Aquila

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Connor and his crew aboard the Aquila.

The Aquila was a Continental Navy vessel during the American Revolutionary War, which gained the nickname "Ghost of the North Seas". The Aquila was captained by the Assassin Ratonhnhaké:ton, with Robert Faulkner as his first mate. The ship was used to sail across the Caribbean Sea and the Eastern Seaboard of North America.

The vessel's broadside cannons could be loaded with four types of projectiles; including the standard round shots, chain-shots to disable enemy ships, grapeshot, and heated shots to start fires.

The Aquila was also armed with swivel cannons that could be aimed at specific targets, such as another ship's gunpowder reservoir.

As well as being able to be upgraded with new ammunition for cannons and fortifications to protect against enemy fire, the Aquila could be upgraded with a naval ram. This allowed Ratonhnhaké:ton to barge into enemy ships more effectively, causing much more damage to the enemy ships on contact.

History

The Aquila was constructed in 1749 in Brest, France, and became the flagship of the Assassin navy. While her design was similar to a schooner in terms of speed, she also could carry a large variety of artillery.

In 1754, the Assassins spread the word that the Aquila was destroyed in a storm while pursuing a Templar ship. In reality, the Aquila only sustained minor damage, but it was secretly used as a weapon against Templar fleets for several years. This illusion was spread partially by avoiding major harbors, and partially due to the exceptional sailing ability by its acting captain at the time, Robert Faulkner.

In 1768, three British frigates caught the Aquila in a trap and all but destroyed the ship. Both the Aquila and Faulkner survived however, and managed to escape to the Davenport Homestead, where they would remain until the arrival of the Assassin Ratonhnhaké:ton, who would pay to repair the vessel.

Once repaired, Ratonhnhaké:ton and Faulkner, who had found a crew for the Aquila, sailed to Martha's Vineyard in search of cannons and officers. Faulkner recruited some of his old shipmates as gunnery officers, and also tutored Ratonhnhaké:ton in how to sail the Aquila as captain. After practicing to fire the cannons at an old shipwreck, the Aquila saw its first fight in years, against a patrol of British gunboats and a frigate.

Following this, Ratonhnhaké:ton went on to engage in several naval based endeavors, including privateer contracts, searching for Captain Kidd's hidden treasure, and the hunt for the Templar Nicholas Biddle.

Trivia

• "Aquila", the Latin word for "eagle", is a reference to the eagle motif of the Assassins.
  • Continuing the eagle theme, the Aquila has an eagle shaped figurehead.
• "Aquila" is also the name of a constellation, with its brightest star known as "Altair".
• In an interview, Mission Director Philippe Bergeron stated that Connor could freeroam the seas with the ship between missions. However, this is not possible in Assassin's Creed III.

Gallery

DevelopmentScreenshots

• 
  Naval battle concept art.
• Naval battle concept art.
  Naval battle concept art.
• 
  Concept art of Aquila's cannons firing.
• 
  Concept art of the Aquila navigating through Naval Mines.
• 
  Concept art of the Aquila navigating a tropical storm.
• 
  Concept art of the Aquila hiding from enemy ships in the mist.
• 
  Aquila Caribbean concept.
• 
  Concept art of a rescue boat leaving the Aquila.
• 
  The Aquila docked off the North American coastline.
• 
  The Aquila entering a narrow passage.
• 
  Concept art of the Aquila's lower decks.
• 
  The crew of the Aquila.
• 
  Concept model of the Aquila.

• 
  The Aquila at sea.
• 
  Connor at the helm of the Aquila.
• Connor calling an attack on enemy vessels.
  Connor calling an attack on enemy vessels.
• Connor's crew preparing for battle.
  Connor's crew preparing for battle.
• Connor boarding an enemy vessel.
  Connor boarding an enemy vessel.
• The Aquila firing several chain-shots.
  The Aquila firing several chain-shots.
• The Battle of Chesapeake Bay.
  The Battle of Chesapeake Bay.
• The Aquila firing on a British fort.
  The Aquila firing on a British fort.

References

• Assassin's Creed III