NOVEL NEXT Chapter 192 BNV Vinayaka Trial Run
192 BNV Vinayaka Trial Run
Dakshin Bharatiya Empire, Vijayanagar state, Capital city-Hampi.
In the temporary ENEC headquarters of Hampi, Kishor Balabhadra is hurriedly reviewing the data provided by the intelligence departments. His task at hand is to compile a list of names for canonization as nobles of the Empire.
A lot of people had to be considered for canonization. For example, the medical concoction workshop owner Bhupathi, who was the person who first introduced the assembly line production method, who also initiated a significant industrial boom in the empire. Because of his innovation, the war against the Mughal Empire was adequately supplied with the necessary war materials. It is not too much to say that Bhupathi's innovation played a huge role in the war. Although Bhupathi is somewhat prideful, that is not what Kishor Balabhadra should consider. His only duty is to be a person who completes his job according to the constitution and merit, not seeing the face of anyone.
Kishor couldn't help but acknowledge that the most challenging path to achieving the noble title was through being a merchant. Among the merchants he observed, only Bhupathi was selected, and that was for his notable contribution to assembly line production. So, according to the amount of merit he had contributed to the empire, his name was written in the list Kishore kept beside him. It was the list of all the people who would be getting their noble titles, although most of them were first-rank nobles. Also, Scientific Personal like Sai from the Sai Design Bureau, who is affiliated with the Raya Iron Works, are also considered for his invention of the large 20-kilogram Cannon and the latest Semi-breach loading 30-kilogram Cannon. Manoj Reddy, a scientific talent, will also be getting the nobility title for his repeated improvements on the gunpowder.
The youngest of them all was a teenager named Naveen Bhat, who worked as the chief technician for the Raya and Shetty Paper Mill. Due to the increased demand for paper, the young man came up with a solution where he attached a larger driving gear to a smaller driven gear, which produced a gear ratio of 2:1. When the hydraulic power was used to spin the wheel at 10 rotations per minute, the paper mill spun at 20, increasing the efficiency of paper making.
It is due to this that the demand for paper could barely keep up in the empire, especially since the elections and examinations were just around the corner.
So, for his contribution, Naveen Bhatt would also be granted a noble title. Vijay, when designing the merit system, made it easiest to achieve nobility in the scientific research field and the military. The noble bureau in the military is diligently calculating the merits of soldiers to grant them titles accordingly.
The royal palace.
Vijay was sitting in his study room, looking over the recent documents submitted to him. One document caught his attention, It was the trade agreement with the Ahom Kingdom, along with the military alliance agreement. Vijay had a smile on his face seeing this. Although Roshan is now part of the government, he still receives frequent reports from the Bharatiya External Pragya regularly. So, he could see that the Mughal Empire was starting to get restless, as an army of 50,000 soldiers was assembled on their eastern border.
Vijay is planning to help out the Ahom Kingdom when the time comes. Putting away the agreement in a dedicated safe where his agreements with the Portuguese and the Venetians were kept.
* Knock knock*
" Come in "
Vijay said as the old butler Ravichandra Rao entered his study room and informed him, "Your Majesty, the BNV Vinayaka warship has been constructed. You are invited to inspect the ship."
Vijay, upon hearing the words of the old butler, was very happy that the BNV Vinayaka warship was finally ready. The significance of this warship to the Empire was immense. With this warship, it became possible to occupy nearby islands along the coast, and new military bases or outposts could be established on these islands. The Vinayaka frigate would be perfect for such operations. So, Vijay quickly finished the rest of his work, and he left for Mangalore Port immediately.
Vijay finally arrived at the shipyard, where he was greeted by Danier Boswell, "Welcome, Your Majesty. Please come in."
After exchanging greetings with Danier and his company, Vijay proceeded directly to inspect the warship. The vessel was docked in the sea area of the port, its massive size leaving him in awe. This represented the largest ship Vijayanagar had managed to produce. Although not a conventional battleship, it was a significant achievement for the Dakshin Bharatiya Empire, considering they did not even have an active shipbuilding industry a few years ago. The ship featured two masts with square sails, a departure from the lateen sails used in both the Hampi-class sloop and Dana-class armed merchant ship. Three saffron flags adorned the ship, planted at its rear and atop both sails.
Vijay stepped onto the warship, taking note of its armament. A total of 18 semi-breech loader cannons, each of calibre 30 kilograms, adorned the vessel – six on the port side, six on the starboard side, three at the rear, and three at the front. Additionally, there were 10 swivel guns mounted on the ship's deck, each of a 15 kg calibre with an impressive fire rate of 6 to 8 rounds per minute. Despite Vijay being familiar with the specifications from the blueprint, Danier elaborated on them once more. However, Vijay was eager to witness the capabilities firsthand, so he suggested, "Enough of these numbers on paper, let's put the warship to the test. Let's see what this new addition to our Empire is truly capable of."
Danier was taken aback by Vijay's suggestion but quickly nodded his head, agreeing to His Majesty's request.
The sea trials of the BNV Vinayaka finally began. Weather conditions were noted down, and the warship, which was docked in the port, departed as it cut through the waves. There were moderate waves in the sea, which provided a better sea trial Environment. The frigate demonstrated excellent stability in varying weather conditions. Maneuverability was commendable, responding promptly to helm commands. The crew, trained by the naval academy, coordinated well during sail handling, and manoeuvres were effective.
The next objective was the live-fire exercises. The heavy cannons achieved an accuracy of 75% hits on a target at 500 meters, with a reduction in accuracy as the range increased. The reload speed in actual combat conditions was one or two rounds per minute. The swivel guns proved effective in repelling simulated boarders, with their increased firepower instrumental in incapacitating the boarders at close range. Due to the iron used to produce the ramming angle, ramming tests were conducted. A simulated ramming test against a stationary target was performed, and the iron-reinforced oak hull withstood the impact without any significant damage.
The next objective was the speed trials. Under normal wind conditions, the speed was 8.5 knots, and under ideal wind conditions, the warship reached a maximum of 11.2 knots. The warship proved to be manoeuvrable, as it could easily change course during the speed trials.
After repeated testing, Vijay took some rest as the endurance test took place, where the warship was subjected to sail in the sea continuously for 72 hours. Fortunately, due to the good training of the Naval Academy, the crew's endurance remained high with efficient operations throughout. Vijay came back after a few days to see the tactical simulations, where the warship is engaged against various opponents. For this trial, Admiral Gangadhar was invited, and he successfully executed the hit-and-run tactics, utilizing the speed and agility of the warship. Admiral Gangadhar gave an evaluation that it adapted well to different roles, showcasing versatility in tactical approaches. Finally, the all-around sea trial of the BNV Vinayaka-class frigate was completed, and the frigate passed with flying colours.
So, Vijay ordered the Raya shipyard to manufacture eight such frigates, along with spreading an order for four each to the Shivaji shipyard in Kochi, Chola shipyard in Colombo, and Ashoka shipyard in Visakhapatnam.
"But, Your Majesty, the oak needed to build the ship?" Danier asked with a hint of hesitation.
Vijay waved his hand and replied, "I have already arranged for the raw material to be shipped to various shipyards; it will be available by the time the keel is laid."
Danier finally nodded his head, confirming that the raw material was available.
The military machine of the Dakshin Bharatiya Empire started again. Large cannons were cast in the Raya armoury, and swivel guns were also being manufactured. The naval industry supply chain Vijay set up started to run at full speed as various small products, like the wheel used to turn the rudder and the sails used in the BNV Vinayaka, were outsourced.
Due to the order being for a large ship, the materials required were also driving the marine industry forward. Keels were laid in various shipyards within the same week. As the oak transported from the Ahom Kingdom arrived on time, the bones of the ship started to take shape. The time for the civil examination also arrived.
P.S. Internals Finally Ended.
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