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Post by cv10 on Mar 13, 2017 22:00:09 GMT -6
Section VIII A Report on the Battle of the South China Seas
Commander Chao Ling, Office of Historical Analysis
December 31st 1905
Summary of Action
On the 10th of December 1905, the Southern Fleet under Admiral Cheng Biguang comprising of 1st Battle Squadron (Xihe, Khuiten, and Zhenyuan) and the 2nd Battle Squadron (Zhu Dai,Wang Hui) and supporting destroyers engaged a French fleet of Seven battleships and supporting cruisers and destroyers in the South China Seas. The Southern Fleet engaged the enemy at 12,000 yards, but Admiral Cheng ordered the fleet to close with the enemy, and within an hour, this distance had decreased to less than 3,000 yards. During the opening part of the engagement, French fire caused moderate damage to the Zhenyuan, which received several hits to her belt extensions. However upon closing with the French, the Southern Fleet achieved multiple main battery hits against the French Battleship Redoutable, which fell out of the line of battle. While the French Fleet consisted south, likely hoping to draw our fleet nearer to Cam Ranh Bay, Admiral Cheng broke off and continued to fire upon the Redoutable for an hour after the sun set, until she finally sank. The Southern Fleet returned home to Fort Bayard, nursing the Zhenyuan, which had received further hits, and was suffering flood damage. However with the exception of Zhenyuan, our fleet was largely undamaged, and should be fully ready for sea after a short period of refit. The Zhenyuan will require several months in the shipyard, but is none the worse for it.
Examination of Combat
The Battle of the South China Sea will in all honesty, have little impact upon our material situation. We continue to be numerically inferior to the French in terms of ships of all classes except destroyers. However the impact of it in terms of morale in both the fleet and the country, as well as the place it will come to hold in the traditions of the Imperial Navy are incalculable. For the first time in modern history, a fleet of an asian power has met and defeated that of a European power and have sunk a European battleship.
In terms of the battle itself, it is easy to find fault with many of Admiral Cheng’s decisions. In particular, the fleet opened fire at too great a range, and wasted a good deal of ammunition. Conversely, one might argue that he closed far too close to the enemy and greatly increased the risk of torpedos. His decision to continue the engagement after dark can be considered foolhardy, our fleet is not trained for night fighting.
However on the whole, Admiral Cheng made, in my opinion, the right decision to both engage the enemy at a range of less than 3,000 yards. Our gunnery was rather pitiful, and it was only after the fleet closed in on the enemy that it achieved 5% hits for the main battery. Had the fleet kept its distance, the fight would likely have favored the French, whose fire control is better than ours. At best, it would have been a draw, with neither fleet being able to score hits on the other, and been like two near-sighted men trying to hit each other with slingshots. Additionally, Admiral Cheng’s decision to concentrate the fire of his two battle squadrons on a single ship was well-advised. Although it reduced accuracy, it did ensure that at least one french battleship was damaged to the point it fell out of their line-of-battle. Nor do I think it was wrong for him to have disengaged from the French battle-line to finish off the French battleship: it was much better to do so and be sure of sinking one, then to consider her sunk only to have her appear again in three months time.
Recommendations
Recommend further research into the field on fire-control and similar systems. Our fleet must be able to hit the enemy from farther away, particularly as the deadliness of torpedos seems to be increasing at an alarming rate. Until we are able to do so, such close engagements will be necessary. Also recommend further research into the improvement of our armor-piercing shells. Currently our best hope of sinking an enemy ship is to set it on fire using high explosive shells. In the course of the action, it was noted that there were many signaling errors, and I recommend better signal training and more frequent fleet maneuvers as often as war allows. Additionally, for purposes of fleet cohesion, recommend speed be kept at 2 knots below maximum speed during engagements, and that speed be reduced during turns to ensure close cohesion.
Overall, a most credible action, and the discipline, professionalism, and skill of the officers and ratings of the Imperial Fleet showed a distinct superiority to that of the French. Indeed, this section is rather brief as every man in the fleet carried out their duties in a manner which ensured that few corrections or alterations are needed. Would suggest that many problems would be best alleviated by further innovation and research by the Directorate of Shipbuilding and Engineering, the Naval Artillery Factory, the Naval Munitions Factory, and the Naval War College's Board of Tactical Studies
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Post by cv10 on Mar 13, 2017 15:48:16 GMT -6
Section VII August of 1905
The white walls of the hospital ward were somewhat soothing to Lt. Commander Chao Ling. Yet the peaceful interior was of little comfort for the young officer. His eyes were fixed downward, staring that the stump that was once his left leg. He felt listless, and it seemed to him that the bad news just kept piling on. He’d been in the hospital for the last three months, ever since a metal splinter had sheared off his leg, almost killing him. He’d been put on the beach, and he figured it was likely for good.
The war news was no comfort to him. The promising early actions of 1904 which had brought glory to the Imperial Navy had been replaced first by a stalemate, and then by disaster. During a period where the French had severely lacked the ability to resist any Chinese attack by sea, the Army had done nothing. No invasions, no offensives, no activity whatsoever. Every man in the navy felt that their victories at sea were squandered on land. Eventually French reinforcements arrived, and once again the Imperial Navy was back on the defensive.
Worse was what had happened to his dear Shantou. In April, she and Shenzhen had once again tried to intercept a force of French armored cruisers off of Fort Bayard, and once again, they had ended up the worse for it. Not one shot fired by either ships had struck home, and shortly into the action, a shell had hit the gun Ling was standing near, and a metal splinter from the shield had almost cut off his leg. The surgeon didn’t have much choice but to amputate. Nightfall had saved the poor Shantou, and she limped home and Ling had been been sent ashore. After a few days of recovery, he’d been shipped to the Shanghai Naval Hospital by train to receive better care. In june, Shantou set sail to raid shipping near Cam Ranh Bay, and this time she did not come home.
HIMS Shantou: Overdue, presumed lost with all hands, June 1905
That was her listing on the naval register. Ling wept when he had read it, so many friends and good comrades had died with the ship. Compounding his grief was the sense he had that he should have been aboard her. He knew it was irrational, that with one leg and still being in bad health he would have been a hindrance. Yet with all of his shipmates dead, and no prospects of further sea duty, he felt that he would have been better off at the bottom of the South China Seas. To make matters worse, he found out she’d been declared lost the day after his promotion had come through. He felt guilty to be promoted when his ship had been sunk, and certain that it was a tombstone promotion. A way of seeing that he had a slightly larger pension when he would be medically retired.
Yet his problems didn’t end there. Meihui had gone up to Beijing and he had not yet written her about his leg. He didn’t want to burden her, and a woman like her didn’t deserve to be stuck with a crippled husband.
As he lay in bed brooding, a nurse came up.
“Commander, you have visitors,” She said. Before he could tell her to send them away, Admiral Ding and Meihui rounded the curtain screen.
“Admiral sir,” Ling said “I didn’t think-” “You didn’t think that I would find out that you were in hospital, and that I would write to your fiance thinking you’d have the decency to have told her already,” the Admiral said evenly, but with a hint of reproach in his voice. Meihui just stood there, a look of anger well hidden behind flat lips.
“Well yes sir,” Ling said “I didn’t think a injured Lieutenant was general a matter that merited the attentions of the Commander-in-Chief,”
“It is when that Lieutenant was once the Commander-in-Chief's flag lieutenant,” Ding said “and whose career has been a lively interest to that C-I-C. Ling , I respect your desire to avoid being accused of favoritism, but you were picked to be my Flag lieutenant because of your abilities and intelligence, not in spite of them.”
“Thank you sir,”Ling said, “I only wish that they’d been given to someone else as now it seems that they’re squandered on me,”
“What do you mean” Ding said, his voice raising ever so slightly
“There’s not much use for a cripple aboard a warship, is there sir?” Ling said, a hit of sadness in his voice.
“That stops right now Commander,” Ding said. “You’ve lost a leg. Admiral Nelson lost an arm and an eye and he was one of the most important admirals of all time, and most of his fame came after he was maimed. You still have a purpose, and you still have a job,”
“I thought I’d be medically retired,” Ling said.
“Hardly,” Ding replied. “We need every man we can get, and we need officers now more than ever. Not just at sea, but on land. Do you have any idea how many people on shore it takes to put so much as a garbage scow to sea?”
“No sir,” aid Ling.
“Well you’re going to find out,” Ding said. “There’s an opening in the Office of Historical Analysis. Once you get out of here, I’ll want to back at Admiralty House,”
“Doing what sir?” Ling asked. He had no idea what the Office of Historical Analysis was.
“Every time one of our ships meets a french ship and makes it back, you will be responsible for examining why whatever outcome occurs. If one of our ships runs away. You will examine if that was the right course of action. If one of our ships sinks an enemy ship, you will examine why we one. If we lose the entire fleet, you will investigate why. Your work will not be to condemn or commend officers. Your work will not be used in courts of inquiry, we have a separate bureau for that. You will be focused on tactics, and how we can best improve,”
“Yes Sir,” Ling said
“Since you’re recovering, we won't have you there just yet, but we need you to start sooner rather than later. So I brough this report along, I’ll like your analysis on my desk a week from now.” Ding said
“What happened?” Ling asked
“In short, a calamity. We lost the Shanghai and the Beijing to a french armored cruiser. Neijing blew up with all hands, and Shanghai’s survivors are in a french prison somewhere. Like I said, on mine desk within a week. All the information we have is in this file,” Ding said, placing a parcel on the desk next to Ling’s bed.
“Yes Sir,” Ling said. “I’ll get right to work. Any other war news?”
“Not really my boy,” Ding replied. “If we have superior force, the French refuse to come out, and for my part, I will not order the fleet to engage if we face too large an enemy fleet. So far, we have held our own in this war, and the people know it. We’re not under blockade or threat of invasion. I will not throw away our fleet glory hunting, not when we have just rebuilt it. Besides, we’re doing a fine job of smashing their commerce. There are disadvantages to having some of your most profitable colonies so close to an enemy,”
Ling nodded in approval. “Patience will win out eventually sir,”
“I have every confidence that it will,” Ding replied. “And now my boy, I leave you to the justifiable fury of your fiance. Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned,”
“Thank you sir,” Ling replied. Ding left, leaving him alone with Meihui.
“I have only this to say,” She said. “Our wedding is scheduled for December 25th, and I will hear no talk of it being cancelled,” She strode out after
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Post by cv10 on Mar 8, 2017 22:15:43 GMT -6
My next update will take a while. I had several turns where the French (and I) wound't come out and fight, then a few bad cruiser fights, and then two glorious fleet actions.
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Post by cv10 on Mar 7, 2017 20:23:41 GMT -6
Section VI April 4th, 1903
To Admiral of the Fleet Ding Reaching, Commander-in-Chief
Sir,
On the 2nd of April, my force, consisting of the new armored cruisers HIMS Liaoning and HIMS Shanxi was patrolling off Cam Ranh Bay, in hopes of intercepting an enemy convoy carrying military equipment to the French Army of Indo-China. At 10:13 lookouts aboard both of my ships spotted the enemy convoy along with its screening force. We quickly identified one of the ships as being an armored cruiser of the Admiral Charner-class. I am convinced that the convoy must have had a large number of troops aboard, in spite of the fact that we picked up no survivors, as the enemy cruiser was only french armored cruiser known to be operating in the South China Seas. I ordered flank speed and maneuvered to engage the engage the enemy cruiser first, with the knowledge that the convoy was likely too slow to scatter.
Our first shot was fired at 10:30 and missed. The early part of the action did not go well for us, my force’s accuracy was poor, and the french cruiser inflicted several critical hits to HIMS Shanxi. She was forced to reduce speed and break formation with HIMS Liaoning. At this point, I ordered Liaoning to close with the frenchman in an effort to increase the number of hits being made by my gun crews. This was successful, and the frenchman began to slow down. It was at this point that I turned the attention of my force to sinking the transport ships, which was done in quick order. The french cruiser attempted to intervene, and was quickly set ablaze by rapid fire from HIMS Shanxi and her 6 inch battery.
It was at this juncture that I made the decision to disengage and make for home. Although not critical danger, my ships were low on ammunition and were starting to take on water from ruptured plates. As we left, the french cruiser was observed to be settling on her port side, with lifeboats being launched by her crew. Due to the need to see to the needs of my own ships, I continued home, but signaled her position to a passing American freighter. The American was observed altering course towards the frenchman’s last known position.
Admiral Cheng has my list of personnel deserving of commendation, and will be submitting it for your consideration in his report. I would like to say at this juncture how pleased I am with my officers and men. In spite of having no working up period since commissioning, my crew carried out their duty with enthusiasm and bravery.
I have the honor to be,
Commodore Lee Bohai
Commanding Officer, 1st Cruiser Squadron
Below: profile of French Admiral Charner-ClassBelow: Side Profiles of Chinese Armored Cruisers
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Post by cv10 on Mar 7, 2017 19:55:44 GMT -6
Section V Januaury 12th, 1903 My dear Meihui, I am sorry for not writing sooner, but my duties have kept me busy and I haven’t had much time to myself to write back. Please do keep writing me my dear, your letters are a welcome respite from my duties. For my part, I will try to be better about writing back. To answer your first question from the last letter, Feng’s arm has healed quite nicely even if his pride hasn’t recovered. I don’t think he is alone in that either. In spite of how justified we were in retreating from those french cruisers, the experience was decidedly bruising on our egos. If I had been told before what was about to happen, I would have bitterly denied it. Feng and I both work our gun crews hard, and perhaps we pushed too hard. I still can’t believe that we fired over a hundred shells and did not hit either of them a single time. Still, we were fortunate that the butcher’s bill was so light, and that we were able to get away. To answer your other question, we were fighting armoured cruisers my dear, not light cruisers like Shenzhou, but rather like the new Lioning or the newfangled Shanxi. They had more and heavier guns than we did, and they hit us first. Don’t feel to disheartened dear, after all, Shenzhen got a measure of revenge for us. She sank an entire french convoy and sank two destroyers all on her lonesome. How is your family? I trust that you will give my respects to your mother and father. I was thrilled to hear that your brother’s regiment was one of the ones to help rout the French at Mong Cai. The whole wardroom drank a toast to his health and to the army. I’ll be honest dear, I damned glad that the army won. There was a lot of resentment that the army received more money at our expense, and the victory at Mong Cai will go a long way towards alleviating that. I'm sorry dear but I have to finish this letter now if I want it posted. I’ll try to write more and will do my best to keep myself safe. Yours, Ling
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Post by cv10 on Mar 6, 2017 22:52:07 GMT -6
Speed, missing 3rd centerline turret and and extra turret on each side, that British ship is remarkably similar to the actual HMS Dreadnought design
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Post by cv10 on Mar 6, 2017 22:42:48 GMT -6
Section IV October 1st, 1902 To his excellency Admiral of the Fleet Ding Ruchang, Commander-in-Chief Sir, Pursuant to orders issued by Commanding Officer Southern Fleet, my force, consisting of HIMS Shantou and HIMS Shenzhen and a flotilla of destroyers were cruising off Kwang-Chou-Wa. At approximately 18:45, lookouts aboard Shantou spotted a column of smoke on the horizon. My force changed course to investigate, and at 19:37, Shantou came alongside a burning merchantman. Pursuant to Standing Order 749. The destroyer HIMS Matsu was detached to rescue survivors, of which there were 55. Shortly thereafter at 19:40, Shenzhen spotted two unknown vessels. Flank speed was ordered and at 19:50, my force fell in with two enemy cruisers, with one being of the lighter Linois-class, and the other being of the heavier Surcouf-class. My force immediately opened fire, and in the course of a 15 minutes several hits were observed aboard the Linois-class cruiser. . At approximately 20:06, the sun set, and I determined that our orders required my force to maintain contact with the enemy. By this point in the engagement, the Linois-class had become separated from her consort, and became the sole target of our fire. The Linois-class suffered multiple 6 and 3 inch hits, and heavy fires were observed. It was at this point in the engagement, at 21:02 when having drawn too close to the enemy, Shenzhen received a torpedo hit. I immediately ordered her detached with a supporting destroyer to make for Fort Bayard. At the time of her detachment, the Linois-class cruiser was a burning hulk, and I ordered my force to disengage with intent to escort Shenzhen home. However at 21:13, the enemy Surcouf-class cruiser was spotted, and I ordered Shantou, supported by the remaining destroyers to engage. Once again, the rapid fire of our 6 and 3 inch guns proved decisive, as by 22:00 hours, the Surcouf was rendered dead in the water, ablaze from bow to stern. A torpedo from Matsu was determined to be sufficient to finish her off, and at 22:15 my force broke off contact after observing the Surcouf class cruiser settling in the water near where her consort sank. We made port at Fort Bayard two hours later at 0:10. HIMS Shenzhen successfully made port before the rest of the force, and while heavily damaged, should be returned to service before the new year. I wish to name for your consideration, the following officers and ratings whose conduct was impeccable. Captain Ang Bai, of HIMS Shenzhen, gravely injured by torpedo explosion, Dr. Ng Dai of HIMS Shenzhen, Lt. Yong Ho, Chief Engineer of HIMS Shenzhen, Petty Officer Wu Liko of HIMS Shenzhen, Commander Xu Lok of HIMS Shantou, Lt. Ng Feng of HIMS Shantou, and Boy 3rd Class Ma Hai of HIMS Shantou, who was gravely injured while manning the mid-starboard gun. I have the honor to be, Captain Yao Fa, Captain HIMS Shantou, Commodore Southern Cruiser Force Below, Intelligence profiles of French cruisers, and combat log Attachments:
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Post by cv10 on Mar 6, 2017 22:37:35 GMT -6
Nice drama! Very nice touch. Thank you!
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Post by cv10 on Mar 6, 2017 22:05:09 GMT -6
Section III Shanghai, 5th of August 1902 A heavy air hung over the officers and ratings of the Northern Fleet. A sense of dread, and anticipation pervaded the ward rooms and mess decks alike. Ever since the infamous “Bedchamber” scandal of last year, tensions between China and France had continued to grow. Chao Ling, now Third Lieutenant of His Imperial Majesty’s Ship Shantou, had always considered himself an honorable man, and as such, he could not understand the reasons people chose to be spies. Yet some of his countrymen felt no inhibitions to lying and deceiving others, and one of them had been caught in Paris trying to entrap a junior civil servant in the French Ministry of Marine.The resulting scandal had driven relations with France further into the ground, and the Imperial Ambassador had been expelled by the French government. Yet Ling was so busy that he had little time to worry. Having served as Flag Lieutenant to Admiral Ding for two years, he returned to the fleet just in time for the National Assembly to vote a training allowance so the fleet could conduct gunnery exercises. As Third Lieutenant, he commanded the starboard battery of 5 6’ guns. It was a hard task, and somewhat thankless as he himself was dependent on the rangefinder to aim his guns. Still, firing the guns was a joy, and so was watching the battleships fire their big 12’s. Yet Ling had other reasons to feel excited. In December, he had a bout of diptheria and spent the next three months in the new naval hospital. While recovering in the hospital, he met a nurse named Choi Meihui.To his surprise, she spoke impeccable English, having been trained at a british missionary hospital. They bonded over a shared love of the writings of Charles Dickens, and he’d become smitten. He was meeting her for dinner in an hour’s time, which explained his indelibly good mood. He finished putting on his good uniform, and stepped out into the wardroom. His friend, Second Lieutenant Ng Feng was sitting at the table, reading an official order. “What troubles you my friend?” Ling aksed. “These orders: apparently the Shanghai Police raided a spy’s nest last week, but they have since discovered that not all of the spies were rounded up. According to this order, all personnel are to maintain a state of vigilance and caution” “I wouldn’t worry too much about it Feng,” Ling said. “After all, a Frenchmen in China is rather obviously an outsider. The Marines, dense though they are, will spot him if he so much as looks at the base,” “Well...I gues you’re right,” Feng said. “Any why are you so cheery today. You do remember that the Emperor’s officers are not to waste energy smiling without a reasons. Violators subject to Captain’s mast!” “I’ve got a date,” Ling beamed. “Ah yes, another attempt to breach the walls of fair Meihui!” Feng said, smirking. “Shame be to him who thinks evil of it,” Ling shot back. “We are having dinner and then going to the theater. They’re trying to put on a Gilbert & Sullivan play that makes fun of the Japanese.” “You keep this up Ling, and you’re going to be married” Feng said. “Ah, at last, some light filters into the mess that we charitably call your mind!” Ling quipped. “Not that there’s anything wrong marrying a nurse. It’s her I feel bad for. Marriage to a sailor: you’ll have a woman in every port,” Feng said. Ling’s eyes glanced at th spittoon on the floor, and wondered if he could calculate the elevation needed to fling it at Feng’s head. “I wouldn’t suggest that” Feng said, as if he could read Ling’s mind. “Unlike you, I don’t have anywhere to be except my cot tonight,” Their banter was interrupted by the ringing of the ship’s bell. Ling bade Feng farewell and headed up onto deck. He asked permission of the officer of the watch to leave the ship, and strolled down the gangway toward the gates. As he reached the gate, he was bowled over by a sailor. Ling hit the ground hard, and his bright uniform was covered in a layer of dirt. The sailor fell over top of him and clambered to get up. Ling was on his feet first and turned on the sailor. “What the hell’s the matter with you?! Can’t you see?! What’s your name man?” Ling exploded. The sailor didn’t say anything, but started running toward the gate. Ling ran after him and shouted for the sentry. ‘Sentry there! stop that man!” Ling belowed. One of the Marines lifted his rifle up and pointed it at the sailor. He kept running. “Halt! Halt! Halt or I’ll shoot!” the sentry shouted. The sailor kept running, and the marine fired, hitting the man in the chest. The man staggered a bit and then fell into a heap on the ground. The guard met Ling at the body. “Why didn’t you stop you bloody fool!” Ling bellowed. The sailor looked up at him, and said something that Ling couldn't understand. Ling looked at the marine. “Did you hear what he said?” “Yes sir, but I didn’t understand it. I think it was Vietnamese, sir” “Strange, why would a vietnamese be dressed in one of our-” Ling said An explosion erupted several hundred yards away at the destroyer docks. A massive plume of smoke billowed up, and across the base, sirens began to whine. “Corporal, lock down the gate, let no one in or out until one of your officers gets here,” Ling said. “I think you just shot the missing French spy,” “Sir, he he caused that explosion, than does that mean…” the Corporal’s voice trailed away “Yes Corporal, it means we’re at war with France,” Ling said “and damnation to the frogs!”
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Post by cv10 on Mar 6, 2017 17:41:35 GMT -6
Section II February 1901: Shanghai Bay Lt. Chao Ling stood behind Admiral Ding on the bridge of the dispatch vessel. Having arrived home only a week before, Ling was shocked at how much had changed in the two years he and the Admiral had been abroad. All around Shanghai where new factories, banks, and shipyards. The old wooden tenement blocks had been transformed into brick and mortar. The roads were paved, and best of all, the open sewers had been covered. His time abroad had been productive. The Admiral and he had spent the better part of three months touring England and the Continent. In spite of their navy’s humiliation in 1895, they had been treated with respect by their European counterparts. They received tours of warships, shipyards, and had met many famous people such as the british Admiral Fisher. After this extensive tour, they spent the next year and a half in England. Ling was admitted into the Royal Naval College for an abbreviated study of tactics and strategy (being excused. Thank god, from the lessons on seamanship due to his previous service). Admiral Ding had explained that he was being sent to finishing school. While He studied there, Admiral Ding had thrown himself into the task of forging a modern navy. In addition to meeting with shipbuilders and naval architects, he also spent time examining the Royal Navy signalling system, hiring tailors to design more practical uniforms for both officers and ratings, and befriending an english Admiral named Scott, who had become a sort of public figure for his work in gunnery. He also insituted a westernized system of ranking, which lead to his promotion to Admiral of the Fleet, and Ling’s promotion to Lieutenant The fruits of Ding’s labor paid off, and soon ships were being laid down in British yards as soon as the contracts returned from Beiping with the signature of the Emperor and the Prime Minister. The Hutiao Xia class battleships carried four big 12’ guns, a secondary battery of 5’s and a 21 knots could likely have control of any engagement they were in. At 16,000 tons, they were the largest battleships ordered. An initial contract for 6 of them had been signed, with an option for 4 more once the initial 6 were built. In the meantime, Admiral Ding drew up plans for a protected cruiser of 7400 tons, with a battery of ten 6’ guns and a speed of 24 knots. The plans were then mailed home to Shanghai to be built in Chinese yards. He also approved a design for a new type of torpedo boat destroyer, the Zhou class, which was a bit slow at 26 knots, but mounted five 3’ guns that could tear torpedo boats apart. It was to see this very fleet, finally completed that Ling and Admiral Ding found themselves on a dispatch boat sailing in the calm waters of Shanghai Bay. The fleet had been out for maneuvers when they’d arrived home. Now it had returned to port, and was waiting to greet the man who had birthed it. The captain of the dispatch vessel had provided both of them with telescopes, and they both gazed at the fleet. As the Admiral’s gaze swept over the battleship Dingyaun, he paused. She had been named to honor his flagship, which had been scuttled to avoid capture. Ling thought he heard the admiral mutter something, a sort of oath, but he put that out of his mind. “Admiral, we will be lowering your barge presently,” the bridge officer said. The Admiral nodded and returned his gaze to the fleet. All six of the Shanghai class crusiers, both building runs, were steaming three to either side of the column of six battleships, and every man in the fleet knew that soon there would be ten battleships. Filling out the rest of the display were the forty Zhou class destroyers, with smoke from their funnels blocking out the morning sky. “Admiral, your barge sir,” the Bridge officer said. Ling followed his admiral down to the gangway and somehow, the rotund and elderly admiral managed to get into the boat without falling into the bay. The oarsmen rowed right up to the Hutiao Xia, whcih was flying Admiral Cheng Biguang’s flag. He’d been acting Commander-in-Chief during Admiral Ding’s travels. Admiral Ding disembarked in a seaman-like manner and once at the main deck, he and Ling snapped to attention as the ship’s band played the crashing notes of the Navy March. Admiral Cheng saluted Admiral Ding and the perfunctory inspection began, with Ling following at a respectful distance . “Well Cheng, how was being the acting boss?” Ding asked, with a smile “I don’t know how you put up with it my old friend. Are politicians always so stupid?” Cheng asked back. “What happened to reveal to you the true ignorance of politicians?” Ding shot back “There was some hare-brained plot to try and occupy Borneo.” Cheng said. “Why was it hare-brained?” asked Ding “They thought it could be done with only three cruisers, and a force of less than three thousand men. And please sir, don’t get me started on the idiocy with the French delegation,” “What happened with the French delegation?” asked Ding. "I'm truly shocked that you haven't heard,“ Cheng said. "I though that it would have been in every last newspaper from New York to the moon! You know the Imperial Princess?” “Yes, a most charming and intelligent young woman,” Ding said “Yes, it seems the French ambassador thought so too,” Cheng said “and apparently the Emperor wanted to return him to France with a few parts missing.” “I trust the ambassador left unharmed,” Ding said “Yes, but the Emperor sent the entire French diplomatic mission with him” Cheng lamented “Hmm, no wonder Admiral Bertain refused to meet me when I was in Paris” Ding remarked “Like I said Admiral, I’m glad it’s you who has to deal with them again” said Cheng “I gave the Naval Secretary and the Naval Affairs Committee the estimates for the new armored cruisers. They screamed like I plunged a knife into them,” “They would. Still, whatever you said must have worked. They even approved two different designs,” Ding said “Well I can’t take too much credit. You negotiated the price with the Americans for the Liaoning.” Cheng said. “Now if they’d just pay to build more than two” Ding quipped “Hence why I am glad that you have returned” Cheng said. Honor Guard aboard battleship Hutiao Xia greet Admiral Ding wearing uniforms he designed. Vice Admiral Cheng Biguang, Commanding Officer Battle Fleet, Acting Commander-in-Chief, pictured wearing new officer's dress uniform Below, side profiles and basic design plans of the new Imperial Fleet .
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Post by cv10 on Mar 4, 2017 10:27:08 GMT -6
Section I
Chao Ling closed the book written by the Scotsman with the staggeringly incomprehensible name. When he was a midshipman, Ling got in the habit of carrying a small book around wherever he went. It kept the boredom down, and it had been a good way of learning to read English. He had favored cheap dime-store American novels about cowboys, cattle drives, and these people called rustlers. After a while, a kindly officer shoved a book about some Englishman named Nelson and suggested it was time he read something useful. Having finished the american Mahan’s book on the history of seapower, Ling had picked up the condensed writings of the scottish historian Colquhoun, the first major European to write about the June Revolution.
Ling was sitting in one of the numerous antechambers of the new Admiralty House in Shanghai. His meeting with Admiral Ding was, as usual for a junior officer of his rank, delayed. The book had kept him distracted for a time, but he found it tedious. It was difficult to enjoy an outsider's opinions of something you had lived through. Ling had sailed with Admiral Ding in the war with Japan, had watched the Beiyang Fleet annihilated at the mouth of the Yalu River, and had seen it shamed at Weihaiwei, and had watched as his admiral was carried ashore after trying to poison himself with opium. For a 15 year old midshipmen, it had broke his heart to see his country so shamed. As a 20 year old junior officer, it was too much to try and consider objectively.
The door to the office opened, and Ling heard his name called. He stood up, shaked his robes out, and walked into the office. Sitting at his desk was Admiral Ding: his face had the worn features of a man who had suffered too much bitterness. The Admiral looked up from his papers and Ling bowed.
“Chao Ling, it is good to see you again,” the Admiral said.
“I am honored to meet you once again sir,” Ling said.
“It has been too long. I haven't spoken with you since…” the Admiral's face contorted with pain. The last time they had spoke was on that terrible day at Weihaiwei. He quickly regained his composure. “Have you kept up your reading like I told you?”
“Yes Admiral. I have just finished that american book on seapower that all the naval attaches rave about,”
“Good Chao Ling, and your English?” Ding asked.
“It is passable sir,” Ling replied
“Excellent Chao Ling. Is your wife well?”
“I’m not married Admiral,” said Ling
“A young man your age ought to,” Ding remarked.
Ling was worried by the Admiral’s conversation. Many older officers still liked to wax poetic the way the Admiral was now. After all, they had to learn calligraphy to pass the examinations. Yet few would engage in such pleasantries with so junior an officer.
“Admiral, may I ask why you have called me here?”
“Ah yes” Ding said, “forgive an old man for his ramblings. Chao Ling, you and I are going on a journey,”
“To where and what end Admiral?” Ling asked
“To America and England! China must have a modern navy Ling, and we must go abroad to find one. In our humiliation by Japan, we were arrogant. We thought that numbers would overwhelm the Japanese,” the Admiral's tone began to rise, and his face flushed red as he thundered on “Yet the rising sun flies over Taipei and Pyongyang, and the yellow dragon lies in the mud. We cannot continue on our present course. We must rid ourselves of all the old and modernize everything down the heads on the ships we will buy. Look at our uniforms Ling! These robes are no more fitting as a naval officer’s uniform now than a spear would be for a soldier’s weapon. Not only do we need modern ships, we need a modern navy. What we have never understood is that the two are not one. You will come with me to America and England, and we shall build a modern navy”
By this point, the admiral’s face was bordering on purple, and with the conclusion of his speech it flushed white. He sat down hard in his chair, breathing heavily. He waved a hand at Ling to show he was alright.
“Admiral, I am honored to be selected to go with you, I won’t fail” Ling said. “When do we sail?” “We will see Prime Minister Sun tomorrow, and the rest of the Cabinet. The National Assembly is debating an appropriations bill for the Navy, and we will need to consult with cabinet to see what they they have to say. I think we have a good chance though, I'll tell them that we must have enough to ensure parity with Japan.They'll go for that. Never forget this my boy, we might have control over the navy, but the politicians have control over us, and for good or ill, they can break us just as easily as they make us. After that, we'll sail with the tide!" Attachments:
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Post by cv10 on Mar 4, 2017 8:59:18 GMT -6
I'm looking forward to this one. Which custom nation China will this be? I'm using your Imperial China mod
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Post by cv10 on Mar 3, 2017 23:19:04 GMT -6
I'm not sure but I think that a DD needs at least one gun (according to design rules). However you could just slap a 2 In gun forward and be good to go. It could be effective, particularly at night and with torpedo training. I'd give it a try!
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Post by cv10 on Mar 3, 2017 23:06:35 GMT -6
Thanks!
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Post by cv10 on Mar 3, 2017 21:56:13 GMT -6
Introduction A Brief Summation of Chapters I-III of Yankees of East Asia by Alasdair Colquhoun FRHistS Brubaker & Co. Publishing House London (1898) The June Revolution and Political Development in the Empire of China In the aftermath of the Sino-Japanese War in 1895, it was no longer possible for the Dowager Empress and the conservative faction of the Imperial Court to maintain a stranglehold on the governance of China nor block attempts to reform and modernize the Chinese nation. Having endured humiliation and defeat throughout the 19th Century, there were those who refused to have China endure such occurrences again the 20th Century. The Guangxu Emperor, having been denied effective political power for much of his reign and sure that he would lose even what little figurative power he possessed if the Qing Empire collapsed became determined to expel his aunt and her supporters from the Court. What was perhaps the most bizarre cabal of individuals ever to assemble formed: the Guangxu Emperor, the late General Yuan Shikai, and a British educated physician-turned political theorist named Sun Yat-sen. In June of 1895, little more than a month after the end of the Sino-Japanese War. Dr. Sun Yat-sen and a group of like-minded democratic radicals fomented a rebellion in Guangzhou province, and while the conservative generals were busy leading their forces against the rebels, the Emperor and General Yuan used the modernized Beiyang Army to seize the Bureaucracy and arrest the Empress. To this day, it is unlikely if it will be ever known if she truly died while trying to escape down her prison tower, or if the nephew she had personally selected to become emperor ordered her death. The coup was successful beyond anyone’s wildest expectations. Having already endured a cataclysmic civil war only 50 years before in the Taiping Rebellion, most of the peasants and workers were content to let the court murder each other and obey whoever survived. The conservatives were unable to coalesce around a single leader, and Generals Dong Fuxiang and Ronglu wasted their armies trying to force the other to obey him, and although Ronglu was able to triumph against General Dong, he was unable to follow up his success. While he waged war for over a year, he attracted scant support, and was reduced to seizing the supplies he needed for his meagre force. In August of his force was soundly crushed by the General Yuan’s Beiyang Army in 1896 at the Battle of Wuhan. About the only success he achieved was the death of his opponent, as Yuan Shikai was felled by a cannon shell at Wuhan. With the defeat of the rebels, and in recognition that relying on the old bureaucracy to implement his reforms would lead nowhere, the Emperor called the Nanjing Convention to write a constitution for China. Understanding that foreigners could contribute much to the convention, the Emperor invited a number of British, and American constitutional experts to aid the delegates. While admiring the American system of separation and balance of powers, a strong executive and a well defined constitution, the delegates prefered the Westminster system of the British, and thus a hybrid constitution was born. The Nanjing Constitution created National Assembly, an Emperor’s Bench Court, and the Civic Bureau, which was created as the new civil service. The Emperor was placed as head of state, commander-in-chief, and head of the Central Committee of the Civil Yuan. Much like the American president, his power to veto legislation was subject to override, yet was granted the power to suggest legislation. In principle, this system looks equitable. Yet time would show that the new government would suffer more than its share of instability. Money was poured into restructuring the armed forces, and in 1899, the National Assembly voted over half a billion chinese yuan to rebuild the Imperial Navy. This effort was led by the venerable Admiral Ding Ruchang, whose recovery from a failed suicide attempt after the disastrous battle of Weihaiwei precluded him from active involvement in the June Revolution.
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