The Rise of the Empire

"This is really a big ship." After hearing what the prince said, Makanov couldn't help but wiped a cold sweat. If the 13,000-ton displacement of the Asama-class armored cruiser is almost at the construction limit of the Russian Navy, the only The only problem is that if the hull length and internal design cannot meet the construction needs, then this 18,000-ton warship cannot be built by Russia in any way.

In history, Russia's first battleship with a tonnage of 17,000 tons was the Quasi-Dreadnought John Chrysostom. This ship was equipped with 4 12-inch guns and 12 8-inch guns. Construction started in 1903 and it was only commissioned in 1910! It took a full 7 years to build! From this point, it can also be seen that the level of the Russian shipbuilding industry has a coffee table. Before the Russo-Japanese War, the tonnage of Russia's largest warship was generally around 13,000 tons. So Russia is absolutely incapable of building such a huge warship!

To be honest, the tonnage of warships built by the Germans in history was not very high. Even though this plane has a relationship with traversers, and the construction capacity has improved, but such warships started around 1899, and the traversers themselves are a little imaginary! So the decisive Russian became a guinea pig....

But I have to say that His Royal Highness is very worthy of this little white mouse. Both the equipment and the design are more brilliant than before, and it is definitely worthy of the cost of 1.8 million pounds! You know, the Russians have historically purchased the Rurik 2-class armored cruiser from the UK for 1.56 million pounds. Thinking about the history that the Russians endured buying a 15,000-ton warship for 1.56 million pounds, then it is not too much to buy a 18,000-ton warship for 1.8 million pounds, right?

To be honest, His Royal Highness intends to offer a high price of at least 1.85 million, but considering that there are still some things that need to be cleared up with the Russians, so I am merciful and let it be 1.8 million pounds for the time being. Anyway, there are still many reasons for raising the price. This time, the Russians did not dare to renege on the contract.

"18,000 tons is a bit too big. This tonnage is almost 5,000 tons larger than the Asama. What is the reason for the tonnage of such a warship to increase to such a level?" Makanov asked after thinking.

"The battleship is more than 160 meters long! The width of the battleship is 22 meters! It is equipped with two double-mounted 12-inch L40 guns at the head and tail. The four corners of the hull are equipped with four double-mounted 254MM secondary main guns. And 20 105MM secondary guns. The front armor of the main turret The thickness is 10 inches, and the side and rear are 6 inches. The thickness of the main gun mount is 8 inches. The thickness of the second main gun turret is 8 inches, and the side and rear are 6 inches. The thickness of the gun mount is 7 inches. Each 105MM artillery All have at least 4 inches of armor gun gallery protection.

"The thickness of the armor belt is 8.5 inches. There is also a certain thickness of the back plate. The height of the main armor belt reaches 3.8 meters. The thickness of the upper armor belt is 6 inches. It covers the entire gun gallery area. The thickness of the front and rear armor belts reaches 4 inches! Completely immune to high-explosive bombs below 8 inches! The transmission shaft of the battleship is protected by 6-inch side string armor, and the wheelhouse is protected by a complete armor box. The horizontal armor thickness of the battleship is 75MM, and the secondary part also has 50MM horizontal armor!

Reserve 1,500 tons of coal and 750 tons of fuel oil! And it has a complete underwater defense system. The underwater protection system of the warship has two layers. The outermost is the empty tank, and the middle is the liquid tank, which is used to store fuel. In addition, the subdivided compartment design is adopted, and there is no horizontal communication between all watertight compartments. There is also a layer of 45MM high elastic steel in the innermost layer. It can guarantee that it will still survive after being hit by 2 rounds of 18-inch torpedoes! "

"In order to better adapt to ocean-going operations, warships have larger ammunition storage capacity,

Each main gun is equipped with 150 shells, and each secondary main gun and secondary gun is equipped with 200 shells, and there is ample space for more ammunition. The living environment of officers and soldiers will also be improved to a certain extent. It is very suitable for ocean-going operations. Facing the Japanese Asama-class armored cruisers, your country's three new armored cruisers are enough to completely suppress them. "The prince briefly introduced this class of warships.

"But to fight in the Far East, we don't need such a long voyage." Makanov thought for a while and said.

"No need? Hehe. If you think this way, then my evaluation of you will be lowered. You still think about war in the old way, or think about Japan in the old way." The prince's words were full of There was a trace of contempt.

"I remember you once said that Japan bought these two warships to deal with Russia, but now it is to deal with the United States. You were also very confident at that time. But it turns out that your prediction was not accurate, or you said at that time Are you misleading us?" Pa Luojin said calmly.

"Nonsense, of course it is misleading you!" His Royal Highness said in his heart. Of course, this is not entirely true. After the Japanese got the Philippines, the Americans could not go to the Far East for the time being, so the biggest enemy is still Russia. The warships bought by Japan are still to be used in the war against Russia. How could it be wrong?

"Then since it's not used to deal with Russia, then tell me, what is the purpose of your coming here?" The prince caught a loophole in Parokin's words.

"Of course, you may still be unconvinced, but believe me, when the dust settles on the Spanish-American War, Japan will immediately target you. In the second half of this year at the earliest, and in the first half of next year at the latest, Japan will take action in North Korea. And Russia's Siberian Railway has not been repaired, and the navy is absolutely inferior. I don't think that Russia can rely on its forces in the Far East to contain Japan's actions. If you don't believe it, we can wait, but when the time comes, consider my Mood, the price may rise. Of course, it is up to you to decide whether to buy in the end." After finishing speaking, the prince waved his hand, indicating that the negotiation is over, and you can go!

"Your Excellency, Lieutenant General, what do you think of what the prince said?" Pa Luojin asked in a low voice on the carriage going back.

"Whether what he said is right or wrong, but Japan is our enemy in the end, and the Imperial Navy must eventually face a powerful fleet of 4 Asama-class armored cruisers. Knowing this is enough! Do we have any other options? 4 Asama-class armored cruisers! Even if we pull up all the cruisers we have now and are under construction, it is not enough for the Japanese to fight."

"I'm a soldier, so I don't think about whether everything the other party says is right or wrong from a political or negotiation point of view. I just need to know that from a military point of view, we have no choice. This one We have to buy warships, as for how many to buy, it depends on the intention of the government and finances, but the Prince of Bavaria is right, we need at least three!" Makanov replied.

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