Chương 107: Naval Cannon Test
Translator: Cinder Translations
...
Paul brought 12 naval cannons this time, including 2 12-pounders, 6 6-pounders, and 4 swivel guns. Combined with the 2 6-pounders and 4 swivel guns previously used for training, the navy now possessed 18 cannons.
Swivel guns are small-caliber cannons mounted on swiveling supports, capable of 360-degree rotation, used for firing grapeshot and small projectiles. They are lightweight and flexible, designed to support boarding actions and cover blind spots of broadside cannons.
During the construction of the Hope, gun ports for cannon placement were reserved on both sides of the upper deck. Due to it being the first build, the exact number of cannons that could be fitted was unclear, with only 8 gun ports opened, 4 on each side.
Upon returning from the trial sail, Austin directed the sailors to receive the new cannons brought by Paul. Four 6-pounders were immediately installed on the ship, accompanied by a crate of cannonballs and several barrels of gunpowder.
Installing ship cannons was no simple task; with limited space onboard, a proper recoil mechanism using ropes and pulleys had to be constructed. The navy experimented extensively on land before devising a feasible solution.
"Let's go, take me out for a spin on the sea! And let's fire off a couple rounds while we're at it." After the sailors finished placing the cannons, Paul eagerly ordered them to set sail.
The sail handlers raised the sails, and several sailors together heaved on the anchor windlass to retrieve the anchor. Propelled by the wind, the Hope once again slowly sailed out of the harbor.
Among those accompanying Paul, many were on a boat for the first time, excitedly observing everything as if the Hope were a novel giant toy.
"This is exactly the feeling I wanted!"
Sailing into the boundless sea breeze, Paul felt as though he had stepped into the great age of exploration on Earth.
In a corner of the deck, two female advisors whispered to each other.
Eileen pondered, "So we can move this fast without rowing?"
Ladia added, "Yes, with so many sails unfurled, relying solely on wind power for such a large ship is quite rare."
As an adventurer, she had seen a lot, but the types of ships that didn't rely on human-powered rowing she had seen in the past were generally small vessels that sailed along coasts or inland rivers, carrying only a few people.
Eileen mysteriously continued, "Let me tell you, besides the paper and porcelain we use daily, and the canned food we ate that day, Count Grayman has come up with quite a few other things."
The nature of women made her impatient to share what she had seen with her companions: "In his army, there is a very scary..."
She suddenly stopped, because she remembered the "confidentiality agreement" she had signed.
Oh no! This feeling is so uncomfortable.
Eileen remembered the scene of artillery and musket shooting she had seen during flag signaling exercises. She wanted to describe to Ladia how powerful and impressive the firearms were.
"If we could equip the kingdom's army with a large number of these weapons, the rebels in the south would definitely be unable to hold out against such power."
She thought this more than once in her heart. Should she reveal her identity as a princess and ask this lord to contribute his manufacturing technology to the royal family?
But the fear of marriage alliances repeatedly dispelled this idea...
Ladia tilted her head curiously and asked, "What scary thing?"
Eileen smiled brightly and said, "I can't say right now, but you'll see it shortly."
Before setting sail, she had heard Paul say "let's fire off a couple rounds," and had seen the 4 cannons deployed on the deck. It seemed there would be cannon firing during this trial sail.
Sure enough, a while later she heard Paul command, "Bring the ship near that cliff; let's test the effectiveness of the ship's cannons."
Austin immediately relayed Paul's command to Quake, hoping to turn the bow of the Hope towards the nearby cliff on the shore.
The gunners began loading the cannons, swiftly preparing ammunition for the two 6-pounders positioned on the port side.
Soon, the Hope sailed to a position about 500 meters from the cliff, aligning its port side towards the precipice.
Austin loudly commanded, "Gunners, prepare!"
Eileen immediately pulled Ladia's sleeve, reminding her, "It's going to be loud; cover your ears tightly."
Ladia followed her advice, clasping her hands tightly over her ears. Seeing others on the ship doing the same.
"Fire!"
As Austin's command fell, two gunners ignited the fuses of their cannons.
Accompanied by a tremendous roar from the cannons, everyone felt the ship shudder violently.
Looking ahead, the power of the ship's cannons at this distance left a deep impression. Rocks on the cliff shattered, with one cannonball striking a large protruding rock, shattering it into fragments on impact.
"So... powerful!" Ladia, witnessing cannon fire for the first time, was somewhat stunned.
Eileen explained to her, "These are cannons, capable of long-distance shooting like crossbows and catapults."
Ladia thought to herself: This power and range far surpass those of crossbows and catapults.
She recalled the day Paul recaptured Port Frand, when thunderous sounds came from outside the town, and shortly after, the Alden army breached the city.
She realized that such loud noises were caused by these weapons. With this level of power, it could indeed blast open city gates, explaining why the pirates' defenses were ineffective.
Each side of the ship had four openings for cannons. With all cannons installed, this ship must be incredibly powerful.
Against similarly sized oar-sail ships, one round of cannonballs, if all hit, could leave only a few rowers remaining.
Ladia also understood that Alden faced threats from the neighboring Kent family. Still, Count Grayman never showed any signs of panic. Was this the strength he relied on?
After three rounds of continuous firing from the portside cannons, Austin ordered loudly, "Check the ship's condition!"
Firing both cannons simultaneously with only two would damage the ship. It would be a failure for the Hope.
"All clear in the hold!"
"All clear on the forecastle!"
...
As reports came in one after another, everyone's tense hearts finally relaxed.
Austin handed the telescope to Paul, who carefully observed the situation on the cliff.
"These cannons should have no problem dealing with those flimsy pirate ships," confirmed the naval commander.
Paul remembered something and turned to Hansel, who looked very uneasy.
Hansel, gripping a rail tightly, met Paul's gaze and said with a mournful face, "Sorry, this is my first time on a ship at sea."
"Oh dear, Mr. Supervisor, we're not even out to sea yet, just spinning around near the harbor."
"Why don't you wait a few more days until everything is ready before heading south on the Hope?"
Hansel quickly shook his head, "No, no, I'll go south by land this time. I don't dare delay Lord Grayman's affairs."
Laughter erupted on the deck.
(End of the Chapter)
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