Chapter 277 The Origin of Landing Ships

(Note: The picture below is the Alma Bridge in Paris. The "Zouave Soldier" statue on the bridge has long been the default water level measurement tool for Parisians. People know what the water level at the soles of the feet, waist or chest means or what measures to take. In 1910, the flood reached the statue's neck and it took two full months until mid-March to recede.)

As we enter mid-February, the temperature rises and the snow melts.

This year the heavy snow came early and left late. This abnormal climate brought a serious flood to Paris. The Seine, the "first river in Paris" that runs through the city, surged and part of the riverbank has been submerged.

On the pier of the Alma Bridge not far from the Eiffel Tower, one third of the famous "Zouaf Soldier" statue has been submerged.

This might have attracted the attention of Parisian citizens in the past, and even led them to prepare for possible floods, but this year people seem indifferent.

Because compared to the war, the surging river water seems insignificant.

…

In the Schneider Arsenal office, James looked out the window at the drizzle falling tirelessly and fell into deep thought.

The Allied landing campaign in the Dardanelles has begun.

James discovered an interesting thing, that Charles' invention didn't seem to work at sea, even though he had been in close contact with Wells recently, but that was also because Charles saved his only son, Tijani.

Does this mean that Charles can only invent equipment for land?

This is good news.

Schneider should seize this shortcoming of Charles and strive to make achievements in naval warfare in order to compete with Charles for the military industry market.

No, it’s not the market, but the right to speak.

James knew very well that this was not about money, but about power and who really had the say in this country.

If one day, the artillery, guns and ships used by the French army are all produced by Schneider or are related to Schneider, then even those congressmen will have to look at James's face.

This is another level of rule. France is indeed a free country, but if the decision-makers, including the parliamentarians, leave Schneider, it will be just talk, and James will be the de facto ruler.

However, this plan faces a major challenge: Charles and his invention.

James seemed calm on the surface, but he was shouting in his heart: Creativity, creativity, I need creativity! Only creativity can defeat Charles, otherwise everything is empty talk!

Paulina's cheerful and hurried footsteps sounded behind him, and James turned around. He knew it meant good news.

Sure enough, Paulina walked in with a look of joy. Before she even came to James, she took out a document from her handbag and waved it, saying with a little pride: "Sir, you should see this!"

James took the document, flipped through it, and looked up in confusion: "A ship?"

"Yes." Paulina nodded.

James looked at it again and said, "I guess it's a coal ship."

He has been working in the steel industry for many years and certainly knows the characteristics of coal carriers. They usually have a very wide hull, which can carry more weight but has a shallow draft.

"Yes!" Paulina nodded again.

James was disappointed. He handed the documents back to Paulina: "You want me to buy this boat? Then buy it!"

"Yes," replied Pauline, without taking the document: "Please look at it carefully, sir!"

James was a little impatient, but he still took another look at the coal ship and found something different about it: "Well, there are two doors on the bow side, and a gangway has been installed. Are you trying to tell me that this way the coal can be transported ashore from the side?"

"No, sir," Pauline replied, "to bring people ashore. To be exact, fully armed soldiers!"

"Soldier?" James' eyes lit up. Is this a military idea?

Sure enough, Paulina explained: "The Allied troops are landing in the Dardanelles, but the progress is not smooth. One of the reasons is that after the transport ship arrives at the destination, the soldiers need to climb down the rope ladder and then take a small boat to the other side..."

James suddenly understood: "During this period, the soldiers had to face the enemy's artillery bombardment and dense bullets. More than half of them were killed or wounded before they even landed on the shore!"

"Yes." Paulina replied, "But this kind of ship can solve this problem very well. It can carry 2,000 soldiers and run aground on the shoal. The soldiers can get off the ship through the side door at the bow and then cross the simple pontoon bridge or go directly ashore to attack. The whole process only takes a few minutes..."

"Great, Paulina, great!" James exclaimed. This was what he needed. He finally got ahead of Charles.

Then James hesitated: "Who invented this?"

He was worried that this was about Ciel again.

"It was a lieutenant commander named Anwin," Pauline replied, "he provided the idea, and I contacted him in time and bought the industrial property rights for 20,000 francs!"

James almost laughed out loud, buying such an idea for only 20,000 francs.

These fools, don't they know that the navy might need hundreds of these ships for landings, which might even help the Allies win the war!

Thinking of this, James did not hesitate at all and ordered Paulina: "Construct such a ship immediately, as well as supporting landing facilities. I will be responsible for contacting the military!"

"Yes, sir," Pauline replied cheerfully.

During this time, she sent many spies to the army to look for possible ideas, and finally she found a practical one.

Now, we should be able to fight a comeback!

…

In the boisterous Chamber of Deputies, Gallieni was questioned for his two refusal to send Charles to fight in the Dardanelles.

This was the third time Gallieni was questioned in the House of Representatives, and they asked the same question: "General, we want to know the reason for your refusal."

"Isn't the reason obvious?" Gallieni replied, "Charles is a research and development talent. The equipment he invented changed the entire war, and you plan to send him to the battlefield to take risks..."

"But General, he is really needed on the battlefield!" Grevi stood up and replied, "This may be a decisive battle. Once we win, we may be able to end this war!"

"Yes." Armand stood up and agreed, "We only ask him to stay on the warship to boost the morale of the troops, because the soldiers trust him! He can stay away from the battlefield. Is this also called adventure?"

Someone immediately started to make a noise:

"If this is called adventure, then what is a general inspecting the front line?"

"He's only a colonel, and he's an adult."

"No one is special, everyone should do their best in the war!"

…

Gallieni cursed in his heart with a dark face: Aren't you guys special? You are the ones who need to go to the battlefield the most!

(The picture above shows the HMS Clyde, which was converted from a coal carrier. Two doors were opened on the bow side to add a gangway. It was used in the Dardanelles landings and is considered the ancestor of landing ships.)

(End of this chapter)