Chapter 237: Not far from fearless
"This is really a big ship." After hearing what the prince said, Makanov couldn't help but wipe a cold sweat. If the displacement of 13,000 tons of the Asama-class armored cruiser is almost at the construction limit of the Russian Navy, the only The problem is that if the length and internal design of the hull cannot meet the construction needs, then this 18,000-ton warship cannot be built by Russia in any respect.
In history, Russia’s first battleship with a tonnage of 17,000 tons was the quasi-fearless John Chrysostom. This warship equipped with 4 12-inch guns and 12 8-inch guns started construction in 1903 and only entered service in 1910! It has been built for 7 years! From this point, it can also be seen that 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. Therefore, Russia is absolutely unable to build such a huge battleship!
To tell the truth, the tonnage of warships built by the Germans in history is not very high. Even if this plane has the relationship of the traversers, the construction ability has been improved, but the construction of such warships was started around 1899, the traversers themselves were a bit imaginary! So the decisive Russian became a guinea pig....
But I have to say that His Royal Highness is still very worthy of this mouse. Whether it is equipment or design, it has more outstanding features than before. It is absolutely worthy of the cost of 1.8 million pounds! You know, the Russians have spent 1.56 million pounds on the purchase of the Rurik 2 armored cruiser from the UK in history. Imagine that in history, the Russians have tolerated buying a 15,000-ton warship for 1.56 million pounds, so wouldn't it be too much to buy a 18,000-ton warship for 1.8 million pounds?
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 he is merciful, and let's press 1.8 million pounds for the time being. Anyway, there are many reasons for the price increase. This time the Russians did not dare to break the contract again.
"18,000 tons is a bit too big. This tonnage is almost 5,000 tons larger than the Asama. What is the reason that the tonnage of such a warship has increased to this level?" Makanov thought about it and asked.
"The length of the battleship is more than 160 meters! The width of the battleship is 22 meters! The front and aft are equipped with 2 twin 12-inch L40 guns. The four corners of the hull are equipped with 4 twin 254MM secondary guns. And 20 105mm secondary guns. The main turret front armor The thickness is 10 inches, and the sides and back are 6 inches. The thickness of the main gun mount is 8 inches. The front thickness of the secondary main gun turret is 8 inches, and the sides and back are 6 inches. The thickness of the mount is 7 inches. Each 105MM gun All are protected by armored gun galleries of at least 4 inches.
"The thickness of the armor belt is 8.5 inches. There is a back plate of a certain thickness behind it. The height of the main armor belt has reached 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 has reached 4 inches! Fully immune to high explosive shells below 8 inches! The drive shaft of the battleship is protected by 6-inch sidestring armor, and the wheelhouse is protected by a complete armor box. The thickness of the battleship's horizontal armor is 75MM, and the minor part also has 50mm horizontal armor!
Reserve 1,500 tons of coal and 750 tons of fuel! Moreover, it has a complete underwater defense system. The underwater defense system of the battleship has 2 layers. The outermost is an empty warehouse, and the middle is a liquid tank for storing fuel. And it adopts the design of fine compartments, 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 is guaranteed that two 18-inch torpedoes will survive if they are hit! "
"In order to better adapt to ocean warfare, the warship has a larger ammunition storage capacity. Each main gun is equipped with 150 shells, and each secondary main gun and secondary guns are equipped with 200 shells, and there is ample space for it. Used to load more ammunition. The living environment of officers and soldiers will also be improved to a certain extent. It is very suitable for ocean warfare. In the face of the Japanese Asama-class armored cruisers, your country’s three new armored cruisers will be enough Suppress thoroughly." The prince briefly introduced this class of warships.
"But in the Far East, we don't need such a long voyage." Makanov thought for a while and said.
"No need? Haha. If you think this way, then my evaluation of you will be lowered. You still think about war from the past, or think about Japan from the old perspective." The prince said full of words. A trace of contempt.
"I remember you said that Japan bought these two warships to deal with Russia, but now it is dealing with the United States. You were very confident at the time. But it turns out that your prediction was not accurate, or you were at that time. Is it misleading us?" Palokin said calmly.
"Nonsense, of course it is misleading you!" The Prince said in his heart. Of course, this is not exactly the case. After the Japanese got the Philippines, the Americans could not reach the Far East temporarily, so the biggest enemy is still Russia. The warships bought by Japan are still used in the war against Russia. How can you be wrong?
"Then since it is not used to deal with Russia, then tell me, what is the purpose of your coming here?" The prince seized a loophole in Palokin's words.
"Of course, you may still be unconvinced, but believe me, when the dust of the American-Spanish War settles, Japan will immediately target you. Japan will already take action in North Korea in the second half of this year at the earliest and the first half of next year at the latest. ! And Russia’s Siberian Railway has not been repaired, and the navy is absolutely disadvantaged. I don’t think Russia can rely on the Far East to contain Japan’s actions. If you don’t believe it, we can wait, but At that time, taking into account my mood, the price may rise. Of course, it is up to you to decide whether to buy or not." The prince waved his hand after speaking, indicating that the negotiation is over, you can go!
"Your Excellency Lieutenant, what do you think of what the prince said?" Palokin asked in a low voice on the carriage returning.
"Whether he is right or wrong, but Japan is ultimately our enemy. The Imperial Navy will eventually have to face a powerful fleet of four Asama-class armored cruisers. It is enough to know this! Do we have other choices? Four Asama-class armored cruisers! Even if we pull up both the cruisers we have and the cruisers under construction, it is not enough for the Japanese."
"I am a soldier, so I don’t consider whether every word the other party says is right or wrong from a political or negotiating point of view. I just need to know. From a military point of view, we have no choice. We have to buy warships. As for buying a few, it depends on the government and finances. But the Prince of Bavaria is right. We need at least three!” Makanov replied.
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