Speed Race

The smokestack of the Poroskafi—the world's first steam paddle wheel ship put into practical use—belched ink-black smoke. Then the hull gave a slight tremor. The huge wooden wheels along the sides gradually spun faster, striking the Seine with rhythmic slapping sounds.

This ship was already vastly different from Jouffroy's original design.

The hull's lines were more rational, increasing stability and reducing drag. The boiler and transmission system had both undergone major optimization, increasing effective power by as much as twenty percent. The internal structures such as the cargo hold and pilothouse were no longer as slapdash as before either; while ensuring strength, they used every inch of space to the utmost.

No matter how brilliant a private designer was, he could never match the design capabilities of a military-industrial system backed by the machinery of the state.

What the latter needed was only the former's flash of inspiration.

Once they had that flash, they could very quickly produce an exquisitely finished industrial product for you.

After circling the river and displaying its elegant form, the Poroskafi moored once more beside the dock.

Joseph and more than ten attendants boarded along the gangplank. Behind him, even more nobles followed excitedly and curiously onto the Poroskafi.

Yes, how could Joseph, who knew the importance of publicity inside and out, possibly let slip such a rare opportunity as a steamship's maiden voyage?

If the wine was fragrant, then the whole world had to know as quickly as possible; only then would people rush over to hand over their money.

Before long, the Poroskafi's paddle wheels turned once again, and amid waves of cheers from the watching crowd, it came to a stop before an extremely long banner stretched across the center of the river.

Seventeen or eighteen ships had already moored here, large