Chapter 105: sea trial
The weather is very clear, the blue sky and the ocean are in a line in the distance, white clouds are dotted in the clear sky, and the salty sea breeze is blowing slowly, which makes people feel refreshed.
This is a good day for walking or having a picnic by the sea, and there are indeed a lot of people gathered on the shore of Fulang Port, most of them are residents of the town, including fishermen, businessmen, and women with children.
But they didn't gather here for walks and picnics. Most of them were staring at the sea to the west, admiring or discussing in twos and threes from time to time.
On the sea in the distance, a ship that can be said to be strange in the eyes of the locals is sailing fast.
This strange ship has no oars, and its visual length is only more than 20 meters. A long bowsprit protrudes from the front, like a sharp sword piercing the front. There is only one mast installed backwards on the deck. Together with the bowsprit, four triangle sails are propped up, two square sails are hung on the top of the mast, and a huge vertical sail is propped up behind the mast, which looks like the dorsal fin of a shark when it is cruising on the water from a distance.
This is the Sroop ship just built by the shipyard. The unique shape produces a different kind of beauty, and the people on the shore are all attracted by her heroic appearance.
"Hahaha! I love this beauty so much!"
On the deck of the Sroop ship, the ex-pirate chief Quick shouted excitedly. He was entrusted with the heavy responsibility of operating the steering wheel in this test. Paul designed the Pollard ship composed of pulleys and cables according to memory. The rudder system, the shipwrights installed this steering device on the Sroop boat according to the schematic diagram, and now it is relatively easy for one person to turn the rudder wheel on the deck to adjust the rudder.
Under Quick's control, the Sroop boat constantly changed its direction, sometimes sailing in a straight line, and sometimes circling in circles on the vast sea.
Of course, because it is a sailboat, the hard work of the sailors is essential. They must adjust the sails in time according to the wind direction so that the power of the boat will not disappear.
There are more than a dozen people on the deck of the Sroop ship, including Rubin, the director of the shipyard, Benjamin, the old shipbuilder, and Austin, the "Admiral of the Navy".
Rubin looked excited, Mr. Graiman's model was finally made into a real thing.
As for Benjamin, tears filled his eyes. His long-cherished wish for many years finally came true today. Although the ship was still small, it was just the beginning. Earl Greyman had promised him to build a bigger sailing ship.
Because it was a new ship trial, they also followed a galley to catch people up just in case.
Today's wind is strong enough. At this time, the Sroop can reach a speed of more than ten knots, and the galley can easily accompany it at first, but after half a day of trial sailing, as the strength of the oarsmen is exhausted, and Quick's unrestrained operations that day gradually failed to keep up with the Sroop boat.
Some sailors made various grimaces or made strange noises towards the galley that was far behind, and the deck was very lively.
Among the over-excited people, only Austin remained calm, with his hands folded on his chest as if thinking about something.
At this time, a sailor holding a binoculars shouted to him: "There is a signal from the shore, let us go back immediately."
Austin immediately ordered loudly: "Turn back!"
Quick muttered dejectedly: "I haven't played enough..."
But these months of military life made him dare not disobey orders. With the turning of the rudder wheel, the Sroop boat made a bend and headed for the shipyard port.
…
After more than two months, Paul once again came to Port Fulan.
Accompanying him were several directors of the Government Council including Hansel, Chief of Staff Schroeder, Minister of Equipment Department Kelly, Minister of Logistics Department Ron, and two female advisors 'Betty' and Ladi. Everyone seems to be looking at the new type of ship that the earl is talking about.
After exchanging a few pleasantries with the mayor and others who came to greet him at the gate of the city, he led them straight to the shipyard.
When he arrived, the Sroop ship was out for sea trials.
It can't be blamed that people didn't wait for him, but he himself issued the order: just report to him when the ship is built, and then everything will follow the scheduled plan, and there is no need to wait for him to pass before starting the trial voyage.
Time is pressing and any delay in progress will not be tolerated.
It happened that the Kent family temporarily canceled their plan to launch a war, so he rushed over after receiving the news, and brought 20 naval artillery.
When he saw the figure of the sailboat on the distant sea, he was very excited and couldn't wait to go up and see for himself.
He asked those who stayed on the shore to send a return signal, and soon the Sroop sailed towards the port of the shipyard.
…
"Master Graham!"
Austin gave Paul a standard military salute.
Paul smiled back at him and said, "Thank you, Your Excellency, Commander."
Austin said modestly: "Where, the hardest ones are Supervisor Lubin and Master Benjamin."
"Haha, I will never forget these two heroes."
As Paul spoke, he shook hands with the two people beside Austin and thanked them.
"I also want to thank you, my lord!" Old Benjamin held Paul's hand for a long time and did not let go.
Paul teased him: "Master Benjamin, from now on I will let you build boats~www.readwn.com~ as long as you don't feel tired."
Benjamin said again and again: "If you don't feel tired, if you don't feel tired, how can you feel tired!"
Then Paul patted Rubin on the shoulder: "Let's go, Mr. Supervisor, and lead me to the boat for a visit."
Rubin said triumphantly, "Master Greiman, I can't wait to show you this ship, you will definitely fall in love with her."
After boarding the Sroop ship, Paul inspected every part carefully, and he was very satisfied.
He asked, "Everyone, does this beauty have a name?"
Rubin said: "My lord, this ship is of great significance, and only you are qualified to name her!"
This flattery was really cool, Paul said with a smile: "Then I won't be polite."
Paul thought hard, what name could make this ship more compelling.
In the end, he had no choice but to think secretly: "Oh! I really have no talent in naming. Forget it, it's true that it's mediocre."
"I've decided!" Paul pointed at the sea with his finger, and shouted loudly: "Name this ship 'Hope', she represents our hope to conquer the sea!"
"Crack! Crack! Crack!" The people around applauded.
Austin shook his head and said, "As expected of Lord Graiman, the name 'Hope' is appropriate."
Director Rubin also nodded and said: "Indeed, indeed, the Earl's name has such a profound meaning, it has a profound meaning."
Hearing the words of his subordinates, the Earl suddenly felt a surge of pride in his heart.
He waved his hand: "You have to continue to build new dry docks and expand the capacity of the shipyard. We want to build big! Build big!"
Austin, Rubin, Benjamin and others were overjoyed!
