THA Relief Corps airship

An international humanitarian aid airship.

I believe there are few such joys as the sight of a relief ship gracefully lowering itself to the ground. Amidst the scourge of war, it is like a shining light of peace, which breaks through the smoke and ash to bring hope to those in need. A poetic, perhaps even pompous description, but it is the least I can do to pay them rightful tribute for their efforts.

Sir Daniel van der Berhdt, war journalist for the Imperial Courier

A THA Relief Corps airship is a common name given to the Seefahrt-class carrier ships serving under the Relief Corps arm of the Transnational Humanitarian Association. An airborne vessel, its primary purpose is the transportation of relief goods and personnel to areas affected by cataclysms, be it manmade like war or natural such as a drought. It also fulfils the function of a mobile hospital.

by Own work

Sketch of the side view of the ship

Cargo Equipment

The ship has several design features that allow it to effectively fulfil its cargo-hauling role. On the bottom, two lifts are located, meant to lower cargo down to the ground while the ship is hovering over it. On the front, there is an additional large entrance platform which can open up when the ship docks, making it easier to load or unload cargo. The main deck is divided into two sections, each operated by its own crane. Both are put on rails which allows them to slide over the entire area of their respective deck parts. A smaller, immobile crane is also installed on the forward part of the deck. Its purpose is to lift lighter and compact cargo onto the ship, as to not disturb the loading of the more prominent large containers.

Weapons & Armament

Despite being a cargo oriented vessel with legal immunity, it is very lightly armed - two anti-aircraft turret emplacements and a single 10cm cannon, operated manually. These scarce but still present weapons are meant to fend off small threats, such as pirates. If put against any actual military-grade ship however, it is virtually defenceless.

Armor and defense

The ship is lightly armoured, as most of the lifting power has to be devoted to any potential cargo. It usually boasts a reinforced side hull plating of 7mm. This renders it very susceptible to any sort of fire, either from the ground or the aerial space. This is why these vessels rely primarily on their characteristic colouring and symbols, so that they can be easily identified as ships with diplomatic immunity.

The paint job on this thing is something you will see from kilometres away. The red is always kept intense so that it stands out well against the sky. Engr. Prof. William Holtz about the colours

by Own work

Symbol of the Transnational Humanitarian Association

Diplomatic Immunity

These ships, due to their ownership by the THA, have the same special permits and privileges as diplomatic ships. They cannot be intercepted nor forced to land and attacking one is considered a grieve war crime, as determined by the Aonian Convention of International Conduct.

Designation

THV (Transnational Humanitarian Vessel)

Length

216 meters from bow to stern.

Height

72 meters from bottom (without extended lifts) to the top of the antennas.

Speed

500km/h max.

Complement / Crew

Approximately 90 at standard - with over a third of that number dedicated to the moving of cargo.

Cargo & Passenger Capacity

It can safely fit over 100 tonnes of cargo and carry around 1 500 personnel.

[...] and then a big ruckus took over in the streets of the village I was staying in. At first, I didn't quite understand what the uproar was all about, but quickly I realized that a relief ship was slowly making its way to us from the north. It was glistening in the sun like marble, it was impossible to miss it after noticing it for the first time. After about half an hour of an invigorated wait, it landed near the outskirts, or rathered began hovering still close to the ground - to be more precise. I can't imagine a thing like that actually nestling itself in the mud of the fields that surround this place. I'm sure it would tip over!

[...] crate after crate, it was all securely descending to the needy. The flicker of thankful passion in the eyes of these troubled people when seeing the brave Relief Corps sending all this help their way is the image which has stayed with me most. It truly felt like the most sincere expression of gratitude. The cheers and happy yells were little in comparison.

excerpt from an interview with a Tsarist war observer