novelAbuy Chapter 54 This ship is about to depart for the Indian Ocean for training. If you are interested, yo
Chapter 54 This ship is about to depart for the Indian Ocean for training. If you are interested, yo
Gunner Jack Robinson didn't answer. He was also watching, his expression complex. As a veteran, he knew all too well—at a distance of 3,800 meters, even a 12-inch armor-piercing shell would struggle against 11-inch armor. And the angle, thickness, and material of the armor on the opposite ship... all seemed to far exceed 11 inches.
What's even more terrifying is the enemy's artillery.
380mm level. A single shell from that type of artillery piece might weigh twice as much and have three times the armor penetration. At this range, if the enemy opens fire…
"Just do your job, Tom," Robinson finally said. "Load, aim, and wait for orders. The rest... are up to God."
But even he himself is unsure which side God is on today.
"Kuangfu" bridge
"Three thousand five hundred meters away," the navigator reported. "Shall we continue approaching?"
Li Te stared at the microphone, remaining silent for a few seconds. From this distance, he could clearly see the expressions on the British sailors' faces—shock, fear, confusion, and a hint of resentful anger.
He knew Chen Feng's orders: demonstrate strength, but do not provoke.
Three thousand five hundred meters is enough.
"Stop approaching. Maintain this distance and sail parallel to the target," he ordered. "Notify all turrets: remain on alert, but disengage from direct aiming. Turn the gun barrels to the sides."
"clear!"
The massive warship traced a graceful arc across the sea, eventually aligning itself parallel to the "Dreadnought" at a stable distance of 3,500 meters. The two warships sailed side by side, one a sleek, gray-painted steel behemoth, the other a traditionally painted, heavy and solid maritime overlord.
Two eras ran parallel on the sea.
"Kuangfu" starboard deck
Several young sailors were allowed to go up on deck for a short break. They leaned on the railing, watching the British warships in the distance.
"That's the 'Dauntless'," said a sailor named Qiang. "I saw its blueprints in the textbooks at technical school. I thought it was really amazing back then, all heavy artillery design, steam turbines... Now that I see it in person, it feels a bit..."
"A little small?" another sailor chimed in.
"It's not small, it's... old." Ah Qiang thought for a moment, "Look at its chimney, billowing black smoke, it's obviously a coal-fired boiler. Look at ours, there's almost no smoke."
"And speed. We accelerated so easily just now, while they were struggling to reach 22 knots."
"I heard that they have more than 800 people on each ship, while we only have 1,200, but our tonnage is more than twice that of theirs." (The standard crew size of the Intrepid is inconsistent; the data I found varies. If anyone knows, please let me know.)
The sailors chattered amongst themselves. There was no mockery, no contempt, but rather disbelief—disbelief that their warship was so much more advanced than the flagship of the world's leading navy.
"What are you all doing gathered here?" the sergeant's voice came from behind. "Back to your posts!"
The sailors scattered in a flurry. But as they ran, each of them stood even straighter than before.
The two ships sailed side by side for several hours in the Gulf of Oman.
"London has called back!"
On the bridge of the USS Dreadnought, the communications officer practically rushed in, holding a newly translated telegram in his hand.
Abbasnot grabbed it and read it quickly. The telegram was short:
"Maintain contact and continue to observe. Avoid conflict, but maintain a deterrent posture. The Cabinet is discussing this urgently. Stay updated on any new developments. — Navy Department"
A typical bureaucratic response. Translated, it means: We don't know what to do either, you just have to deal with it for now. (Follow up)
Abbasnot crumpled the telegram into a ball and threw it on the ground. He cursed inwardly, "My speed is 21, the opponent's is 30, keep up? I'll give you a piece of my mind!"
"They don't know what to do," he sneered. "Because they've never encountered this situation before. For the first time in three hundred years, the Royal Navy has been completely outmatched technologically."
The artillery sergeant asked cautiously, "Sir, what should we do then...?"
"Keep 'contact'." Abbasnot walked to the observation window, looking at the gray behemoth that was always following them. "When they move, we 'follow'. When they stop, we 'wait'. Anyway, we can't catch up, and we can't beat them."
Upon hearing this, everyone on the bridge lowered their heads.
shame.
But what's more terrifying than shame is powerlessness.
"Communications officer," Abbasnot suddenly said, "send the signal using light signals again."
"content?"
"Ask them about their ultimate intentions. What exactly do they want to do?"
The signal lights flashed again. This time, the British sailors no longer had their previous confidence, and didn't even dare to expect a response.
But the response came anyway. And very quickly.
"Kuangfu" bridge
Wang Xiaohua translated the light signals: "They are asking about our ultimate intentions."
Li Te thought for a moment, then picked up the megaphone: "Reply: 'This ship is about to depart for the Indian Ocean for long-range training. If you are interested, you may accompany us to observe.'"
"Captain..." the navigator couldn't help but say, "Isn't this a bit too much..."
"Too arrogant?" Little laughed. "The President once said that sometimes humility can be mistaken for weakness. We need to make two things clear to the British: first, we are not afraid of them; second, we can go wherever we want, including their backyard."
The signal was sent.
The British fleet fell silent once again.
Five minutes later, the Intrepid responded with just two words:
"receive."
There was no agreement, no rejection, just "received." This is the most subtle response in diplomatic language—I don't approve, but I don't object.
Li Te knew that Lan Fang had won the first round.
"Notify the entire ship," he issued the new order, "adjust course to 120, destination... Mumbai. Speed 25 knots. We 'invite' the Royal Navy for a spin in the Indian Ocean."
The order was relayed throughout the ship. The young Lanfang sailors erupted in suppressed cheers.
On the "Intrepid," Abbasnot watched as the gray behemoth slowly turned, its stern pointing toward him, its white contrail stretching longer and longer across the sea.
He knew he had to follow.
Because London's order was "maintain contact".
But he also knew that he could never catch up.
"All ships follow." His voice was exhausted. "Heading 120, speed... maximum speed."
"Sir, maximum speed will severely damage the engines..."
"Execute the command."
"Yes."
Two groups of warships sailed one after the other into the depths of the Indian Ocean. The one in front was elegant and composed, while the one behind was desperately chasing after it.
In the logbook of the "Revival," Li Te neatly wrote in pen: "March 17, 1906, 13:20, successfully intercepted the British deterrent fleet in the Gulf of Oman. The other side did not dare to fire. Now turning towards the Indian Ocean as planned, with the British ship 'Dreadnought' and the escort fleet following behind. The morale of all crew members is high." He closed the logbook and looked out the porthole. In the distance, the smokestack of the "Dreadnought" was spewing thick black smoke, the coal-fired boilers struggling with all their might. In the engine room of the "Revival," the instruments showed that the oil-fired boilers were running smoothly at 65% of their rated power, with temperature and pressure all within the optimal range.
At this moment, Li Te was wondering if his actions might cause the newly commissioned British HMS Dreadnought to explode!
The young watchman looked at the pointers and suddenly said to the apprentice beside him, "Remember today. Remember that we sailed warships built by the Chinese themselves, and the Royal Navy had to chase after us." The apprentice nodded vigorously, his eyes shining like stars.