Floating fortress
Floating fortress is a term used to describe expansive sea bases (i.e. squadrons of commercial vessels loaded with heavy military equipment and supporting logistical stocks), as well as battleships or carriers which accompany the sea bases. The term's etymology is derived from the WWII-era B-17 Flying Fortress, which were employed by the United States Air Force during raids on Germany.
Examples
- RMS Queen Mary 2, a commercial vessel which became a fortress of sorts during the 28th Olympiad, which was held in Athens. Guests aboard the vessel for the festivities include French president Jacques Chirac, British Prime Minister Tony Blair (accompanied by his wife, Cherie Blair), as well as George Herbert Walker Bush former President of the United States.
- San Juan de Ulúa, a fortress on an island, located near the Mexican seaport of Veracruz.
- The historic Venetian Arsenal, included ships known as galleass; these were merchant vessels which were modified to hold heavy artillery. This included guns mounted on wheeled carriages.
Fictional references
Floating fortress references abound in video games (in particular computer role-playing games) as well as print media. However, it should be noted these are often depicted as airborne vessels.
- Floating fortress was the vehicle of choice for The Sinistrals, a quartet of demigods featured in Lufia & the Fortress of Doom, the 1993 RPG;
- A floating fortress served was home to the Wind Crystal and Wind Fiend, characters from the Final Fantasy video game;
- Noted author George Orwell's political novel Nineteen Eighty-Four includes several references to such vessels belonging to Oceania.