Chapter 107 Naval Gun Test Firing
Paul also brought 12 naval artillery pieces this time, including 2 12-pound guns, 6 6-pound guns, and 4 swivel guns, plus the previous With 2 6-pound guns and 4 swivel guns used for training, the Navy now has 18 artillery pieces.
The swivel gun is a small-caliber artillery. It is placed on a bracket that can rotate 360 degrees. It shoots shot shells and small cannons. It is very light and flexible. It is used to support gang-hopping operations and make up for the side guns. of firepower.
When the Hope was being built, gun ports for artillery had been reserved on both sides of the upper deck. Because it was being built for the first time, it was not clear how many artillery pieces could be loaded. Only 8 guns were fired. Doors, 4 on each side.
After the trial voyage returned to port, Austin directed the sailors to receive the new artillery brought by Paul. Four of the 6-pound cannons were immediately loaded onto the ship, along with a box. Cannonballs and barrels of gunpowder.
Installing naval guns is not a simple task. The space on the ship is small, so ropes and pulleys must be used to construct a reasonable artillery retraction mechanism. The Navy tried it on land for a long time before figuring out a more feasible solution.
"Let's go, take me for a spin on the sea! Let's try firing two cannons by the way." After the sailors placed the cannons, Paul couldn't wait to order to go to sea.
The sailors raised the sail, and several sailors pushed the anchor winch to retract the anchor. Driven by the wind, the "Hope" slowly sailed outside the port again.
Many of the people who came with Paul were taking a boat ride for the first time. Everyone looked here and there excitedly, as if the Hope was a big novel toy.
“This is the feeling I want!”
Facing the sea breeze and sailing towards the boundless sea, Paul seemed to be in the age of great navigation on earth.
In a corner of the deck, two female consultants were whispering.
Irene thought thoughtfully: "It turns out that the boat can run so fast without rowing."
Ladi also said: "Yes, holding up so many sails is all thanks to Large ships driven by wind are really rare.”
As an adventurer, she has seen the world, but the ships that she has seen in the past that do not rely on human oars are usually along the coast. A small boat for inland navigation that can only carry a few people.
Eileen said mysteriously: "Let me tell you, in addition to the paper and porcelain we use on daily basis, and the canned food we ate that day, this Earl Grayman also made a lot of things."
< br>The nature of a woman made her eager to share what she saw with her companions: "There is a very scary thing in his army..."
She suddenly stopped because she remembered the name she had signed. "Confidentiality Agreement".
Oops! This feeling is so uncomfortable.
Irene thought of the artillery and musket shooting scenes she saw during the semaphore drill. She originally wanted to describe it to Ladi. The powerful power and momentum of the firearms left a deep impression on her.
"It would be great if the kingdom's army could be equipped with a large number of such weapons. Facing that kind of power, the rebels in the south would definitely be defeated."
She thought to herself more than once, should she show up? As a princess, she asked the lord to contribute manufacturing technology to the royal family.
But the fear of marriage made her give up the idea again and again. .
La Di tilted her head and asked in confusion: "What is so scary?" The action was very cute.
Irene smiled brightly and said: "I can't say it yet, but you should be able to see it later."
Before setting sail, she heard Paul's words "Fire two guns and try" and saw the four artillery deployed on the deck. Artillery fire should be carried out during this trial voyage.
Sure enough, after a while she heard Paul order: "Send the ship near the rock cliff, and let's try the effect of the ship-borne artillery."
Austin immediately relayed the story to Quaker Following Paul's order, the Hope turned around and sailed toward the rocky cliffs on the shore.
The gunners began to load the artillery, and they quickly loaded the two 6-pound guns on the port side with ammunition.
Soon the Hope sailed to a position about 500 meters away from the cliff and turned its port side towards the cliff.
Austin loudly ordered: "Gunner, prepare!"
Irene immediately pulled Ladi's clothes and reminded: "The sound will be very loud, cover your ears." Ladi did as she said, using both hands He covered his ears tightly, and when he looked at the other people on the boat, they also covered their ears.
"Fire!"
As soon as Austin finished speaking, the two gunners lit the defuse holes of the artillery in front of them.
Along with the huge roar of the artillery, everyone felt the ship's hull shake violently.
Looking forward, the power of the ship-borne artillery at this distance is impressive. The cliff is covered with rubble, and one of the shells hits a huge and unexpected rock, knocking it into pieces on the spot. fragments.
"So...so awesome!" Ladi was a little stunned when she saw the artillery shooting scene for the first time.
Irene introduced to her: "This is artillery, which can shoot at long distances like a ballista and a trebuchet."
Ladi thought secretly: This power and range are comparable to those of a ballista and a trebuchet. Trebuchets are much more powerful.
She recalled the day when Paul recaptured Port Fulan. Thunderous sounds were also heard outside the town, and soon after, the Arda army broke into the city.
I think the huge noise that day was made by this weapon. Such a level of power could indeed blast the city gate open. No wonder the pirates' defense had no effect.
There are four openings on each side of the ship. When all cannons are arranged, how powerful this ship must be.
In a battle against a galley of the same size, a round of cannonballs will hit them. If they all hit, there will still be a few oarsmen left.
La Di also learned that Alda was facing threats from the Kent family in the neighboring territory, but Earl Grayman never showed any signs of panic. Is this the power he relied on?
The gun on the port side fired three rounds in a row before stopping firing.
Austin loudly ordered: "Check the condition of the hull!"
The salvo of two cannons just fired. It would be bad if the ship was damaged, which means that the Hope has failed. Taste it.
“Everything is fine in the bottom tank!”
“Everything is fine on the front deck!”
...
As the reports came one after another, everyone's hearts were relieved.
Austin handed the telescope to Paul, and the Earl carefully observed the situation on the rock wall.
“With this power, there should be no problem in dealing with those fragile ships of pirates.” The Navy Commander confirmed.
Paul thought of something and turned to look at Hansel, only to see that the director of the Ministry of Agriculture was in a very bad state.
Hansel looked frightened and held a railing tightly with his hands. He saw Paul looking at him and said with a sad face: "I'm sorry, this is the first time in my life to go to sea on a boat."
"Oh, Mr. Supervisor, we haven't even gone to sea yet, but We've just made a few turns near the port."
"How about you wait a few more days and take the Hope southward after everything is ready?"
Hansel waved his hand quickly: "No. No, no, I’ll go south by land this time. I don’t dare to delay Mr. Grayman’s affairs.”
Everyone laughed on the deck.
(End of this chapter)