บท 86: The Navy
Translator: Cinder Translations
...
"Drink up!"
Ockham wielded a wooden sword fiercely, thrusting towards his opponent.
However, his opponent effortlessly deflected his wooden sword and, seizing the moment his arm was still extended, countered with a stab to his waist.
"Don't just attack blindly! Remember to keep your stance stable at all times!"
Former pirate leader, now Second Class Sailor of the Alden Navy, Quik, loudly pointed out his opponent's shortcomings.
Ockham rubbed his sore waist where the wooden sword had struck, then resumed his offensive stance, searching for openings in Quik's defense.
After circling each other for a few rounds, Ockham found what he believed to be an angle where Quik couldn't counter, and swiftly thrust forward. But this time, Quik simply sidestepped...
With a "splash," Ockham's charge was too aggressive, and he fell into the water.
The sailors of the Alden Navy were practicing combat maneuvers on the surface of the water. On six naval warships and over a dozen fishing boats temporarily conscripted, sailors crowded, engaging in intense "combat."
Amidst the fervor of their training, a call to assemble suddenly rang out from the shore.
Everyone immediately stopped their movements, paddling their oars toward the military port dock.
Through construction and requisition of converted civilian ships, the Alden Navy now possessed six larger sail-and-oar vessels, each controlled by around fifty people. A naval base had been constructed in Frand Port, complete with a dock specifically for military vessels.
On shore, Paul and his "Naval Commander" Austin were already standing there.
Once the sailors disembarked, they quickly gathered on the training ground inside the naval port. Under the leadership of their ship captains, they formed six formations, totaling over three hundred people.
Although the weather was turning cooler as autumn set in, due to training, everyone wore only a blue and white striped shirt, a cotton garment named "Sea Soul Shirt" by the lord, greatly beloved by naval officers and soldiers.
Not only did it serve to protect sailors from wind and sun during voyages, it also had a very practical function: if someone accidentally fell overboard, they could be quickly spotted.
Accompanied by Austin, Paul reviewed the formations of sailors.
Within one formation, he spotted "Quik the First," smiling wryly at him.
Quik blushed, intimidated by military regulations, he dared not turn his head, but instead shifted his eyes slightly to the side to avoid direct eye contact with Paul.
Facing this slight disrespect, Paul didn't reprimand him. This guy had made a fool of himself during the interrogation in Alden Town, so naturally he'd be very embarrassed to see him now.
These guilt-ridden individuals selected from pirate captives received only basic supplies and clothing from the army. Forget about wages; they could only obtain the same treatment as regular sailors after achieving outstanding merits or demonstrating good service after a period of time.
Quik was among the second batch of pirate captives selected for the navy. Fortunately, he had earned considerable merit in repelling a pirate landing attack, immediately promoted to Second Class Sailor and eligible for half pay. If he continued to perform well, he could earn full pay.
Watching the nascent naval force, Paul was filled with pride. Although it was just a sapling now, it would grow into a towering tree sooner or later.
This army would one day set sail across the seas, imagining countless warships lined up neatly in fleets, cannons roaring from their sides, bombarding countless cannonballs at the enemy, causing waves of excitement in his heart.
He asked Austin, "Has artillery training begun?"
Austin replied, "Yes, it has. We've built a simulated deck on land and mounted the two naval cannons and four swivel guns we've already manufactured on it for artillery practice."
Paul was very satisfied. These two naval cannons were still cast directly based on the army's 6-pound cannons, but with modifications to fit shipboard conditions. However, warships could carry heavier artillery, so he had instructed Marlo to begin experimenting with 12-pound cannons. As for heavier 24-pound cannons, that would have to wait until larger ships could be constructed.
As for swivel guns, these small-caliber cannons were mainly installed at the bow and stern of warships to cover areas that broadside cannons couldn't reach. They were also used during boarding battles to fire grapeshot and scatter enemies.
After the review, the sailors were ordered to continue training, while the naval officers gathered in the conference room of the base to listen to Lord Paul's presentation on the next steps for development and arrangements.
Paul, sitting at the head, spoke first: "Gentlemen, I'm sure you are already aware that the shipwrights from the south have taken their positions. Soon, they will commence construction on the new type of vessels."
Everyone nodded in understanding. On the day Paul led the southern shipwrights to the shipyard, their commander Austin and several other officers accompanied them as representatives of the navy.
Furthermore, they were all well aware of what the new vessels looked like. There were two models of the sloop ships placed in the shipyard for the shipwrights to reference for detailed designs, and another two placed at the naval base for the navy officers and sailors to study.
Paul continued: "In the first phase of the navy's development plan, I intend to build six sloop ships. However, after constructing two and conducting some exercises, the navy will begin clearing out the various pirate groups, large and small, in the Northwest Gulf. So, you must prepare for battle promptly."
Though the pirates who raided ashore had been eliminated, the Northwest Gulf was far from peaceful at this time. Because Alden's navy was still quite weak, they adopted a strategy of passive defense, only engaging in combat when pirates attacked. They avoided provoking them if pirates did not initiate hostilities.
Even so, several pirate incursions had occurred since the public trial assembly, but fortunately, all had been repelled by the Alden military. Each invasion was promptly reported to Alden Town.
Once the navy equipped two sloop ships, they would be armed with a total of 28 cannons on board. With such formidable firepower, the Alden navy would no longer fear any pirates.
Paul also made another request: "The Council has decided that after clearing out the pirates, merchant ships will be sent south, and the navy must play a role in scouting the routes and providing escort."
"From now on, you must send people south along the coastline to gather information on various ports along the way. This will facilitate our ships' stops, supplies, and repairs in case of emergencies during their voyages."
"The Earl really does have far-reaching plans," thought many present.
...
After the meeting at the naval base, Paul headed to the nearby shipyard.
The shipyard had not yet begun constructing sloop ships. Benjamin, the senior shipwright, had inspected the equipment and found it somewhat outdated. Therefore, he and Supervisor Rubin were currently overseeing the upgrade and maintenance of the equipment within the shipyard.
Paul assured Rubin: "The navy will be the focus of upcoming financial expenditures. If you encounter any difficulties in upgrading equipment or purchasing shipbuilding materials, don't hesitate to approach the Treasury."
Before leaving, he instructed Rubin and the southern shipwrights to cooperate closely. Rubin nodded eagerly in agreement.
(End of the Chapter)
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