The game system uses a broadside ship plan to record both the ship game details and the damage caused by shooting. Guns, turrets, conning tower, propulsion, steering gear, magazines and quick firers are all shown, and the damage system records hits and resulting damage. Also included are ship’s crew skills, differences in technology, armour penetration and torpedoes, weather, etc. The rules also allow for torpedo resolution and the use of mines.

The Dockyard Manual is part of the rules, enabling the player to design his own ships for the game, either from historical sources or his imagination. Technological variety is allowed for, so that ships can range from early ironclads to modern (for 1910) warships. The booklet also includes some sample ships built using the design system.