Chapter 89: Hamburg Ocean-Going Commercial Trade Fleet
On July 1, 1867, the "North German Confederation Constitution" came into effect, consolidating Prussia's dominance in the North German region. This constitution maintained Prussia's dominant position within the federation while adopting a democratic façade.
Ernst established the Hamburg ocean-going commercial trade fleet, which grew to include eleven ships. With Germany's considerable size, this fleet, along with the Hechingen ocean-going fleet based in Trieste, brought Ernst's total merchant fleet to over 50 ships.
Many of these vessels plied the route from the Far East to East Africa, gradually replacing hired Dutch merchant ships. The primary purpose of the newly established Hamburg fleet was to transport machinery and equipment to East Africa while engaging in ocean trade within the German region. Unlike the Austro-Hungarian Empire, the German region had a highly educated population, making immigration less of a focus.
Ernst's fleet included substantial ships, and he had purchased numerous ocean-going sailing ships, benefiting from falling prices due to the rise of steam and ironclad ships. Combining these acquisitions with ships seized from the Sultanate of Zanzibar, Ernst's fleet numbered over sixty large vessels.
Simultaneously, a new shipyard, the Hechingen Shipyard (Hamburg), was established, diversifying Ernst's shipbuilding assets. As a prudent approach, the Venetian shipyard in Venice was gradually dismantled.
German employees had already been integrated into the Venetian shipyard, with many of them being Chinese interns from Hechingen School, who worked there for the foreseeable future. Shipbuilding required experienced workers, making each shipbuilder a valuable asset.
The shipbuilding industry was crucial in Europe, with ever-evolving technology and techniques. These experienced shipbuilders would play a vital role in the future growth of the Hamburg ocean-going commercial trade fleet.
The fleet's primary goal was profitability. After Germany's unification, it rapidly became a significant force in global ocean trade, with the Hamburg fleet aiming to capitalize on this shareholder wind.
The Hexingen Consortium's commodities and banking businesses also needed to expand into the world market, making trade and import of goods within the German region promising ventures.
Additionally, accumulating experience, technology, and talents for future ventures in East Africa was vital. The shipbuilding industry was rapidly advancing, and by staying competitive in Germany, Ernst could prepare for the future development of the shipbuilding industry in East Africa.
Germany, part of the Second Industrial Revolution, offered access to new technologies and skilled workers. Ernst's interests were closely tied to the German region, and using it as an industrial incubator for East Africa was a prudent long-term strategy.
Germany would ensure that East Africa could withstand European attempts to divide the continent. Germany's technological progress would allow Ernst to reserve the necessary technology and talents for East Africa's future development.
While the shipbuilding industry remained strong in Venice, Ernst recognized that to stay competitive and technologically advanced, the German region had to play a pivotal role.
East Africa was poised to become a maritime power along the Indian Ocean coast, making the development of the shipbuilding industry crucial. As East Africa didn't yet have the capacity to develop this industry independently, it was essential to accumulate experience, technology, and talent in the German region.
East Africa possessed four excellent ports, with potential for more, and inland lakes that would require inland ships. The Great Lakes, in particular, had significant shipping potential, with Lake Victoria alone holding immense value.
Lake Tanganyika, Lake Malawi, Lake Friedrichshaw, and others all had demand for surface ships, both for economic development and strategic purposes. The deep inland lakes and expanding transportation needs made shipbuilding experience invaluable.
This strategic focus would help East Africa develop its shipbuilding industry, transforming it into a maritime powerhouse in the Indian Ocean.
(End of Chapter 89)