Massawa is the main port in Italian East Africa and a very important port on the Far East trade route. Basically, Italian ships traveling to and from the Far East like to dock at Massawa for supplies and repairs.
Because here is the best shipyard in East Africa and very skilled shipyard workers. These workers will quickly deal with the algae and shellfish on the bottom of the ship, allowing the ship to sail again quickly, and the charges are relatively cheap. It is cheap and fast.
, many ships from other countries also like to choose Massawa as a port for docking and repair.
Therefore, Massawa has relied on East African trade and port calling services in recent years, and it has been prosperous and prosperous.
Of course, as Italy's largest port in East Africa, Massawa will certainly not be short of warships. But today, off the coast of Massawa, a strange warship suddenly surfaced, and a group of naval officers and soldiers were scrambling to climb out of the hatch.
.
"Ahem, cough, cough, Mr. Luofu, can you inform us next time you conduct experiments? Look at how embarrassed everyone is."
Captain Barrera, who had a beard and a greasy face and was wearing the same greasy navy shirt, stood on the boat and coughed twice, complaining to the engineer on board who had just climbed out of the submarine.
Rolf, who looked similar to Captain Barrera, apologized to him with an apologetic look. "I'm sorry, Captain Barrera. I saw that I was arriving in Massawa soon, so I wanted to check the underwater
The submarine was charging in an emergency, but I forgot to close the hatch."
And Luofu's words made the other officers and soldiers on the boat look angry. You know how dangerous it is to start the diesel engine underwater, and something might happen. This guy actually dared to do it for the sake of testing. These ships that are inspecting submarines
Engineer, are you risking your life?
Captain Barrera gestured with three fingers in his hand and said with a fierce look. "We can't just let this matter go. When we get to Massawa, you have to treat everyone to at least three glasses of rum."
"No problem, I'll buy you three glasses of rum, everyone."
Knowing that Captain Barrera was trying to save himself from the siege, Rove readily agreed to this condition.
As for the officers and soldiers of the submarine, most of their attention was attracted by three glasses of rum at this time, so most of their anger was reduced.
After a while, the smoke in the cabin cleared, and then Barrera said. "Boys, let's move towards Massawa now. There is wine and food waiting for us there, as well as hot baths and girls."
Barrera's words made everyone on the submarine cheer. They had not been on land for half a month. At this time, there was nothing comparable to these. Staying in a small submarine cabin was simply worse than going to jail.
So under the leadership of Varela, this new submarine built by the Livorno Shipyard rushed towards Massawa, not far away.
Captain Barrera and others are driving Italy's latest submarine, the C-class submarine. This is the 11th submarine built in Italy and the second submarine designed by John Holland in Italy.
The father of modern submarines still had great ambitions. Faced with an invitation from Italy, even at an advanced age, he left the unhappy United States without hesitation and came to Italy to design his beloved submarine.
The C-type submarine has a displacement of 250 tons, an underwater displacement of 303 tons, a length of 41.2 meters, a pressure hull length of 27.8 meters, a width of 4.08 meters, a height of 8.6 meters, a draft of 3.83 meters, a maximum depth of 90 meters, and a normal depth of 50 meters.
It is equipped with two four-stroke six-cylinder diesel engines, each with a power of 350 horsepower. The underwater power is provided by two motors with a power of 220 horsepower. The maximum speed on the water is 11.4 knots, and the maximum speed underwater is 5.8 knots.
knots, the fuel load is 12 tons, the surface endurance is 1400 nautical miles/8 knots, and the underwater endurance is 35 nautical miles/4 knots.
The main weapons are two 533mm torpedo launch tubes, which can carry 5 torpedoes or 12 mines. A 37mm gun is installed on the deck. The submarine has a crew of 26, including 3 officers.
Think about it, how uncomfortable it is for 26 people to stay in a small space of more than 20 meters long (the pressure-resistant shell is the place where people can stay), or to stay there for more than ten days. Not to mention having to
With the addition of several shipyard engineers who were on board to inspect the equipment, it became even more crowded.
Although the C-shaped water surface was not very fast, it was just off the coast of Massawa, so we quickly arrived at the military port in Massawa.
"Barela, long time no see!"
"Long time no see, Tovani."
Two rough palms are held tightly together, representing deep friendship.
Captain Tovani, who is currently the first mate of the cruiser Farias, looked at his friends and classmates over the years and said with joy. "I didn't expect you to go to the submarine force, let alone meet you here.
"Gu Yu
Captain Barrera said equally happily. "Actually, I have wanted to come to you for a long time. Isn't it just right now?"
"In that case, let's go. I know you are arriving in Massawa today, and I have specially prepared to take you to taste East African food."
"That's just right. I've been eating all the bread in the submarine these days, and I've long wanted to change my taste."
After saying that, Barela left the military port in a car under the leadership of Tovani. Since Massawa is a port of call for trade and supplies, it will bring together people from all over the world, and the style of Massawa's architecture is also the same. What is the Middle East?
Buildings of various styles such as South Asia, Africa, and Europe can be seen everywhere, and Tovani took him to an East African-style restaurant about one kilometer away from the military port.
"Your Majesty Tovani, welcome to your visit."
As soon as I got off the car, I saw a fat black man of 200 pounds walking quickly towards Tovani with an exaggerated expression and dancing.
"Tuke, are you ready for me to treat my friends to delicious food?"
It seems that Tovani is very familiar with this fat black man.
"Of course, of course. How could I forget the distinguished guests that Mr. Tovani is going to entertain? They will be here soon."
Tu Ke, who brought the two people to the dining room, immediately answered.
After a while, the waiter came with various delicacies, such as roasted tender lamb, roasted camel hump, fried bananas, black coffee, and some delicacies that looked good but could not be named. These foods were piled up on the table.
"Come drink to our friendship."
After the crisp "ding" sound of clinking glasses, the two started eating happily. Especially Barrera, who was tired of eating bread these days, it was just like a storm.
“It’s so comfortable and the East African food is really good.”
Barrera, who was very satisfied with his meal, put down his knife and fork and touched his belly.
As for Tovani, he had already taken out two cigars. A cigarette after a meal is better than a living god. This is true for smokers all over the world, and this man obviously did not escape the range of smokers, so he swallowed it after the meal.
It is inevitable that the clouds will spit out mist.
"Barela, there's something I don't understand. Why did you want to go to the submarine force?" Tovani looked at his friend and asked about him.
Don't blame Tovanihu for asking this, because currently, in the Italian Navy, submarines are not a new type of arms that is taken seriously. Moreover, the nature of submarines makes many navy officers sneer at them.
In their opinion, the navy should drive battleships to confront the enemy head-on, with cannons roaring and steel colliding. There is nothing more romantic for a man than this. Hiding in a dark corner like a submarine, waiting for the enemy to come over and make a surprise attack, is simply unattainable.
This is not only a view held by the Italian Navy, but also by navies from all over the world. After all, the navy is an aristocratic service, so sneak attacks will certainly not be recognized by the aristocrats.
When asked by his friend, Barrera answered silently. "Because I like this feeling of lurking, and I think submarines have great potential in the future because they can lurk in the sea. The navy not only needs warships on the surface, but also needs water on the surface."
The battleship disembarked.”
Since his friends have said this, Tovani can only say something else and raise his glass again. "Then I wish your wish comes true."
"Thanks."
Barrera was very satisfied with the hospitality given by his friends tonight, and although his subordinates did not eat as richly as they did, it was good. Next, they will repair in Massawa for a week, and then continue to test this new submarine.
