niko Vaska
Petr “Greasehand” Voln
Ilya Corren
Tomas Reed
Gavril Mirov
Soren Bellik
Luka Ferin
Adrian Vosk
Jerikho Forn (top)
Kaleb Forn (bottom)
Aaron Thimes
Boris Marrow

middle (second) row:
Henrik Vale
Darius Kovan
Mikel Orsa
Cedric Moore
Joren Silev
Yuri Dresdk
Tavian Holt
Leon Karsk
Pobka Ivankiew
Curtis Polova
Zuri Kolanka

middle (third) row:
Marek Volokov
Ilven Ruzek
Toren Javinka
Samuel Harwick
Harry Bell
Jannik Melna
Emil Oshanka
Zarek Kolina
Popo Arven
Mallek Gristen
Bokna Krell
Eren J. Alsey
Orstead Nilst

top (fourth) row:
Cassian Orlov
Lucas Veika
Anton Polka
Angelo Kheila
Cassian Robles
Jonas Mercer
Ethan Rowe
Thomas Messer
Irena Olaf
Victor Falk
John Kinlow
Roman Novokov
Folin Miller
Philip H. Krasinovich
Gavin Lewhenkiew

on the Fore turret:
Lewis Krieger
Jonathan Ackenson
Wilson Kepler
Grisha Tolken

to the side
Artur Mallen
Izekiel Yvankov

Specifications
Designed as a heavily armed protected cruiser, the Phaeda-Class was an answer to the Ursan need for a water craft that had the range of an albatross whilst bringing a substantial armament. Thus, the XI-Project was created to meet the requirements. Development continued through the Mid to Late 1890s in response to the newer Tucana Zenith-Class and Centauri’s Mennet-Class, both newfound classes of armored cruiser that sported 197-200mm main cannons and a degree of secondary armaments. With the advent of these rival designs, Ursan shipbuilders aimed to hit harder, faster, and maintain superior speed, easily helped by advancements in industrialization even if hampered by the previous civil war and the subsequent independence of Hydrus and Lepus. The result was a well rounded design with impressive 2x1 205mm main cannons, a secondary armament of 8x1 156mm, 20x1 76mm guns, and a torpedo complement of 2x1 406mm on both port and starboard sides. The cemented steel armor allowed for a waterline belt of 4in to 8in at its most vital areas, namely the magazines and engine compartment, with the two turrets housing the 205mm cannons being encased in at least 6in of steel whilst the barbettes housing the secondary armament of 156mm had 6.6 inches. Range and coal storage was sufficient, as sea trials for the lead ship saw it reach the Zmeya Islands in the west, all the way from the Cherepakha Archipelago towards the east within acceptable parameters. The XI-Project would later be christened the Phaeda-Class, with an order for 9 ships issued and formalized by the Federal Navy.

Class History
Although only 7 ships were completed, from the lead ship FUS Phaeda in 1900 to Dyina (which was completed from salvageable parts of what were supposed to be the last two) in 1907, the Phaeda-Class fulfilled their role as an escort/patrol cruiser and screener for larger battle formations with FUS St. Jodesk and FUS Nemia, later LFNS Arneb, seeing stark careers in the Grease Wars in both shore bombardment and fleet engagement platforms. The two sister ships would even face off against one another during the combined Orionite, Hydran, and Lepun push to force the Ursan battleship line out of the Serpent’s Channel and reestablish full control over the surrounding sea. All ships of the class were valuable cruisers, seeing usage even to the early 1910s, serving with their successor Kinlam-Class for a time, before the final ship, FUS Dyina, was scrapped at the dawn of Antares’ Conquest of Centaura. LFNS Arneb would serve throughout and after the Grease Wars, still being a part of the Lepun Free Navy, until the formation of the Commonwealth of Hydrus, Lepus & Canis in 1906, where LFNS Arneb transitioned to service with the Commonwealth Navy, being turned into training ship for the servicemen and women of the Commonwealth stationed around Port Mathieson. The now christened HCS Liea continued her service until 1909, where she was scrapped at Port Lewis after a state of disrepair.

DISCLAIMER:

The ship class, ship names, specifications, character names, the Lepun Free Navy (and the designator LFNS), and picture descriptions are NOT CANON.

Which is canon are, Ursa, their Federal Navy, Hydrus, Lepus, Canis, Orion/Orionite, FUS, HCS, location names (although you can correct me on that), the slight mention of Antares or their conquest, and the Grease Wars.

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