Chapter 611 Emperor Chapter 611 Black Technology
Xu Xinsu was born as a maritime merchant. In his early years, he often sailed with fleets and traveled to many places, from Japan, Korea, and Ryukyu in the north to Annan, Luzon, Java and other places in the south. He had seen many ships at sea, but this was indeed the first time that Xu Xinsu had seen a unique warship like the "Prestige Signal".
From the appearance, this warship looks very much like an enlarged version of the "Exploration-class" warship that the Fujian Navy has begun to equip. However, Xu Xinsu is also an expert herself. Of course, she knows that shipbuilding is not just about scaling up. When a ship's hull reaches a certain level, its structural strength may not be able to bear its own weight. Otherwise, with so many shipyards in Fujian, they should have built large warships by themselves long ago. Moreover, after the "Exploration Class" warship purchased from Haihan arrived, he personally inspected the internal structure of the hull carefully. Indeed, there were many hull components that could not be imitated in Fujian. The Haihan people dared to ask for such a high price. It should also be very clear that others cannot easily imitate this kind of hull.
The cannons arranged on both sides of the ship were covered with oilcloth jackets and could not be seen clearly. Xu Xinsu could only focus on other places. He quickly noticed that there was a thick iron tube at the stern of the ship extending from the lower deck, pointing straight to the sky. The upper end was one foot and a half higher than the command cabin. This component was in the "Exploration Class" and this time Haihan None of the "exploration-class" warships in the mission have ever appeared.
Xu Xinsu couldn't understand, so she asked Shi Diwen. Shi Diwen smiled and asked, "What does this look like to Master Xu?"
Xu Xinsu observed it carefully before replying: "I see that the traces of smoke on the outside of this iron cylinder are very heavy, and it looks a bit like a chimney."
"Yes, this is a chimney." Shi Diwen nodded and confirmed Xu Xinsu's guess: "Master Xu, come with me to the lower deck to take a look."
Going down the passage at the stern of the ship to the cabin, Xu Xinsu found that there was actually a huge iron thing hidden inside. Although she was still a little confused, Xu Xinsu recognized part of the thing: "This thing...is the same as the one in my house. The hot water boilers installed are somewhat similar..."
Shi Diwen said: "Yes, the iron can that Mr. Xu saw is actually a hot water boiler. However, it is not used to provide hot water to the crew, but has another wonderful purpose."
Xu Xinsu was still waiting for Shi Diwen to reveal the answer to the mystery, but Shi Diwen had already changed the topic to another direction: "For a long time, we have only relied on wind power or manpower to sail on the sea. Not only is the speed slow, but it is also affected by the climate. Very large. So we used many methods to find another solution that does not require wind or human power to propel the ship on the sea. ”
Xu Xinsu asked curiously: "Is there really such a wonderful way in the world? Could it be said that this is the way those big iron ships without sails and oars cross the sea from Victory Port?"
"Although Mr. Xu's statement is not very accurate, it is almost the same." Shi Diwen responded with a smile. The ships used for crossing are basically powered by diesel engines, while the ones installed on the "Wei Signal" are powered by steam propulsion. Although the structures and principles are different, they are all used to convert thermal energy into mechanical energy. However, the steam engine on the "Wei Signal" is still in the prototype stage. It is not powerful enough and its operation stability is relatively limited. It still needs to rely on the wind propulsion system more often.
Naturally, Xu Xinsu had heard of various folk legends about the Haihan Iron Ship in Victory Port. He personally didn't quite believe in such mysterious things, thinking that it was probably just some kind of stunt made by the Haihan people - if these ships could really move, why had no one ever seen these ships sail out of Victory Harbor?
However, the meaning behind Shi Diwen's words is that the "Prestige Signal" warship has been equipped with a similar device. When Xu Xinsu saw the pile of strange-looking metal transmission devices connected to the boiler, she suddenly had an inspiration: "Could this be what Mr. Shi said?"
Shi Diwen admitted without hesitation: "With this device, our ship's speed can be increased by about 30% based on the simple use of sails. I think Mr. Xu will understand that this 30% acceleration function is What it means on the battlefield ”
Of course Xu Xinsu understood the importance of speed. He spent a lot of money to order a warship from Haihan. In addition to the powerful firepower configuration on the ship, one of the reasons was its high speed that exceeded traditional Chinese warships. In the past, when confronting Shibazhi's pirate ships at sea, they would often choose to retreat because of their numerical disadvantage. However, after using Haihan's warships, even if there are not as many ships as the opponent's on the scene, they can be more flexible because of their superior speed. Arrange tactics, fight and retreat the opponent's kites.
If there is a way to increase the speed by another 30% on the basis of the "Exploration-class" warship, then Xu Xinsu believes that this advantage alone is enough to defeat Shiba Zhi's pirate ships at sea - the speed difference is at least double, and the firepower configuration It was several times worse. If he still couldn't defeat those pirate ships, Xu Xinsu felt that he should be the first one to commit suicide by jumping into the sea.
"Mr. Shi... are you serious about what you said?" Xu Xinsu's voice even trembled when she asked. If this can be achieved, then it really won't be that difficult to eradicate Shiba Zhi.
Shi Diwen said: "It's empty talk, and it's probably hard for Mr. Xu to believe what I said. After I go to sea, I'll have someone demonstrate it, and Mr. Xu will know whether it's true or not."
"Okay, okay, I'll wait and see!" Xu Xinsu said to herself. If she had known that there was such a magical thing on the Haihan warship, she would have urged the preparations for the joint tour to be completed as soon as possible. But this kind of good thing is probably only for viewing on the sidelines. It is estimated that the Haihan people are determined not to sell it outside.
After the troops participating in the joint military exercise assembled and boarded the ship, Shi Diwen invited Xu Xinsu to the bow of the ship to announce the start of the military exercise. However, because the mission fleet did not bring loudspeakers this time, Xu Xinsu was not invited to deliver any mobilization speech. A big "Xu" flag was hoisted on the main mast of the "Wei Signal". When the drummers on the dock saw it, they beat the big drum as a signal for the fleet to set off.
The warships of the Fujian Navy participating in this military exercise were the first to sail out of the port. Haihan's "Wei Signal" and two "exploration-class" warships were the main warships on this voyage, together with the other two Ming Army Fuchuan. Serving as the central army, at the end are Haihan and several supply ships of the Ming army. The fleet of thirty ships, large and small, sailed out of the port, and its momentum was quite astonishing. If there were spies arranged by Shibazhi nearby, it would probably be difficult not to notice this scene. However, Haihan's side did not care about Shibazhi's feelings when they formulated this action plan. Even if they found that the momentum was wrong, When the news is sent back to Penghu, and troops are mobilized from Penghu for rescue, it should be a few days later. According to the plan, the joint fleet has already captured Nanri Island by then, and it doesn't matter whether they hide their tracks or not. If Shibazhi really dared to go out in a big way, then Shi Diwen was determined to deal with this group of pirates near Zhangzhou.
According to the exercise plan, today's itinerary is to head north to Quanzhou. After conducting some maritime training off the coast of Quanzhou, the fleet will settle near Quanzhou Port that night, and then march towards Nanri Island the next day.
The route planned by Shi Diwen for the fleet is to set off from Xiamen Island, pass through the strait between Dadan Island and Little Kinmen Island, go around the east side of Kinmen Island, and go straight north to Quanzhou. The voyage is about seven More than ten nautical miles. This voyage is naturally no problem for Haihan's warship. If it sails at full speed, it can reach Quanzhou Port before dinner. However, the ships of the Ming Dynasty were relatively slow, and it would take at least ten hours to complete this voyage. Although they set off from Xiamen Island in the early morning, they would probably still have to travel through the night to complete this voyage.
However, this is also part of the training this time. Night sailing is a training subject that must be mastered by the fleet. The Ming Navy Navy has relatively little training experience in this area. It can take this opportunity to practice this. Special skills.
In fact, on the coastline from Zhangzhou Port to Quanzhou Port, the Ming army's defensive strongholds were not only Zhongzuosuo City, but also Jinmen Suo, Fuquan Suo, and Yongning Guard. They were just the deployment of troops and defenses. Not as powerful as Zhongzuo.
After sailing past Kinmen Island, the sea ahead is open and the view is good. Xu Xinsu couldn't help but remind Shi Diwen that he had promised to activate the acceleration function after going to sea. Shi Diwen knew that he had almost whetted his appetite, so he ordered the engine room to start the steam engine and turn on the auxiliary propulsion device. At the same time, ask the crew to fly a flag on the mast to notify the ships in front to give up the forward channel to the "power signal".
A moment later, Xu Xinsu, who was in the cockpit, heard a low noise coming from inside the ship, and soon even the ship's planks under her feet began to shake. Xu Xinsu was shocked and said: "What happened?"
Shi Diwen comforted: "Don't be afraid, Mr. Xu. This is just a normal phenomenon after our device is started. Let's go out and have a look."
Xu Xinsu followed Shi Diwen out of the cabin in shock. At a glance, she saw the iron chimney at the stern of the ship continuously emitting gray smoke. Shi Diwen took him to the stern of the ship, pointed to the sea and said: "Master Xu, please look!"
Xu Xinsu looked down after hearing this, and saw waves splashing on the sea surface at the stern of the ship, as if something was desperately twisting under the water, pushing the huge ship forward.
"It's true!" Of course Xu Xinsu knew that it wasn't some water monster pushing the boat down there, but what Shi Diwen said was at work. This device also significantly increased the speed of the ship. Xu Xinsu discovered that the ship was surpassing other ships at an unimaginable speed. Even two other "exploration-class" warships with a similar appearance to this ship had also been destroyed. Gradually distanced themselves.
"With the speed of this ship, it is unlikely that any other ship can catch up with it at sea. Of course, it would be extremely difficult for any opponent to surround or intercept it at sea." Shi Diwen was full of enthusiasm. Proudly boasted to Xu Xinsu.
As one of the manufacturers of marine steam engines, Shi Diwen is quite satisfied with his work. Although there is still a lot of room for improvement in this kind of steam engine, based on the existing conditions of this time and space, this is already the best that humans can currently make. The most amazing propulsion device ever created. You must know that more than a hundred years ago, in 1769, the French inventor Joffrey was the first to install a steam engine on a ship, and it also drove a set of wooden paddles as a propulsion device. In 1802, the Englishman William Symington used Watt's improved steam engine to build the first steam-powered paddle steamer "Charlotte Dundas". However, this experimental product did not gain recognition from the world and was Tugboat owners nip this in the bud for some ridiculous reason. It was not until the steamship "Clermont" built by American Robert Fulton in 1807 that it was recognized as the world's first steam-powered ship put into commercial navigation. The first warship to use steam propulsion technology was the American battleship "Demologos" built in the early 19th century.
As for propellers replacing paddle wheels as propellers, we had to wait until the British took the lead in the mid-19th century. But after the time travelers came to this time and space, they advanced this timetable by more than two hundred years. Even if the shipbuilders in Fujian saw the propeller hidden under the water, it was difficult to understand what the strange thing did. . In other words, Haihan does not need to keep this secret at all, because with the technological level of this era, no other company can copy the black technology mastered by Haihan.
The Ming Navy also had ships, but they used manpower to assist them. Paddlewheel ships are not a new thing in China. The warships designed by Li Gao in the Tang Dynasty are recorded in the "Old Book of Tang Dynasty" as "taking two wheels and dancing on them, soaring in the wind and waves, as fast as hanging sails and mats". The West was seven or eight centuries earlier. The largest paddle wheel in the Southern Song Dynasty was twenty to thirty feet long, had a draft of about one foot, and could carry more than a thousand people. However, these various paddlewheelers are based on human power and are not the same as the steam-powered propulsion devices that Xu Xinsu saw on the "Wei Signal".
Xu Xinsu has seen many strange things in her life, but she has never been so excited as today, and even her face turned red: "With such a sharp weapon, it is easy to cross the sea and turn back!"
Shi Diwen smiled and said nothing. The steam propulsion system was powerful, but it was not as exaggerated as Xu Xinsu said. Not only will it be limited by the supply of fuel and fresh water, but its operational stability is also a huge problem. At this stage, it can only be used as auxiliary power. It is not realistic to rely entirely on steam power for propulsion, and because of the current The power of steam engines is small, and the propulsion effect is far less than that of wind power. Of course, Shi Diwen would definitely not take the initiative to inform Xu Xinsu of these shortcomings and hidden dangers.
(End of chapter)