Chapter 900: Disciplining Bavaria
On the waters outside the Port of London, dozens of high-ranking naval officers and several government officials stood aboard the first-rate ship of the line, HMS Royal Sovereign. They watched as a strange-looking vessel nearby, trailing thick plumes of dark smoke, sped past them. The crowd erupted into cheers and applause.
Sir Hope pointed at the unusual ship, personally explaining its features to the assembled dignitaries.
"The Comet is equipped with two 52-horsepower steam engines and utilizes an unprecedented underwater propeller propulsion system. With a favorable wind, she can reach a staggering speed of 12 knots. Even in a dead calm, she can maintain a steady pace of 8 knots.
"Furthermore, she is armed with 28 cannons. Both her speed and firepower surpass anything the French have in this class.
"We only need to construct about thirty of these vessels, and the French fleet will lose its speed advantage in the Mediterranean entirely."
The British officials applauded once more, nodding to one another in approval.
Since last year, the front lines had provided nothing but grim reports. The army had been driven back in a wretched state by the French, and even the Mediterranean Fleet had been forced out of its namesake sea.
Now, finally, there was a glimmer of hope for vengeance.
James Fox, the leader of the Whig Party, waved his hand and shouted, "I believe we should not be satisfied with merely driving the French out of the Mediterranean. We should build more of these advanced warships—perhaps fifty or more—and completely annihilate the Toulon Fleet!"
At this moment, his party held sway over Parliament, and it was highly likely the King would appoint him as the next Prime Minister.
Once he took office, he would desperately need a major naval victory to help consolidate his position.
Admiral Jervis, the First Lord of the Admiralty, immediately replied, "Chatham Dockyard is currently developing another steam warship that will carry 36 cannons. However, as you know, the Navy Board’s funds are limited, making it difficult to increase the production numbers."
Fox dismissed the concern with a casual wave. "Submit an application for additional funding to Parliament as soon as possible. I guarantee it will be approved."
"It is because Great Britain has distinguished statesmen and leaders like yourself that we can continue to write such glorious chapters in our history," Jervis remarked, glancing at him before continuing, "In that case, would 1.15 million pounds be appropriate?"
His original budget had been around 500,000 pounds to build thirty steam frigates and twenty-five fifth-rate steam warships.
However, those unscrupulous merchants in Jamaica had charged him 360,000 pounds for the lignum vitae used in the ship shafts. Now, taking advantage of Fox's offer, he intended to secure extra funds for the Navy Board.
Fox's eyelid flickered at the price, but he eventually gritted his teeth and nodded. "The Navy is the lifeblood of the Empire; we must ensure it receives sufficient investment. Apply for the amount you require."
The day after the new warship's sea trials concluded, Sir Hope, the Dockyard Director, summoned the heads of the Boulton-Watt Company to discuss an additional order for steam engines. Admiral Jervis, having just secured a massive windfall of funding, sat in on the meeting with great interest.
"So, if the dockyard increases the order to 130 units," Hope said, looking at Boulton, "I would expect the price for each high-pressure steam engine to drop to 1,600 pounds."
Wild joy flashed in Boulton's eyes—a massive order for 130 engines would bring the company an immense fortune!
He was just about to agree when Frank, standing beside him, cleared his throat and cut in first.
"Honorable Sir Hope, we should consider the long-term perspective!
"It is obvious that the future of the seas belongs to steam warships. 130 engines will, at most, only be enough to equip about fifty vessels.
"That won't be enough to guarantee the complete destruction of the French fleet. As you know, the French are also constantly building new ships.
"In my opinion, only a fleet of eighty or more steam warships can ensure that no one dares challenge the Empire's maritime supremacy!
"And for that, we would need 200 steam engines."
Hope and Jervis exchanged looks, both clearly moved by the suggestion.
Frank gave Boulton a firm pat on the shoulder. "Our company should also do its part for the Empire.
"If the Navy orders 200 units, we will forego our profits. 1,500 pounds per unit!"
Boulton wiped away a cold sweat, his lips trembling slightly. "Yes... yes, of course. It's just that expanding production will require a great deal of capital..."
Frank turned back to Sir Hope. "Would it be possible for the dockyard to provide an advance of 100,000 pounds to help our company expand our workshops and purchase raw materials?"
Hope and Jervis looked at each other again.
Frank quickly added, "Rest assured, we can sign an agreement with the dockyard. If we fail to deliver on time, we will compensate you tenfold."
Admiral Jervis had already planned to build at least thirty more steamships next year. Buying all the necessary engines at once would save a significant amount of money. Without further hesitation, he nodded. "Very well. We will order 200 units and provide a 100,000-pound advance."
Soon, both Chatham Royal Dockyard and the Boulton-Watt Company were thrown into a frenzy of activity.
The former re-evaluated the scale of its new fleet construction, hiring six to seven hundred additional craftsmen. Raw materials were piled as high as mountains beside the dry docks.
The latter built three new workshops, filling them with new equipment and components. At Sander’s suggestion, they even raised 40,000 pounds to invest in the research and development of a new generation of 100-horsepower steam engines.
Because the company's recent development was as explosive as a volcanic eruption, investors were flocking to them. The 40,000 pounds was raised in just a few days.
While the British were enthusiastically building their steam fleet, Bavaria was plunged into a state of absolute panic.
A French army had appeared without warning at Karlsruhe on the eastern bank of the Rhine. They moved swiftly through Württemberg—which had conveniently declared its "strict neutrality" the day before the French arrived, "permitting harmless passage to both belligerent parties through its territory."
Just four days later, Moreau led ten thousand French soldiers in an invasion of Nördlingen in western Bavaria.
To call it an "invasion" was not entirely accurate, as almost no fighting actually took place.
The main Bavarian forces were concentrated to the south. The western border was guarded by fewer than three hundred border troops.
These men fled the moment they laid eyes on the French army.
Moreau only encountered resistance, if a few shots could be called that, when his troops occupied the Nördlingen Town Hall.
That very day, Moreau gathered journalists in the square outside the town hall. He loudly proclaimed that his mission was to severely punish Bavaria for "assisting Austria in its invasion of France."
He spoke with conviction, and he acted with equal vigor.
The following day, Moreau's Legion continued its eastward march. Two days later, they captured the central Bavarian stronghold of Ingolstadt.
Immediately afterward, a large number of French engineers began constructing pontoon bridges and other crossing facilities on the Danube River.
From Ingolstadt, it was less than 70 kilometers south to the Bavarian capital of Munich.
Upon hearing the news, the Elector of Bavaria, Karl Theodor, turned pale with fright. He immediately ordered D'Eynberg's troops to move from the southern defensive lines to the north of Munich, while simultaneously dispatching Foreign Minister Pappenheim to Vienna overnight to beg for reinforcements.
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