Translator: Cinder Translations
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Paul Grayman recently found time to study ship diagrams "acquired" from the shipyard supervisor.
He discovered that even in the southern regions where row-sail ships were prevalent, similar to the Mediterranean galleys on Earth, there were narrow, long, low-built and agile vessels primarily propelled by rowing, albeit equipped with sails to conserve the rowers' stamina during long voyages.
Each side of these ships had only one row of long oars, with the larger oars reaching over ten meters and weighing up to 300 kilograms. Therefore, each oar was typically operated by 3 to 8 individuals, with some larger ships often having hundreds of rowers.
Southern countries mostly used criminals and slaves as rowers, packed tightly in cramped spaces like sardines in a tin can.
During navigation, under the threat of whips, rowers labored strenuously to the rhythm of drums, powering their "muscle engines."
There was a saying that captured the life of rowers on these ships: "If hell exists in this world, it's on a row-sail ship, where rest is an unknown luxury."
Rowers spent their days bonded to their benches, drifting at sea, subject to arbitrary commands signaled by whistles, seeking solace in alcohol during tense moments or enduring lashes.
"What a barbaric era! The wicked old society," Paul lamented, simultaneously grateful for his relatively decent upbringing since crossing over.
This type of row-sail ship existed since the days of the ancient Belar Empire. Its enduring popularity stemmed from the calm seas and strong advantages in power and maneuverability generated by manpower-driven rowing in that maritime environment, crucial for naval battles and merchant vessels evading pirates in southern countries.
In contrast, maritime trade in other countries was less developed, lacking the impetus to innovate shipbuilding technology. Consequently, ships resembling those from the Angle Bay region were replicated worldwide, including the recent type Paul had seen at the shipyard.
Row-sail ships were mostly flat-bottomed, advantageous in shallow waters but unsuitable for deep seas due to their large crew size, including rowers, and logistical challenges.
Paul required ships capable of trans-oceanic voyages powered solely by wind sails. According to his estimates, transporting goods to the south from the Northwestern Bay required covering over 2000 nautical miles.
If not relying on southern merchants as intermediaries and venturing eastward to trade goods independently, the distance would be even greater. Such distances were unimaginable to traverse solely by rowers, at least from his perspective.
Moreover, he harbored a "small" desire: recruiting explorers for a circumnavigation akin to Magellan's expedition. "The world is vast, and I too wish to explore it."
The notion of a spherical Earth had gained widespread acceptance among most countries, yet concrete and compelling evidence remained elusive. Should his sponsored expedition confirm the Earth's roundness, it would undoubtedly leave a significant mark in world history.
However, under current circumstances, this aspiration lacked the necessary conditions. He sought out a carpenter and, based on memories from his previous life, constructed models of two full-sail ships.
One model was based on the Swedish Göteborg, featuring a broad-bottomed U-shaped hull with three decks: a lower deck, upper deck, and open deck.
TL Note: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/G%C3%B6theborg_(ship)
Three masts stood tall, each adorned with square sails. The mainmast and foremast were equipped with topgallant sails, middle sails, and mainsails, while the mizzenmast sported a mizzen topsail and a large triangular mizzen sail.
In the bow section, there's a slanted masthead equipped with a triangular jib, under which hang two additional square sails: the slanting jib and the slanting middle jib.
Equipped with triangular sails to better utilize the Bernoulli effect, these ships can navigate even against the wind. The U-shaped hull allows for greater cargo capacity, deeper draft, and smoother sailing, but also increases the risk of grounding and running aground.
In Paul's vision, if such ships could be constructed, they would become the mainstay of the early navy. Once equipped with cannons, they would dominate the world's oceans without hindrance.
The other model is that of a clipper ship. These ships feature low bulwarks, minimal upper structures, improving stability and maximizing the effectiveness of their sails.
They sail close to the water surface, with a hull shape designed to minimize underwater resistance, thereby increasing speed while maintaining a certain lateral resistance profile. The waterline at the bow is concave, with a long and sharp curved clipper bow, ideal for racing through waves to reduce wave resistance, hence the term "clipper."
Compared to the Göteborg, the clipper ship extends the length of the hull along the bow, with an outrigger extending from the bow allowing for additional triangular sails, enhancing the sail's capacity.
The hollow bow makes it easier for the ship to lift in waves, enhancing its directional stability in rough seas. The narrowing stern gradually transitions to a narrow round tail, harmoniously blending with the graceful bow shape.
However, clipper ships sacrifice cargo capacity for speed and are not suitable for carrying a large number of cannons. Paul plans to use these ships for transporting small but high-value goods or equipping them for future naval patrols to combat pirates and smugglers.
Upon seeing these two models, the shipyard supervisor Rubin nearly popped his eyeballs out.
Indeed, regardless of whether these ship designs were reasonable in the eyes of natives from other worlds, purely in terms of aesthetics, they surpassed the current row-sail ships by a significant margin. The novel and elegant designs tickled the shipyard supervisor's fancy.
"Works of art!"
Rubin shamelessly pleaded with Earl Paul to leave the models at his shipyard, which coincided with Paul's intentions. He eagerly hoped that this shipbuilding expert would ponder over them more.
Originally, Paul had intended to construct a model of the "Victory," a ship from the age of sailing, as a reference for Rubin. However, considering the crude conditions in his own shipyard, manufacturing such a colossal vessel was somewhat of a pipe dream, so he settled for these smaller craft.
With great anticipation, Paul asked, "Can we build two actual ships based on these models?"
Yet, even this wish seemed destined to be unfulfilled. After scrutinizing the models for a good while, the shipyard supervisor reluctantly admitted that with the current technological capabilities and craftsmanship of the shipyard, even disregarding material issues, it would likely take "a very, very long time" to complete.
Paul understood what he meant; "a very, very long time" probably meant forever.
"Why not just say it's impossible to build them?"
The disappointment in Earl Paul's tone was palpable. Rubin began to feel anxious; he had finally earned the Earl's attention, yet even his painstakingly organized ship diagrams had been sacrificed.
In a moment of inspiration, he suggested to Paul, "My Lord, don't worry. Didn't you recently save a prominent figure from the Angle Bay Alliance? If we can get some craftsmen from the south through him, it should be of great help. I heard that shipbuilders in the south have made all sorts of strange ships."
Seeing Rubin with a hint of playful smile, Earl Paul replied, "Aren't you afraid that among these new craftsmen, there might be some talented ones who would snatch your position?"
"Ah? Well... well..." Rubin was caught off guard by this, having not thought about it earlier. He felt a bit foolish.
"Haha!" Seeing Rubin's awkward demeanor, Paul stopped teasing him, patting his shoulder reassuringly. "Don't worry. As long as you and the other old-timers study hard, strive for improvement, I will never forget you. Kindred spirits, hometown folks!"
"Yes, my Lord! I will study technology diligently and not disappoint your high expectations," Rubin said with relief, patting his chest to assure him.
Paul gazed out at the sea, silently thinking to himself, "It's time to have a talk with young Master Foster."
(End of the Chapter)