Because the ships were parked before, they did not realize that there were enemy warships nearby. This was completely an encounter. On the four ships, the sailors were chatting, hanging out, and some were smoking. The officers were drinking tea. Until they
He was alerted only when he heard gunshots on the mountain.
Therefore, when Count Masfeld boarded the ship, the gunners went down to the gun warehouse to prepare the artillery to bombard the arrogant pirates who were chasing Count Masfeld. However, other personnel on the ship still did not pay attention.
Still not at his post.
It wasn't until the enemy ship suddenly appeared, blocked the overseas exit, and opened fire that he woke up.
As the drumbeat order was conveyed, the chefs and helpers immediately rushed to the kitchen and put out the fire. This was to prevent the open flame from being hit by the shells and flying around, igniting the gunpowder and causing an explosion.
The Marines who escaped back to the ship immediately began to clean up all the wooden partitions, livestock, sailor boxes and other personal belongings on the deck. These messy things stacked on the deck will be transferred to the cargo hold on the bottom of the hull. This way
A series of obstacle-free passages running through the entire length of the deck were cleared.
This will make it easier to dispatch personnel, transport shells, gunpowder, and evacuate the wounded. In an artillery battle, the efficiency of gunfire is directly related to the traffic capacity of the deck. Whoever fires more efficiently is more likely to win the battle. Every second must be raced.
Boatswain Johnson shouted loudly and ordered the sailors to stow the small boats under the warship and tie them to the stern. These sampans are also lifeboats. Once the ship is in danger of sinking, they must be used immediately to allow officers and soldiers to launch from the stern.
escape.
Jack, the second boatswain, directed the sailors to open the protective net above the upper deck. This can provide a certain degree of protection for the rigging that was shot down after the exchange of fire. Otherwise, the enemy's grape bullets, chain bullets, and rod bullets will fly away.
Come, smash the sail ropes to pieces, and smash down a large number of copper rigging parts. It will definitely break the sailors' bones and tendons and burst their brains.
The second officer led people out of the cabin. They used baskets to sprinkle sand on the deck to increase friction. Because the blood on the floor during the battle would make the deck slippery. In this way, during the artillery battle, the deck would be filled with sand.
The person transporting the shells will fall down, affecting the timely delivery of the ammunition.
The ordnance chief hung a blanket soaked in water at the entrance of the powder magazine, filled the fire bucket with water, and the water pump was ready for use. This prevented burning objects from falling into the powder magazine and causing an explosion. It also made it easier to put out fires with water.
The water pump is in the middle of the top deck and is used to pump out the ballast water from the bottom bin to put out fires. If the bottom bin and the ship's deck are hit and burst and flood, the water can also be pumped out to buy time for the damage control personnel to quickly plug the leaks and prevent
The ship sank.
Under the leadership of the squad leader, the ammunition carriers moved the gunpowder and shells out of the safe cabin under the waterline and quickly moved them to each gun position. The gun commander and his assistants were also ready to continue to prepare the gun positions.
Provides shells and ammunition packs.
At the same time, the ship's doctors and assistants also began to prepare for surgical operations in the stern cabin. The operating room is usually located in the cabin of the candidate ensign. If time comes, the officers will change into their best uniforms
.
Now, although the artillery battle broke out suddenly, following the captain, Admiral Theodore's order, everyone on the ship immediately performed their duties. Everyone knew clearly what they were going to do now and where they were going.
This is the embodiment of the high quality of the Western Navy in this era.
In less than half a minute, almost all artillery combatants entered the designated positions of their artillery positions and prepared for artillery firing, or went to other assigned positions to stand by.
After being shelled, Gunnery Commander Matthew hurriedly entered the lower gun compartment. The scene at this time was shocking.
Thick smoke billowed in the gun bunker, and the enemy's terrifying fifty-pounder guns fired lead balls that made a mess inside. A deadly storm of steel and sharp wood splinters swept across the entire lower deck, with mutilated limbs everywhere.
and overturned artillery pieces.
"All gun positions that can fight, fire immediately, target the gun bunker of the enemy ship." Matthew yelled.
At this time, the shouts and howls of pain were mixed together in the cannon warehouse, and there were many people running. It was very noisy, and the sound was not loud enough to be heard at all.
With the arrival of the gunnery commander, the two-story gun warehouse immediately became quiet, and the eighteen 36-pound heavy guns and twenty-eight 24-pound heavy guns that had not been hit immediately began loading.
The gun crew members used ropes and pulleys to pull the artillery and adjust the left and right firing angles.
The gunner commander asked the four gunners to pass a wooden pole through the two lugs at the upper end of the long cannon, and lift the cannon body more than ten centimeters with their shoulders. Because it was too heavy, it could only be lifted so high.
He used a triangular wooden wedge with a lower front and a higher rear. According to the required muzzle height, he adjusted the front and rear positions and inserted it. In this way, the muzzle could be aimed at the enemy ship at a pitch angle.
Because the gunnery commander has to command the upper and lower gun warehouses at the same time, he stands in the middle of the stairs, with his waist on the floor of the upper and lower floors. He constantly issues orders to the middle and lower gun warehouses.
The space in the cannon warehouse was small and very crowded. The shells just now caused many people to be injured or even killed. But these people were so crowded that there was no room to lie down on the ground.
"Throw all those people who are not worth saving from the gun window into the sea." Matthew shouted loudly.
Naval battles in this era were so cruel. The crews of the broadside artillery had to fight in a very crowded environment, and the casualties did not even have room to fall.
"Report to the gunnery commander, Lucas is dying." The gunnery commander of the No. 6 gun crew shouted.
The high-speed flying shell just broke off one of his arms, and almost at the same time, it tore open his stomach with a terrifying high-speed rotation. When he fell, his internal organs were spilled on the floor, and two or three people were grabbing him.
Hold his arm to prevent him from contaminating the propellant.
"Throw him into the sea, quickly." Matthew shouted. Although Lucas was not dead yet, because he could not survive, he was thrown directly into the sea.
At this time, any kindness or mercy is the way to death. Because it affects the efficiency and speed of firing, more enemy shells will be fired. At that time, more people will die.
"Report to the gunnery commander, the No. 1 gun crew is ready."
"Report to the gunner, gun crew No. 6 is ready."
…
Matthew looked at the second hand of his pocket watch. The speed was good, which showed that the strict training in peacetime showed its value in wartime.
"All port side guns, open fire!" Matthew shouted at the upper and lower gun bays respectively.
All the 36-pound guns and 24-pound guns that could be used used match ropes to light the fuses. At this time, the bay was calm because it was an inland sea. There were almost no waves.
In this way, the hull is stable. There is no possibility of up and down movement. In this state, the artillery will not have the problem of firing the shells higher or lower due to the up and down movement of the hull. Because there is no rolling left and right swing.
The three armed merchant ships near the Prince were also equipped with 8 24-pound guns and 12 12-pound guns. There were 4 24-pound guns and six 12-pound guns on one side.
These ships were not hit. They followed the Prince and opened fire on the cruiser Hengshan, which was more than 200 meters away.
This chapter has been completed!