Development of the Early Steam Landship
With the invention of steam-powered traction engines, it was only a matter of time before some bright fellow found a military use for them.
The first such usage was as a prime mover for artillery, replacing horses. This experiment was a dismal failure, as it needed both fuel and water to continue operation, in quantities significantly higher than the old horses had required. While this was not a significant disadvantage in civilized areas, in colonial stations it would be difficult to supply.
Additional problems were discovered with these open steam tractors. The operator was horribly exposed to enemy fire. The boiler, though made of reinforced iron, was also vulnerable to enemy bullets. The piston arrangements that drove the main wheels were too easily damaged as well, and new parts for repair would have to be carried along, creating further logistic problems.
All in all, the military steam tractor seemed a bust.
And then Sir Gerald Fizzingstoke, the head engineer working on the failing steam project stumbled across an old drawing by Leonardo DaVinci. In the sketch, he saw an opportunity to salvage the work done thus far, and his position as head engineer. Immediately, he began to feverishly sketch a new project. Covering the vehicle with armour plating would solve the problems of an exposed crew and engine. Then, rather than pulling a gun behind the tractor, the gun would be placed inside the vehicle. This provided protection for the gun crews as well. Fizzingstoke’s final design looked very much like an ironclad ship with rolling tracked wheels at the waterline.
And so, the landship was born.
The Queen
The first landship was built in Manchester, England, at the Drucker Iron Works. It was fitted with a triple-expansion steam engine that pushed its 22-ton weight at a top speed of 5 miles per hour on the paved streets of Manchester. The landship, named the Queen, was armed with a 3-pdr breech-loading gun that fired through a small port in the front of the landship.
The Queen had a few problems, as can be expected in any new technology. The original rolling tracks were too narrow for crossing grassy meadows, especially after a rain. The Queen bogged down easily as soon as she left hard paved roads. Widening the tracks and increasing the number of road wheels on the landship to more evenly distribute the weight solved this problem. Her nine man crew complained of the Hellish heat inside the vehicle and the deafening racket and poor air quality. An additional smokestack helped draw the worst of the fumes out of the vehicle, but little could be done for the heat. The crews operated the Queen with all hatches open in order to alleviate the sweltering heat as much as possible. A layer of Malay rubber was put on the floor and interior walls of the landship to reduce the noise.
Once Drucker Iron Works finished the initial improvements to the Queen, the Horse Guards began to show interest in the new vehicle. A short period of trials showed that the idea was sound, and an order was placed to develop a new class of these landships. The first would be named HMLS Albert, after the beloved husband of Her Majesty the Queen. The class would be established as the Prince Royal-class.
The Prince Royal-class
The Horse Guards did insist on one major change to the armament of the landship. In addition to the forward firing cannon (which was increased to a 6-pdr gun), a pair of breech-loading rifles were to be mounted, one to either flank, to drive off enemy cavalry or infantry. The rifles were fitted into a swiveling sponson, one each port and starboard, giving an increased arc of fire.
Four landships of the Prince Royal-class were eventually built. In order of completion, they were Albert, Edward, Henry and George.
Two, Albert and Edward, were sent to Mars. The hard, rocky soil of the Red Planet’s desert plains seemed ideally suited for the heavy landship. HMLS Albert was damaged shortly after arrival on Mars, and one of its rifles was replaced with an experimental flame-throwing device. The device proved quite effective, and was fitted in place of the second rifle two months later.
The other two landships, Henry and George, were shipped to Britain’s Earthly colonial possessions. Venus was not considered suitable for landship warfare, as the swampy terrain, thick forest, and extreme heat were thought to be completely unsuited to the heavy, wide and Infernally hot vehicles.
Final Dispositions, Prince Royal-class steam landships
HMLS Albert would serve through the remaining years of the 19th century until replaced at last by a newer model of landship. She is currently on display at the Imperial Martian War Museum in Albertport.
HMLS Edward was abandoned and scuttled after sustaining severe damage during the withdrawal from Galfor.
HMLS Henry was lost at sea along with all hands when the transport ship she was being carried upon sank in a storm off the Cape.
HMLS George saw service on the Northwest Frontier. The George was destroyed by the combined fire of three Pathan guns while acting as rearguard during a retreat through the Khyber Pass. Lieutenant Geoffrey Huddleswych, OC of HMLS George, received the Victoria Cross (posthumously) for his valiant defense of the Pass, which delayed the Pathan tribesmen long enough for a battalion of fresh troops to enter the fray.