Chapter 225 Timing and Reasons

In the morning, the steel ship Honolulu split the blue emerald-like sea and rode the wind and waves.

The bridge, which is much larger than an ordinary cruiser, is already full of people. Except for Long Guozhang and a large group of naval officers, even Tang Xiao and McKinson are on the list.

Although the sailors on the deck were taking advantage of the opportunity to go to sea to train, they did not affect the people in the bridge. At this moment, some of them stood in front of the window, some leaned against the bulkhead, and cigarettes made the bridge smoky, followed by fire.

"All personnel evacuate the deck to prepare for testing."

"One minute to prepare."

"Thirty seconds."

Watching all the figures on the deck disappear, Le Fei raised his wrist to look at the watch and gave the order.

"Fing direction 180, left full rudder, full speed."

"Full rudder left, heading 180, full speed!"

The captain took the phone and answered the captain's order while ordering.

With the order, the helmsman began to turn the rudder quickly. At the same time, he stared at the hands on the compass and watched the hands pass by quickly until it was flattened, and then suddenly stopped the rudder.

Full-speed turning is not only a severe test for the design structure of the ship, but also a big test for the crew. Because at this time, because the ship is not decelerated, the ship tends to tilt to one side when turning. If the structural strength is not enough or improper, it is likely to overturn.

Although this is very dangerous, it is very useful in actual combat. In the most important T-line tactics, because both sides of the naval battle are moving, if you want to quickly seize the T position, you need not only speed, but also need to use the mobile surname and flexible surname of the ship itself to cut the inside or outside at a small angle. Cut the angle to achieve the goal of taking the lead.

Speaking of the actual combat experience of the ironclad ships of the navies of various countries, I'm afraid no one is richer than that of the Pacific Fleet. In addition, Master Li, the existence of the largest cheat in history, the Pacific Fleet attaches great importance to the mobile surname of the ship itself, which was proposed to use a larger area and efficiency at the beginning of the construction of the Honolulu. A higher rudder can be seen.

Although the Honolulu has done countless small-angle sharp experiments in this year's test, it is completely different today. This is because the first-generation steam engine that originally drove the warship has been replaced by two improved new generation of more powerful steam turbines, and the boiler has also been replaced with a more powerful fuel boiler.

The faster the speed, the greater the centrifugal force generated when turning at a small angle. If the original design value is exceeded, then...!

Tang Xiao grabbed the armrest. He did not run on the sea all year round like those naval officers of Long Guozhang. Although he knew that two destroyers behind him were on standby, he couldn't help looking at McKinson, who also tightened the armrest.

"Fuck you! I don't even have the confidence to design a warship. I don't want to go down to take a shower!" Tang Xiao looked at McKinson, who was pale, gritted his teeth, and his whole body stuck to the armrest.

As the hull suddenly tilted to the left, not only the people in the bridge staggered, but also the sailors under the deck who were already prepared staggered.

As the angle became bigger and bigger, not only Tang Xiao began to tremble all over, but also Long Guozhang couldn't help sweating.

The hull tilted, and the time walked minute by second, and the two test steam turbines in the engine room kept screaming, indicating that the limit load had been reached.

"Right full rudder, keep the heading."

When the hull gradually stabilized, Le Fei roared again, and the helmsman began to adjust the course again. The hull suddenly tilted to the right, and the stern pulled out a white S-shaped water wave, and everyone clenched the armrest again.

Next is the left, the right, and the left.

With repeated sharp turns, there are more and more S-shaped water lines on the sea. The constantly tilting and shaking hulls, not to mention the sailors in the Honolulu, even the two destroyer decks behind them are nervous, especially when a propeller is even half out of the water at each turn. The soldiers even prepared life buoys and boats.

When the ten consecutive turns were finally completed, not to mention Tang Xiao and McKinson, even several old navy sea wolves lay on the railing and vomited. Only Le Fei and the officers and sailors he led by him who had been strictly trained at night still stood like javelins in the whole bridge.

Looking at this scene, Long Guozhang nodded with a smile. It could be seen that after being assigned to the Honolulu, Le Fei was not only not discouraged, but also brought a group of reserve sailors and officers into excellent naval soldiers who were calm and calm.

"What are you still doing? Go and check the structure of the hull." When the sound of vomiting gradually dissipated, McKinson, who regained his strength, took the lead in shouting. A group of experimental assistants behind him suddenly jumped and ran to all positions in the cabin.

Tang Xiao was also relieved and immediately asked several steam turbine experts to immediately go to the engine room to check the status. Only Long Guozhang was still standing in the bridge. However, as the sea breeze outside the cabin became louder and louder, he couldn't help smiling. Although he had not yet figured out the actual speed, experience told him that the experiment at this moment The speed of the number exceeds at least 25 knots.

Lefei still looked cold and continued to order: "Continue to operate at full capacity to maintain the speed, and immediately calculate the actual speed. In addition, tell the engine cabin, don't be afraid of the machine being damaged. We're here to test it. If it's broken, go back and change it!"

Hearing this, Tang Xiao pulled a black line on his forehead. Why is this navy so virtuous? The cost of two steam turbines is tens of thousands of pounds, and the addition of new boilers adds up to almost 200,000 pounds, which is almost equal to the original cost of this ship! If you are known by the young master, will you be criticized again?

"The engine cabin report shows that the steam turbine is intact and there is no problem."

"Report, the axle is a little overheating, but it can still be persisted."

"Report that the three compartment beams of the left hull have been deformed."

"Report, everything in the boiler compartment is in good condition."

"Report..."

"Report, the current actual power output is 18,000 horsepower, and the speed is 26 knots!"

As the data began to gather on the bridge one by one, everyone's faces were filled with smiles, until the last voice sounded, and everyone could no longer control it. I don't know who took the lead in clapped!

Tang Xiao also applauded hard. He was most concerned about the power equipment and finally began to power, "18,000 horsepower!" The average power is 9,000 horsepower, and it is done when only six oil-fired boilers are installed. If calculated according to the 12 oil-fired boilers of Jinghai, the power will be doubled, 36,000 horsepower! This value not only greatly exceeds the design of a single five megawatts, but also is enough to increase the Jinghai speed of 10,000 tons to 25 knots!

The most important thing is that in this test, from the Ogasawara Islands to Guam, which is about to arrive, has maintained a speed of about 20 knots along the way, which is enough to prove that the stable surname of the steam turbine has reached the design index and can be loaded!

In only two months, the most critical power can be installed, and the Jinghai plan is finally coming to an end.

"Report Commander, the power test of Honolulu has been completed, and the next step is requested!" Le Feili was saluting, and there was a rare smile on the corners of his mouth.

"End the power test, immediately send the data back to Honolulu, and inform the shipyard that the steam turbine can be installed immediately after completing the test and meeting the requirements! Start preparing for the next artillery experiment!"

Hearing the new order, Le Fei answered. Just as he was about to turn around and leave, Long Guozhang suddenly stopped him: "Le Fei."

"Ado!"

"Le Fei, the captain of the Honolulu, worked outstandingly during the period of carrying the ship. He was specially awarded the rank of colonel, and the captain of the Honolulu was changed to the captain of the Jinghai ship! At the same time, all the officers of the former Honolulu were promoted to the next level and retained the Jinghai ship!" After reading the promotion and transfer order loudly, Long Guozhang took out a neatly folded document from his pocket: "At this time, the promotion and transfer letter."

"Captain Jinghai!" Excitedly taking over the documents, Lefei, a cold-faced man, couldn't help but be short of breath. The officers in the bridge were even more excited. They boarded the Jinghai-class first ship from the reserve. This glory was enough to make anyone envious.

"What? Don't want to go?" Long Guozhang looked at Lefei and smiled.

"Go."

Le Fei shook his fist fiercely and straightened his waist vigorously. Suddenly, he saluted and shouted, "Be loyal to your duty and kill the enemy bravely. Wherever the ship goes, it is the sea border that needs to be guarded!"

The officers behind him also saluted and shouted at the same time, "Wherever the ship goes, it is the sea territory that needs to be guarded!"

Looking at the new generation of straight navy people in front of him, Long Guozhang nodded excitedly and nodded with a cigar. The corners of his eyes were foggy. He knew that from now on, the fleet equipment not only ushered in a leap, but also a new group of officers were gradually full of wings, and they would prove themselves in the future naval battle.

"Report Commander, received a signal from the Guam radio station. This is the Luzon urgent report forwarded by them."

In the city of Manila in November, although the cold current sweeping the north does not bring cold and heavy snow, it brings continuous rain. The rainy season of several months is about to begin again. The dark clouds above the head are as depressing and gloomy as the atmosphere of Luzon at this moment.

The merchants who used to be full of streets and alleys have lost their traces. The Spanish flag is planted in front of the shops with closed doors, or white cloth is hung. This is the only way for the citizens of Manila to give in and protect themselves. Only in this way, the Spanish authorities will not rush into their homes, but behind a national flag and white cloth. On the face, there are countless beating and hot hearts.

A team of Spanish soldiers with live ammunition ran through the street. Their nervous eyes and expression were cold. Even the occasional passers-by would worry them for a long time.

Since the sudden revolutionary riot in Katipunan at the end of September, the situation in Luzon has reached the most critical moment. The core city of Manila even broke out [***] and armed exchange of fire. With the order of the governor of Polavitia to crack down and crack down, thousands of demonstrators were killed, and the people who were subsequently executed. There are as many as 10,000 people!

But even so, it not only did not contain the riot, but also made the Philippines more chaotic!

The voices of uprisings came from Manila, Bragan, Bangbangya, Xinyi Shixia, Neihu, Krabiland and even Medan and Misayan. Countless young people rushed out of the city and went to the suburbs to join the ranks of the Katipnam Uprising Army. They shouted for freedom and sang the slogan of Long Live the Philippines and Filipino Reading. , brave the rain of bullets to charge into the battle.

The news reached Spain and immediately caused an uproar. The Spanish political axe, which was afraid of losing the most important colony in the Far East, immediately announced that it would increase 50,000 troops to ensure the safety of the Philippines.

But before 50,000 soldiers were loaded into the ship, there was another big riot in Cuba. Countless black slaves broke the chain, shouted the slogan of freedom, and took up arms to fight against the colonists.

In one night, Spain's two most important colonies were in the midst of ups and downs at the same time. After weighing again and again, Spain's political axe made a strategy to reduce the number of troops to the Far East and give priority to ensuring Cuba.

50,000 soldiers were reduced to 20,000 and stuffed into the cabin in batches to speed up the reinforcement of the Philippines. Polavisia even made public the news of the reinforcement at a cocktail party, but this not only failed to deter the rebels, but also triggered a more fierce exchange of fire. Obviously, the rebels wanted to establish enough advantages before the reinforcements arrived. !

Outside the Spanish governor's palace, there are many guns.

In the governor's office, the governor of the Philippines, Poilawisia, was anxious and kept discussing the situation with his generals and discussing ways to deal with them!

In a Chinese restaurant three streets away from the Governor's Mansion, some people are also watching the war with their eyes, but unlike the anxiety of the Spanish, they are more leisurely.

Jiang Tianxiu poured a cup of tea for himself and Yan Fu, who was sitting opposite, but the afterglow of his eyes was always on the man standing at the window, slightly opening the curtains with his fingers and staring at the man outside.

After watching several Spanish soldiers in red military uniforms patrolling by with obvious targets, Liu Hengqi gently put down the curtains and sat next to Jiang Tianxiu.

"Mr. Yan, has the young master made a decision?"

Yan Fu shook his head, picked up the teacup and took a sip. Not yet?" Not to mention Liu Hengqi this time, even Jiang Tianxiu feels puzzled. Does the young master really have to wait until the Spanish reinforcements arrive before he does it? Wouldn't it be more difficult to attack Manila in the future?

Looking at the four hot eyes, Yan Fu put down the teacup with a smile: "Only he knows the young master's idea, but I can tell you that the staff also did not give any orders."

"Why?"

"It's very simple." Yan Fu tapped his finger on the table a few times and slowly said four words: "Time, reason!"

"Now Katipunan and Spanish talents have just begun, and they are far from consuming each other, so the time is not very ripe. And don't forget that Spain is not the original. We need a sufficient reason to go to war!"

After listening to Yan Fu's explanation, the two gradually understood that he was right. Spain was not a deep hatred with the Pacific Army, nor was it a Russia that destroyed the balance of the Far East. The forces on the edge of Luzon were complex, and the British especially valued this generation. If there was no suitable excuse, I'm afraid it would really anger Britain. People!"

The war is about to begin, and the Japanese navy, which has soared in strength, is a headache enough. If the British Far East Fleet is added, even if there are eight hands, it will lose the war.

But when is the so-called timing?

Yan Fu raised the corners of his mouth and smiled mysteriously: "Wait, soon Mr. Slo has made an appointment with Governor Luzon. As long as the escort ship can enter the port of Manila, I believe the time will come soon!"

(to be continued)