Chapter 665 Racing
The chimney of the world's first steam paddle steamer put into practical use, the "Poroskafi", spewed out black smoke like ink. Immediately, the ship's hull trembled slightly. The huge wooden wheel on the side gradually accelerated and rotated, hitting the Seine River and making a rhythmic "papa" sound.
This ship is very different from Joffrey's original design.
The hull lines are more reasonable to increase stability and reduce resistance. The boiler and transmission system have been greatly optimized, increasing the effective power by as much as 20%. The internal structures such as the warehouse and cockpit are no longer as sloppy as before, and the space is utilized to the extreme while ensuring strength.
No matter how talented civilian designers are, they are far inferior to the design capabilities of the military industry system supported by the state machine.
All the latter needed was a flash of inspiration from the former.
Once you have the aura, they will soon be able to give you extremely exquisite industrial finished products.
The "Poroskafi" circled the river and showed off its elegant figure before docking again at the pier.
Joseph and more than a dozen followers boarded the ship along the gangplank. Behind him, more nobles followed excitedly and curiously onto the "Poroskafi".
Yes, how could Joseph, who knew the importance of publicity, let go of this rare opportunity for the steamship's maiden voyage?
The aroma of wine must be known to the whole world as soon as possible, and then people will rush to send money.
Not long after, the paddle wheel of the "Poroskafi" turned again, and amid the cheers of the onlookers, it came to a very long banner pulled in the center of the river.
Seventeen or eighty boats have been parked here, ranging in size from galleys to pure rowing boats.
The words on the banner that was half the width of the river were clearly - the first Seine River Cargo Boat Race.
This competition held by the Palace of Versailles has a prize money of up to 30,000 francs, attracting ship owners from almost all France to participate. Of course, most of the ships were eliminated in the previous qualifying competition, and those who can appear here are basically well-known and powerful people in the shipping industry.
Hundreds of journalists from various countries came. They hired a large number of carriages and gathered on the shore, preparing to follow and report the entire journey.
Speaking of which, ships of this era, even steamships, are not as fast as horses.
On the front deck of the "Poroskafi", Joseph raised his pistol high and pulled the trigger.
The loud "bang" sound echoed on the river. All the participating boat owners were so excited that their eyes were red, and they shouted and ordered the crew to drive the boat forward.
Each ship carries 20 tons of cargo and more than 50 passengers, and the first ship to arrive at the port of Le Havre and return to Paris will win a prize of 30,000 francs.
Five or six smaller galleys sailed away, leaving all their opponents behind, and soon disappeared.
On the "Poroskafi", Joseph looked at the various garbage floating by on both sides of the ship and resisted the urge to cover his nose. After all, there were many nobles and reporters gathered around.
Although the sanitary conditions of the Seine River have been greatly improved through the continuous management of the "Paris Beautiful" movement in recent years, the smell is still very eye-catching when you are on the water.
Well, in fact, until the 21st century, this problem has not been completely solved...
Joseph took the perfume-soaked handkerchief from Camelia's hand, covered his mouth and nose, I kept thinking silently in my mind: After this competition is over, the European inland shipping market will be dominated by steam paddle steamers. And, to double the fine for "dumping excrement into the Seine"!
Until it left Paris, a large number of people stood on both sides of the Seine to watch, waving and cheering.
This game has a handicap: the "Silver Eel" with the highest odds has an odds of 15 to 1, and the "Poroscafe" has an odds of 3.5 to 1, which is not low. In fact, almost no one won by buying "Poroscafi".
So Joseph estimates that if this competition is held, not only will there be no need to invest money, but he will also earn hundreds of thousands.
The stench on the river finally faded away. Joseph looked back and forth with the telescope and found that the "Poroskafi" was basically in the middle.
I guess some reporters have already started writing press releases saying "steam ships are useless".
However, before the participating boats reached Vernon, a small town more than 70 kilometers away from Paris, the boats at the front began to slow down.
These small boats rely on the rowers to row as hard as they can to stay ahead. At this point, the rowers were almost exhausted.
And several larger galleys, together with the "Poroskafi", surpassed them and became the first echelon.
Four more hours later, the steam paddle steamer still maintained a speed of 8.5 knots without emotion, leaving all its opponents behind.
Only three galleys, including the "Treasure of the Mountain" and the "Seven Birds", had to replace all their oarsmen at all costs after entering Normandy, and they reluctantly followed.
Camelia ran back and forth between the deck and the captain's cabin very dutifully, informing the crown prince of the latest status of the ship, and occasionally went to the second hold to carry the cargo for poor Perna. Go get coffee and comfort her for a while.
Well, Perna also came, still suffering from severe seasickness. She didn't know it herself, maybe she was subconsciously expecting to be cared for by His Royal Highness the Crown Prince like she did when she went to North Africa the year before last.
At 6 pm, the "Poroscafe" passed Rouen, and there were no other participating boats on the river.
Not surprisingly, in the absence of wind, steam-powered ships are almost invincible.
Joseph, surrounded by a group of nobles, went to the ship's restaurant to prepare for the dinner.
The maid was busy going to the kitchen to confirm the dishes. If the chef on the ship was not good enough, she would have to cook it herself. The first task Her Majesty the Queen gave her was to take good care of the Crown Prince's diet.
What she didn't know was that there was a pair of vicious eyes staring at her in the corner of the cabin.
If Camelia saw the face under the pink wide-brimmed hat, she might be able to remember that this person’s name is Anne-Marie Heriot—the woman who served at Notre Dame de Paris and The aristocratic lady she had bid for a true love ticket.
“Damn Austrian bitch!” Heriot stared at her and gritted his teeth.
She used to be extremely conceited. She was born in the Palace of Versailles, she was outstandingly beautiful, her family was a count with more than two hundred years of history, and her father was very wealthy. In the past, everyone around her would please her, praise her, and greet her with a smile.
However, that Austrian bitch humiliated her severely in Notre Dame. But that bitch is far more beautiful than her, richer than her family, and can serve the crown prince!
After returning from Notre Dame de Paris that day, she was overwhelmed by jealousy and resentment, and even her personality became gloomy.
And today, after relying on many connections and spending huge sums of money, she finally got the opportunity to be on the same boat with His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, but she saw that woman again!
She felt her chest spasm.
(End of this chapter)