Shadow of great britain

Elder led Arthur to stand by the embankment of the Thames.

He pointed to an old wooden two-masted sailing warship on the other side of the river that was sailing into the ship repair yard.

"Did you see that ship? That's the Beagle, which is about to carry out a scientific research mission.

The length is 90 feet, the width is 25 feet, and the draft is 12 feet. The ship is equipped with 10 12-pound cannons and can carry a crew of 120 people. It was launched in 1820 with a total cost of 7,800 pounds.

Although its tonnage and firepower are not as good as those of active naval warships, it is not even as good as the lowest level six warships. But no matter what, he has some combat and self-defense capabilities, which should be enough to defeat ordinary pirates. "

Arthur looked at the Beagle sailing slowly on the Thames River, and suddenly realized: "No wonder the Thames River was so blocked this morning. It turned out to be because of it? What happened to this ship? Why is it so slow?"

Elder said helplessly: "What else can we do? Of course it was damaged. To tell you the truth, our scientific research voyage is to carry out the Beagle's second global scientific research mission.

For the first time, it returned just after sailing to the waters near South America. I heard that it seemed to have encountered a storm, and because it was not familiar with the local sea conditions, it almost ran aground several times. The crew almost came back with their lives, and even the original ship Chang also committed suicide due to excessive mental pressure.

In view of the unsuccessful voyage last time, the Admiralty made up its mind to bring the Beagle over for comprehensive repairs and upgrades.

The four cannons were removed, and an extra mast was added. The bottom of the ship was wrapped in copper sheet according to warship standards, then brushed with some tung oil, and finally riveted and reinforced with iron nails and copper nails. "

Having said this, Elder couldn't help but swallowed worriedly: "After all the preparations, everything will be fine next time we sail, right?"

Arthur asked: "If you are so afraid, why do you have to follow me?"

"Arthur, you don't understand."

Elder wagged his finger seriously: "The Admiralty has always believed in a truth - a calm ocean cannot produce skilled sailors.

Therefore, high risk also means high returns. As long as they can complete this global scientific research voyage, every one of the crew members on the ship will be promoted.

In this case, my uncle can naturally transfer me to work at the Navy Department Headquarters, and maybe even find me an official position.

Arthur, if it hadn't been for such a good thing, would I have been able to find fault before? "

Arthur said calmly: "I think you want to find a friend to talk to on the ship. After all, this is a round-the-world voyage, and it will take three to five years anyway. If you can't find a decent one with your character, With my friends by my side, I think I can stifle my madness.”

"Alas..." Elder didn't hide it, "It turns out you have seen through it all."

Arthur stared at the Beagle in the distance and asked: "But why doesn't the Navy give you a bigger ship? For example, get a warship and modify it, like the sixth-level warship you just mentioned?"

When Elder heard this, he couldn't help but complained: "I think so too. But there is no way, even the smallest sixth-level battleship is almost twice as big as the Beagle. If that kind of When the ship sails to America, it is easy for those in the North American colonies to see it and cause friction."

Arthur asked: "The sixth-level battleship is so big, what about the first-level battleship?"

Elder replied: "Take the example of General Nelson's flagship Victory.

The Victory is only an old ship launched in 1778, but its displacement is already as high as 3,500 tons.

It can carry 108 artillery pieces, 850 crew members, store 35 tons of gunpowder and 120 tons of shells.

In order to build it, more than 2,000 oak trees and 38 tons of iron were consumed. The total cost exceeded 100,000 pounds, and the national fiscal revenue at that time was only 10 million pounds.

However, the money spent is well worth it. A first-class battleship like this can usually sail at sea for 6 months and fight without interruption for several days.

If a behemoth like the Victory were to be sailed to the Americas, the rebels in the North American colonies would definitely make diplomatic representations.

If we send the first-class battleships with a displacement of nearly 4,000 tons that have been launched in recent years, it is estimated that those uneducated Americans will start to pick up their guns and prepare for the third war of independence.

By the way, speaking of battleships and HMS Victory, do you know who was the person who ordered Captain Fitzroy not to hire you last time? "

"who?"

Elder approached Arthur mysteriously: "First Sea Lord, Admiral Thomas Hardy."

"Is he great?"

"Oh! My God! He's more than awesome!"

Elder said with great excitement: "During the Battle of Trafalgar that year, he was the captain who commanded General Nelson's flagship HMS Victory!

When Nelson's body was transported back to China for burial, he was one of the four people who carried Nelson's coffin.

Arthur, you don't know, he is a super big shot in our Admiralty and the highest military commander of the entire Royal Navy!

Colonel Fitzroy said that day that my uncle did not dare to make demands of him, and he was absolutely right, for even the Lord of the Admiralty did not dare to challenge him directly. On military matters, the Royal Navy actually listens to him, the First Sea Lord. "

Just as Elder was vividly introducing the glorious deeds of Thomas Hardy, a young pastor with a round face and a black robe suddenly walked over.

He waved the cross in his hand in front of the two of them: "Sorry to bother you two, but is one of you named Elder Carter?"

Arthur glanced at the priest. Looking at the other person's appearance, he always felt that he looked familiar, but he didn't know where he had seen it before.

After thinking for a long time, he suddenly slapped his thigh, pointed at the opponent and said: "Rooney of Manchester United?"

"Rooney?" The young pastor was confused by Arthur: "Sir, I think you may have recognized the wrong person. My name is Charles."

"Is your name also Charles?" Arthur joked: "I just made a new friend two days ago. He is also named Charles. Charles Dickens. He is a big shot."

When Elder heard this, he couldn't help but sneered: "What kind of big shot is a court clerk? Thomas Hardy is the real big shot!"

Arthur smiled and did not refute directly. He just said: "Even if he is not now, he will be in the future."

After saying this, he pointed at Elder next to the pastor: "You are probably the pastor who graduated from Cambridge, right? Are you going to come to the Beagle to be a naturalist?

What you are looking for is the person next to me, Elder Carter, the cartographer of the Beagle, a top student in classics, and the nephew of the rear admiral of the Royal Navy. "

When Elder heard this, he said dissatisfiedly: "Arthur! Why did you reveal all my secrets?"

Arthur shrugged: "You will be on the ship for three to five years in the future. With your mouth, even if I don't say it, you will say it yourself sooner or later."

The pastor didn't pay attention to this episode. He extended his hand to Elder in a friendly manner.

"Mr. Carter, nice to meet you. Although you should already know this, but out of politeness, I would like to introduce myself.

My name is Charles Darwin, naturalist of the Beagle, and a graduate of the theology department of Cambridge University. "