The Brooklyn Shipyard in New York is the most technologically advanced shipyard of the U.S. Navy, so more than half of the large U.S. battleships are built here. As the first armored cruiser of more than 10,000 tons in the United States, two Pennsylvania-class ships are built here.
This construction.
Today, the Brooklyn Shipyard is decorated because today is a good day for the launch of the USS Pennsylvania, the first battleship of this class.
Therefore, on both sides of the No. 2 dock where the Pennsylvania was located, there were crowds participating in the launching ceremony.
"What a beautiful battleship."
As the most important guest at today's launching ceremony, Theodore Roosevelt, who was the New York Commissioner two years ago, is no longer what he used to be. He now serves as the Deputy Secretary of the Navy.
Of course, just being a deputy minister is not a big deal, but Roosevelt's deputy minister is not ordinary. Because his immediate boss, Secretary of the Navy John Long, has been ill for a long time and cannot handle political affairs, so he is equivalent to being the full minister, plus President McKinley
He was also not interested in the navy, so Mr. Roosevelt was able to control the U.S. Navy as deputy secretary and wield all the power. More importantly, he was only 39 years old. It is no exaggeration to say that he was a man of destiny.
"It is indeed a beautiful battleship."
This was the praise of his friend Commodore George Dewey, and he was right. Compared with several large warships in the current U.S. Navy, the slender Pennsylvania is indeed very good-looking.
"Yes, thank you to the workers at the Brooklyn Shipyard. I heard that they worked overtime for the Pennsylvania and West Virginia. It was really hard."
Rear Admiral Samplin looked at the battleship that was about to be launched, smiled and said thank you to the shipyard workers.
"Samplin, I heard that these four cruise ships will be arranged in your South Atlantic Fleet?"
Dewey looked at Major General Samplin and couldn't help but ask.
Faced with Dewey's inquiry, Samplin did not deny it. "This is just to let them familiarize themselves with the sea conditions in the Caribbean as soon as possible. You also know that without our help, those Cubans don't know when they will be independent."
"Indeed, these Cubans are still a little bit weak, and they are still a little bit weak when facing the Spanish army."
"That's why we need to help the Cuban people gain independent status, and the navy needs to play a leading role in promoting Cuban independence."
Theodore Roosevelt was so naked when he opened his mouth, which can be regarded as a clear statement.
That's right, in order to show the strength of the United States and to gain benefits from Cuba, American capitalists can't wait any longer.
As for Cuba, the United States proposed the idea of buying Cuba to Spain, which was heavily in debt at the time, in 1880. The price was as high as 120 million U.S. dollars. This price was nearly 17 times more expensive than buying Alaska from Russia. This made the United States willing to pay such a high price to buy Cuba.
, which also shows its desire for Cuba.
However, the U.S. proposal was categorically rejected by Spain. Cuba is one of the few high-quality Spanish colonies, and cows that provide generous taxes every year, how could they be sold for such a small amount of money?
Faced with the rejection of the Spanish, the United States later supported the independence of the Cuban people and directly broke away from Spanish rule. In recent years, the Cuban independence movement has been one after another, and Americans can be seen more or less behind it. In addition, due to the distance,
The United States is on a first-come-first-served basis and has invested heavily in Cuba, which has aggravated the influence of the Americans on Cuba.
Coupled with the smooth development in these years, the U.S. economy has become the world's largest. The rapidly expanding economy has pushed the already aggressive United States to expand outward even more crazily, seeking new sources of raw materials, commodity sales markets, and
Investment places to extract more high monopoly profits. But just as the United States was preparing to expand overseas, the entire world had been carved up by the established colonial powers.
At this time, the aging Spain came into view. Firstly, it is not strong and is suitable for the United States to practice. Secondly, its colony Cuba is very coveted. In addition, Puerto Rico and the Philippines in Asia have a very high strategic status. It is simply
The perfect candidate for leveling.
Therefore, knowledgeable people in the United States are very interested in Spain. If Spain had not suddenly purchased two cruise ships, the United States would have started plotting a war against Spain.
Of course, it's not too late now. Spain purchased two cruise ships after a desperate struggle. The United States, with its deep pockets, directly built four ships. In addition to the several cutting-edge battleships it had built before, Spain would have no chance of survival unless God showed up to help.
.
"Please rest assured, Mr. Minister, I know how to do it, and I will make it combat effective as soon as possible."
Major General Samplin, who was satisfied with his ambition, knew his purpose and promised.
"That's good, but you have to pay attention that these warships will be launched within three months, and you need to arrange excellent candidates to operate the ships."
Why did Theodore Roosevelt know so well? It was because he strictly required the shipyard to guarantee delivery time, so he was able to launch this class of equipment into the water in a rare and intensive manner.
"Can each fleet deploy veterans to support it?"
That's right, Major General Samplin knew that he had a heavy task, so he opened his mouth to offer advice.
"No problem, I will send a telegram to General Walker and Colonel Evans and ask them to mobilize experienced officers and sailors."
Faced with Rear Admiral Samplin's request, Theodore Roosevelt immediately agreed. Because he knew the urgency of the matter. Currently, the U.S. Navy is only waiting for four Pennsylvania-class ships to be put into patrol service before it can prepare to cause trouble in Cuba.
"Your Excellency, Deputy Minister, can the launching ceremony begin?"
While the three of them were chatting, the shipyard manager came over and asked.
"Okay, no problem."
Facing the manager's inquiry, the three people immediately stopped talking and prepared to participate in the ceremony. Theodore Roosevelt even tightened his clothes and appeared in front of everyone with a smile on his face.
Following his appearance, there was a burst of cheers at the scene, and it was not clear whether it was for the warship that was about to be launched, or for the Vice Minister of the Navy.
But it seemed that Theodore Roosevelt was enjoying this very much, as he waved to greet those attending the ceremony.
"This good friend of ours seems to like being a public figure very much. He feels similar to veterans who have been in politics for decades."
Dewey spoke to Major General Samplin about his views on Theodore Roosevelt.
"You're right, maybe you can call him President Roosevelt from now on."
Samplin strongly agreed with Dewey's words,
"Your Excellency, Deputy Minister, this is champagne."
Roosevelt, who was completely unaware of the two men's comments, took a 5-liter bottle of champagne tied with flowers and threw it towards the bow of the USS Pennsylvania five meters away.
In the expectant eyes of everyone, the champagne was smashed to pieces, and then the Pennsylvania slowly slid towards the sea, and after catching a wave, it stopped steadily in the sea.
The crowd cheered again, cheering for the launching of the battleship.
