Chapter 903： Preparation for Colonial Keelung

The craftsmen moved quickly, and Marin separated several tons of nickel metal for co-melting with the iron block to obtain nickel steel with high nickel content. Then, the craftsmen poured these nickel steel molten steel into a very smooth pool to form nickel steel plates.

Then the blacksmiths took advantage of the heat and hammered these still soft iron plates into thinner iron skins. Some nickel steel scraps have also been made into nickel steel nails. In the process of beating the iron sheet, the craftsmen took advantage of the softness and hit a few nail holes on the sheet metal, so that they could be nailed to the boat.

While the craftsmen in the steel plant manufacture nickel steel skins and nickel nails, the craftsmen in the shipyard are also unequivocal and fully prepared.

They first dug a reservoir that can hold four 250-class armed merchant ships, but the reservoir is connected to the outside world and there is only one huge valve. After the valve is opened, it can accommodate a single 250-class armed merchant ship.

Then, they put the prepared cement board on the bottom of the reservoir. Then, on the cement slabs, four huge wooden shelves were made, the kind that can lift the whole ship overhead.

After the wooden support was completed, the craftsmen fixed the support to the bottom of the reservoir, and then opened the huge gate to let in the water.

Afterwards, four armed 250-class merchant ships prepared for conversion were successively sailed into the reservoir and parked above four huge wooden supports.

After stopping the four ships, the gate of the reservoir was closed by everyone. Then, the craftsmen arranged a large number of people to start pumping water.

As the water level decreased, the bottoms of four 250-class armed merchant ships landed precisely on four wooden supports. Almost the bottom of the ship was exposed to the air, and the pumping stopped. Then, a large number of shipbuilding craftsmen, wearing waterproof clothes made of cowhide (now in winter, they will be frozen to death when soaked directly in the water), wading with nickel steel skins and nickel steel nails and standing under the hull, looking up The head began to nail nickel steel skin to the bottom of the ship.

Most of the metal sheet is easy to nail, but the craftsmen can't nail the sheet metal where the bottom of the ship is in contact with the wooden frame. However, this is not a problem.

When most of the nickel-steel skins were nailed, the reservoir gate opened again, but only partially. The water in the gate can just lift the hull again, and the hull will move a bit. Under the measurement of the shipbuilding craftsmen, it is just guaranteed that the part that was covered before can be exposed after falling.

Then, the reservoir pumped again, causing the boat to land on the wooden stand in another location. And the shipbuilding craftsmen naturally put the iron skin on the parts that could not be nailed before.

In this way, the nickel-steel skins carried out some operations and completely wrapped the lower parts of the four ships. Of course, before these iron sheets were nailed to the bottom of the ship, they had been painted black. Therefore, after being nailed to the bottom of the ship, there was no gleaming silver, but it was black and unremarkable.

Soon after the nickel steel skin was nailed, the reservoir gate reopened, and four 250-class armed merchant ships drove out of the small reservoir one by one and re-berthed to the military port to wait for shipment.

Because Americano did n’t trust Da Vinci ’s newly created steering wheel system consisting of ropes and pulleys, three of the four ships still used expensive steering wheel systems made of navy copper levers and gears. A ship uses a new effortless steering wheel system consisting of ropes and pulleys. Of course, in order to prevent the rope from breaking during the voyage, a large amount of spare linen rope was carried on board.

Finally, it is the loading of personnel and materials.

Because the Pacific route is a hidden and confidential route, Marin attaches great importance to this voyage. The specific performance is-all captains and sailors have undergone a rigorous review. Only captains and sailors who were born in East Friesland, where the family lives, and who are absolutely loyal, can participate in this voyage. As for the externally hired maritime talents, apart from Amerigo and its loyal men, none of them brought them.

In addition to the sailors, Marin also equipped the fleet with 100 serfs who knew the craftsmanship of the masons. Their task was to build a small bunker with high walls, moats and suspension bridges on the island after the fleet arrived at Heping Island (Sheliao Island) at the mouth of the Keelung River.

With such a strong defense base, the advance team can quickly gain a foothold on Heping Island. Even if a large number of Japanese pirates came, in the face of such a strong bunker, the other party was absolutely helpless.

For this reason, one of the four ships, loaded with a large amount of bricks and cement, was used for the construction of bunkers and walls.

In addition, they will help the villagers of Jilong Village, who had originally established a foothold on Heping Island, to build a large defensive wall on the edge of the stronghold, so that they can also protect themselves.

It is impossible to put the other party in the stronghold, because both sides still lack mutual trust. Moreover, if a villager in Jilong Village was bought by a pirate and helped the enemy open the door of the stronghold in the middle of the night, it would be miserable. With the Japanese melee's melee ability, it was really going to be penetrated into the stronghold, it would be terrible. Therefore, it is the best practice to build a compound near the stronghold to house the villagers of Jilong Village. Moreover, it is also convenient for the guns and artillery at the stronghold to support each other.

The other three ships carried food, fresh water, table salt, and a large number of iron tools. To be sure, the base of Sheliao Island will certainly not be self-sufficient in food for the first year. Therefore, it is necessary to bring more food.

Because, Marin read history, knowing that in the original history, after the Spanish colonists occupied Sheliao Island in 1626, the colonists were often hungry because of lack of food. Going ashore to buy food, the result was beaten back by the indigenous people. Since then, Spanish colonists on Sheliao Island have long relied on ships from Manila to provide food. If Manila ’s ship arrives late, the Spanish colonists on the island will be hungry for a while, which is very miserable.

Therefore, with this lesson in mind, Marin must have allowed the first colonists to bring more food to avoid starvation. You should know that Jamestown, the first colony of Britain in North America, has been cut off because of the siege of the Indians, and even tragedies have occurred.

In addition to bringing food, Marin prepared several fishing nets for them. In this way ~ www.novelhall.com ~ In addition to eating food, the colonists can usually fish on the Keelung River to increase the richness of food. Of course, there are vegetable seeds, and Marin also asked them to bring them with them, lest they get scurvy if they didn't eat vegetables.

Because of the lack of firewood on the island, in order to facilitate their cooking, Marin also equipped them with 10 solar stoves made of galvanized iron.

The solar cooker usually cooks with fire, and when it is not cooking, it can boil sea water as salt. The boiled salt can also be used to trade venison and other foods with the indigenous people (not too much sika deer on Tai Island).

In addition to these things, the rest are naturally guns, swords and other weapons. After all, Sheliao Island is easily attacked by Japanese pirates on the seashore, and may conflict with the indigenous people. Strong armament is necessary.

Moreover, 50 soldiers will stay, and together with the 100 serfs who know the craftsmanship of masons, they will guard Sheliao Island until the arrival of the second group.

Of course, these were just what the first colonists needed. Because, colonizing a new place for the first time is bound to be difficult. Whether it is safety or food source.

Once Amerigo returns, and records the coordinates of the route, Marin can start with a large force. Because, Marin had to deal with the Daming Empire personally in order to get the chance of normal trade with Daming.

Moreover, Marin never felt that he would fail. Because, he has killer skills-sweet potatoes that produce several thousand pounds per mu. In the agricultural-oriented Daming, no one can refuse the temptation of such a high-yield sweet potato ...

In addition to sweet potatoes, Marin also decided to bring peanuts and corn in the past. In addition, he also plans to invite the emperors and ministers of the Ming dynasty to eat a meal with roasted sweet potatoes, fried peanuts and popcorn, so that they can personally feel the charm of these exotic foods ... 8) More exciting Novel, welcome to visit everyone