WesWorld

The recent posting of the PRS Pacific raises a question. Why is a heavily armed icebreaker needed in this time line? What issues exist regarding use of the Artic?
(I know the USCG had 5 well armed icebreakers in the 40's)
Is there a threat of military action in this area that the PRS Pacific is intended to address?

I can't speak for Swampy's motivations on this one. However, there's no treaty in place to prevent the exploitation of Antarctica, which appears to raise the possibility of exploiting its resources. I imagine some countries are tempted to take that course of action.

Folks do need to remember, however, that even now, the polar regions are extremely difficult to operate in. There's no infrastructure, the weather sucks, the winters are long and dark, etc. As a result, it is extremely difficult and expensive to exploit resources in the Arctic, and will be similarly difficult to do so in the Antarctic. Moreso eighty years ago.

'Course, I'm just looking at the weather, rocks, and seabirds, so India's issues (and military needs) are that much less.

Good question!

Well Swampy, what have the Penguins done to you??

Atlantis plans on building its own polar exploration vessel, capable of ice breaking operations, but by no means will it be armed to the teeth, there's absolutly no need.

Answer as player (out-of-character): "Because I can." :-) Also, using the stockpiled 6" turret as main armament allows me to cut a month from the build time...

"Official" answer (what the Filipinos tell other nations): The PRS Pacifica is intended in time of war to act as a seaplane tender/torpedo-boat depot ship. As such it may find itself in "contested waters", so it was decided - given that there was a twin six-inch turret available - to equip her with a fairly heavy level of armament, in order to discourage "oppertunistic" attacks. In addition, it is entirely possible that hostilities might break out during an exploration mission, necessatiating a fighting return to the Philippines, and perhaps even allowing her to act as a raider during the return voyage.

Secret musings by Certain People™ within the Filipino Government ("You Heard No-Tink!"): The Antartic territories are fully incorporated into the Republic of the Philippines (attached to the province of Davao del Sur). Considering this, it is necessary for reasions of national security (=national pride) to be capable of defending Filipino territory wherever it may be. Also there are two Filipino corporations getting into the whaling business, and it is desirable to be able to provide at least some degree of protection to their vessels from piracy and other acts of war. In addition there is the possibility of establishing a base at some point in the future for the exploitiation of Antarctic resources*, and the defense of such a base would also be a matter of priority. Finally, in the event of hostilities, it might be possible/desirable/necessary to seize the Antarctic possessions of other countries by force of arms. The Pacifica could easily carry a considerable force of Marines and equipment. Perhaps (muses Señor de Varga) Antarctic territorial claims could even be the cause of hostilities...

* - Boil those penguins down, boys, boil those penguins down...the production of oil from, ah, reprocessed penguins actually was done historically. And (although environmentalists cried "liar!") it was indicated that, given proper attention to harvest ratios, penguin oil could be a renewable resource, with the harvest not reducing overall numbers of the birds at all.

Its just another nefarious Philipino plot to rule the world.

John,

that´s a very good question. Especially if one thinks about the crews necessary to man those guns - and those crews need to be fed and housed for quite some time if their ship is operating in those southern waters.

You probably also noted that Swamphy, eh, the Filipinos think they already have taken those lands, have a right down there. This is not the case, really. So far there is no international law or treaty in WesWorld defining which peace of land belongs to whom and in fact nearly every square meter is claimed by at least two countries.

So you can see why at least he thinks he needs armed ice breakers. Those guys with the big and plenty ships won´t build something similar as they can use their fleets to make sure no armed filipino icebreaker will ever be decisive regarding the question who holds which lands. ;o)

Cheers,

HoOmAn

Quoted

in fact nearly every square meter is claimed by at least two countries

Actually, based on the map (The WesWorld According To Walter), there are only two "disputed" areas in Antarctica...oddly enough, they both involve the SAE:

50°E-75°E : SAE/France
10°W-20°W: SAE/Nordmark

And of course if/when the USA puts in a claim, they'll overlap with somebody...probably Chile (90°W-120°W).

However, the Filipinos were veddy, veddy careful to stake their claim in a 100% unclaimed area. So any other claims on our turf will find themselves denied priority.

Quoted

the big and plenty ships won´t build something similar as they can use their fleets to make sure no armed filipino icebreaker will ever be decisive regarding the question who holds which lands. ;o)

Who says there will just be the icebreaker? For 1929, I'm planning an Antarctic Panzerschiffe...^_^

Gives a new meaning to the Cold War.