Chapter 174: Sherlock's Intelligence
The year 1629 has entered on the Gregorian calendar, and the Spring Festival of that year is approaching.
And in the past year, what Yan Changwu wanted most was to get a gift, that is, two British Tier 3 battleships!
This two-layer gun deck, plus a three-tier battleship with 70 guns on the open deck, is powerful, and the Southeast Fleet is very comfortable to use. It is "crushing" the enemy in the surrounding waters.
Two more ships are coming, the strength is breaking the mark, and even if you want to hit anyone, you can hit anyone.
According to his agreement with Sir Simon Fox, the commander of the British Fleet who visited last year, the Southeast Mansion purchased four British Class III battleships, two of which had already been delivered in 1627.
The plan should be to deliver two ships in 1628 last year. Money is not a problem, and money is ready to wait!
However, the British broke their promise, the two battleships were gone, and the Dutch fleet was waiting.
……
Because of the Spring Festival, Yan Changwu did not go for training anymore, and was staying at the Kaohsiung Military Harbor’s Inspector’s Mansion to deal with official documents (the Governor’s Mansion was moved from Tainan to Kaohsiung, and he could not sleep well without guarding his fleet), from the office window You can see the scene of the military port outside. (Imported glass window)
"Dangdang, Dangdang, Dangdang!" The sound of the bell caught Yan Changwu's attention.
When a warship enters the port, a bell will ring as a reminder.
There is a large telescope by the window. This is a special-made telescope. When you look closer, you can see a Fogate Clipper with the ship number 076.
The sails are swelling, as fast as flying on the water, the captain's level is good, even if he enters the port, he dared to drive fast, it seems something urgent.
Yan Changwu quickly checked the port number table, this is a clipper to Nanyang!
Could it be that Nanyang has news?
His guess was correct. Soon after the Clippers entered the port, Sherlock, his royal merchant, rushed into his office with a sour stench, yelling: "Oh, the Dutchman. The fleet has been dispatched, reaching fifty-three ships, and it is expected to arrive in ten days!"
Sherlock: Dutch Jew, a business runner for Yan Changwu, mainly in Batavia, established a shipping company, already has twelve ships under him, and the business is very successful.
"You brought good news, you worked hard, sit down, have a cup of tea, and speak slowly!" Yan Changwu smiled.
Shylock talked about his experience. He went to Batavia to do business and got acquainted with the port officials there.
The level of the intelligence agent stationed in Batavia by the Southeast Government is too low, and he is a Chinese, unable to obtain the most valuable information, but Shylock relies on his Dutch nationality, Dutch speaking smoothly, and he is willing to Spend money to get through the relationship and have a good relationship with the Dutch.
He has been preaching that he opened an independent company and bought the Southeastern government to do the business of the Southeastern government (the Southeastern government did not deny it), and many Dutch people envied him for finding a big benefactor.
He has a very good relationship with the port officer of Batavia, Mr. DeWitt, mainly because he has to buy Mr. DeWitt and find a better berth for his merchant ships, and he pays generously, so Mr. DeWitt For the sake of money, he is naturally willing to deal with him.
A month ago, he went to Mr. DeWitt for a drink at noon, which caused Mr. DeWitt to get drunk, and then sent him back to his office. He found the roster of the Dutch fleet in his office. He hurriedly wrote down the information about the invading fleet. On the surface, he left with his merchant fleet seven days later. At this time, the Dutch fleet departed from Hong Kong one day before.
Then Sherlock went to the hidden place, replaced Fogate's clippers, which he had prepared for a long time, and drove him personally and hurried back as fast as he could.
The intelligence work looks very mysterious, but it is actually so ordinary. The main reason is that the Dutch basically have no concept of spy prevention. Of course, more importantly, their arrogance. They believe that their strength is strong enough to defeat any enemy fleet. , Disdain to block the port and apprehend suspicious elements.
"This is the roster of the Dutch fleet!" Sherlock sent valuable information.
Yan Changwu took it over and took a look.
Ship name (Prometheus) (flagship), captain (William Van Basant), artillery (42);
The name of the ship (Girl of Rotterdam), the captain (Adri Visku Denblak), artillery (42);
Ship name (Amsterdam), captain (Peter Petersen Dometz), artillery (40);
Ship name (Drenthe), captain (Ann Yansong Wien), artillery (40);
……
Ship's name (Friesland), captain (Albert Fedney Langz), artillery (24);
Ship name (Zeland weapon), captain (Jat Reynx Denou), artillery (22 doors);
……
The general data of the fifty-three battleships are all in. In addition to important ship names, captains, and the number of artillery, there are also artillery calibers, deck lengths, ship widths, and drafts.
An average of 28 guns per ship, with a total output of 1,500 guns, most of which are 12-pounders and some are 24-pounders~www.wuxiaspot.com~ The deck guns must be under 6-pounders, 4 pounds, 2 pound and 1 pound etc.
What I want to explain here is that the so-called battleships are actually mostly merchant ships, that is, merchant ships set up ships to become battleships. For example, in 1588, more than half of the British Invincible Fleet were actually temporarily recruited merchant ships, and their opponent, the United Kingdom The fleet has a higher proportion of merchant ships.
In the early days of the sailing era, there were many cases of merchant ships participating in battles. Warships and merchant ships were more distinguished in terms of purpose than the ship itself. At that time, almost all merchant ships had holes on the sides of the ship to extend the muzzle, and almost All warships have the experience of being used to transport cargo. The boundary between warships and merchant ships is blurred. A merchant ship can easily be upgraded to a warship, and a warship can also be quickly downgraded to a merchant ship.
Especially ocean-going merchant ships. Since they are able to withstand the storms at sea, their hulls are sturdy, and they can be "transferred" to warships with enough artillery.
Today’s Dutch fleet is like this. The fifth-tier warships captured by the Southeastern Government were actually transformed from merchant ships. Their tonnage is generally small, but the British man-made warships are relatively large.
……
Is the information true or false?
Yan Chang Wu Dongnian, in the flash of lightning, he felt that the credibility of this information is quite high.
The main reason is that the previous intelligence has come back. Although it is incomplete, the comparison between the two proves that Sherlock's intelligence is good.
"Their fleet is going to the Philippines. It should have been negotiated with the Spanish and get supplies in the Philippines!" Sherlock also provided information. ,
Although the Netherlands and Spain bite dogs badly in Europe, it does not prevent them from colluding in Asia to deal with the yellow race.
"Excellent!" Yan Changwu grabbed the roster and rang the bell. Two guards appeared immediately and listened to his instructions: "Call the officers for a meeting now!"
