The short-distance sprinting ability of the paddle-powered sailboats was indeed superior to that of ordinary sailboats. Both large paddle-powered sailboats extended fifty or sixty long oars and quickly caught up with the tail of the 601 ship.
"Three-pounder cannons loaded with shotgun ammunition, riflemen, get ready."
Han Kun looked at the three oar-powered sailboats hanging at the stern and a cold smile appeared on his lips. The lower deck of the frigate was flat and open, filled with twelve-pound cannons. Due to the angle of fire of the cannon windows, these cannons could only fire in fan-shaped patterns to the sides.
The upper deck, equipped with masts, ropes, and other facilities, did not house the heavy twelve-pounder cannons, but it did have the maneuverability of three-pounder cannons, providing ample firing positions for the riflemen. All of this firepower was capable of firing from any direction.
The 601 ship turned exceptionally slowly this time, and the three oarsmen finally caught up with its stern. At this point, no matter how the escort ship turned, the oarsmen would make a large circle and hide behind the stern to avoid the gunfire from both sides.
"Whoosh whoosh"
The grappling hook was thrown onto the stern of the 601, and the long cable was pulled taut. The speed of the 601 dropped sharply. The barbarian warriors climbed onto the mast of the oar-powered sailing ship. If they got any closer, they could jump on board and have a good fight. They were simply driven crazy by these despicable Xia people.
"Aguwu, what are these people doing? Don't they... have bows and arrows?"
The period before boarding is the most dangerous. Archers are very accurate at close range. Once you jump onto the ship, the cluttered space on the deck will limit the effectiveness of the formation, and the role of the "warriors" will be amplified.
"Pull it up...pull it up, turn the boat sideways and bring it alongside."
Aguwu, who was leading the group, had a bad feeling and began frantically yelling at the barbarians pulling the ropes. The calm expressions of the riflemen on the escort ship made him doubt his decision to attack.
His suspicions were correct; the close-range roar of the three-pound cannon was truly awe-inspiring, and the warriors hanging on the masts fell like leaves from a withered tree.
The riflemen's synchronized volley turned the natives who were crowding at the bow of the boat, preparing to climb up, into a hail of arrows, lying scattered on the ground. Their raised wooden shields could block the arrows but not the lead bullets.
"Sever the grappling hook, turn right hard, prepare the artillery for shot."
Han Kun watched as the large number of enemy warships surrounded him due to his sudden decrease in speed, and felt the slow movements of the 601. His palms were sweating with tension.
I took a bit of a risk just now. Although I'm not afraid of hand-to-hand combat, so many crew members and sailors aren't cultivators. If half of them die in the boarding action, the ship will be stranded. What would happen if it were stranded in this kind of environment...? Is it even worth it?
Someone patted him on the shoulder, and the captain's calm voice came through: "How will we know this tactic won't work if we don't try it? Last year, I thought naval warfare was just about naval battles, bows and arrows, and hand-to-hand combat!"
The 601 ship finally turned around, and the starboard gunner finally saw the enemy ship, which was only thirty feet away.
Their formation was very dense, and their distance was just right. If they were any closer, the artillery's firing angle would not be able to cover them, and muzzle-loading guns could not fire at a large angle.
"A volley of shotgun shells."
The gunner's commands were brief and powerful, the cannons roared dully and continuously, and the barbarian warriors beneath the cannons looked pitiful, lamentable, and regrettable.
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