Aeronef Ram R.A.S. Bruno Von Natzmer (1889)

Purpose (1886)

Scourge of Tyrants (1886-1888)

Aeronef Ram R.A.S. Bruno VonNatzmer (1889-Present)

The R.A.S. Bruno Von Natzmer began life as the Negative Gravity Screw merchant vessel Purpose, built by Armstrong in 1886. It was captured by Anarchists led by the infamous 'General' Paul Trimble shortly therafter and flown to a secret haven in the West-Indies where the Purpose was transformed into the 'Scourge of Tyrants'. After fitting the Scourge with a ram and reinforcing her hull considerably, she terrorized the shipping lanes, sparing few vessels of the large shipping lines or major powers. Only small, independent 'tramp' 'Nefs and 'Digs were safe from the General and his crew. As a flagship the Scourge left much to be desired. Fitting it with such heavy reinforcement meant that it was very sluggish and slow. Luckily for the Scourge and her crew most large merchant 'Digs of the time were slower. Time was to prove the Scourge's worst enemy. In 1889 a squadron of British 'Nefs caught her off the coast of Mexico. After a desperate run North the Scourge ended up in Republic airspace. Damaged, she surrendered to Sonoran gunboats rather than face justice at the hands of the British. President Walker impounded the Scourge and its cargo, but before the villain Trimble could be extradited to England, members of his gang of cutthroats recued him and spirited him away to parts unknown.

After its capture the Purpose was returned to its owner by the Maritime Court of the Sonoran Republic and was auctioned off at the owners request by the court (the installation of the ram had ruined any commercial value the vessel had). A group of merchants purchased the vessel with an eye towards securing a letter of marque as a privateer (the Republic was forced to hire private 'Auxiliary ' vessels after the Second Mexican war to replace losses). The Bruno Von Natzmer, as she was now christened, was a spectacular failure as a privateer and was seized for non payment of taxes and fees by the Sonorans in 1891. Nearly worthless in 'normal' combat, he Bruno Von Natzmer seemed to find her niche serving as the Republic's Aeronef training vessel, a capacity she fulfilled for many years. The vessel was graced with many bawdy nicknames due to the large protruding ram at her bow. Ensigns assigned to officer of the day duties aboard her during training cruises recieved a special appellation and were referred to as "Mr. John Thomas". This tradition is carried on aboard the training vessels of the modern Aeronavy. The Bruno Von Natzmer was placed on the reserve list and retired from active service in 1938 and now resides at the Hermosillo Proving Field as a permanent display.

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This page was last modified on: 26 May 2001 08:49:19 Pacific Daylight Time