My Italian Chapter 384

As one of the most technologically advanced shipyards in Italy, the Venice Naval Shipyard covers an area of ​​46 hectares with nine docks and more than 4,000 skilled workers. Although there are not many docks in Venice, they are very technical and most of the equipment is the latest.

At present, the Venice Shipyard is very busy, and there are many busy figures on the dock. Among them, two warships have almost been built and are just waiting to be outfitting.

These two battleships look very distinctive. The simplicity of the Gundam battleship and the obsessive-compulsive central axis layout are all telling you that this is an Italian-style battleship. Of course, the mighty front, second and second main guns will tell its firepower. The most obvious signs are the command tower and the wide chimney behind the rail rod. This kind of layout combined with several flues is currently only Italy in the world. doing so.

"Admiral Shelvella, please take a look. This is the conning tower of the Columbus. Its ring design is very important to observe the surrounding conditions. In addition, the conning tower's maximum thickness of 200 mm armor can also withstand enemy fire attacks."

On an unfinished battleship, Cuniberti, chief designer of the Venice Naval Shipyard, is introducing the battleship under his feet to a group of naval officials.

Wait, what did Cuniberti call the Columbus just now?

Yes, this ship is indeed called the Columbus. Together with the Francisco at the No. 2 dock next door, they form the new core of the Spanish Navy.

That's right, these are the original words of Admiral Chelvera, Minister of the Spanish Navy, at the simple welcome ceremony just now.

This time, Admiral Chelvella came here mainly for the launching ceremony of the Columbus. The Columbus, which has been under construction for 16 months, will be launched soon. For these two new and powerful warships, the Spanish Navy can't take a look at the garbage that they are still in service.

One more thing, these two battleships are also the first time that Spain has a battleship of more than 10,000 tons, which is of great historical and commemorative significance.

"Look, everyone, this is the firing command room of the battleship."

Above the conning tower, in a half-developed pendant-style building, Cuniberti was introducing the confused Spanish officers.

"The shooting command room?"

"Yes, this is a command room for coordinating artillery firing. Because these two warships have 8 main guns, the firing frequency must be coordinated. I don't think I need to remind you of the power of salvos?"

Cuniberti's last sentence made the Spanish officer who asked the question blushed to the bottom of his ears. Admiral Chelvella looked at it, and an idea in his heart had been settled.

And Kunibati continued to introduce. "Because of the experience in previous naval battles, in addition to designing the firing command room to be semi-open, the 40x large low-light telescope on the lookout post on the top of the rail rod can accurately observe objects 25 nautical miles away, such as the opponent is a warship Or a merchant ship."

"Look, everyone, this is..."

In the following time, Admiral Shelvella and his party were led by Cuniberti and continued to visit the power room, the sailor's rest room, the dining room, the captain's room and other facilities. On the Spanish side, listening to Cuniberti's introduction, he kept taking notes in a fascination, and even Admiral Shelvella took notes from time to time to write down important information.

This visit lasted from morning to evening, and even lunch was served with bread on the boat.

After disembarking, Admiral Chelvera and his party took a break. It was indeed tiring to go around the boat.

"Colonel Martin Vargas, Colonel Sirio Valente, the two of you stay, and everyone else is gone."

After a short rest, Admiral Chelvella immediately called out the names of two of the officers.

In the envious eyes of others, the two colonels stood in front of Admiral Chelvella.

Before the two could speak, Admiral Chelvera spoke first. "how do you feel today?"

"Very good, this is a powerful warship." "Yes, very powerful, at least the world has not yet been able to compete with it."

The two men's answers were not echoed by Admiral Chelvera, who only opened his mouth. "Since these two warships are currently the best in the world, you should also know why we bought them heavily."

"Yes, Cuba and the Philippines are not at peace. Some people spy on the Spanish colonies."

Facing the answers of the two, Admiral Chelvella was very pleased. "You're right, that's why the kingdom bought these two warships with a lot of money. And you are carefully selected from the kingdom's navy, so you need to shoulder the heavy responsibility and command the two warships. Are you ready?"

"Ready!"

The full-bodied and unanimous answer made Admiral Chelvera nodded in satisfaction.

"Very good. Next, you will be familiar with these two battleships together with your subordinate officers and soldiers. Come on down."

Sending away the two excited new captains, Admiral Chelvella looked out the window at the brightly lit night scene.

"I hope it's still too late."

Two days later, the Venice shipyard was decorated with lights, and a large number of people gathered in front of the Columbus. Needless to say, today is the day when the world's most powerful cruiser was launched.

Witnessed by hundreds of naval officers and soldiers of the two countries, as well as guests, Admiral Schervira slammed a bottle of champagne into the bow of the ship.

With the crisp sound of "Boom", the champagne was smashed into pieces.

Then, driven by a roaring turn, the USS Columbus slid into the sea, and stopped beside it after a wave.

Then there was a burst of cheers, and people cheered for the launch of this giant ship.

Admiral Chelvera looked at the launched battleship with relief.

"Admiral Chelvella, congratulations on your battleship launching."

As the representative of Italy who attended the ceremony, Admiral Argier, Minister of the Navy, came to congratulate in person, with full sincerity.

"thanks."

Faced with the congratulations from Admiral Yagier, Admiral Chelvella certainly wouldn't be rude, not to mention that he just happened to have something to ask for.

"Admiral Yagier, thank you very much for coming."

"It's nothing. You and our country have close relations. The navies of our two countries should move around a lot."

"It should be like this, it should be like this." Speaking of which, Admiral Shelvella had an idea. "Admiral Yagier, said to move around a lot, I have an idea, I don't know if I can talk about it."

"Speaking."

"It's like this, our navy officers and soldiers have not had the experience of fighting at sea for many years, and your country has experienced a lot of wars in the past few years, so I would like to ask your navy to exchange experience with our navy. , if two new warships of our country can practice combat with your country's warships, it will be the best."

Well, this Admiral Chelvera wants to make the two patrol ships form combat effectiveness as soon as possible. This is to ask the Italian Navy to help.

However, this is not very helpful at all. You must know that warships are money when they go to sea. The supplies, fuel and ammunition of the entire ship's officers and soldiers need to be consumed, which is not a small amount of money, especially if it can cooperate with two new warships equipped with cruisers, then only Turin and Venice. The 5 DURIOs and the improved class simply can't work together. The difference in speed between the two is 8 knots, which is a big problem.

"Well, there is no problem in exchanging experience. As for the joint training of battleships..."

"Don't worry, we are willing to pay half of the cost."

Sure enough, people are poor and short-sighted. This can only be half of it. Faced with Admiral Chelvella's stingy behavior, Admiral Yagier moved in his heart. "No problem, our Italian Navy will not embarrass your country. All three Turin-class ships can be transferred to cooperate with you."

The conversation between the two admirals, and even the launching of the Columbus, was a major event for the Venice Shipyard, and of course, the major event did not stop other work in hand.

This is not in Dock No. 3. Most of the Italian Navy's first warship of the same type has also been built. Several shipyard workers have just painted the ship's name on the side of the ship.

Garibaldi!

The name of the national hero Garibaldi is printed on it.

Chapter end