|
Post by garrisonchisholm on Mar 3, 2017 22:43:03 GMT -6
Oh, if Only I had known... lol
|
|
|
Post by director on Mar 4, 2017 0:58:27 GMT -6
Whew! They really, really don't like you! I hate early games where someone I don't want to fight - like Britain - gets a hard grudge and won't let up. It is good that you have an alliance with Britain but better that they share your sea-zone. When I get an alliance with Britain they usually leave their whole navy in mothballs and let me carry the load - hope that doesn't happen to you.
So you went with casemated major-caliber guns instead of single turrets? Why was that? And I appreciate the power of that broadside, but I'd have been tempted to drop 4 barrels from the secondary and thicken the belt armor - just personal preference but I'd like to hear your reasoning.
I'm reminded of Japan's attempt to vault over the western nations by building the first all-big-gun ships (Aki and Satsuma are what I'm referring to, though some of their earlier battleships were semi-dreadnoughts and semi-battlecruisers). Japan's effort failed for lack of money and the inability to get the necessary 12" guns (that's why they were completed with a mixed 12" and 10" battery) but I think your Poniatowski will have a profound effect on the naval designers of the other nations.
|
|
|
Post by Airy W on Mar 4, 2017 1:48:50 GMT -6
Is it wise to put 12 inch guns in 2 inch armor? Isn't that just begging to have a flash fire detonate your ship?
|
|
|
Post by boomboomf22 on Mar 4, 2017 2:31:19 GMT -6
HPM Secondary battery flash fire
|
|
|
Post by archelaos on Mar 4, 2017 4:21:05 GMT -6
I do not meant to affect your game, but YOU DENIED SHOOTING COMPETITION? It raises crew skills for all active ships and is the only way to get elite crews during peace. The map of PLKC. Dots are major cities, anchors major ports. Anchors in circles are major naval bases.
|
|
|
Post by garrisonchisholm on Mar 4, 2017 7:55:58 GMT -6
director, Airy W, boomboomf22 - Yes, the casements are behind only 2 1/2inches of armor. :] The design was influenced by two factors- 1, that due to my "perception" of the King's waffling confidence in this young lad put up by Wir (due to the way the random events were falling), and a Prestige score of only 20, that he needed to do something "profound" to satisfy his masters. It seemed that we could "steal a march" on our rivals [gosh, did I slip into first person there?...], so absolute Maximum firepower was the demand; for a restoration of confidence in the navy. - well, within reason. I could have mounted 12 and armored it with tissue paper. Also, that early terrible 13" -2 gun of the UK was the only way to get a 12" secondary. Secondly, and I'm sorry to say this is a bit of "meta gaming", but in All of my games, I remember exactly and only One secondary flash-fire, and I remember with quite surprise thinking, "oh! That *can* happen." If I have a 1 in 100 chance of seeing it, then I am not too worried about it. I actually rationalized that the heavy secondary guns would "serve" as armor themselves, protecting the hull upon getting hit. I elected casements actually for this exact reason- I had plausible evidence that casements could be less armored than turrets, and if I *had* chosen turrets I would have then felt that they needed at least 8 inches of armor, which would have added 3000 tons to the design. We shall see if the young Commodore has erred! I am delighted to note however, that a year on from my last post, no nation has yet laid down a ship of 17,000 tons, or introduced a very heavy secondary. archelaos, I know, that was the Only time I have refused the shooting competition in all my games, normally I love it, but I was Really hemorrhaging money and- for story reasons - it felt nice for it to be a moment of levity with Minister Duch. & Thanks for that map! Next post will be after midnight, I have a full day ahead, but the history is already "in-the-can" so-to-speak! :]
|
|
|
Post by Airy W on Mar 4, 2017 16:33:58 GMT -6
I think I see a secondary flash fire happen about once a campaign. And I dont protect my secondaries with tissue paper, nor does the AI.
|
|
|
Post by HolyDragoon on Mar 5, 2017 10:25:18 GMT -6
Secondary flash fires are rare to me, but main guns? Got three of them in two battles. It's something that only tend to happen lategame, when guns are ginormous and you need to place decent amounts on armor on anything resembling main gun caliber.
|
|
|
Post by garrisonchisholm on Mar 5, 2017 12:22:54 GMT -6
Chapter 4.
In early January Alex was hurrying back to his offices from a trip to the loo, as he was expecting to have some new reports on a pair of battleships that Austria and France had just laid down. He rounded the corner to enter his office when he stopped short, seeing that a man was sitting there facing his desk, back to the door and un-moving. He glanced at his Lieutenant, who had been filing something across the ante-chamber, who mouthed quietly "Minister of Intelligence." Alex ...quizzically mouthed back "Oh", and entered his room, somewhat cautiously rounding his desk when the erect and gaunt man did not move, and then seated himself in his usual chair. "Good morning?..."
The man turned his head perhaps only 4*, an implied canted request directed to Alex' Secretary, who somehow picked up on it and immediately rose to close Alex's door. Once the door latched, the man returned his gaze forward to regard the Commodore. The minister was most peculiarly dressed. He wore a white top-hat and black mourning coat which appeared to have ...bangles? A monocle rested in his left eye, and both white-gloved hands rested atop his cane planted between his feet. The faintest nod appeared to serve for him to indicate his deigned consent that it was, indeed, perhaps, contrary information not being extant, a good morning. ...8 seconds of silence finally broke the realization upon him that Alex would be driving this meeting.
"Minister, a pleasure to meet you. I have wanted to thank you for last year's swift acquisition of the German armor construction techniques. It occurred at a quite providential time, and allowed us to incorporate it into Jozef's construction. Remarkable work, considering we had only provided funding for naval work the month before."
The Minister caught Alex's eye, as if evaluating his worthiness to receive anything amounting to information from him. "I had a man in place," was his ultimate steely reply.
Alex smiled, looking for anything amounting to a human emotion from this joyless and perhaps soulless being, then slowly withdrew it as it wanted to wither and die in the harsh desiccation of the conversational desert that was Intelligence Minister Kazimierz Kleeberg.
"Well, you have I imagine brought the new construction estimates with you then?" In reply the minister looked to Alex's desk, where looking down Alex saw a black folder which he had somehow not noticed when he sat down. Alex glanced through, noting the expected parameters, that both vessels were 16,000 tons, and somewhat satisfied moved to close the folder. A sharp click, and the Minister's cane was planted upon the cover face. "Look, here, first." ...Alex cautiously withdrew a folded paper, which had only said on its surface fold "Agenda". Unfolding the numerous folds, he saw it was the plans for a ship, labeled Frauenlob, a German light cruiser. It was interesting, but did not seem noteworthy except for its uniform 5.9" armament and 23 knot speed.
"Ah, well excellent! Yes this will be quite useful to have, I am sure. Th-" "Hold it up to the light," the Minister interrupted, as he rose to go. Alex carried it to the window, and holding it up saw then a second plan revealed with the highlights of the first diminishing; 'A viable 100m pressure hull for coastal submarine construction', but written in French.
"Minister, this is remarkable! But, how did you obtain this, as we have authorized no espionage in France?" The Minister looked disappointed in Alex' lack of analytical skill. "No, good Sir, but you did authorize espionage against Germany. Germans, sir, are Meticulous with their own espionage."
"Ah, ...I see. Well done then, a stroke of good fortune." The Minister now looked insulted, and said nothing, turning to leave.
"Minister, forgive me, but I have a request;" the Minister paused with his hand on the doorknob. "This whole matter with the Germans and the Balkans. What is behind it? A year and a half ago now they seemed to decide something was going to happen, but it has not happened- can you get to the bottom of it, perhaps on the Austrian side?"
The Minister considered the Commodore coolly for a few moments. "...I have a man in place" he only said, before turning the knob and silently passing out, door silently closed behind him. Alex walked over to the door and opened it, and the knob clicked just as loudly and hinges groaned just as reluctantly as they always had, - and looking out, there was no man in a White Top-hat to be seen down either corridor.
"Maxwell, ... never mind. - A, hot toddy, if you please this morning."
The rest of the winter passed with only some civic protests at excessive naval spending, but with the last Monsun's clearing the slips Alex was finally satisfied to begin his first major domestic project. He summoned the shipwrights from Gdansk, and through the first 2 weeks of March they fleshed out the cruiser design which he had been considering since the day he took over Krakus' job. He presented it to Wir and the Technical Chief in his office on the ides, after the wrights had left with their final instructions.
"The Wilno class I propose to be our main cruiser for decades to come. She is as fast as over 80% of the world's cruisers, and any cruiser fast enough to catch her would be crushed by her. In fact, there are only 3 cruisers in the world that can catch her- 4, if you include our own Mazowsze. Wilno would have equivalent or superior armament to all of them, except for once again our own. In fact only the American Memphis class would give me pause, with her 22 knot speed and broadside of 6 7" guns, however Wilno's armor is vastly superior. I hope to produce dozens of these ships in fact."
The Technical Chief glowered at the design. "You can't expect clean shooting with a battery that large on a hull of 4800 tons lad, and you should #$@%ing know that." The Admiral winced, being a rather pious man, but Alex only smiled- he'd gotten to know the unhappy-yet-proud Chief quite well in the last year. "Yes, I do know there will be penalties, but I also know that our gunnery will eventually be the envy of Europe, which will more than make up for any technical issues." The Chief rose in a huff, "Technical issues! Its engineering law and you should read your dumb-ass up on it," and stormed out.
Admiral Wir smiled. "I'm sure he'll stop grousing about it in 10 or 15 years, don't fret about it Alex." Wir's smile then faded a bit, "However, Alex, I want to be sure you're considering something. You're managing this battery with this armor on this hull by only fitting it for short-range operations and with a low free-board. The King's Mandate is to provide freedom of the seas for our colonial holdings. How will this ship help?"
Alex nodded, "Yes, it is not ideal for long range operations, however they will provide us with dominance in our home waters and we'll eventually provide a colonial cruiser worthy of the role. This is what we need now."
Wir nodded. "Very good, though I'm sure the Commission will want to start with a single ship for evaluation. Good luck on this one Alex, its a bit of a gamble, though I very much appreciate that it is an affordable gamble," and smiled before taking his leave.
The next month Wir again appeared again in Alex' office carrying a rather sincere expression. The Government apparently was considering concessions to France in an attempt to lower tensions. "In fact more than considering, they've committed to it, to be delivered by Minister Duch. It needs to be an apology Alex, for the bombardment of Tobruk." He gazed at Alex levelly. "...I think you should be the one to draft that apology, don't you?" A question asked that was nearly rhetorical, as there was clearly zero leeway allowed for negotiation. Alex after a moment nodded. Wir rose to leave. "By tomorrow morning," and exited. ...Alex considered, and then rose to go to library to do some research on international communiques. The 3 paragraph missive he crafted that afternoon managed to skate the line between a state's need to ensure her citizens are safe and to offer regretful apologies from the Navy for injuries caused to French citizenry and Interests. Relations with France improved slightly, though only edging down from certain war to Probable. The public and Senate, unfortunately, saw this as an admission of weakness, and unrest increased for the 2nd time in 4 months.
In May Alex unexpectedly looked up from his work to find Minister Kleeburg sitting before him again. "Your report," was all he said, then sat back while Alex picked up the folder on his desk and started glancing through it.
"In summary," he stated while Alex read, "Austria seems to have mused over an Austro-German occupation of Montenegro, desiring the port of Bar for their expanding Navy. The Germans, in classically efficient fashion, said 'right let's get on that', which seems to have caught the Austrians by surprise. They have spent the last year attempting to reach the same level of readiness as the Germans, and it now appears German patience is growing thin. It is now no longer entirely certain if Germany will support Austria should hostilities start. The British are on top of things, and their Mediterranean Fleet is regularly demonstrating off the Bar Coast. The chaos and bloodshed in Macedonia and Albania is moderating, as apparently that was driven by German efforts, for which funding seems to have been rescinded. They have concordantly increased their construction budget."
Alex was surprised to hear so many words flow from Kleeberg's Dracul-like mouth. "I see. Thank you, Minister. So, it appears the mover behind this affair was Austria. Very good to know." The Minister nodded and departed, his footsteps seeming to disappear as soon as Alex' eyes lost sight of them.
In June there were further compromises proposals for outstanding issues with France, involving with Navy consent an advisory of 72 hours prior whenever again a Commonwealth vessel will enter the Mediterranean. Relations eased again, and for the first time in a year the nations were merely tense, no-longer at the brink. In Naval matters, the Technical Chief advised Alex that he thought he could now build a prototype submarine if he liked, though Alex did not immediately take him up on it. However, he Did accept the next offer that crossed his desk. Given the Wilno order to Gdasnk in March, Puck wrote with a proposal to build the same ship for less money and in less time. Alex smiled as the two yard's rivalry could only work to his benefit.
August broke with sharp news. English ships in the Otranto Straits had been fired upon by Austrian forces, and they wrote seeking assurances that they would have Commonwealth support in the ultimatum they were to deliver. The King, with the confidence of Army and Navy alike, gave such assurances. On August 4th Austria rebuffed the English demands and declared War. For the rest of that afternoon and evening Alex waited tensely for news from Germany, however none was forthcoming- they had indeed apparently decided to wash their hands of this silly scheme. The next day Alex and Wir traveled to the palace for the King's Council of War.
With no modern ships yet present in the Austrian Navy, a large British fleet already off their coasts, and a large land border with Austria to defend, it was decided to simply defend our seaways in Northern Europe and allow the nation to focus upon the army, especially seeing as tensions were still high with France and Germany. Hetman Drymerr believed that he could be ready for an offensive by November but that for now the border was secure. Wir and Alex returned to Wladyslawowo to cut orders and await action reports.
The 19 older destroyer boats were placed on coastal patrol and the 17 Monsun's given the sole task of fleet operations. In September the first opportunity came, as Captain Fieldorf in the Litwa, one of the fine Mazowsze class Armored Cruisers, was leading 3 destroyers out of the Gulf of Riga at night. A single ship was suddenly seen close aboard; Fieldorf broke away to starboard and ordered the destroyers to gain contact and attack, but by the time the Litwa had come about and turned onto the vessel's heading the destroyers had lost contact, and in the blowing gale they could not recover her. A handful of shots had been fired by both sides, but no hits achieved. Intelligence later found that the Austrian interloper had been a single small light cruiser. Fieldorf would suffer some recriminations for not "grabbing the dog by the nose", but in all fairness the weather was truly awful. Yet had the encounter been in daylight the Austrian should certainly have been destroyed.
In October Austrian raiders claimed 3 Commonwealth merchants in the Indian and off the Argentine Coast, but it was in the Caribbean that action was again joined. The Warszawa was on station protecting Trinidad, and she encountered another Austrian light cruiser about 2 hours out of harbor. 2 knots slower and with only 5 inch guns compared to the Austrian's 6, Waszawa's orders were clear, and she turned about and her stokers for the next two hours probably broke every record that might exist for such undertakings. Warszawa was brought under fire at last as she neared port, but the 4 hits sustained caused no meaningful damage. Fired at almost 7000 yards, the 3 6" and single 3" which struck were defeated by her armor. The 3" actually might have caused some damage but fortuitously found a coal bunker.
In November, following a construction time of only 23 months, the Jozef Poniatowski was delivered to Riga with great fanfare. Her design speed could not be met on trials, but she was designed with this expectation, and so the 18 knots she *could* make still matched that of the battle speed of the 4 Kazimierz. Her delivery was none-too-soon, for Hetman Drymerr was ready to launch his offensive, hoping to catch the Austrians by surprise by not waiting for Spring. Nearly all the funds that had been going to Jozef were now funneled to the Army. Across a 100 mile front the artillery thundered, and the Commonwealth poured from their trenches.
Initial results were quite promising, as the army advanced swiftly and seized a major rail juncture, such that the Austrians actually sent a deputation to seek a White Peace. However, given the promising winter offensive, and the sure knowledge that those probing Austrian cruisers would be destroyed if only they met us under the right conditions, the deputation was refused. In late December of 1903, while Jozef was working up in the Gulf of Riga, the Army bled.
|
|
|
Post by konstantinua00 on Mar 5, 2017 12:29:48 GMT -6
War! Uh! Oh Yeah! What is it good for? Absolutely Nothing! Nothing at all.
|
|
|
Post by garrisonchisholm on Mar 5, 2017 19:09:44 GMT -6
Chapter 5.
The end of Winter and beginning of Spring brought little change in the War of Commonwealth & Empire. Hetman Drymerr's offensive met a sharp counter-offensive in February, resulting in an essential stalemate across the front and a bloody loss of life on both sides. Great Britain and Russia each laid down a new battleship, and with the return of funds allotted to the Army a new Wilno was laid down. Alex received a memorandum that domestic dockyard size would finally increase to 13,000 tons, though there were intermittent reports of Austrian raiders finding success, once off the Chliean Coast and later in the South Pacific. While losing less than 1 merchant a month was certainly sustainable, with the 5th such sinking since the start of the war the balance of the contest was tipping in Austria's favor. It was time for their allies to come through with a viable contribution in the Adriatic.
Before such a contribution could come however, news was passed that the Commonwealth Ambassador in London had been invited to a keel-laying ceremony at the Royal Dockyards in Portsmouth. It seems the Royal Navy was taking action upon a concept that would shorty be published in Jane's that year, and was commissioning a 20,000 ton, all-big-gun warship named The Queen. A private exchange with his friends at John Brown surmised that such a ship could sport a hexagonal lay-out of 6 11-inch turrets on that tonnage, but until the ship was launched it would simply not be known. At the ceremony on June the First ( the Glorious First), the First Sea-Lord proclaimed that this ship would "Dread naught" upon the high seas, coining a phrase which the press swiftly ran with. It seems that Jozef, entering the active fleet in February, would retain her title as world's most powerful warship for no more than 2 years. Alex took the opportunity to order another Wilno.
July and August finally saw the British fleet make some blockade contributions in the Adriatic, and the balance of affairs against Austria turned swiftly to the Commonwealth's favor. At the same time while Russia and France laid down additional battleships, Germany responded to the activity in Portsmouth by laying down the Moltke, something they described as a "Dreadnought Cruiser." Before the year was out, France would have laid down such a "battle-cruiser" herself, and Alex with concern perceived that the era of dominance for his four Armored Cruisers would be drawing to a close.
In September an embassy was again received from the Austrians requesting a White Peace, which the Navy Department wholeheartedly encouraged the King to refuse, and it was successfully done so. However, also in September came the first meaningful combat action of the Commonwealth Navy.
The Royal Commonwealth Ship Inflanty, operating 100 miles west of Brest on Anti-Raider patrol, caught and sank a raiding Austrian Light Cruiser. With a knot advantage she could not escape, and she was slowly run down and obliterated. Inflanty took 5 hits from 6-inch shells in payment, none of which penetrated, and her only casualties were minor wounds. The ship was boarded and some valuable intelligence acquired- despite an Austrian focus on torpedo development, her torpedoes were no more advanced than our own. All in all a wholly satisfying encounter, and Commodore Kosciuszko sent his commendations.
Also in September Great Britain laid down a second Queen, and despite a short-term deficit forecast Alex ordered two more Wilnos.
In October a 3rd Queen was laid down in Britain, and a further 2 Polish merchants caught by a new North European raider. Alexsandr ordered Captain Fieldorf to sea, and with a handshake at the dock charged him with bringing home the Kaiser Karl VI's logs.
November saw at last the Commonwealth sitting with a deputation for peace, however hard terms were demanded by the King's PM and there could be no agreement. A few days later however, Fieldorf in Litwa caught his prize, once again for the Navy off Brest, and 2 hours from dusk.
The Kaiser Karl VI was an armored cruiser of little more than half Litwa's tonnage, but she had a novel turret arrangement of 4 twin 6" guns, one on each beam, which afforded her a futuristic appearance, yet Litwa's secondary alone was still greater in firepower. The Kaiser's Captain gamely accepted a broadside duel, but after 20 minutes practice paid for his bravery with his life as her bridge was destroyed by a 6" HE shell. Her logs recorded the holocaust of over 70 hits of all calibers, and she struck her colors when her mast fell to the sea. True to his charge, Fieldorf boarded the enemy vessel and personally recovered her logs and papers from the shattered bridge, gaining in the act valuable intelligence that indicated Austrian signaling practice harbored no secrets we did not already know. Alex read this dispatch with pleasure, and laid it alongside reports of a 4th Queen being laid down in England, and also that of the French response to her. The year closed with 3 additional raider sinkings of PLC merchantmen in both the Indian Ocean and the Med, but unless the Austrian Navy were to run the blockade and challenge in the Baltic or the Austrian Army were to launch a successful offensive in the Spring, it hardly seemed the loss of commerce could hurt them.
At New Years festivities the mood was high at Wladyslawowo, and Alex took the opportunity to pull the Chief aside and discuss what the Queens might be once they were launched, and privately decided that when enough Wilnos had cleared the books that he would need to order his own Dreadnaught Battlecruiser for the Commonwealth. Alexsandr did not notice the next morning the long lines of the impoverished and destitute queuing for aid.
|
|
|
Post by garrisonchisholm on Mar 5, 2017 23:09:37 GMT -6
Chapter 6. 17 months of war.
The first 4 months of 1905 finally brought home to Wladyslawowo how much the hardships of war were affecting the country. Things may have seemed relatively placid in their granite halls, but what they didn't see every day was the long lines of wounded being brought in to Krakow, as to the army it was definitely not a "wait and see" war. People were dying every day, and few could understate how traumatizing it could be to a major metropolitan center to have the front lines be only 30 miles away. People lived in genuine fear every day, and despite the fact that the army had not lost ground, some were fleeing the shadow of violence alone, and refugees were settling in camps outside cities 100 miles away from the front. The people were not happy, and unfortunately it seemed that 2 or 3 merchants stopped by the Austrians in one month could indeed be enough to make matters worse. The war was well "in-hand," as far as a diplomat was concerned, but it was now a real question of whether the people would demand an end to the war that did not consider the desires of the government or the military.
Weighing all these factors, when in May the enemy came forward seeking a white peace the Navy for the first time merely suggested that they could fight on as long as was required. Nothing could be settled at the table however. Alexsandr finally cut orders to deploy his cruisers outside Northern Europe, sending Mazowsze to the Caribbean and Litwa and Inflanty to Madagascar. The Indian Ocean predations had been quite severe recently- those raiders must be caught. Great Britain laid down a Battle-cruiser, and now Alex sincerely wished he had such a ship at his disposal.
May was also the month of the largest and most decisive engagement of Steel Ships yet fought, as Japan destroyed the Russian's Black Sea Fleet at Tsushima, coming to relieve beleaguered Vladivostok. The Russo-Japanese war would conclude with Japanese economic allowances granted and a pledge from the Tsar to not station a large fleet permanently in the East. Many lessons were learned from this combat, and the decision to start to build large-caliber warships seemed vindicated before even the first was launched. The Tsar would not station more than torpedo boats in the Black Sea in the future, saying he would not again pay the Ottoman's taxes on unrecoverable goods.
In June there was a rare bit of good news, as a nationwide campaign raised 50m ducats for the purchase of a new battleship. Quite timely indeed considering Alexsandr's need for this new type of warship. Alex made a note to order such a vessel by October, and asked a team to start working on possible designs.
Also in June, Litwa and Inflanty had been surprised as they called at Bar on their way through the Med to their Indian posting. Battle flags were raised and ensigns hoisted as they steamed out from Montenegro at full speed, ... only to find the enemy "squadron" was simply a pair of destroyers. Which unfortunately for them, due to high seas could not outrun the two cruisers. However, two destroyers sunk it seemed was not going to be enough to affect the public morale in the Commonwealth.
In July another deputation from Austria came forward with a peace plan that provided for the PLC to keep territory and colonial possessions. This was encouraged to be accepted, however unfortunately when it came down to it no-one could agree on the minutia involved. And the war dragged on.
An Austrian sub was also sunk, bringing their total down to 2. This type of vessel had not yet been seen to contribute meaningfully to combat, though slow research was being done to expand their possible capabilities.
In August the war reached 2 years, and there was finally a fleet action as the Austrians attempted to force the British blockade. Both sides lost a battleship, which was quite the blow to England as their ship was worth 2 of the enemies. There were also intense protests against the war in Warsaw and Riga, with more than 10,000 turning out in one case. The Commonwealth assuredly needed a turn for the better. Things had not been helped when the Gdansk had avoided action with unknown Austrian vessels in February and March, but they had been under orders to do so if at all possible. Fortunately, a turn for the better finally arrived.
RCS Weilkoposka, the 4th of the Mazowsze class and last in home waters, was at sea west of Reval when reports came of an Austrian ship raiding the inshore sea-lanes. In a very challenging night encounter, Weilkopska found, fixed, and destroyed the Austrian cruiser with surgical precision. Weilkopska took only 2 6" shells, and landed more than 60 hits on her foe, no mean feat when contact range was around 3000 yards. At the least unrest did not grow worse from this victory, though in truth the public seemed less impressed with the victory than with their meager food rations.
In October came news that there was disorder in Austria as discontent for the war grew, but also news that they had at last laid down a battle-cruiser. This made the PLC and Russia the only two states without dreadnoughts building, and Alexsandr knew it was time to order their own.
Given the state of international affairs, the only 2 options for construction were a domestic design or built again in England. They actually played around with a 13,000 ton domestic design, but its armor would have only been cruiser grade everywhere, and risk of eventual confrontation with something of greater power would be just too high. So, Alex submitted the design he and the Chief had finalized to John Brown, and without significant alterations they began construction on Kirholm.
Many design elements of Jozef were carried over into the Commonwealth's first dreadnought. A high caliber Gallery battery was again used, and minimal "splinter" armor provided, again on the belief that the large mounting would itself serve as protection for the ship. The 4-inch battery was selected as tertiary armament with the supposition that at a future refit the superior Krakow 4" would be installed. Additionally, cross-deck fire had been developed by the English and was used here, allowing for an 8-gun main caliber broadside. The armor was deemed sufficient for cruiser actions, and the ship's 27-knot speed would allow it to evade battleships that should outlast it. A single vessel was ordered, though Alex hoped to order a second when the last of the Wilnos were launched. John Brown promised delivery in 2 1/2 years.
In November another white peace request was received from Austria and flatly refused, and a second Austrian submarine sunk- rammed by the furious merchant Captain who had been ordered to stop. His ship sank, but Captain Hauke received a commission in the navy and the last to be launched Wilno, Poznan.
December closed with Christmas Masses letting out crowds of people who instead of going home marched to their town centers and spent Christmas Morning shouting for an end to the war. The only thing that could make Alexsandr's holiday worse was the news that Germany had laid down her first dreadnought battleship.
|
|
|
Post by garrisonchisholm on Mar 6, 2017 3:20:12 GMT -6
Chapter 6. 29 months of war.On New Years Day the Austrians again approached requesting peace talks, this time starting with terms favorable to the Commonwealth. Knowing affairs were also not going well in the Empire, Wladyslawowo again recommended - for the Navy's part - that hard terms be pressed for. The Austrians refused, and the war continued.
Over the first 5 months of 1906, 12 PLC merchantmen were sunk by Austrian raiders. This was a pace that would definitely prove harmful to the domestic situation, but there seemed to be little more that Alexsandr could do. Raider hunters were stationed in all three of their sea-zones where they had bases, and the raiding had simply moved to further ports of call. Only England could put enough cruisers at sea to have a chance of deterring commerce raiding everywhere, and this Commonwealth was not That Commonwealth.
In March however came rumors of failing morale in the Austrian Fleet, and war weariness in the public. The failure of morale in the fleet was not to be wondered at. The Fleet which had put to sea had, when hounded down, been summarily destroyed. The fleet which had remained in port- the battleships- had failed to win anything but a Pyrrhic victory in their single sortie. Minister Kleeberg believed they would break soon, if we had but a superior will.
In May Hetman Drymerr announced that the Army was ready for another offensive, and supporting funds were allocated. The offensive was such an immediate and stunning success that the Austrians immediately dispatched a new deputation requesting peace, though they attempted to bluff a position of strength by requesting a cessation of hostilites and a return to original borders. At the King's behest the Commonwealth negotiator- Minister Kleeberg - politely declined, stating that he would "prefer to dictate the terms of the partition of the Empire to the Emperor when he met him in Vienna next month." The Austrian deputation blanched, and after a 30 minutes recess returned with significant concessions, and the War was concluded. Reparations would be paid and significant economic opportunities opened to both of the victorious Commonwealths. There was jubilation in the streets across Poland, as the specter of war was removed from their doorstep. Relations with all European nations moderated substantially, and unrest decreased significantly, though notably it was still present sufficiently to be considered a problem.
Alexsandr and Wir asked Maxwell to join them in a toast, and vast relief replaced all their anxieties. Alex issued orders for the cruisers to return to Riga, and all of the older Coast Patrol destroyers were tied up and unmanned. It was a quite joyful June indeed, only followed by July's favorable report that the relaxed industrial base was expanding as peace-time production orders swelled. 34 months the war had gone.
In August Alexsandr received a summons to see Admiral Wir in his offices, and when he arrived he was shocked to see the King and Navy Minister Duch in attendance too. Suitable respects and courtesies were exchanged, after which Alexsandr remained at attention.
"Alex," began Admiral Wir, "you've done splendidly. Seen the Navy through its first trials, I believe to the satisfaction of all present. As a commendation is in order, it is my duty as Admiral of Personnel to see to them. However, they will be my last such duties, for it is high time I retire and leave this sort of thing to younger men." His smile was quite genuine, and Alexsandr felt both pride and regret at the news, though he had long known it was coming.
"Commodore Alexsandr Kosciuszko, for keen-eyed leadership and a firm hand on the tiller of the Fleet, and with full agreement of the assembled, you are here-by appointed Admiral of the Fleets Alexsandr Kosciuszko, and all the ranks and privileges there-in implied."
Alexsandr seemed suitably taken aback. "Sir? But, there are 4 Rear Admirals who have seniority, let alone 4 Commodores. How can such a move be accepted?"
Wir smiled. "Alex. First, they are dutiful servants of the Crown. They will do as they are told and the King commands. Second, look at your very Name. Your ancestor forebear Tadeusz performed the very miracle that allowed the nation to continue. The people and the service hold that name in hallowed regard. The acceptance of all will far outweigh the doubts of the few. And third, -"
The King interjected. "And Third, Admiral Wir advanced you heavily for this very promotion 6 years ago, but I felt it was too much too soon. I believe All will agree that this compromise has been a worthy endeavor. The Crown now has no doubts as to the seasoning of its Admiral of the Fleets." To which, none could say ought, and that was that.
Alexsandr did little of note over the last 6 months of the year, there were a few technological advances reported and he used part of the war-chest to support a swifter expansion of the Gdansk and Puck yards, but he spent a great deal of time speaking with his admirals and making certain he was comfortable with them and that they were not disgruntled at being passed over. Alex suspected that Wir's retirement was in part to vacate the other Admiral office so that he would then have the ability to promote someone to that post. He spent his time, and ultimately elevated the one who seemed both best suited for personnel and most likely to be disruptive if left in his previous post. An imperfect compromise, but the best one to make for the service he felt. A commodore was then promoted to the vacant rear-admiral's position, which meant an opening for Captain Fieldorf of the Litwa to be promoted to the Commodore of Cruisers. It seemed a not unsatisfactory end to a momentous year.
-- A review of the 2 launched dreadnought classes, as of December 1906;
|
|
|
Post by Airy W on Mar 6, 2017 7:38:48 GMT -6
What on earth happened to the British?
|
|
|
Post by garrisonchisholm on Mar 6, 2017 8:20:09 GMT -6
The design? I don't know. First time i've seen that planform be the first dreadnought. Variable tech givith and taketh away I suppose?
|
|