In war, many incredible things always happen. Some people may become rich overnight, while others may lose everything overnight.
In fact, this is the charm of war.
Of course, for most people, war is just war. They will neither become rich because of the war nor become poor because of the war. They are just participants in the war.
As a navy naval engineer, Zhao Yujiang came here by boat on the third day after the military conquered Montevideo. Not only he, but also a dozen engineers were traveling with him, and they personally set foot on the
We visited the sunken Brazilian warship in the port and measured the bombing effect there. After all, this was an extremely rare practical experience. We analyzed the damage caused by aerial bombs through the damage to the warship.
However, while he and others were focusing on evaluating the damage effects of bombs, Zhao Yujiang's heart was more focused on the warship.
"The damage to the hull is not great!"
"It's really not serious. It's mainly damage to the superstructure and the boiler room. Overall, the damage is relatively limited."
The colleague's answer made Zhao Yujiang turn his attention to the other three ironclad ships. They were all "Riachuelo" class battleships. Without exception, they all had ten-inch armor and ten-inch main guns.
As battleships, they are only second-class battleships, but second-class battleships are also battleships!
Walking to the turret amidships and looking at the blown turret, Zhao Yujiang said to himself.
"Maybe we can salvage them,"
"What?"
Navy Lieutenant Commander Qiu Shiwei said curiously as he passed by.
"What did you say? Mr. Zhao? Salvage them?"
"Yes, salvage them. Not only can we have a clearer picture of their injuries, but also..."
After a pause, Zhao Yujiang expressed his thoughts.
"If it can be repaired, we can repair it again. If only the superstructure and boiler are damaged, it will only take up to half a year to repair. By then we will have four more battleships, although it is only ten inches.
Naval guns, but after all, they are also battleships!"
It has to be said that Zhao Yujiang's suggestion immediately aroused Qiu Shiwei's interest. He looked around at the several warships that were half exposed to the sea and seemed to be extremely damaged, and said to himself.
"This seems to be a solution!"
The solution is of course a good one!
If a warship that is not seriously damaged is just repaired, it will definitely be faster and more economical than rebuilding it. This is a well-known fact.
It's faster and more economical, just look for it there.
"Can it be salvaged?"
"There should be no problem in salvage."
Zhao Yujiang said with certainty.
"However, after it is salvaged, it needs to be towed to the dock for inspection. To determine whether it can be repaired or worth repairing, simple repairs can be carried out first, and then towed to the Yingtian shipyard for repair. Judging from the current basic survey, I think
, there is still hope to repair them, and the cost is only about half of that of building a new one.”
"Gong Zhao, please study it and formulate a plan first, and then I will report it to the Navy Department."
Qiu Shiwei said straightforwardly that as a naval officer, he believed that as long as these four warships could be repaired, the navy would definitely be willing. After all, the Ming Dynasty does not have a single capital ship in the mainland - all the capital ships are in the Mediterranean.
Even in the navy club, they all told a joke that the Ming Dynasty's coastal areas now only need to be protected by airships. Even a few senior officials know that the Ming Dynasty's coastal defense is the trump card - submarines are on the mainland, so there is no need to worry about external invasion.
But without a battleship, it’s hard to sleep well!
"So, these warships have a chance to be repaired!"
The newly appointed Navy Minister Li Nanlin, Count Yingchuan of the Ming Dynasty, was also the earliest naval commander of the Ming Dynasty. After receiving the report from his subordinates, he immediately gave his approval and then came to the palace to report in person.
"Yes, Your Majesty, the Ship Administration Department estimates that the repair cost is 1.6 million to 2 million. If it is not replaced, or only the damaged main gun is replaced, then the expenditure will be reduced by at least 30%, which means more than one million
, the navy can have four combat ships."
Li Nanlin's answer made Emperor Zhu nodded slightly.
"That being said, it's quite a bargain!"
It is indeed a very good deal. It costs more than one million to own four battleships. No matter where you look for such a good thing, you usually can't find it. This is completely a trophy!
"It's really a good deal. In terms of tonnage, a battleship of the same class costs at least 1.4-1.5 million yuan. Now we only need to spend the price of one to own four, and if it's fast, we may only have four."
The repair can be completed in two to three months, which not only saves money, but most importantly, prevents the local fleet from not even having a single capital ship."
While speaking, Li Nanlin looked at His Majesty with complicated eyes. It was His Majesty who sent all the navy's battleships to the Mediterranean Sea to facilitate the Four Nations Alliance.
"Hey, in the final analysis, our naval strength is still too weak! On one hand, we have to compete with Britain in other areas, and on the other hand, we have to consider the maritime security of our homeland, well, the two oceans."
Emperor Zhu Da said casually.
"After the "Youzhou-class" is put into service, the problem will almost be alleviated. However, it seems that it is not feasible. Has the United States passed the budget for the new fiscal year? Are they not planning to build four combat ships and four armored ships next year?
Cruiser and six cruisers? Does the Navy have any plans to respond?"
Faced with challenges from abroad, Emperor Zhu's response has always been direct. The vast ocean is a casino. If you want to be on the gambling table, you must at least make your own capital stronger.
"Your Majesty, what the Navy is worried about now is not the expansion of the U.S. Navy, but the threat posed to us by the maritime power of the United Kingdom and the United States after the Anglo-American alliance!"
Although Li Nanlin, who has been recuperating due to physical reasons, has withdrawn from the navy in the past few years, it does not mean that he does not care about the construction of the navy or external threats.
"Before this, the U.S. Navy did not pose a great threat to us, and our maritime power far exceeded that of the United States. However, with the further expansion of the U.S. Navy, especially the "U.S.-British Alliance" currently being discussed in Congress, if they
If the navies of the two countries operate jointly, how should we fight against them? Your Majesty, I believe that in order to counter the Anglo-American alliance and the threats they bring to us in the Atlantic and Pacific, we must formulate a new round of naval expansion plans.
Expand with powerful maritime power to respond to their challenges!"