Rurik wanted to build a ship. Even though he was ambitious, the problem of ship materials was the most serious issue.
The territory of Rossburg is too far to the north, and oak trees are extremely rare in the cold area. The easiest way to capture the oak trees is to truly expand the sphere of influence to Gotland and build a permanent fortress there, or make a roundabout way.
The Mälaren people who immigrated to Gotland were asked to help cut down some oak trees.
An even bolder possibility is that the Russians firmly rooted their power in the southernmost part of Scandinavia, facing the Danes on the other side across the strait.
However, when it comes to shipbuilding, it is not realistic to stick to oak.
Oak trees are indeed hard to find in Roseburg and further north, but red pine and spruce are everywhere!
If we sacrifice the strength of some ships and no longer blindly collide with possible enemy ships, the spruce trees in the north and even the pine forests near Fort Ross can solve all the shipbuilding problems of the Ross people.
Throughout the Roseburg infrastructure project throughout the warm period of 832, people used double saws and axes to cut down a large number of trees.
A large number of old houses have also been demolished, and their most important beams have become the best ship keels.
The Hotla family who immigrated to Rus already had relatively strong funds. Considering the future shipbuilding project, they immediately purchased as many as twenty girders.
Only a few of these oak beams can be used as the keel of a large ship such as the Aurora. The rest of the beams can be used as the keels of common cargo ships.
Now, these naturally shorter wooden beams are used to form the keel of the destroyer.
Rurik signed a clear agreement with them. The plan of the "Eighty-Eight Fleet" is no joke, but a task that must be completed in 834. What the craftsmen get for completing this work is by no means as simple as money.
higher political status.
The agreement clearly determined that the price of a cruiser without any weapons or attachments was set at one hundred and fifty pounds of silver coins, and the price of a destroyer was set at one hundred pounds of silver coins.
Therefore, Rurik's budget for shipbuilding alone had reached 1,400 pounds of silver coins.
And this is just the price of building the ship, and the weapons that come with it are a huge expense.
Even though the war dividends made him rich, Rurik felt a little guilty when he thought deeply about this matter. Fortunately, after these ships were built, they would be used by the Russians for expeditions in all directions, so more money for shipbuilding was necessary.
Compared with the Avora-class cruisers, the destroyers required by Rurik are all smaller. He does not require such ships to undertake cargo tasks. They are purely small combat tools. The shipbuilders cannot afford to have a strong hull structure and a stable structure.
and combat effectiveness.
The keel was laid at the first opportunity, and the sound of clanging and clanging could be heard from the two indoor docks. A total of four destroyers had begun to be built.
Even though the indoor environment was a bit cramped due to the construction of two ships at the same time in each indoor dock, the craftsmen did not complain at all, because the construction time given by the sponsor was limited, and if the time was delayed, Rurik would probably give less money.
There is another force urging overtime work, and that is Huotra himself.
As he got older, he should have lost his fighting spirit and stayed at home waiting to die. Wouldn't it be nice to leave all the shipbuilding matters to his descendants, but his fighting spirit was awakened by Rurik again.
Sixteen large ships in total? What a gorgeous sight that is?
The Ross fleet was built by my own family, and looking at them as if they were still my own, what an honor that is.
Rurik was always reassured by the shipbuilding attitude of the Hotla family and their friends. They also hired a group of manpower, even some Russian women, to work as a labor force for logging, transporting, and supplying firewood. Such measures would surely make
The hull was built earlier.
But another problem is starting to get tricky.
Thinking back to that day, he stood on the big ship that was about to install the mast and boasted about building the propeller propulsion mechanism. Only when he actually started to implement it, Rurik became more and more aware of the difficulty involved.
"Maybe I can build a paddle steamer? No! Paddle steamers are not suitable for seagoing ships. Either don't build them or install propellers."
The most critical difficulty here is the issue of sealing.
For optimal seaworthiness, the propeller must of course be installed directly at the bottom of the hull. However, the output power is two human legs, and the power is purely mechanical transmission. What should we do?
Although the end result may be very strange, Rurik decided to use propellers. A ship is equipped with two propellers, and the rotating shaft is installed against the hull.
To a large extent, this is a variation of the mechanical structure of a paddle steamer. The horizontally rotating axle relies on gears and is transformed into two rotatable axles parallel to the keel, and the ends of these axles are propeller blades.
To complete this, Rurik took the time to visit the old blacksmith Klavasen's home, in the industrial area of the Russian carbon-iron complex, and gathered five blacksmith families from Rossburg to explain the ship and propeller mechanisms in detail.
Things.
This matter cannot be made clear to them in just a few words.
Rurik had to be patient. The meeting lasted for three days, and the group of them finally came up with a result.
As was Rurik's usual habit, the research results were carved on a yellow-white pine board, with toner smeared on the lines to form a clear engineering blueprint.
It can be said that to realize the driving force of a ship's human propeller, even if the speed is only two knots, it is also a test of the highest mechanical engineering technology of the Russian people at this stage.
It involves a wide range of aspects, and its complexity is even more complicated than shipbuilding!
But the five senior blacksmiths present are all wise.
The Russians are already using the power of flowing water, using a set of mechanical mechanisms to turn it into a free forging and grinding force. Now they are using a more complex mechanical structure to make the Russian paddles even more unique. There are reasons for this.
Thanks to Ke's technical support, the five families are full of fighting spirit!
Rurik's plan is to arrange two rotating rods longitudinally to the keel in the stern space. They are both made of wrought iron and surface carburized. One rotating rod is on the ground and the other is on the ground.
high places.
The upper rods are inserted into bronze roller bearings, and the bearings are installed at the hulls at both ends. The lower rods are arranged in the cabin. Not only are the roller bearings fixed at both ends, but as many as five sets are thermally welded on them for comparison.
Tight iron pedals.
The two rotating rods are connected by four belts and are driven by the belts.
The high rotating rod is located on the outer part of the hull, with bronze gears installed at both ends, and drives two special-shaped gears at the end of the rotating rod placed on the outer part of the hull.
The rotating rod outside the hull is inserted obliquely under the preset waterline. The rod is made of surface-carburized wrought iron. A bronze gear is installed on the upper end and a bronze propeller is installed on the lower end. It is fixed to the hull by three sets of roller bearings. In order to maximize the
To resist seawater corrosion, the outer hull rods are all silver-plated, and the propellers are also silver-plated.
In Rurik's expectation, the corrosion resistance of this mechanical structure to seawater and smoke was naturally poor, but in this era we really couldn't expect too much.
He has confidence in Ross's blacksmiths to challenge the difficult work, but he does not fully trust them.
He needs to conduct a pilot project on a ship to prove that this mechanical mechanism is effective. As long as it is effective, everything will be fine. As for the damage caused by marine corrosion, as long as the transmission mechanism installed outside the hull is not performed, the transmission mechanism installed outside the hull should be dismantled.
Just drop it and it'll be fine.
Klavasen accepted this task honorably. The work of forging swords and axes was certainly important, but this kind of work was now basically left to the young blacksmiths who were servants and were placed here by Rurik to study.
Such tasks as casting, polishing gears, casting blades, forging very long iron rods and silver plating, and even extremely high-end roller bearings are beyond the capabilities of ordinary blacksmiths.
The only person in Ross who can handle so many jobs at the same time is his son Kawhi, and they are not bragging in this regard.
The winter life of the Russian people is no longer as boring and quiet as it was many years ago. People are busy with all kinds of things, and the only thing that remains the same is to get benefits.
Soon after the first serious cold wave, another small-scale cold wave came. Some snow was cleared in Roseburg and all the roads were covered with ice. However, after the new cold wave, people had to do it all over again.
It is already late October, and the Russian Hanukkah is only one month away.
Since the first cold wave, most of the sea surface in the Gulf of Bothnia has been covered by ice, making even the weakest spots inaccessible.
The tension of the sea water forces the ice in the middle of the huge bay to squeeze. The farther north you go, the more serious the ice squeeze is. Finally, as in previous years, icebergs as high as ten meters or more are created. This is
It is the power of nature that Russians cannot change, but they can make good use of it.
The ice squeezes and creates some cracks. As long as the hunter finds this weak point, he can guard the crack and wait for the seals, or he can make holes in the ice to induce the sensitive seals to emerge for air. Of course, what is waiting for the seals is a harpoon and a big hook.
A group of Russian hunters went to the south to catch seals where the ice was relatively weak. They camped on the ice. When the sleds were fully loaded, they returned with a large amount of frozen hard seal skins, meat, and bones. The leather was sold to the Russians seasonally.
Rurik, a foreign merchant from the fort, is the biggest buyer of meat and bones.
Another group of Rus' hunters began their winter hunt this year. Together with Rurik's deer herders' servants heading north, they also accompanied hundreds of reindeer to Ironburg.
This year’s winter hunting isn’t as simple as hunting!
Spyut, who had once explored the upper reaches of Ironburg, discovered the lake and established the original camp of Fiskburg, this time he was ordered to do so in the face of danger. This trip with a hundred people was to follow the route marked by Rurik.
, not only to find Murmansk and establish a permanent settlement, but also to pull two long boats on sleds there. One hundred brave warriors are going to establish the northernmost settlement of the Rus.
It will be an arduous expedition, but the desire to see the magnificence of the sea at the end of the world has made the brothers have no hesitation.
Time has quietly entered December, and the days are rapidly shortening. Even so, the short days cannot weaken the enthusiasm of the Russian people for work.
These days, during the day, Rurik is either leading his men to the shipyard in Hotra, or to the industrial area where the black smoke never stops. As far as the current situation is concerned, the hulls of the four destroyers are being constructed in an orderly manner.
, and the other two large ship hulls that have been completed are now pushed outdoors, just waiting for the people who were ordered to go to the north to cut down the huge fir trees to install masts when they return, but now they have become some children climbing up and down.
Big toys.
As for all the parts of the propeller drive system, Klavason patted his chest and ensured that he had completed a set. This guy and his son Kawei were busy making these parts. When they finished one set, they made a new set, and Rurik asked him if he needed it.
The only way to prove it through experiments was to prevent it. As for the quality of the parts, Rurik was quite satisfied even though he didn't feel amazing.
Look at these roller bearings with the same specifications! It is the culmination of the Klavasen family's craftsmanship!
There are as many as ten bronze roller bearings, and their tolerances must be large, that is, it is difficult to see the difference between them with the naked eye. They rotate very smoothly, and it can be seen that the nesting of the four internal rollers and the large and small bronze rings is quite stable and accurate.
, and then apply thick seal grease, it seems that the overall mechanical performance is quite excellent. Now, just waiting for the hull to be built to a suitable level, it is time to install this system on a boat.
Rurik only had time at night when he would return to his palace, see how his wives and concubines were studying, and then recruit John Invar to learn Latin.
On the whole, the Russians just need to live a traditional life. As a powerful duke, he does not need to monitor what his men do every day. But there is one guy who really needs to be more vigilant, and that is the missionary Eskil
.
No matter what! Even though it was agreed that he could only serve as an observer and record some experiences in Russia, Eskil still couldn't help but want to be among the Russians who were busy making money, and even the Slavs who were married and had children.
The so-called sacred faith is spread among women.
This is a taboo forbidden by Rurik. What if this man is allowed to do whatever he wants?
Rurik was cruel and ordered his men to arrest Eskil, who appeared to be traveling but was actually trying his best to do his job. But Otto did something even more extreme. He did not ask his son to kill the old guy, but forced Rurik to
Gram ordered all of the man's hair and beard to be shaved off with a sharp steel knife as a sign of humiliation. But this punishment was not enough! Even if Rurik intended to be merciful, Otto and many Russians still demanded further punishment for this stain.
Outsiders in Odin's Blessed Sanctuary.
Esquier came with two young entourages. One of them, John Ingvar, became Rurik's tutor. He always behaved in an orderly manner and naturally received Rurik's protection. As for the other unknown person, he became Rurik's tutor.
The nameless boy who was the victim was secretly beheaded, and Eskil was humiliated again after having the hair on his head shaved off.
He became a monk? More than that!
Since he has done this kind of thing, why not do it a little more? After hearing John Ingvar's true cry, Rurik realized that this kid didn't really want to be a rabbit, he was just doing it passively to pray for his life. All of this is
Eskil's preferences and even the followers he raised have been violated.
What is blasphemy? Isn’t Eskil’s behavior the purest blasphemy against his own beliefs?
Esquier was essentially imprisoned. Although he had no worries about food and clothing, his body and mind were greatly damaged. All the hair on this man's body was hung up, and he felt that he was about to become a slave while he was screaming.
The ram.
John Invar was quite helpless when his companion was killed, but he was not stupid enough to stop Rurik's determination. He was very happy to see his teacher being retaliated against.
John Ingvar, he was trained to be very submissive and knew how to condescend to the strong, just like a loyal dog. Rurik would naturally like to use this kind of person. It is a pity that a good man would really do it because of
What have you experienced, and why you are unable to be a real man due to the constraints of your faith?
More than a month has passed, Rurik is a strange person in John Ingvar, the Duke of Ross has basically mastered Latin (a surprising number of vocabulary is very similar to modern English), and feels that his use value is rapidly weakening, John Ingvar
Val also became increasingly worried about his own future.
To be honest, he felt that he was living the best life in Ross. Master Rurik would not ask for his back, and even felt extremely disgusted with it. He would become stronger with adequate food. Moreover, Rurik would not ask for his back.
Lord Rick has been hinting at something, and John Invar inevitably has some doubts about his beliefs.
He is also a man at heart!
"Today's study ends here. I'm tired." Rurik yawned, then asked Fisk, Kanuf, Taravis and other young confidants to leave.
As usual, John Ingvar should leave the Duke's palace and go to sleep in his temporary house.
He was kept here specially by Rurik.
The third floor became cold...
"Sir, you...you have important arrangements to make while you stay with me? As for Latin, maybe I have already taught you..."
"You kid, you are still as cautious in your words as always, which makes you look weak. You are a Dane, and you are supposed to be Odin's berserker. How can you not be strong enough? You really look like a lamb now. Now let me ask you
one thing."
"Ah! Sir."
"Do you like women?"
"Ah! This..." John Invall was speechless. This guy wanted to say that he was actually interested, but because of his faith, the teacher's punishment in the future, and...
Rurik shook his head and stood up, pointing to his nose: "You hesitated! Hesitation is desire. Listen, I will make a deal with you. I will arrange a woman for you, and she will turn you into a real man.
.Don’t think about going back to Frank, just stay in Ross.”
"But! This is... blasphemy."
"Blasphemy. I knew you would say that. Eskil is blaspheming. Did he get punished by God? I punished him! Listen, it turns out that your god will not punish these things. You can
Do things according to my requirements, I am the one you can rely on. Don't worry, I will arrange a woman for you to take care of your daily life, you must prove that you are a real man, I will see the results within a year, you should know me
Meaning. Otherwise...just like your companion who was killed by my order, you will also have a tragic end."
John Invar's eyes widened and he swallowed hard. He was in a mixed mood, feeling excited and guilty at the same time.
But he knew that Rurik, Duke of Rus, was a good man.