One hundred and ninety-seven shipbuilding plan
Xiao Zishan and Fang Fei discussed it and concluded that it was already late November. There were still many things to be done after the fleet returned, including the "plan review and correction" that Mr. Wen repeatedly advocated day and night. The whole process would at least be completed. It will take half a month. [Read full text] Infrastructure materials and necessary arms must be transported to the 852 base in Hong Kong to ensure that the Hong Kong detachment can withstand all enemy counterattacks locally.
Based on this calculation, Xiao Zishan thought it would be better to postpone the annual meeting to the end of December - to celebrate with the Gregorian New Year of 1631.
"You know, we have been facing a trade blockade for more than half a year, and many supplies are out of stock. It is just a good month to calm down and make supplies abundant, so that it can be more convenient to hold the annual meeting."
So the annual meeting was finally decided to be held around December 26. According to the observations of the Gaoshanling Meteorological Observatory for almost three years, the lowest temperature during winter in this time and space is around 9 to 10 degrees Celsius, which usually occurs in mid-January. The average temperature in late December is still 17 or 18 degrees, and sometimes the temperature is around 21 degrees. It's just the right temperature for a 1ù day party at the beach.
Within the Executive Committee, intense consultations are currently underway on the results of Operation Pearl River, follow-up issues, and strategic planning for next year. Liu Xiang's disappearance from the Pearl River Estuary surprised the Executive Committee - they did not expect that this big shopkeeper who had fought against Zheng Zhilong to the end would abandon the traditional territory so simply to avoid the war. The Executive Committee is very worried about this, fearing that Liu Xiang will choose the opportunity to launch a large-scale counterattack against the base in Hong Kong. The Hong Kong base is still in its infancy stage. It is only a squadron or a garrison, and its strength is very weak. Large-scale strengthening is urgently needed.
The reinforcements shipped from Lingao not only include artillery, soldiers and building materials, but also require a large number of skilled construction workers to carry out infrastructure construction for the opening of Hong Kong next year. Wharfs, trestles, warehouses, shops. Skade is working hard every day at the executive committee working meetings to obtain materials and deadweight tons shipped to Hong Kong - except for some materials that can be purchased nearby from Guangdong, most of the materials needed by Hong Kong still need to be shipped from Lingao by ship.
The more than 700 kilometers of navigation route from Lingao to Hong Kong has put the construction of a large-scale fleet and convoy system on the agenda. The purely civilian shipping companies like Gaoguang Shipping Company used in the past can no longer provide cover - Liu Xiang and Zheng Zhilong may launch an indiscriminate attack on all ships on this route at any time.
On Hainan Island, with the exception of Qiongshan, the northern counties have fallen into the hands of Australia and Song Dynasty one after another. However, the subsequent circulation of a large number of people and materials required for political power construction in each county requires a large amount of maritime transport capacity. However, Sanya's demand for materials and manpower is still endless, which makes the ship's capacity tense. In addition to the ample shipping capacity due to the interruption of foreign trade during the months of counter-encirclement and suppression, after the Chengmai victory, the entire maritime shipping capacity showed a strong demand, so that in October, the offshore shipping capacity that originally did not have any restrictions The distribution of transportation load tons is also placed under the overall management of the Planning Institute.
The tight transportation capacity means that it has become increasingly difficult to rely on the original navy's small and medium-sized ships for cargo. Too frequent voyages to the sea caused the working condition of the ships and sailors to deteriorate, and the average damage rate began to increase.
Expanding the fleet has become a consensus of the Executive Committee. However, throughout 1630, due to the war and the opening of Sanya, the Ministry of Finance's investment in infrastructure, navy, and armament facilities accounted for more than half of the annual budget. The direct cost for shipbuilding is almost zero. Lingao's shipping industry is almost entirely supported by the repair and renovation of old ships. Although in terms of scale, Lingao's fleet is also quite impressive. Among the old sailing ships, there are 126 ketch/100-ton or above-class ships, and 92 single-masted ships of 30 to 70 tons.
These ships are all under the management and control of the Navy. Some of the ships have been modified and used as fishing boats. Some of them have been equipped with various artillery and typewriters to become professional combat spy boats. Another part of them has been equipped with a small number of artillery and is specially used as a variety of maritime vessels. Chores, including transportation, patrolling, and fishing. The naming is also very simple, just use the registration port + purpose + number. Names such as: "Linte", "Linyu", "Linyun".
21 ships with a deadweight tonnage of 200 to 500 tons - large sailing ships like the "Qionghai Coal" were given independent ship names - are intensively used as special transport ships, especially grain transport ships to Vietnam and ships to Vietnam. All material transport ships in Sanya and Hong Kong are borne by these "large ships". These ships are also lightly armed, with room for expansion and can be put into battle if necessary.
In addition to these ships controlled by the navy, on the Guangzhou-Leizhou-Lingao route, there used to be ships from Gaoguang Shipping Company and Haian Shipping Company. These ships were controlled by the Ministry of Colonization and Trade and were respectively operated by Guangzhou. Station and Leizhou Station are managed. Gaoguang Shipping Company has 12 three-masted Dafu ships, which are named after "Guang + Tiangan" and "Gao + Earthly Branches". These ships operate regular passenger and cargo shipping routes between Guangzhou and Lingao. Business was very prosperous before the first counter-encirclement and suppression campaign. Before the start of the second counter-encirclement and suppression campaign, some of the ships fled to Lingao, and some were seized and confiscated by the government. Business has not resumed yet.
As for the ships of Hai'an Shipping Company, they are all relatively small-tonnage salt ships for coastal use. They were originally mainly used to transport Leizhou sugar to Guangzhou and other places for sale. In addition to transporting sugar, they also usually transport Leizhou's coal, wood and agricultural products to Linzhou. High-level short-distance maritime transport.
Although most of the ships are managed and used by the Navy, the distribution of deadweight tons for transportation is actually controlled by the Planning Institute. The transportation office of the Planning Institute has specialized stowage diagrams and forms that accurately record the logistics situation of various goods in real time.
After the navy carried out the Battle of Pearl River Estuary, a large number of ships were transferred to serve as warships and transport ships, making the entire Lingao shipping capacity increasingly scarce. The stationing of two squadrons of spy boat captains in Hong Kong has further reduced the capacity of the already overwhelmed naval fleet.
Their Xunwhale self-propelled deck barge has an amazing transport capacity, but the ship can operate in coastal areas with good sea conditions, and its power system is a diesel engine, which has consumed a lot of money after carrying out several Sanya transportation missions. of diesel. As the only modern ship capable of transporting large, heavy and long cargo, the Planning Institute really could not make up its mind to continue letting it perform regular cargo tasks.
This severe situation caused the motion of emergency shipbuilding to be raised again at the working meeting of the Executive Committee. Shipbuilding must not only meet transportation needs, but also be used to expand the navy's combat ships. Chen Haiyang clearly pointed out at the meeting that the existing armed spy ships are too small in tonnage, which limits the number and caliber of installed artillery. Especially the 24-pound carronage cannon installed on some spy boats. Chen Haiyang believes that this small, short-range artillery is of little significance.
"The effective range of the 24-pound carronade is only 100 to 200 meters. If you encounter a Western warship, you will suffer a loss in range. If you encounter a fleet of big pirates like Liu Xiang, a single artillery fire will not destroy the enemy ship. , and complete the reloading immediately, they will be submerged in the boarding battle." Chen Haiyang mentioned that in the Humen and Guangdong inland river battles, the special agent boat squadron equipped with carronade guns was used in the battle to avoid being attacked by the Ming army at close range. The Hongyi cannon was damaged, and many times had to wait for the cannon squadron to damage the fire from a long distance before joining the battle.
"The Caron gun squadron only showed its destructive advantage in the Battle of Lantau Island when it dealt with the small pirates who had very poor firepower and did not have an advantage in numbers. In the long run, the Caron gun squadron can only serve as a patrol Or for escort use.”
In addition, most of the spy boats in the spy boat squadron are of small tonnage, making it difficult to carry out sustained operations-some of the boats are of poor construction quality, and none of these boats have copper cladding on the bottom of the boat. The adhesion of shipworms and marine organisms has become worse. It is extremely serious. Chen Haiyang estimates that about one-third of the ships must undergo immediate maintenance.
"If we continue to use spy ships for heavy transportation and escort missions, we will soon face the embarrassing situation of having more than half of the ships maintained in the first half of 1631." Chen Haiyang warned, "Shipbuilding, especially construction that can last for a long time The use of large-tonnage ships is imminent!”
"Our current situation in which transport ships and warships are not separated is inappropriate. On the surface, it looks like comprehensive utilization, but in fact, whether the ships are modified or distributed, they are all completely different." Ming Qiu, the Minister of Military Command of the Navy, said.
The only ones that the Australian and Song Dynasty Navy actually transformed or built according to warships are the two two-masted gunboats Zhenhai and Fubo and the iron-ribbed wooden-hulled triangular patrol boat. However, their tonnage is only 200 tons. They are extremely small ships. The navy The Military Command concluded in the war game exercise in the picture that if the four 8154 cruisers are not dispatched, the Australian and Song Dynasty Navy can only maintain its absolute advantage in small-scale battles. Once it encounters Liu Xiang or Zheng Zhilong, it can use hundreds of cruisers at any time. With a large maritime power like a large ship, it would be difficult for the navy to ensure its chances of victory.
The Navy hopes to obtain several large warships with large tonnage, sail or steam power. In terms of armament, navigation and endurance, it must be at least as good as the cruise ships of the early 19th century.
Finally, the Navy made a request: at least start the construction of two thousand-ton three-masted sailing cruisers with additional appropriations in the fiscal year 1630, and start the construction of another 6 to 10 500-ton armed auxiliary ships in the fiscal year 1631.
"Obviously, this is a bit hasty." Ma Qianzhu waited for Chen Haiyang to finish before saying slowly, "Large battleships are of course very useful. However, even if we don't talk about whether our technical capabilities and material reserves are enough to build such a 19th century level A cruise ship, the construction period of this thousand-ton ship should be at least one year, right?" He said and looked back at Zhan Wuya.
"If the materials and manpower of a three-hundred-ton wooden ship are sufficient, the assault construction will take about six months." Zhan Wuya said, "But now that we can build iron-ribbed ships, the construction period can be further shortened. Three to four months Bar."
"Obviously, what we need to build now is not such a large ship - because we are a ship that can be put into use in a short time, such as within two or three months." Ma Qianzhu said, "Because the existing naval ships can be put into use within half a year. All will face problems of overhaul and maintenance, and the construction of ships that will not be put into use until a year later will only create a gap in naval power."
This is a clear-cut objection to the shipbuilding plan proposed by the Navy. For a while, there was a bit of silence in the executive committee meeting room. Chen Haiyang wanted to refute, but Ma Qianzhu's words were reasonable and well-founded, and they were confirmed by the Ministry of Industry.
Wu De said: "It is too late to build large warships. I think we should fundamentally solve the problem of transportation capacity first."
Fundamentally speaking, the navy has too many tasks and is overburdened with transportation tasks, leaving insufficient time for ship maintenance. Wu De suggested that a batch of special-purpose transport ships be built as a surprise to replace the spy boats currently in use, so that they can be liberated from heavy transport tasks.
"I don't understand shipbuilding, but we can refer to the American concept of building free ships and standardize the design and build a batch of armed transport ships. At this stage, in order to speed up construction, the tonnage of the ships is limited to 300 to 500 tons, and they use sail power. ." Wu De elaborated on his thoughts, "Of course, it can leave room for modification for the installation of steam engines in the future."
"If you want to install a steam engine, you can install a smaller one first. It has a sail, which will greatly reduce the sailor's ability to sail, and it can also save a lot of manpower."
Zhan Wuya said: "If it uses an iron-ribbed wooden shell structure, it can be completed in about four months."
Ma Qianzhu said: "It's still a bit slow. It would be best to put it into use within two to three months."
"My other proposal is to build barges," Wud said.
Wu De said that he conducted a survey on the transportation situation and found that a large part of the transportation capacity is coastal transportation, including short-distance bulk transportation such as transporting salt from Maxiao to Bopu. Although a formation system is adopted, each ship actually sails independently using sails.
Wu De proposed to use the technically mature steamboats as tugboats and quickly build a batch of unpowered barges to take on coastal transportation tasks.
"An all-steel barge can transport more than a thousand tons." Wu De said, "We don't have so much steel, so we build barges with iron frames and wooden hulls, without even using a deck. The transport capacity of each barge is about 200 tons. A formation of 1o barges."
"In this case, the steam boat cannot be towed." Wen Desi said.
"Then build a steam engine tugboat!" Wu De said, "We can now make our own 500-horsepower steam engine. It should not be a problem to build or modify several tugboats for offshore use."
Everyone thinks this plan is feasible. Building a 500-horsepower steam engine is already a relatively skilled job for the mechanical department. As for the tugboat itself, if the sea conditions are not high, it is not difficult to build a small tugboat, and the construction period is almost one month.
As for the issue of expanding combat power raised by the Navy, Wen Desi suggested that the stranded Project 854 can be relaunched. This large ship, which was originally intended to be the empire's first ironclad ship, was completed before it was forced to be dismantled due to excessive steel consumption. The laying of keels and the installation of ribs. Since then, Project 854 has been admired on the dock of the shipyard just like the skeleton of a prehistoric dinosaur.
To be honest, even with the keel and ribs, the momentum of this ship has shocked countless natives. They could not figure out how these huge iron bones were made, nor could they imagine that they could be assembled and combined by manpower.
The dismounting of 854 has a lot to do with the insufficient use of steel materials. More importantly, there were very few qualified riveters at that time. Zhou Billy had a few apprentices, and they were barely able to make boilers. It was almost impossible to rivet ship hulls on a large scale, both in terms of process difficulty and the amount of labor.
Although Wen Desi was deeply worried about the cancellation of Project 854, after all, shipbuilding did not rely solely on drawings. The technical level and processing ability of workers were also important, so he had to acquiesce to this reality.
Now Zhou Bili's disciples have accumulated considerable experience after large-scale manufacturing of the Mohist series of boilers known as "bomb boilers" - although they dare not use them to rivet such a huge ship hull, they have used it in some hull parts. It is already quite confident with marine boilers.
Wen Desi proposed a new 854 modification plan based on the technical level of the workers.
The so-called 854 modification plan is based on utilizing the completed parts of the 854 project. The ship type and structure have not changed, but the construction process has been technically simplified, and the original all-iron hulled ship has been changed to an iron-framed wooden hulled ship. Wooden-hulled boats are easier to maintain than iron-hulled boats. There was no need to rely on the unreliable riveting techniques of indigenous workers in construction. The demand for steel has also dropped significantly.
The official model name of the 854 modification is the 163o-class iron-ribbed wooden hull flying shear steam-assisted sail cruiser. The design specifications are: displacement of 0 tons, length of 70 meters and draft of 6.25 meters. Install a 2oo horsepower steam engine, sailing at 8 knots (using steam power, 16 knots (using sail power), carrying 1o9 people. Fully rigged sail layout. The steam engine not only provides sailing power, but also provides power to operate the sails. , greatly saving the number of sailors.
This kind of ship is based on the steam-sail hybrid cruiser of the 1860s. A battleship of this tonnage was classified as a third-class cruiser in the U.S. Navy at that time. As a raiding ship, it was widely used in the American Civil War and has traveled all over the world's oceans.
