Start: Datang Wanli a lonely city

Chapter 959 Ironclad Battleship

In fact, when Daniel, a Dutchman, fell into a sluggish mood while looking at the armored battleship.

Wu Zu, a small owner of a modern hardware store and a senior member of the team's equipment manufacturing team, has actually been up for more than an hour.

In other words, this guy only has a limited amount of time to sleep every day.

But last night, he actually had insomnia again.

The reason why such a miraculous situation occurred was that after he and the warehouse manager arrived at Yadan Island, he was basically responsible for the transformation of this armed merchant ship.

As for the warehouse manager, he is training the discipline, queue, physical fitness, and some logistical support work of the sailors who are the ex-pirate subordinates who are famous for their reputation.

After dividing the labor in this way, the problem arises.

Say it! There are many men in the modern world who are born with a psychological complex of modifying machinery; they often mess with their own models, motorcycles, and cars.

This buddy, Wu Zu, is naturally one of them.

The problem was that no matter how hard he tried in the past, he would just change the headlights, add some accessories and decorations to his car, and finally replace the engine.

Transforming such a steam-armored battleship with a displacement of more than a thousand tons was definitely something he had never dared to think about before.

Now that he had such a rare opportunity, he immediately burst out with terrifying enthusiasm.

Even if he only sleeps for three or four hours a day, his mind is still indescribably excited; there is even a situation where he lies in bed and dreams of battleships are still full of details in his head.

So much so that I often wake up in my sleep and then cannot fall asleep at all.

No! He went to bed after one o'clock yesterday, and woke up before four o'clock. He only slept for more than two hours, but he couldn't fall asleep after that.

Unable to sleep, he simply stopped sleeping. After putting on his clothes, the soldier carried a lantern and boarded the largest toy he had ever encountered in his life.

Under the night and the sea breeze, I wandered around on the boat.

While wandering around, I felt very happy. At the same time, all kinds of data about this unnamed and completely completed armored battleship appeared in my head like instinct...

So far, the entire shell of the hull, as well as the steel plates in key areas such as the command tower, power compartment, and ammunition compartment, have covered more than 95% of the area.

Being able to have such fast speed and efficiency made Daniel and other foreign devils dumbfounded.

The key, of course, is that during the transformation process, they used epoch-making electric welding technology, which greatly increased the speed at which steel plates are connected together.

We must know that in this current year, there will be decades to come.

This connection method between two steel plates still uses the legendary riveting.

It is to punch small holes one by one on the steel plate.

Then quickly insert the red-hot rivet while it is hot, knock the pointed end out of shape, and fix it on the other end of the small hole, so that the two steel plates are physically connected together.

Although such a knock-on riveting method still has certain advantages, in terms of efficiency, it is really difficult to describe.

In comparison, the technology of directly welding two steel plates together through welding rods is of course much faster.

In the original historical line, it would take more than 40 years, that is, in 07 of the next century, before serious welding rods would be discovered.

It was not until 21 that the first all-welded ship appeared; for a long time after that, this technology was only used on civilian ships.

It was not until World War II that electric welding technology was first used in warship manufacturing by Uncle Sam.

Then, it became the mainstream technology in ship manufacturing.

Therefore, it is normal for foreign devils like Daniel to be dumbfounded by the efficiency and speed brought by such an advanced technology that has been applied for almost seventy or eighty years compared to the original history.

However, Wu Zu is still somewhat dissatisfied with the current results of welding and shipbuilding.

For example: a group of subordinates who had no foundation before this.

After more than a month of practice, his welding skills are still a bit worse. Even if he lowers the qualification standards, he often needs to rework, which slows down the speed that could have been faster.

There are also problems such as too many bubbles, such as undercuts, welding nodules, concavities, overflows, and incomplete welding cracks, which somewhat affect the quality of the welding.

Also, in their current transformation, a ship requires at least 300 tons of steel plates.

If such a quantity of steel were placed in the modern dimension, even a small county could easily buy it as long as they had money.

But in the current era, people are still in the magical city of Langqing. Although they have relevant smelting and processing technology, they don't have time to make this thing.

So I had no choice but to find a way to shop around.

Old Henry, the concubine's first licker, had tried his best. The steel plates he bought were barely enough, but the quality was quite uneven.

For this reason, they could only use better quality steel plates on the waterline and some key parts.

For some other minor parts, only inferior steel plates can be used.

Fortunately, even so, the armor thickness of important parts such as the waterline reaches an astonishing 380 mm; compared to the Zhenyuan ship twenty years later, it is as much as 20 mm thicker.

In this era, these things are just some turtle shells with amazing defense.

However, Wu Zu also knew that even if they kept it secret, the fact that they used welding technology to build the ship would not be hidden for long.

With the scientific and technological capabilities possessed by the West, as long as they are willing to spend money on technology, practical welding technology will surely be discovered in advance.

Then, they used it in shipbuilding.

The problem is that even if they use riveting technology to build ships, their navy is still unimaginably powerful for Daqing; so there is nothing that will make their opponents stronger after being exposed, so that they will suffer a loss...

In terms of motivation, it’s because of the concept of fighting if you can beat someone, and running away if you can’t beat someone.

Brother Lang Qing also put in a lot of effort in this regard.

Now there are two steam boilers with three expansions, and they were successfully installed after the movement; the horsepower of each steam boiler is 2500, and when added together, it is 5000 horsepower.

Frankly speaking, such a horsepower is actually nothing in the current Yinfa and other countries.

The key is that compared with a steam engine of the same horsepower, the size and weight are much smaller; almost the difference between a laptop and a tablet.

Such 5000-horsepower power can enable the warship's maximum speed to reach 18 knots.

Twenty years later, the speed of the Zhenyuan ship was only 14.5 knots; in this day and age, it was a very fast ship.

However, after getting used to the modern plane, where even aircraft carriers can reach speeds of 30 knots, I still have some regrets.

correct! On board, two 100-horsepower steam pumping engines were also installed.

This is based on the fact that during battle, if the warship is hit and water enters the ship, the damage control team on the ship can be used to pump out the water.

Or it may be a method used to extinguish the fire after a fire breaks out on the ship.

In terms of weapons, in Lang Qing's drawings, a 178 mm caliber rifled cannon is installed at the front and rear.

It's a pity that this kind of large-caliber artillery can never be produced by him in a short time, and it still needs to be purchased at a high price.

They can't wait for manufacturers to customize and produce them, so they can only buy some off-the-shelf or even second-hand goods.

So on this ship, two at the front and one at the back will be installed, a total of three 150 mm Krupp naval guns.

To say it's about to happen soon means that these cannons are still being unloaded in the Magic City. It will take some time until they are actually transported here.

The 150 mm caliber naval gun is barely powerful enough for current opponents.

It's just that if you can't kill the opponent with two or three hits, then just use a few more shots.

Regarding this point, including the combined image rangefinder and observation scope that were being developed by Lang Qing and Shi Zi, which would take thirty years to come into being.

Everyone still has some confidence in the accuracy of shelling.

Because the deck space of such a modified warship with a displacement of 1500 tons is really limited, no secondary guns are installed.

However, in the plan, four hand-operated Gatling guns will be installed. The main purpose is to use bullets to wash away everyone on the deck after one gets close. In addition, there is a torpedo tube in the plan, waiting to be installed.

Why Mao has so many plans? Because neither these hand-operated Gatling guns nor torpedoes have been officially invented. We are still waiting for Brother Langqing to make them.

In terms of crew, the ship is expected to have a total of 182 people after including officers and sailors.

It's just that after so many boilers, machines, and equipment are packed into the compact hull, 150 tons of thermal coal are also loaded.

It is foreseeable that the living conditions of these crew members have to be somewhat worse.

The main reason is that there is not enough space for them to rest and to carry a large amount of food and water.

Fortunately, this type of warship was originally planned to just cruise around the surrounding areas, and only sail to places like island countries and Java.

If it is fully loaded with coal, food, and water, it will definitely be enough...

In short, despite looking at such an armored battleship, various advanced battleships are now being dumped by flower growers in the modern plane. After seeing the cunning military soldiers, they felt a little disgusted.

I really feel that there is something lacking there, and there is something missing here.

But this guy himself also knows that once this battleship is officially unveiled in front of everyone, its astonishing speed, turtle shell-like defense, and terrifying firepower will shock the jaws of countless people.

Also, they don't just plan to transform one type of warship of this type.

In addition, I learned from the telegram contact that there are currently two armed merchant ships of similar tonnage, which have been bought by the imperial concubine and the others.

In a few days, it will be delivered together with a batch of supplies.

Therefore, when the second and third warships are renovated, they already have richer experience, and the quality of the transformation will only be stronger.

Thinking of this, Wu Zu's heart was filled with unspeakable expectations for the other two big toys that were about to come.

******

When the military soldier imagined in his mind that the warships he had modified in the future would be stronger than the last.

After running more than four kilometers, the warehouse manager led 527 of Shuiwei and other pirate men back then, and now there was a thin layer of sweat on their foreheads.

This is not caused by tiredness, or rather, it is caused by tiredness.

Because he was very mentally and physically exhausted from carrying these guys who were as tough as a hob and keeping them in formation and running in an honest manner.

What did you say? Even during the most difficult period, these people still followed Shuiwei and never left him.

In terms of loyalty, there is no need to have the slightest doubt.

Many of them had obvious scars on their bodies, and even lost one eye. They had the classic appearance of a pirate; in terms of fighting courage, they were also quite trustworthy.

However, many years of pirate career have also made these people very lax in discipline.

So, how can this work?

Just like Li Yunlong's independent regiment, it doesn't matter if you are naughty, but it enhances combat effectiveness, but basic discipline must still be guaranteed.

So the warehouse manager and the soldiers came here and discovered the source of such problems.

Rather than letting the soldiers work harder, the warehouse managers put their main energy into this aspect; because in their view, discipline is as important as equipment.

So there was a scene where the warehouse manager took everyone for a run every morning.

Although this guy is a sniper in the team, Fengrui and others have been training for a long time, and he has led troops in many missions.

It is not easy to manage and train so many 500 people.

After more than a month, these sluts have become much stronger; at least they can still utter some vulgar words from their mouths, but at least they don't think about where to find some girls and have a good time.

As for shouting slogans like "Five kilometers away, I love you", it's just the warehouse manager's bad taste...

Daniel finally came back to his senses when he heard the warehouse manager of Xuange camp yelling, "I'll tell you."

Because according to his experience, after the adult's training is completed, these sailors will have completed their morning training.

After ten minutes of washing up, breakfast started; by the time these people entered, the cafeteria must have been a mess and full of people.

Suddenly, he didn't dare to stay in a daze anymore, and with hurried steps, he quickly walked towards the canteen a hundred meters away.

Say it! Although this small island is a bit remote, Daniel's life is quite comfortable.

First of all, after arriving here, he no longer has to worry about people from the Qing gang asking for debts from him.

Well, Ms. Anne did pay off the debt for him, but the methods of the Qing gang were so cruel that the poor Dutchman was frightened out of his psychological shadow.

Secondly, his current status in Xuange Camp is as a senior naval instructor.

Before the transformation of the battleship is completed, the officers and sailors are temporarily responsible for teaching some theoretical knowledge; other real practical operations will not really begin until the transformation of the battleship is completed.

But look at the unscientific transformation progress of these Easterners.

You shouldn't have to wait long to sail this powerful armored warship to sea.

In a job as a senior instructor, he received a monthly salary of fifty pounds; in total, he had reached the level of a major general in the Yin Army, several times his previous salary.

It is even said that at the end of each year, there is a bonus of no less than three months’ salary.

In this way, Daniel believes that after working for five years at most, he will have enough money to retire in Amsterdam.

Of course, wherever Ms. Anne is, he will be there, and he will not go anywhere.

In the daily theoretical courses, he originally thought that it would take a long time for those barbaric and ignorant Oriental sailors to understand and master it.

What I never expected was that these people were far smarter than I thought.

However, what is more commendable than their intelligence is their serious attitude towards learning.

Who would have imagined that these former pirates, some of whom were in their thirties and some of whom were almost fifty years old, and who usually spoke foul language, were studying so seriously.

Even if you don't learn it in class, you would rather not sleep at night to understand it.

In addition, Daniel has a dedicated orderly to help tidy up and clean the room, wash clothes and smelly socks during weekdays.

Daily food, although there is no such thing as bread and steak.

But the chef's skill is comparable to that of a French chef, and the oriental bread called 'mantou' and various oriental dishes have completely conquered his stomach.

However, there are still some areas of dissatisfaction here.

Except that he has not seen Ms. Anne for 57 days, 11 hours and 32 minutes.

That's because the managers here are too careless about their status; they actually don't have a small canteen exclusively for officers, and every time they eat, they are together with the lowly soldiers, making a lot of noise.

Another point was when Daniel came to the cafeteria.

I ordered three fried dough sticks in one go, as well as soy milk for two people, a spicy soup, and two eggs.

Before he started to enjoy these delicious oriental foods, he saw the characters he hated the most: Thomas from Uncle Sam's house, Bobby from Denmark, and Abiel from Norway.

Originally, they were all his friends, but now they are sworn rivals and enemies, and they also appeared in this cafeteria.

These people all took the initiative to come here to serve as various instructors for Ms. Anne.

Damn it, it was because I wanted to keep it a secret, otherwise I would have told these guys that I was Ms. Anne’s favorite man.

But what he didn't know was that Thomas, Bobby, and others all thought the same way.

And in the concubine's fish pond, there are many other licking dogs that have taken the bait and are about to be sent to the island to work as cattle...

(End of this chapter)