"Gentlemen, Father Emperor has other matters to attend to this afternoon, so he has entrusted me with full authority to represent him at this Demonstration Conference. However, I have come only with my eyes and ears. I will faithfully report your views to Father Emperor. You are all the most outstanding experts on naval vessels in the German Empire Navy. I trust that you will reach the correct conclusion and find the right path of development for the German Empire Navy." Crown Prince Wilhelm spoke with a smile on his face.
Yet inwardly, he fervently hoped that the Naval Technical Committee would reject Oscar's design proposal. Oscar's ability to make money was already frightening enough. If he also displayed talent in naval warship design, it would undoubtedly raise his standing within the imperial family significantly. That would inevitably pose a grave threat to Crown Prince Wilhelm's position as heir. Naturally, Crown Prince Wilhelm did not wish to see such a thing happen. He hoped all his younger brothers were worthless fools who did nothing but eat and wait for death. Only then could his right to inherit the throne be completely secure.
"Gentlemen, with His Majesty the Emperor's support, the German Empire Navy is developing at high speed. Yet the gap between us and the British Navy remains enormous. Therefore, our naval development absolutely cannot take a wrong turn. Otherwise, the gap between us and the British Navy will only widen further. You must carefully examine Prince Oskar's design. There must not be the slightest carelessness." Grand Admiral Count Tirpitz spoke as well. He undoubtedly thought highly of Oscar's design. Although many of its technologies were somewhat ahead of their time, he could see just how outstanding the Battleship Oscar had designed truly was. If it could be built, it would greatly help enhance the strength of the German Navy.
After that, the Demonstration Conference officially began.
"Gentlemen, Crown Prince and Your Excellency have both shown the importance they attach to this Demonstration Conference. What comes next depends on all of you. Now, the Demonstration Conference officially begins. First, let us invite Prince Oskar to introduce the Battleship he has designed!" Count von Wollen said.
Oscar rose to his feet and nodded to everyone. Then he walked to the podium at one side of the conference room. Staff had already hung the blueprints of his Battleship on the wall.
When the Battleship Oscar had designed was displayed before them, many people were stunned. They had to admit that this Battleship was so mighty and majestic. Of course, from a professional perspective, its style was entirely different from existing Battleships, with far too many differences. Yet even though they had many doubts in their hearts, they did not immediately speak. Instead, they waited for Oscar's introduction.
After taking a deep breath, Oscar finally began to speak.
"Gentlemen, this is the Battleship I designed. This Battleship is 145 meters long, 24 meters wide, and has a draft of 8.6 meters. Its standard displacement is 18,500 tons, and its full-load displacement is 20,500 tons. Its power system consists of twelve Heavy Oil Highways and three Steam Turbines, with a main engine output of 25,000 horsepower and three shafts. Its maximum speed is 21 knots, with a range of 12,000 nautical miles at 10 knots and 3,000 nautical miles at 20 knots. Its armament consists of three Triple Turrets mounting 305mm 45-caliber main guns, twelve 150mm 45-caliber secondary guns, and sixteen single-mounted 88mm anti-torpedo boat guns. In terms of armor protection, the main armor belt is 305mm thick, the deck armor is 45mm thick, the turret face armor is 305mm thick, and the conning tower armor is 305mm thick," Oscar introduced.
After hearing Oscar's introduction, everyone was dumbfounded. They had to admit that the Battleship Oscar had designed was indeed excellent. At the very least, its paper specifications looked excellent. Whether in firepower, protection, or speed, it far surpassed their existing Battleships and even those under construction. Compared to this Battleship, the Battleships they had designed before were simply garbage. Of course, that did not mean they would bow their heads and admit defeat. The paper specifications might look beautiful, but it still had to be possible to build it!
"Ahem, gentlemen, if anyone has questions, please speak," Count von Wollen coughed twice.
"Your Highness, forgive my bluntness. The Battleship you have designed is indeed extremely impressive. At least, it appears so from the figures on paper. However, I have several doubts and hope Your Highness can answer them for me." Sir Dietrich was the first to step forward. As the finest warship engineer in the German Navy, although he too had been shocked by Oscar's design, he would never admit defeat so easily.
"Sir, please speak." Oscar knew that the real test had begun.
"Your Highness, I noticed that the Battleship you designed has no secondary main guns, instead employing large-caliber Triple Turrets. Why did you come up with such an idea? You must know that mainstream Battleships today all deploy large-caliber main guns together with smaller-caliber secondary main guns," Sir Dietrich asked.
"Sir, in my view, as the power of main guns continues to increase, their range will also continue to grow. Before long, long-range naval battles will become the norm. In naval battles at greater distances, secondary main guns can play only a very small role. Rather than that, it would be better to adopt an All-big-gun Armament, further strengthening a Battleship's long-range firepower. Furthermore, more and more naval battles have proven that broadside engagements have become the norm. Therefore, all of a Battleship's main guns must be able to fire to one side. That way, all firepower can be concentrated, further increasing the Battleship's combat strength."
Sir Dietrich nodded. "Leaving aside whether Your Highness's conclusion is correct, such a design is indeed novel. However, without definite evidence to prove this conclusion, I still believe we should be more cautious."
Oscar's expression darkened. These old fellows from the Naval Technical Committee really were stubbornly clinging to the old ways!
"Your Highness, no country in the world uses Triple Turrets for Battleship main guns, does it? Triple Turrets are far too heavy, and that will affect a warship's stability. At the same time, the muzzle blast created when firing will greatly affect the point of impact and reduce the accuracy of the bombardment." Commodore Gussad, a naval weapons expert, raised his own question.
"Your Excellency General, the reason for adopting Triple Turrets is to make the hull more compact and further strengthen its defenses. As for the issue of muzzle blast, it is actually very easy to solve. For example, delayed firing. Of the three main guns in a Triple Turret, the middle gun can fire 0.5 seconds later than the guns on either side. That way, there will be no impact at all."
After hearing Oscar's explanation, Commodore Gussad's eyes immediately lit up. With his experience, he could naturally tell whether this method would work.
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