Admiral Jervis pressed the report in his hand onto the desk and looked up at the head of the Navy Committee investigation team.
"Are you sure this isn't a joke?"
After nearly ten days of detailed investigation, the Navy Committee concluded that the cause of the Avenger's accident that day was this—the officer in charge of logistical supplies had been drunk and mistakenly loaded seawater-soaked coal onto the ship, causing the boiler to go out. The warship itself had no serious technical problems.
Well, yesterday, a poor junior officer had already been sent before the Military Tribunal and would likely receive five to eight years. However, an enormous sum of 2,000 Pounds had appeared in his wife's Bank of England account, so he had confessed very readily.
The investigation team leader nodded guiltily, then looked toward Comptroller of the Navy Committee Middleton, who had come with him. This investigation result was precisely what Middleton had personally stuffed into his hands.
Britain's Naval Warfare Committee and Navy Committee were two separate departments.
The former was responsible for fighting wars, and its head was First Lord of the Admiralty Jervis.
The latter was responsible for shipbuilding, supplies, and the administrative management of officers. Jervis also served as a committee member, but the daily affairs were handled by the Comptroller.
Middleton immediately smiled. "Don't let the investigation waste too much time. You see, Chatham Shipyard has been unable to begin work this whole while."
Before Jervis could lose his temper, he continued, "Sir Harper said the shipyard is improving construction efficiency and reducing costs. This will allow you to deliver three more warships in the end without increasing the shipbuilding budget."
In truth, Harper had promised him that so long as they received investment from the Government Investment Fund, the Navy Committee could