ShipShaper cranes introduce interactive wreck retrieval to Tomas Sala's naval design sandbox, ShipShaper: Falconeer Chronicles. Added in the official Cranes, Rudders and Drag update, the controllable giant crane gives players a functional salvage task within world mode by hooking onto sunken squadron hulls and hauling them up from the seafloor.
What Are Cranes in ShipShaper?
The giant crane is a functional part added to expand sandbox gameplay beyond purely aesthetic boat shaping. Prior to its release, sailing physicalized hulls was primarily an observational test of buoyancy, engine propulsion, and weight distribution. With the crane installed, your ship becomes an active salvage vessel capable of hooking onto downed hulls.
To ensure you always have something to salvage, the developer integrated a specific convenience feature into world mode. Whenever your custom vessel is fitted with a giant crane, the interface provides a dedicated button to sink a random squadron ship on command. This gives you an immediate salvage target without needing to wait for combat or accidental sinkings.
How to Salvage Sunken Vessels
Retrieving a sunken hull requires maneuvering your ship close to the wreck and using your engines to complete the lift. Follow these steps based on the official update mechanics:
- Mount a giant crane to your vessel in the ship designer before launching into the world.
- Locate a sunken squadron ship, or press the dedicated button to sink a random squadron ship nearby.
- Sail your vessel directly over to the submerged wreck.
- Wait for the crane to lower automatically and secure its attachment point on the target hull.
- Watch for the crane to heave, then sail your ship forward to pull the wreck up to the surface.
Additions in the Cranes, Rudders, and Drag Update
The update that introduced cranes also delivered an extensive overhaul of propulsion, structural dragging, and physics modeling.
| Category | Official Additions and Adjustments |
|---|---|
| Salvage Mechanics | Controllable giant crane, wreck attachment system, dedicated button to sink squadron vessels |
| Rudders & Screws | Double and triple rudder setups, rudder with integrated screw, dorsal screw, and rudder scaling effects |
| Propulsion Physics | Propeller angle affects turning rate; reverse props control astern power; propeller shafts add physical weight |
| Building & Dragging | Smoother part dragging, overhang support for gun emplacements past bow or stern, floating gun mounts fixed to deck level |
| Superstructures & Parts | Flying bridge, cylinder superstructure, wheelhouse with girder supports, nautilus windows, bollards, rounded bow and stern |
| Hull Physics | Parts of hull underwater generate stability; mast placement factors into total load; smoother ride depth curves |
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the giant crane do in ShipShaper?
The giant crane allows your vessel to salvage sunken squadron ships in the ocean sandbox. Once you position your ship next to a wreck, the crane lowers to attach to it, allowing you to tow and lift the submerged hull out of the water.
How do I find sunken ships to salvage?
You can search the water for wrecks organically, or use the built-in game button that sinks a random squadron vessel whenever your current ship is equipped with a giant crane.
Can cranes be placed on any ship design?
The update allows the giant crane to be placed during normal ship construction. Keep in mind that propulsion, mast distribution, and underwater hull forms directly influence your ship's stability and ride depth under the game's physics simulation.
