RSS Alert Version 1.2

RSS “Alert” Revenue Cutter (Squaresail/Topsail Schooner)

After more than a year since the last RSS ship release, Red Sails Shipyard is proud to announce its newest ship for SPD fighting sail: The RSS Alert! Based on the US revenue cutters in the late 1700s to early 1800s, the Alert continues the RSS commitment to lifelike SPD ships in Second life. Historically, the lightly armed cutters would use their shallow water capability and fast speed to run down ships along the US coastal areas and collect tax/cargo revenues. The RSS Alert works to mirror historical performance as best as possible yet remain competitive with existing SPD ships. The full size cutters also participated in unofficial conflicts such as the quasi-war with France at the turn of the century by taking French ships. One cutter captured five French ships during its short life! We expect the RSS Alert to be as successful.

Drawing upon previous ship building experience, the RSS Alert features more details done in efficient mesh construction. From the historically accurate hull outlines and rudder (including hinges), the distinctive raked masts clad with physics crafted sails, and class identifying kneed stern, the Alert stands as the next high water mark for crafted SPD ship realism.

Not to be left behind, the Alert features the latest generation of streamlined scripts. Keeping the known smooth operation of RSS ships, the Alert’s scripts have been tweaked for efficiency gains and reduction of the dreaded “Dance of Death” SL bug. New to the RSS shipline are square sails extensively integration into the main sailing engine. The HUD script received a revamp handling automatic configuration to the ship it connects to along with a cannon script update.

The RSS Alert performs! It is as quick and nimble as the full size namesake. Armed with square sails, the Alert keeps up with other square sail SPD ships on the downwind run while maintaining sprightly upwind performance. Keeping with historical intent, the Alert is somewhat lightly armed medium class ship with 9 cannons in a 2 bow, 3 broadsides, and 1 stern cannon configuration. This is not a slugger type of ship, but an agile hard-to-hit dancer with a nasty sting.
I sincerely hope the RSS Alert will not only fill a spot in your personal ship fleet, but will also become one of your sailing favorites!

Angelic “The Red Hellion” Helling (aka Elic Epsilon)
Owner, Red Sails Shipyard