The Rise of the Empire

"This is simply a miracle of industry! Even the Munich-class armored cruiser is nothing compared to it, but a lynx meets a lion! The German shipbuilding technology and level have surpassed the British. At least I don't think the British can do it in less than 3 Heihachiro Togo saw the warship that was about to be completed and delivered for the first time at the outfitting berth of the Bromforth Shipyard, even though he was full of enthusiasm for the German Navy. Even though he was dissatisfied with the high cost of this warship, at this moment, he was not stingy with compliments!

This ship is 156 meters long and 21 meters wide. The slender hull, the sharp bow like a sword, elegant and powerful, this is the first impression of Togo Heihachiro. A super armored cruiser with a displacement of up to 12,500 tons, its firepower projection even exceeds that of all current warships. Dongxiang Heihachiro also had to admit that this battleship is excellent.

"Hehe, the Americans who came here a few days ago also made this evaluation. To be honest, I have heard this evaluation many times." The German side still paid attention to it. Baron Vittorio personally accompanied the Japanese delegation to visit the warship. Anyway, the ship will be delivered in less than a month. It is also necessary for people to see the whole picture.

"American?" Shuzo Aoki who accompanied him seemed to say something casually.

"Well, it's the military attache of the US ambassador to Berlin. It seems to be called Benson? Well, it's him." Vittorio frowned and thought hard.

"This is not very good, right? This is a battleship of the Japanese Empire." Said Uemura Hikoyuki on the side.

"But before it was handed over, it belonged to the Bavarian royal family, and Major Benson is a friend of the prince. If you have any opinions, you can protest. But it is estimated that there will be no results, because when the contract was signed, it did not say that it could not be let others People from other countries watch from a distance." The baron replied indifferently. Anyway, let people see that there is no breach of contract. If there is no breach of contract, what are you afraid of?

In fact, the baron went even further. Major Benson was even allowed to take pictures, and the baron gave Benson a paper package for $5,000. Inside is information about the external characteristics of the warship after completion. For example, battleship identification paint, some size information. The preset drawing after the outfitting is completed. Of course, this was done at the behest of someone, and the $5,000 was pocketed by the baron smoothly.

"Mr. Uemura is just a little curious about the behavior of the Americans. Mr. Baron, can we visit the ship?" Aoki Shuzo who was on the side immediately came out to smooth things over.

"Follow me, everyone." The baron didn't bother with this issue too much. Instead, he took some people aboard the battleship. While visiting on the deck, the baron began to introduce the basic performance of the battleship.

"Although the guns are all from the UK, after using the new Bavarian-designed turret, the rate of fire of all the medium-caliber guns has increased to a new level. Follow me to visit the main turret."

"In the rear compartment of the main turret, there is a special shell storage compartment. It can hold 8 rounds of 10-inch shells and guns. This is very beneficial for increasing the rate of fire. Under the turret, we added another compartment. , I call it the dressing room. The entire lifting process is divided into two parts. First, the shells and guns are lifted from the ammunition depot to the dressing room for temporary storage, and then they are lifted to the shells. The upper and lower lifts are carried out separately. And the process of loading is also mechanically assisted. It greatly improves the rate of fire of the artillery. Now, a skilled German gun crew can shoot 2.2 rounds in one minute! The rate of fire of the 8-inch gun is even more than per minute. 3 rounds!"

"In terms of defense,

The Nisshin armored cruiser is even better than the former Munich-class armored cruiser. The main armor is more than 3.5 meters high, with a thickness of 8 inches, and the upper armor belt is gradually reduced to 6 inches. The thickness of the front armor of the main turret is as high as 10 inches, the sides are 8 inches, and the rear is 6 inches. The turret defense of the secondary main battery is 8 inches in front, 6 inches in sides, and 5 inches in the rear. There are also 80MM thin armor belt defenses at the front and rear of the hull, which are completely immune to the attacks of artillery below 6 inches. All gun positions above 100MM have defenses. "

"However, the best part of this warship lies in its underwater defense. The requirement for a new type of warship is that it can continue to fight after being hit by a compressed air-powered torpedo. The underwater defense system is divided into two layers. The first layer is the outer warehouse, which is the air Yes, and then there is a layer of high-elastic steel. The inner layer is the rear of the coal bunker and there is another layer of high-elastic steel. The battleship adopts a stage compartment layout, and the boiler room is divided into 4. There are also 2 steam engine rooms. A torpedo cannot let The battleship lost power."

"The power system uses a new type of water tube boiler produced by Bremen. From the state of flameout to the time when it can sail, this warship only takes 30 to 45 minutes to prepare. The power combination of 16 boilers and 2 steam engines can generate up to 20,000 More than horsepower. The speed can reach more than 21 knots, and if it is under forced ventilation, it is not impossible to reach 22 knots."

"Aoki-kun doesn't seem to be very interested in the navy." Looking at Aoki Shuzo, who fell behind and fell into deep thought. Togo Heihachiro deliberately slowed down.

"Ah, nothing, I'm just curious about the Americans coming here. According to what I know, it seems that the Russians also tried to visit the two warships, but the prince didn't agree, so why did the Americans agree? And I think they do more than that, right?" Aoki Shuzo said with some concern.

"Is that so? The Americans have ideas about us. Our fleet is confronting the Americans in Hawaii, and it is expected that they will be wary of us, but these two warships will soon join the Imperial Navy. At that time, we will have an overwhelming advantage in the Far East." Togo Heihachiro said.

"Maybe I'm worrying too much, but it's good to make some preparations for everything." As Ito Hirobumi's plan gradually entered the final stage, more and more people got the news, and Aoki Shuzo was one of them . There is no way, he is the embassy in the UK, and he is responsible for helping to arrange the pick-up team of nearly 1,500 people for the two purchased warships, so Hirobumi Ito revealed to him that the Japanese Navy purchased 4 warships. Of course, he will not be told that the opponents are Spaniards and Americans, but let him pay attention to the actions of the Americans and Spaniards.

While the Japanese were happily visiting this battleship that was about to join Japan, a lieutenant commander of the US Navy and his colleagues were stepping up to sort out the information of these two super battleships. Now that the relationship between the United States and Japan is not peaceful, the Ministry of the Navy requires them to make early preparations.

Thanks to book friends Dugu Siqin, Qiangu Qiyuan, bighill1982 for their rewards~~~, and book friends Mengzhong Moral Education, Chinese soldiers, and model husbands for their monthly support~~~. Please subscribe~~~Please reward~~~!