| Era | 16th-21st century |
| Key innovations | Paddle propulsion • Pedal propulsion • Steam power • Missiles • Submarines |
| Timeline divergence | Earlier prominence of ironclads and missile warfare |
| Significant conflicts | Steam-powered ironclad battles • Missile-dominant naval wars • 20th-century submarine conflicts |
| Prominent technologies | Ironclad vessels • Missile warfare • Submarine warfare • Steam-powered battleships |
Naval warfare has always been a critical component of human civilization, contributing substantially to geopolitics, culture, and technological advancements. In this alternate timeline, its history unfolded differently, primarily due to variations in the primary means of propulsion, weaponry, and tactics.
The ancient world was characterized by naval warfare with warships powered mainly by man-propelled paddles or pedals. These ships, often made from wooden planks and connected by ropes or frame, allowed for coastal defense and troop transportation across bodies of water. With the advent of sails, these ships’ capabilities greatly expanded, incorporating a mixture of paddle or pedal power, wind, and oars.
In this alternate timeline, the invention of steam power was developed in the 17th century. Steam engines were fitted to ships, allowing them to sail at higher speeds and maintain consistent courses regardless of the prevailing wind direction. This revolution in propulsion significantly changed naval warfare strategy, tactics and logistics.
Additionally, ironclad warships appeared earlier in this timeline. The iron-fortified hulls provided better protection for crews and equipment, broadening their offensive capabilities. Ironclads became the dominant ship type for militaries worldwide, with each new design showcasing various armament options and improved engine capacities.
In contrast to traditional broadside cannons heavily used in our timeline, the focus of naval ordnance in this alternate history is missile warfare. Engineers and military tacticians began experimenting with missiles fired from launch platforms as early as the 18th century. Unlike the primarily line-of-sight cannon battles, missiles could attack targets at a range of miles or even tens of miles.
The advent of steam power, ironclads, and missile warfare demanded new naval strategies and tactics. With more extended ranges and higher speeds, naval battles transformed from close-quarters broadsides to wide-area engagements featuring complex maneuvers, scouting, and deceptive movements. Navies had to adapt their tactics to account for these developments continually.
In the 20th century, submarine warfare played a more prominent role in naval strategy and tactics than in our timeline. Advances in underwater propulsion and navigation combined with new, more powerful torpedoes made subsurface vessels formidable weapons. Submarines’ ability to evade detection and engage enemy ships stealthily made them a crucial component of any modern navy’s arsenal. These advances, however, also raised new challenges in detecting submerged vessels and protecting naval assets against their attacks.
Overall, naval warfare has always been an essential part of human history, with significant contributions to geopolitics, culture, and technological developments. This alternate timeline highlights different aspects of naval warfare – from the means of propulsion, weaponry, tactics, and the impact of technology on modern naval strategy.
