Chapter 86 Navy
“Drink!”
Occam stabbed the opponent fiercely with a wooden knife in his hand.
But the opponent easily blocked his wooden sword, and before he could retract his arm, he stabbed him in the waist with the wooden sword.
“Don’t attack blindly, remember that the chassis must be stable at all times!”
Quick, a former pirate leader and now a private in the Arda Navy, loudly pointed out the opponent's shortcomings.
Occam rubbed his waist that was so painful from being stabbed with a wooden knife, re-established his offensive posture, and looked for loopholes in Quick's defense.
After staring at each other for a few times with Quirk, he found an angle where he thought the opponent could not fight back, and stabbed him hard and fast. However, this time Quirk just dodged...< br>
With a "pop", Occam rushed too hard and fell into the water.
The sailors of the Alda Navy are practicing how to fight on the water. Six naval warships and a dozen temporarily recruited fishing boats are full of sailors who are "fighting" fiercely.
Just as everyone was training in full swing, they suddenly heard an assembly call from the shore.
Everyone immediately stopped what they were doing and paddled towards the military port pier.
By building and requisitioning and converting civilian ships, the Alda Navy at this time already owned 6 larger galleys, each of which was controlled by about 50 people. The Navy also set aside a piece of land in Fulan Port to build a naval base and a pier specifically for docking military warships.
On the shore, Paul and his "Navy Commander" Austin were already standing there.
After landing, the sailors quickly ran to the playground in the military port to assemble. They formed six square formations under the leadership of the captain according to the warships they belonged to, with a total of more than 300 people.
Although the weather is getting colder after autumn, due to training, everyone only wears a blue and white striped shirt on their upper body. This cotton shirt, named "Sea Soul Shirt" by the lord, is deeply loved by the majority of naval officers and soldiers. .
Not only does it provide wind and sun protection for sailors who go to sea, but it also has a very practical function. When someone accidentally falls into the sea from the deck, it can be quickly discovered.
Paul, accompanied by Austin, reviewed the naval phalanx.
He saw "Quick I" in the phalanx and smiled at him playfully.
Quick's face turned red, and he was frightened by the military regulations. He did not dare to turn his head, so he had to turn his eyes slightly to one side to avoid looking directly at Paul.
Faced with this slightly rude behavior, Paul did not blame him. This guy was made so ugly during the interrogation in Huxin Town that he would naturally be very embarrassed when he saw him now.
These convicts who were selected from pirate prisoners and entered the navy were only provided with food, clothing and housing, and no salary was given to them. Unless they could make some outstanding achievements or perform well after serving for a period of time, they would be rewarded. Get the same treatment as normal sailors.
Quick was the second batch of prisoners selected to join the navy. Fortunately, he made great contributions in resisting a pirate attack ashore, and was immediately promoted to private and was able to receive half a salary, and if he continues to perform well, he will be able to receive full salary.
Looking at the maritime force that was beginning to take shape, Paul was full of pride. Although it was just a small sapling, it would grow into a towering tree sooner or later.
Sooner or later, this army will sail all over the world. When I think of countless giant ships lined up in neat formations, with thousands of cannons firing along the sides, and firing countless shells at the enemy, I can feel it in my heart. Waves of excitement surged through. He asked Austin: "Has artillery training begun?"
Austin replied: "We have already started. We have built a simulation deck on land and placed the two naval guns and four swivel guns that have been manufactured on it to practice the operation of the artillery. "
Paul is very satisfied. The two naval guns are still cast directly according to the army's 6-pound guns, but the gun mounts have been modified according to the environment on the ship. But the battleship can carry heavier artillery. He has asked Marlowe to start trial production of 12-pound guns. As for the heavier 24-pound guns, let's wait until larger ships can be built.
As for small-caliber artillery such as swivel guns, they are mainly installed at the head and tail of the battleship to make up for the area that cannot be covered by the ship's side guns. Also, when a gang-hopping battle occurs, use the swivel cannon first. Fires shotguns to hit the enemy in the face.
After the review, the sailors were ordered to continue training, while the navy officers gathered in the conference room in the base to listen to the lord's introduction to the next development and arrangements.
Paul sat at the head of the table and said: "Gentlemen, I believe you all know that the shipwrights from the south are already in place and will start building new ships soon."
Everyone nodded to express their understanding. That day When Paul led the shipbuilders from the south to the shipyard, their commander Austin and several other officers went with him as representatives of the navy.
And they also have a clear idea of what the new ship looks like. Two models of the Slupp ship are placed in the shipyard for reference by shipbuilders to draw detailed design drawings. There are also two models placed in the shipyard. At the naval base, it is used for research by naval officers and soldiers.
Paul said: "In the first phase of the Navy's development plan, I plan to build 6 Slupp ships, but after building two and doing a little training, the Navy will begin to clear the large ships in the northwest bay. Pirate groups, large and small, so you must seize the time to prepare for war.”
Although the pirates who came ashore to plunder were wiped out, the northwest bay is far from peaceful at this time, because Alda’s navy is still there. It is very weak, so it adopts a passive defense strategy. It will only go to fight when pirates attack. If the pirates don't come, they will not provoke them.
Even so, there have been several pirate attacks since the public trial, but fortunately they were all repelled by the Arda army. Every invasion would be reported to Lake Center Town in a timely manner.
After the navy is equipped with two stroop ships, a total of 28 cannons can be placed on the ship. With such powerful firepower, the Arda navy will no longer be afraid of any pirates.
Paul also made another request:
“The Government Council decided that after the pirates are cleared out, merchant ships will be sent to the south, and the navy must play the role of exploring routes and escorting ships. "
"From now on, you will send people south along the coastline to find out the information of various ports along the way, so that our ship can dock, supply and repair if there is an accident on the road. "< br>
The Earl is really far-sighted, this is what many people here think.
......
After the meeting at the naval base, Paul went to the shipyard not far away.
At this time, the shipyard has not yet started building the Throop ship, because according to the inspection results of the old shipwright Benjamin, the equipment here is a bit outdated, so he and Director Rubin are directing the shipyard. Craftsmen upgrade and repair equipment.
Paul promised Rubin: The Navy will be the focus of the next fiscal expenditure. If you encounter trouble when upgrading equipment or purchasing shipbuilding materials, just ask the Ministry of Finance.
When leaving, he asked Rubin to cooperate well with the shipwrights from the south, and Rubin nodded hastily in agreement.
(End of this chapter)