I always intended Action Stations to be as comprehensive a set of coastal forces rules as possible, but a chance comment from a couple of friends at the Naval Wargames Society showed that I had missed something rather important. As they were busy purchasing some 1/1200 coastal forces models from Dreadnought Models they saw a model of the paddle steamer ‘Goatfell’ and asked if the rules covered damage to paddle wheels. I had to admit that they didn’t, so here for all fans of paddle AA gunboats everywhere is an additional rule covering these peculiar vessels. Note that the paragraph numbers mtch those of the edition published in 1995. Some of the para. numbers have changed slightly in the 1998 reprint which has these rules incorporated, but the rules themselves are identical.

6.11 Paddle Wheels (optional)

The British made use of the many coastal paddle steamers which plied the holiday resorts of the British Isles as impromptu anti aircraft and coastal convoy escort ships. The paddles were somewhat vulnerable to damage and the effect of damage differs from damage to propellers.

6.11.1 Gunfire

A paddlewheel is hit if a ‘P’ hit is scored on the vessel. Roll a d6, adding 2 if hit by rockets or 3.5" guns or larger. If the result is 4 or more the wheel has been wrecked. A steamer with a wrecked paddle wheel cannot turn AWAY from the side of the damaged wheel . For example, a vessel with a wrecked port wheel can only turn to port, not to starboard. Speed is reduced as if an ‘M’ hit has been scored. Obviously, if both wheels are wrecked the vessel stops and drifts.

4.5.3 Paddle Wheels and Collisions

Vessels with paddle wheels ignore propeller damage effects if rammed in the stern. If rammed on the broadside roll a d6 and add the size class of the ramming vessel. If the result is 5 or less the wheel on the rammed side of the ship has been wrecked. Example: A paddle steamer is rammed on the broadside by an S Boat (class 3). A 3 is rolled, adding 3 for a total of 6 - the paddle wheel is intact. Later in the game it is rammed by a trawler (class 2). This time a 1 is rolled, adding 2 for size class gives 4, so the wheel is wrecked.