"You will soon know what a steam engine is. The four steam engines will arrive in a moment." Yang Fan was too lazy to explain in detail. He would naturally understand it when the steam engines arrived.
An hour later, four Newcomen steam engines had been modified. Transported to dry dock. This bluestone-cement dry dock is used to build watercrafts, so it is far smaller than the docks on the seaside. After everything is shipped, it can only be piled outside.
Chen Xi and Chen Zhijian explained the principles of steam engines, and the shipwrights exclaimed, this is amazing. This machine can actually drive the watercraft instead of human power. Then this machine can definitely replace the wind power to drive the sailboat.
They were professional shipbuilders and they immediately understood the significance of this invention. If it can be used by canal boats, it can definitely be used by sea-going ships.
Chen Zhijian and the others knew that this would be a profound change, and they all studied tirelessly. As they discussed excitedly, half an hour later, a plan came out.
"Master, we have done some research and we suggest that the four steam engines and the paddle wheel be installed at the stern of the ship. Because this kind of paddle wheel has some shortcomings, inland rivers are not as good as the sea, and there are many special circumstances to consider." Chen Zhijian came over and said.
Yang Fan nodded, that is indeed the case. Inland waterway shipping has its own characteristics and cannot completely copy sea shipping. Nowadays, power is limited, and this rudimentary steam engine is immature and has low efficiency.
In 1712, the efficiency of Newcomen's steam engine had reached 50 horsepower, which was equivalent to the efficiency of 50 horses. After Watt's improvement, the power of the reciprocating steam engine was increased three times, and a single unit reached 150 horsepower.
Now these four are the first batch of test machines produced, with only thirty horsepower. Of course it was much better than the first Newcomen steam engine. The first Newcomen steam engine in human history had a cylinder diameter of only 32 centimeters and a power of 5.5 horsepower.
"It has a heavy structure and low efficiency. Especially when encountering wind and waves, part or all of the paddle wheel blades are exposed to the water, making the ship unable to sail stably. Moreover, the paddle wheel blades are easily damaged during use."
“When the paddle wheel rotates, half of the blades rotate in the air, which not only increases the width of the ship and the resistance during navigation, but also when it docks at the dock, it is easy to collide with the ships on both sides, which not only affects its own safe driving, but also affects the safety of the ship. There is a possibility of grazing other ships."
"In addition, if entangled objects such as aquatic plants get caught on the blades or shaft of the paddle wheel, the paddle wheel may lose rotation."
Yang Fan was very satisfied. This is the difference between professionals and non-professionals. Experts can tell if something is wrong as soon as they make a move. These old craftsmen see these issues very clearly.
"Do you have any good ideas?"
"We installed four Newcomen steam engines side by side at the stern to save the ship's valuable load space and facilitate coal loading. The four paddle wheels were installed side by side at the stern to prevent them from being damaged by the enemy. Installing them on the side of the ship increased the width of the ship. , the resistance is too great, and it affects the view of the ship's side and the combat range."
Yang Fan nodded and said: "This plan is okay, but if it is damaged, the machine and paddle wheel are lined up at the stern. Will it be difficult to repair? After all, the width of the ship is only six meters, which is too compact. And how to arrange the steering gear? The steering gear must pass through the wake of the ship to enhance efficiency. This design is difficult to install. And the stern of the ship is too heavy, which will affect the stability."
"Master, everything has advantages and disadvantages, it all depends on how the pros and cons are weighed. The rudder can be installed behind the paddle wheel. Although it will lengthen the tail, it will not affect the efficiency."
Yang Fan nodded.
"We decided to cast the paddle wheel blades with thin steel to reduce the width and weight. We don't have to worry about corrosion problems when using them in water. This way, there is enough space for the masters to enter for repairs."
"With this design, the four steam engines at the stern, plus the paddle wheel and steering gear, will increase the weight greatly, which can be solved by adding a counterweight at the bow."
Yang Fan said: "If this is the case, the additional counterweight on the bow is dead weight. It is a waste of deadweight tonnage."
"No, sir. This ship is going to the war zone after it has been renovated. The counterweight on the bow can be used to install artillery. The two sides can also be counterweighted by installing French light cannons, which can balance the balance of the ship. sex."
Now that everyone has taken it into consideration, there’s nothing more to say, let’s get started.
The dock was brightly lit and worked all night. At dawn, the steam engine and paddle wheel had been installed. The paddle wheel blades are freshly cast. Still steaming. Steel beams were installed on the deck, and two millimeters of forced corrugated steel plates were laid outside and above.
There is a huge sliding hatch in the middle of the ship's side. There are also holes in the steel plate on the side of the ship for shooting.
After dawn, at the insistence of Chen Zhijian and others, the large canal was equipped with Chinese-style hard sails. They insist that even though it is an inland river, if the wind direction is favorable, wind energy should be used if it can be used. This can reduce the amount of fuel carried and increase the load as much as possible.
At five quarters in the morning, the dock released water.
This steamboat, the first in the history of the Ming Dynasty, floats slowly on the water.
I heard that the ship has been refitted. Xiao Niangpi, Lin Yueru and others ate breakfast in a hurry and ran to watch the fun. Xiao Niangpi asked the kitchen to bring breakfast to the dock staff. She knew that these people must have been busy all night with the master.
Yang Fan took the big bowl handed over by Xiao Niangpi and drank a bowl of millet porridge that turned out rice oil. He ordered the ship to be put on trial voyage.
The steam engine had already been ignited and started burning the boiler. Otherwise, it will take an hour to boil the water and generate enough steam.
There is nothing that can be done about it, the steam engine is so slow to start.
Therefore, before the dock is filled with water, the boiler is fired in advance.
After hearing Yang Fan's order, the workers opened the air outlet valve, and with a squeaking sound, the piston began to reciprocate. The connecting rod drives the crankshaft, which drives the thin steel cast paddle wheel at the stern. The ship began to move forward slowly.
Four steam engines and four paddle wheels form a four-wheel propulsion power system. As the boiler temperature increases, the steam pressure increases. The ship's speed also increased.
Only then did Yang Fan discover a big problem. There was no transmission mechanism and speed change mechanism. It is difficult to regulate the speed of the boat. And you can't reverse. If you want to reverse the car, you can only make a U-turn. This is particularly troublesome.
Yang Fan covered his face, he still had too little experience and had not thought of any of this.
But everyone present was excited, and the girls even screamed.
It's amazing how a ship can be propelled by just fire and water.
"Master, master, I'm going to take this steamboat." Xiao Niangpi hugged Yang Fan's arm and rocked coquettishly.
"Sir, I want to sit down, too," Lin Yueru said.
Yang Fan couldn't bear the annoyance, so he had to patiently explain that this was an experimental ship and it was still somewhat dangerous.
However, these girls are crazy and say that they can swim and are not afraid.
Xiao Niangpi couldn't swim at first, so it was Yang Fan who went into the water to save Chen Xi. Now people have learned it long ago. They also requested that a swimming pool be built in the back house of the new mansion.
"Well, it's summer and no one is cold. If you want to get on the boat, just get on the boat. I'm defeated by you."
The little hooves let out a cheer and rushed to board the boat.
The first paddle steamer in the Ming Dynasty was steaming upstream along the river with billowing smoke.
"Master, where are we going?" Xiao Niangpi said in a disgusted voice while holding Yang Fan's arm.
"We went all the way west to Jizhou for lunch, then turned around and went down the river to go back to Zunhua City to have a look. We haven't been back for a long time."
