After receiving the news from Grenville, Nelson also fell into surprise and hesitation.
"Could it be said that Ming Dynasty has completed relevant verification and determined that 10,000 tons is the optimal tonnage for aircraft-carrying cruisers?
“What goals and functions can a 10,000-ton aircraft-carrying cruiser achieve?
"If armor is completely abandoned and the hull is designed to be as long and wide as possible, the length of a 10,000-ton cruiser should be about 180 meters.
“In this way, a flight deck of more than 170 meters can be laid, and it should be able to carry more than 20 aircraft.
"It seems that most of the envisioned functions can be achieved without installing artillery with a caliber of more than 100 millimeters...
"But it's really very compact..."
Including Nelson, the naval generals and engineers in this world do not have the experience of future generations that Zhu Jingyuan had in mind.
There is no clear concept in my mind about how an aircraft carrier should be designed and what functions it should implement.
Taking the simplest tonnage and size as an example, Zhu Jingyuan knows that the bigger the fleet aircraft carrier used for combat, the better.
Building a 60,000-ton aircraft carrier now would definitely be a serious waste of tonnage.
The 40,000-ton level can be said to be a complete carrier ship for current propeller-based carrier-based aircraft.
For a navy with abundant funds, 40,000 tons is a design that meets the standard.
For the relatively embarrassed navy, 40,000 tons is already a waste of resources and tonnage.
In the original history, except for aircraft carriers modified from battleships and battlecruisers, the fleet aircraft carriers specially designed during and before World War II had a full load displacement of no more than 40,000 tons.
It was not until the Midway and Bold-class aircraft carriers that were completed after the end of World War II that they truly exceeded 40,000 tons.
However, the size of the aircraft will also expand rapidly, and the tonnage currently wasted will soon become a foresight.
Saving and reducing tonnage for the sake of cost will lead to obsolete designs as aviation develops.
Nelson didn't know this, so he would naturally consider what the minimum tonnage would be to achieve his goal.
Nelson felt that although the 10,000-ton aircraft was extremely compact, it could indeed realize his current vision of an aircraft-carrying cruiser.
At the same time, Nelson and other admirals and engineers instinctively designed aircraft carriers starting from cruisers.
Zhu Jingyuan came directly to confront the main high-speed battleships, and the psychological expectations of the two sides were originally different.
The engineers of the Ming Dynasty knew that the aircraft carrier was a battleship, so they did not think there was anything wrong with being the same as a battleship.
British generals and engineers will also feel that there is nothing wrong with building an aircraft-carrying cruiser based on a cruiser.
On the contrary, Nelson once proposed that an aircraft-carrying cruiser of 20,000 tons or even 30,000 tons was too outrageous.
While Nelson continued to think, he immediately convened a meeting with relevant personnel to discuss according to Grenville's suggestion.
Mainly naval generals and related design and construction engineering personnel.
Including Samuel Hood, who is eighty-eight years old, and Cuthbert Collingwood, who is sixty-four years old.
In the original history, Hood died in 1816, living to the age of ninety-two, and his brother also lived to the age of eighty-eight.
Collingwood, who was much younger, died in 1810 in the original history.
However, the medical conditions in this era are better, and the warships themselves are safer. Admirals like Collingwood have suffered fewer injuries and their living conditions are better.
In addition, the World War preceded the Napoleonic Wars by more than ten years, so both he and Nelson were younger when the war took place.
So Collingwood was still alive at this time and seemed to be quite healthy.
When they arrived at the meeting place, Nelson helped the eighty-eight-year-old Mr. Hood sit down first, and then briefly explained the news coming from the front and the general content of his own thoughts for everyone's reference.
Although Hood could hardly walk, he was in high spirits.
After hearing what Nelson said, he spoke directly without waiting for others to speak:
"Not to mention how the French came up with the 10,000 tons, whether it was the experience provided by the Ming Dynasty, or whether it was a standard that the French themselves created blindly.
"Even if this ten thousand tons is really the experience provided by the Ming Dynasty, then what the Ming people can do with ten thousand tons, can we British do it with ten thousand tons?"
The slightly harsh rhetorical question made the generals and engineering staff at the scene murmur.
Nelson was Hood's disciple and old subordinate, and was the most familiar with Hood. Now he was also the host of the meeting, so he directly answered the question that was not easy for others to answer:
"Of course we can't do it. The Ming Dynasty used a displacement of 40,000 tons to build a high-speed battleship with a speed of up to 30 knots and a defense that is probably not lower than that of a traditional battleship.
"If we want to achieve the same target as Ming Dynasty's 40,000-ton battleship, we may need 45,000 tons or even 50,000 tons."
Hood immediately added:
"I think 50,000 tons may not be achievable. Some things just don't work. If you make it by force, you have to worry about it sinking when it leaves the port!"
The corner of Nelson's mouth twitched slightly, this old man's mouth was still so poisonous:
"So...teacher, what do you mean?"
Hood glanced at the group of people at the scene, and finally fell on Nelson:
“We need to admit that there is indeed a clear gap between our current technological level and Ming Dynasty.
“However, I don’t think there is any obvious gap between the brains and experience of our generals and craftsmen and that of Ming Dynasty.
“I feel that we cannot regard the Ming Dynasty’s experience as truth, and the Ming Dynasty people’s research may not be completely correct.
“In the design process of the new gun battleship, our Lord Nelson has demonstrated his talent.
“It was impossible for us to get the experience of the Ming Dynasty people at that time, but Nelson’s ideas were highly consistent with the Ming Dynasty people.
“When Ming’s new warship arrived in London, it completely confirmed the correctness of Nelson’s idea.
"So what I mean is that you should reflect on it carefully. Why do you think Daming's choice must be the right one?
"You should also be more confident in yourselves and don't blindly follow anyone, including the people of Ming Dynasty!
"That's all I have to say. I'm really old and my brain is no longer working. I won't participate in the specific details. You can express your opinions."
When Hood said this, the somewhat depressing atmosphere at the scene immediately relaxed.
Then they all began to reflect on their blind obedience to Ming's experience.
Nelson also came back to his senses again, and after serious reflection, he led the generals and craftsmen to start a discussion.
After a period of brainstorming, Collingwood first grasped a point that everyone ignored:
"I suddenly realized a question. Is the aircraft-carrying cruiser envisaged by Lord Nelson a battleship or an auxiliary ship?
“If this new ship is to replace the original battleship to some extent, then it will be a battleship, right?
"If the design of an aircraft-carrying cruiser is completed based on the standards of a battleship, 10,000 tons will definitely not be enough."
The people at the scene were all very familiar with warships, but here the effect of darkness under the lights was created.
After Collingwood proposed this idea, other generals and craftsmen responded quickly.
Nelson patted his thigh directly:
"Yes! This new battleship is a capital ship. We can't use the name of an aircraft-carrying cruiser. This name misleads us.
"If it is a battleship, even if it is a traditional battleship design, it will cost at least 15,000 tons.
"If we follow the speed and protection standards of new high-speed capital ships, even if a warship equipped with a flying machine does not need to install a large-caliber main gun, it should still be at least 20,000 tons in size.
"Coupled with the technological gap between us and Ming Dynasty, we absolutely cannot accept the 10,000-ton aircraft carrier standard."
Collingwood and the other generals nodded in agreement.
Then they continued to discuss around this angle and quickly determined the negotiation goals that were not very different from the original ones:
"It would be best if there is no limit. A reasonable target is 30,000 tons, and the bottom line is 20,000 tons."
Hood listened to their discussion on the chair and stopped interrupting at all, but nodded from time to time.
After redefining the goal, Nelson felt relieved and said with a smile:
"Now, looking back at the French people's opinions from this perspective, we even have to consider that the French are deliberately misleading us."
Several generals and craftsmen nodded, but Collingwood smiled and shook his head:
"No, I think with the ability of the French, they may have really gone astray."
Insulting the law is a British tradition, and the audience burst into laughter as soon as this remark was made.
Nelson couldn't help but laugh and said:
“However, it is also possible that the understanding of the purpose of the aircraft carrier cruiser is different from ours.
"If they do not regard this new warship as a main combat ship, but as an auxiliary reconnaissance ship, ten thousand tons will indeed be enough.
"This type of ship does not need a very high speed, twenty-five knots is completely sufficient.
“The aircraft does not need to be too big or too heavy, it only needs to be able to carry out reconnaissance and observation.
"In fact, we can also build an aircraft-carrying cruiser of this level."
After Nelson said this, most of the generals and craftsmen became serious again.
We then went on to discuss the possibilities in this direction.
…………
The dispute between the British, French, and Spanish over ships equipped with flying machines actually aroused the attention of Lucia, Prussia, Austria and other countries.
Especially the Prussians, who have the strongest sense of crisis, are extremely sensitive to anything that may be risky.
Prussian Prime Minister Hardenberg, after the day's meeting, carefully organized his thoughts and sent a telegram to his past, explaining today's situation and making suggestions and requirements:
“Our navy generals have known about the idea of ships equipped with flying machines before.
“But so far, our focus in naval construction is on completing the complete traditional fleet we should have and building enough high-speed battleships.
"We have not conducted in-depth research on this unfinished ship, nor have we paid too much attention to it.
“But at this meeting, we found that Britain, the country with the strongest naval tradition, attaches great importance to this and seems to place it on the same level as a capital ship.
“The Spanish seem to take it relatively seriously.
"The French don't seem to care, but they still make special requests.
“With reference to the attitudes of the above three countries, I think we should also conduct relevant research.
"While the purpose of such a vessel is not yet clear, we should avoid situations in which a potentially competing country would possess one that we do not even have a complete understanding of.
“That was a very dangerous situation.
"I think we should start dedicated research and testing immediately.
"And participate in corresponding negotiations at the meeting to obtain a tonnage share that is not weaker than that of Britain, France and Lucia."
The Lucian sensibility is slightly different from that of the Prussian.
Wedemeyer's telegram to Emperor Nicholas stated:
“The Spanish proposed that the French and English should discuss with them alone the matter of ships carrying flying machines.
“I think whatever the purpose of this kind of ship is, we in Lucia should have what the British and the French have.
“The key is that they must not be allowed to abandon us and discuss and formulate any rules and standards in private.
"I will send a formal notice to the three countries tomorrow, requesting that relevant discussions be put into a formal meeting."
While the Prussians and Lucians were brewing their emotions, Austrian representative Metternich had already taken action directly.
Metternich directly sent people to contact representatives of all countries in turn, requesting that the issue of aircraft-carrying cruisers be discussed openly at the next meeting.
The French, British, and Spanish, of course, wanted to discuss it privately.
They can also imagine that they should be at the forefront of research on aircraft-carrying cruisers.
Continental countries such as Lucia and Prussia may still know nothing about this kind of ship.
Allowing open discussion in formal meetings is equivalent to letting them learn from experience.
But faced with this collective demand, they could not refuse.
Mutual disclosure of shipbuilding plans and mutual supervision are the basis and prerequisite for signing a naval treaty.
If the three countries must negotiate privately, the naval treaty may not be signed.
And the three countries are the most eager to sign a treaty.
Lucia and Prussia happened to not care much about the treaty.
Therefore, two days later, a new round of formal meetings was held again to discuss the standards for aircraft-carrying cruisers.
At the beginning of the meeting, representatives from Lucia, Prussia, Austria, Italy, Ottoman and other countries subconsciously looked at the representatives from Britain, France, and Spain, and glanced at the representatives from Portugal and the Netherlands.
The meaning is obvious, you have experience with this, and we are waiting for you to speak.
This time, Grenville in the United Kingdom has received a reply from Nelson, requesting that the original view be continued and that the tonnage of the aircraft-carrying cruiser should be relaxed to the 30,000-ton level.
However, Grenville did not speak first, wanting to hear if the French and Spanish had any new ideas.
The French representative Talleyrand, after discussing with Crown Prince Charles and Admiral Villeneuve, has decided to overturn the request made by his side in the last meeting.
However, Talleyrand felt that he did not need to take the initiative to "repent". He should make "concessions" after arguing with the British and naturally relax the tonnage standards for aircraft carriers.
So Talleyrand remained silent now, waiting for the British to speak.
As a result, both sides found that the other party remained silent, and at the same time noticed the inquiries and expectant gazes of representatives from other countries.
After another few seconds of silence and hesitation, the two of them turned around and looked at Spanish representative Manuel.
This seems to mean that we spoke first in the last meeting, and it is your turn this time.
Manuel realized that he couldn't hide, so he simply let go:
"I think that new ships equipped with flying machines are indeed a new type of ship that has not yet been finalized.
“The current overly strict standards directly set for it will limit the future development of this type of ship.
"So I think a relatively loose standard should be set, for example, no more than 60% of the tonnage of the capital ship..."
As soon as the Spaniard opened his mouth, the British Grenville took over:
“The tonnage of the capital ship does not exceed 40,000 tons, and the sixth achievement is 24,000 tons.
“I think Spain is heading in the right direction, and some restrictions should be relaxed for this new warship.
"Twenty-four thousand tons is still a little low, let's just relax it to 30,000 tons."
Talleyrand knew that he should express his approval, but he could not express it so directly:
"Thirty thousand tons is completely unnecessary. Ten thousand tons is completely sufficient. Twenty thousand tons is already absolutely wealthy."
Talleyrand's concession was so vague that most representatives of the countries did not notice it.
However, the Austrian Metternich glanced at Talleyrand subconsciously, and then deliberately concluded:
"In other words, the tonnage restrictions of the United Kingdom, France, and Spain for new ships equipped with flying machines have now been focused on between 20,000 tons and 30,000 tons?
"The next thing we need to confirm is how much tonnage should be given?"
Talleyrand frowned when he heard this. The superficial meaning of his words was actually that he considered 20,000 tons as the upper limit.
My actual purpose is to give in on the tonnage limit, and I will continue to retreat based on 20,000 tons.
Metternich asked this rhetorically, considering 20,000 tons as the lower limit. This guy may have guessed his intention.
If his goal is really the upper limit of 20,000 tons, he must now stand up against Metternich's summary.
But Talleyrand thought about his goal and finally did not express his opposition again. Instead, he said a bunch of nonsense.
The French backed down. The British and Spanish had similar intentions, and neither wanted to impose too many restrictions on this kind of ship, but the Spanish's requirements were obviously lower.
Other countries are basically watching the reactions of these three countries.
So, after almost a day of dilly-dallying, the three countries settled on the single-ship tonnage of this new ship at 28,000 tons.
The French proposed that such warships be officially named aircraft carriers to distinguish them from battleships and cruisers.
Each country received a share of 84,000 tons dedicated to the construction of this new ship.
Finally, in accordance with the requirements of the British, the description of the tonnage limit of the battleship was modified.
From being able to use the tonnage share of capital ships to build cruisers, it has been changed to being able to use the share of upper-level ships to build lower-level ships.
The reason is that the aircraft carrier itself should be a cruiser, but now it is named and listed separately, so the description of the original rules should be modified.
However, the upper limit of the tonnage of the capital ship is still limited. It can only be used to build lower-level ships, and the tonnage of lower-level ships cannot be used to build capital ships.
Although Grenville made his tone and language seem less serious, he could not hide the actual request after it was made.
They are obviously planning to use the tonnage of capital ships to build aircraft carriers.
Representatives from almost all countries realize that the British attach great importance to new ships such as aircraft carriers to a degree that is difficult for outsiders to understand.
