The 3rd Division consisted of the smaller screw gunboats and armed merchantmen. The navy was used for reconnaissance as well as for attacks on merchantmen and warships. Many also felt that steam merchantmen should be clearly distinguishable from warships. Two other merchantmen had to be beached before they sank. Players can become pirates themselves, attacking merchantmen and other ships. The Armada consisted of 130 ships, including transports and merchantmen, and carried about 30,000 men. He then captured a number of unarmed merchantmen near Port Rosemary. Many under direct navy control as armed merchantmen. Given the poor armament of most merchantmen, a skilled captain could use them very effectively. Three thousand pirate attacks on merchantmen were reported between 1815 and 1823. The Germans had been puzzled by the strange-looking ships which did not look like merchantmen. A further twenty merchantmen and armed pinnaces joined forces with the expedition. The Red Ensign was assigned to British merchantmen. Waddell had already captured and disposed of thirteen Union merchantmen. Only 50 out of 92 merchantmen awaiting at Ibicuy Islands continued their upriver trip.