Re: size of ships...

In a message dated 17/12/96  06:06:07, you write:

<< In fact, you could argue that ships should be wider than they are
long,
 rather than the other way around. This allows you to concentrate more
 firepower/ defences/ sensors/ whatever forward. If you stick a couple
engines
 on either side of this mass, the elongated moment-arm makes it easier
to
turn
 faster -- while the crew, near the center, is hit with less G-force.
  >>

The other reason for this sort of design would be the generation of
artificial gravity by spinning the hull(s). I would probably suggest
capital
ships on the spinning disc design but because of the angular moment
necessary
escorts would operate as tethered hulls spinning about a common centre
of
mass. however the tether would be dropped before enterring combat for
increased manouverability. This does of course assume higher tech
artificial
gravity is not in use.
This also introduces the idea of an entangling attack to either strip
the
enemy hull of sensors,comms arrays, ecm antennae,gun turrets or barrels
or to
affect the manouverability of the assaulted vessel both decidedly high
risk
manouvres to say the least but you can usually find someone stupid or
desperate enough to try it.

Craig Mitchell