Daming 1805

After Nelson received the news from Grenville, he also fell into surprise and hesitation.

"Could it be that Daming has completed the relevant verification and determined that [-] tons is the optimal tonnage for an aircraft-carrying cruiser?
"What goals and functions can a [-]-ton aircraft-carrying cruiser achieve?
"If the armor is completely discarded and the hull is designed with the largest possible length and width, the hull length of a 180-ton cruiser should be able to reach about [-] meters.

"In this way, a flight deck of more than 170 meters can be laid, and it should be able to carry more than [-] aircraft.

"If you don't install a gun with a caliber of more than [-] mm, it seems that most of the functions envisioned can be realized...

"But it's really very compact..."

Including Nelson, the world's admirals and engineers do not have the experience of later generations in Zhu Jingyuan's mind.

As for how the aircraft carrier should be designed and what functions should be realized, there is no clear concept in my mind.

Taking the simplest tonnage and size as an example, Zhu Jingyuan knew that the larger the aircraft carrier used for combat, the better.

To build a [-]-ton aircraft carrier now would definitely be a serious waste of tonnage.

With a level of [-] tons, for the current propeller carrier-based aircraft, it can already be said to be a complete carrying ship.

For the well-funded navy, [-] tons is a design that satisfies the standard.

For the relatively embarrassing navy, [-] tons is already a waste of resources and tonnage.

In the original history, except for the aircraft carriers converted from battleships and battlecruisers, the fleet aircraft carriers specially designed during World War II and before had a full load displacement of no more than [-] tons.

It was not until the end of World War II that the Midway Island and the Bold-class aircraft carrier, which were not completed, really exceeded [-] tons.

However, the size of the aircraft will also expand rapidly, and this part of the tonnage that is now wasted will soon become prescient.

Saving and reducing tonnage for cost will become obsolete design with the development of aviation.

Nelson doesn't know this, so he will take it for granted, what is the minimum tonnage that can achieve the goal.

Nelson feels that although [-] tons is extremely compact, it can indeed realize his current vision of an aircraft-carrying cruiser.

At the same time, admirals and engineers such as Nelson instinctively designed aircraft carriers from cruisers.

Zhu Jingyuan came directly against the main high-speed battleship, and the psychological expectations of the two sides were different.

Ming's engineers knew that the aircraft carrier was a capital ship, so they didn't think there was anything wrong with being the same as a battleship.

British generals and engineers will also feel that there is nothing wrong with building aircraft cruisers according to cruisers.

On the contrary, it was Nelson who once proposed that an aircraft-carrying cruiser of [-] tons or even [-] tons is too outrageous.

While Nelson continued to think, he immediately convened a meeting of relevant personnel to discuss according to Grenville's suggestion.

Mainly naval generals and related design and construction engineering personnel.

Including Samuel Hood, 88, and Cuthbert Collingwood, 64.

In the original history, Hood died in 1816 and lived to the age of 92, and his brother also lived to the age of 88.

Collingwood, who was much younger, died in 1810 in the original history.

However, the medical conditions in this era are better, and the warship itself is safer. Admirals like Collingwood suffered fewer injuries and their living conditions were better.

In addition, the World War was more than ten years earlier than the Napoleonic War, and both he and Nelson were younger when the war was fought.

So Collingwood is still alive at this time, and looks quite healthy.

When he arrived at the meeting place, Nelson helped the 88-year-old Mr. Hood to sit down first, and then briefly explained the news from the front and the general content of his own thoughts for everyone to help refer to.

Although Hood was almost unable to walk, his spirit was very high.

After listening to Nelson, without waiting for others to speak, he spoke directly:

"Not to mention how the French got their [-] tons, whether it is the experience provided by Daming, or the standard that the French fiddled with themselves.

"Even if the [-] tons is really the experience provided by Daming, what can the people of Daming do with [-] tons, can we Brits do with [-] tons?"

The slightly harsh rhetorical question made the generals and engineers on the scene murmur.

Nelson can be regarded as Hood's disciple and old subordinate, and he is also the most familiar with Hood. He is also the host of the meeting now, so he directly picked up the words that others are not easy to answer:
"Of course we can't do it. The Ming people used a displacement of [-] tons to build a high-speed battleship with a speed of up to [-] knots and a defense that may not be lower than that of a traditional capital ship.

"If we want to achieve the same target as Daming's [-]-ton battleship, we may need [-] tons or even [-] tons."

Hood immediately added another sentence:
"I don't think [-] tons may be realized. Some things don't work, but they don't work. You have to worry about sinking when you leave the port!"

The corner of Nelson's mouth twitched slightly, the old man's mouth was still so poisonous:
"So... Teacher, what do you mean?"

Hood glanced at the group of people at the scene, and finally fell on Nelson:
"We need to admit that our current level of craftsmanship does have a clear gap with Daming.

"However, I don't think there is any obvious gap between the brains and experience of our generals and craftsmen compared to Daming.

"I think we can't take Daming's experience as the truth, and the research of Daming people may not be completely correct.

"Our Lord Nelson has shown his talent in the design of the new artillery battleship.

"It was impossible for us to gain the experience of the Ming people, but Nelson's ideas are highly consistent with the Ming people.

"When Daming's new battleship arrived in London, it also thoroughly confirmed the correctness of Nelson's thinking.

"So what I mean is, you should reflect on it carefully, why do you think that Daming's choice must be right?

"You should also be more confident yourself, don't blindly follow anyone, including Daming people!

"That's all I want to say. I'm really old and my brain is no longer good. I won't participate in the detailed discussion. You all express your opinions."

After Hood said this, the originally depressive atmosphere at the scene immediately loosened.

Then they all began to reflect on their blind obedience to Da Ming's experience.

Nelson also thought about it again, and after serious reflection, he led the generals and craftsmen to start a discussion.

After a brainstorm, Collingwood first grasped a point that everyone ignored:

"I suddenly realized a question, is the aircraft-carrying cruiser envisioned by Your Excellency Nelson a capital ship or an auxiliary ship?
"If this new ship is to replace the original capital ship to some extent, then it is a capital ship, right?

"If the design of an aircraft-carrying cruiser is completed by the standard of a capital ship, [-] tons is definitely not enough."

The people at the scene were all too familiar with warships, but here they formed the effect of being dark under the lights.

After Collingwood proposed this idea, other generals and craftsmen quickly responded.

Nelson patted his thigh directly:

"Yes! This new type of warship is a capital ship. We can no longer use the name of an aircraft-carrying cruiser. This name misleads us.

"If it is a capital ship, even if it is a traditional capital ship design, it must be at least [-] tons.

"If it is based on the speed and protection standards of the new high-speed battleship, even if the warship equipped with flying machines does not need to install large-caliber main guns, it should have a volume of at least [-] tons.

"Coupled with the technological gap between us and Daming, we absolutely cannot accept the [-]-ton aircraft carrier standard."

Collingwood and the other generals nodded their heads in agreement.

Then they continued to discuss around this angle, and quickly determined the negotiation goal that was not much different from the original one:

"It's best to have no limit. The reasonable target is [-] tons, and the bottom line is [-] tons."

Hood listened to their discussion in the chair, not interrupting at all, but nodding from time to time.

After re-determining the goal, Nelson was relieved, and said with a smile:
"Now, looking back at the opinions of the French from this perspective, we even have to consider that the French are deliberately misleading us."

Several generals and craftsmen nodded, but Collingwood shook his head with a smile:

"No, I think with the ability of the French, they may have really gone astray."

It is a British tradition to humiliate the law, and the audience burst into laughter as soon as this remark came out.

Nelson couldn't help laughing, but said:

"However, it is also possible that the perception of the purpose of the aircraft-carrying cruiser is different from ours.

"If they don't regard this new warship as a main combat ship, but as a reconnaissance auxiliary ship, [-] tons is indeed enough.

"This type of ship does not need a high speed, and 25 knots is completely sufficient.

"Airplanes don't need to be too big or heavy, just to be able to realize reconnaissance and observation.

"Actually, we can also build an aircraft-carrying cruiser of this level."

When Nelson said this, most of the generals and craftsmen became serious again.

Possibilities in this direction were then discussed.

…………

The dispute between the British, French, and Spaniards about the ships equipped with flying machines has actually attracted the attention of Lucia, Prussia, Austria and other countries.

Especially the Prussians, who have the strongest sense of crisis, are extremely sensitive to anything that may be risky.

Prussian Prime Minister Hardenberg, after the meeting that day, carefully sorted out his thoughts and sent a telegram to his past, explaining today's situation and making suggestions and requests:
"The admirals of our navy have already known the idea of ​​ships equipped with flying machines.

"However, so far, our focus on naval construction has been to complement the complete traditional fleet that we should have, and to build enough high-speed battleships.

"We haven't done in-depth research on this kind of ship that has not yet been finalized, nor have we paid too much attention to it.

"However, at this meeting, we found that the United Kingdom, a country with the strongest naval tradition, attaches great importance to this, and seems to place it on the same level as a capital ship.

"The Spaniards also seem to be taking it relatively seriously.

"The French don't seem to care much about it, but they still make a special request for it.

"Referring to the attitudes of the above three countries, I think we should also carry out relevant research.

"While the purpose of such ships is unclear, we should avoid situations where potentially competing countries have possessions that we either do not have or do not fully understand.

"That was a very dangerous situation.

"I think we should start the corresponding dedicated research and testing immediately.

"And participate in the corresponding negotiations at the meeting, and obtain a tonnage share that is not weaker than that of Britain, France, and Lucia."

Lucians have a slightly different sensitivity than Prussians.

Wedemeyer's telegram to Emperor Nicholas states:
"The Spaniards advised the French and the English to discuss with them alone the matter of ships with flying machines.

"I think no matter what the purpose of this ship is, what the British and French have, we Lucia should have.

"The key point is that the three countries must not be allowed to discuss and formulate any rules and standards in private without us.

"I will send a formal notice to the three countries tomorrow, requesting that relevant discussions be put into a formal meeting."

While the Prussians and Lucians were brewing emotions, the representative of Austria, Metternich, had already acted directly.

Metternich directly sent people to contact representatives of all countries in turn, requesting an open discussion on aircraft-carrying cruisers at the next meeting.

The French, the British, and the Spaniards, of course, hope to discuss it in private.

They can also imagine that they should be at the forefront in the research of aircraft-carrying cruisers.

Continental countries such as Lucia and Prussia may still know nothing about this kind of ship.

Letting go of open discussions in formal meetings is equivalent to letting them learn from experience.

But in the face of this collective request, they have no way to refuse.

Mutual disclosure of shipbuilding plans and mutual supervision are the basis and prerequisite for signing naval treaties.

If the three of them must talk in private, the naval treaty may not be signed.

And the three countries are most eager to sign a treaty.

Lucia and Prussia just didn't care much about the treaty.

So, two days later, a new round of official meetings was held again, and the standards for aircraft-carrying cruisers began to be discussed exclusively.

At the beginning of the meeting, the representatives of Lucia, Prussia, Austria, Italy, Ottoman and other countries subconsciously looked at the representatives of Britain, France and Spain, and glanced at the representatives of Portugal and the Netherlands by the way.

The meaning is obvious, you have experience with this, we will wait for you to speak.

This time, Grenville in the United Kingdom has received a reply from Nelson, requesting to continue to adhere to the original point of view, and the tonnage of aircraft-carrying cruisers should be relaxed to the [-]-ton level.

But Grenville didn't speak first, and wanted to hear if the French and Spaniards had any new ideas.

The French representative Talleyrand, after discussing with Crown Prince Charles and Admiral Villeneuve, has decided to overturn the request made by his side in the previous meeting.

But Talleyrand felt that he didn't need to take the initiative to "repent", and should make a "concession" after arguing with the British, and naturally relax the tonnage standard of aircraft carriers.

So Talleyrand is silent now, waiting for the British to speak first.

As a result, the two sides found that the other party was silent, and at the same time, they noticed the inquiries and expectations of the representatives of other countries.

After a few seconds of silence and hesitation again, the two turned their faces at the same time and looked at Manuel, the Spanish representative.

This seems to mean that we were the first to talk about the last meeting, and this time it's your turn.

Manuel realized that he couldn't hide, so he let go:
"In my opinion, the new type of ship equipped with flying machines is indeed a brand new type of ship that has not yet been finalized.

"Currently setting too strict standards directly for it is restricting the future development of this kind of ship.

"So I think a relatively loose standard should be formulated, such as no more than [-]% of the tonnage of the battleship..."

As soon as the Spaniard opened his mouth, the British Grenville took over the conversation:
"The tonnage of a capital ship does not exceed [-] tons, and the tonnage of six achievements is [-] tons.

"I think Spain is going in the right direction and some restrictions should be relaxed for this new type of warship.

"[-] tons is still slightly lower, let's just relax to [-] tons."

Talleyrand knew he should agree, but he couldn't express it so directly:
"[-] tons is completely unnecessary, [-] tons is enough, and [-] tons is absolutely rich."

Talleyrand's concession was so vague that most representatives of the country did not notice it.

However, Metternich of Austria subconsciously glanced at Talleyrand, and then deliberately concluded:
"That is to say, the UK, France, and Spain have now focused on the tonnage limit of new ships equipped with flying machines between [-] and [-] tons?
"The next thing we need to confirm is how much tonnage should we give?"

Talleyrand frowned when he heard this. The superficial meaning of his words was actually to regard [-] tons as the upper limit.

My actual goal is to make concessions on the tonnage limit, and I will continue to retreat on the basis of [-] tons.

This Metternich asked so rhetorically, and regarded [-] tons as the lower limit. This guy may have guessed his intentions.

If his goal is really the upper limit of [-] tons, he must stand up against Metternich's conclusion now.

But Talleyrand thought about his goal, and in the end he did not express his objection again, but said a series of words.

The French backed down, and the British and Spaniards had similar intentions, and neither wanted to impose too many restrictions on this kind of ship, but the Spanish's requirements were obviously lower.

Other countries are basically watching the reactions of these three countries.

Therefore, after almost a day of dawdling, the Three Kingdoms finalized the single-ship tonnage of this new ship at [-] tons.

The French proposed that this type of warship be officially named an aircraft carrier to distinguish it from battleships and cruisers.

Each country received a share of [-] tons dedicated to the construction of this new ship.

Finally, in accordance with the requirements of the British, the description of the capital ship tonnage limit was revised.

From being able to use capital ship tonnage share to build cruisers, to using upper-tier ships' share to build lower-tier ships.

The reason is that the aircraft carrier itself should belong to the cruiser, but now it is listed as a separate name, so the description of the original rule should be modified.

However, the upper limit of the tonnage of capital ships is still limited, and can only be used to build lower-level ships, and the tonnage of lower-level ships cannot be used to build capital ships.

Although Grenville made his tone and language less important, he couldn't hide the actual request after he made it.

They are obviously planning to use the tonnage of capital ships to build aircraft carriers.

Representatives of almost all countries realized that the British attached great importance to new ships such as aircraft carriers, which had reached a level that was difficult for outsiders to understand.