"Gentlemen, I have received authorization from the Cabinet. With the Germans having surpassed us in new-style Battleships, the Royal Navy must accelerate the construction of new warships, rise in pursuit, and regain its advantage over the German Navy." At the naval conference, Admiral Sir John Fisher was in high spirits.
The Cabinet's full support meant that he no longer had to worry about a shortage of naval funding. The enormous appropriations allowed the Royal Navy to rapidly build the Battleships they wanted.
"Your Excellency, while we can certainly accelerate warship construction, the 343mm Main Gun has yet to achieve any breakthrough. Therefore, construction of the next class of Capital Ships will likely still be unable to begin," a British Navy admiral said.
"That does not matter. We can complete the designs first. I believe the ordnance factories will soon achieve a breakthrough. The British Empire's technological foundations and accumulated expertise cannot possibly be inferior even to the Germans'." Admiral Sir John Fisher was brimming with confidence in his side's technological capabilities.
Indeed, the British Empire of this era was not the Britain of later generations, clinging tightly to America's thigh. It was a superpower that dominated the globe alone. Its technological standards likewise led the entire world. In the eyes of these European powers, America was merely a newly risen upstart. Though its industrial strength was formidable, it possessed little technological substance. In high technology, especially military-industrial technology, it undoubtedly still lagged far behind the European powers.
"Yes, Your Excellency." The naval admiral nodded.
"Your Excellency, if construction is accelerated, the Bellerophon-class Battleships are expected to be completed before the middle of next year. Can construction on the next Saint Vincent-class Battleships begin now?" asked a Naval Ministry official responsible for shipbuilding.
Admiral Sir John Fisher hesitated briefly, then nodded.