[Lazamataz]

Star Trek was ‘alright’ there are things that I really didn’t like though: Why would a ‘mining ship’ have weapons?

I don't know. Say, let's ask any ship in Nigerian waters!

Much less ones that could destroy, with ease, the “state of the art” semi-warships of a hundred or so years in the past.

Take a ship from the 1940s. Put it against a ship of the 1840s. Simple defensive weapons would crush it.

Take a ship from 2010. Put it against a ship from 1910. Simple defensive weapons would crush it.

[antiRepublicrat]

Add to that much mining equipment can be repurposed as weapons. We even developed nukes for mining.

[OneWingedShark]

>>Much less ones that could destroy, with ease, the “state of the art” semi-warships of a hundred or so years in the past.
>
>Take a ship from the 1940s. Put it against a ship of the 1840s. Simple defensive weapons would crush it.
>
>Take a ship from 2010. Put it against a ship from 1910. Simple defensive weapons would crush it.

But my point wasn’t about any ship, it was about specific ships. What would happen to, say, a modern tanker if it went up against a 1910 battle-ship?

Here’s some 1910 era battleship info:
http://www.cityofart.net/bship/michigan.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colossus_class_battleship_%281910%29
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/French_battleship_Vergniaud_%281910%29

Here’s modern tankers:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ultra_Large_Crude_Carrier

Consider that the battleships were equipped with things like: multiple 200+ and 300+ guns and armor designed for battle.
Consider, also, maneuverability. The simple physics are going to favor the smaller vessels for work-to-movement ratios.

[Charles Martel]

Take a ship from 2010. Put it against a ship from 1910. Simple defensive weapons would crush it.

Hmm - that show would be worth watching. Episode I: WWI-era Dreadnaught-class battleship (all available armament) vs. Sheffield-class destroyer (defensive weapons only). Better hope the battlewagon's gunners don't get a bead on that destroyer.

Next week's show: Iowa-class BB vs. DDX, same ROE. Last one afloat wins.

[GonzoGOP]

Take a ship from 2010. Put it against a ship from 1910. Simple defensive weapons would crush it.

Bad Example. 2000's Oil drilling ship -vs- 1912 Battleship.

-VS-

The 14" Rifles might not be state of the art, but they can reach out 15 miles and the couple of .50 cals or sonic disruption devices used for self defenses on the drill ship couldn't do much more than scratch the paint.

[real saxophonist]

I think this is astute, regardless of the rest of the replies.