Trieste was the largest port in the Austro-Hungarian Empire, and most of Austria-Hungary's maritime transportation went through this port. So although the port was not very eye-catching in later generations, in this era it was a very prosperous port city.
The population exceeds 300,000.
This is also where the Austro-Hungarian shipbuilding industry and maritime trading companies are based, so it is reasonable to have such a scale.
In addition to its civilian use, the Port of Trieste was also used by the Austro-Hungarian Navy as a main port of call for warships.
Speaking of which, Austria-Hungary used the port as a dual-use military and civilian port because Austria-Hungary has few excellent ports, and only the Port of Trieste can afford it. If the port is not built vigorously, which port should be built?
In recent years, the Austro-Hungarian Navy, although far less conspicuous than Germany and Italy, has still grown. For example, three of the four Combined Forces-class battleships it built have been put into service.
Speaking of this Combined Forces-class battleship, it is stronger than in history because it received technical support from Germany and Italy.
However, the mission of the Austro-Hungarian Navy is relatively small, and its sea area is not wide, so the performance improvement is not great.
The ship is 161 meters long, 28.1 meters wide, and has a draft of 8.3 meters. Standard displacement: 21,400 tons, full load displacement: 23,700 tons.
Equipped with 14 boilers, 2 steam turbines, main engine output power 32,000 horsepower, 4 axles, maximum speed: 21 knots; endurance: 4,500 nautical miles/10 knots.
In terms of firepower selection, this class of warships is equipped with 12 triple 305 mm 50-caliber main guns, 14 150 mm caliber secondary guns, 16 76 mm guns, and 4 533 mm caliber torpedo tubes.
In terms of firepower, the ship's firepower is equivalent to that of Cavour. Although it is equipped with a 305mm main gun, the number is 12. It is far higher than the Dante class built in Italy. However, according to the Austro-Hungarian Navy
Tests have shown that its triple-mounted structure has a greater impact on the artillery's firing, which greatly affects its performance.
In addition to the artillery, the joint force-level armor is weak, with a maximum waterline armor of 280 mm, turret armor of 200-305 mm, deck armor of 48 mm, and control tower of 280-356 mm.
Although the data looks good, the actual situation of the Combined Forces class is on the other hand. This class of ships is equipped with four triple main gun turrets on a shorter hull, resulting in an increased center of gravity. In addition, although there are German and Italian ships
technology, but the Austro-Hungarian ship designers obviously have their own ideas. The underwater defense structure of the hull still uses the old-fashioned compartment design, so its underwater mine protection performance is poor.
In addition to the familiar Combined Forces class, the Austro-Hungarian Navy also has three Radetzky class pre-dreadnought battleships.
The standard displacement of this class of battleship is 14,508 tons, and the full load displacement is 15,854 tons. The overall length is 138.79 meters, the width is 24.58 meters, and the draft is 8.1 meters.
The main engine power is 19,437 horsepower, the speed is 20.16 knots, and the endurance is 6,000 nautical miles/10 knots.
From a performance perspective, this is a relatively good pre-dreadnought battleship.
In addition to these seven battleships, the Austro-Hungarian Navy also has seven old pre-dreadnought battleships, whose performance is equivalent to that of Italy's Turin class, and is no longer suitable for the current naval battle model.
In addition, the Austro-Hungarian Navy also has 6 coastal defense warships, 3 armored frigates, 5 protected cruisers, 4 new cruisers, 3 old torpedo ships and dozens of torpedo boats.
In terms of quantity and tonnage, the Austro-Hungarian navy plays a supporting role in the Mediterranean. It cannot compare with the British and Italian navy, and is weaker than the French navy. It ranks at the bottom of the naval strength of the major powers in the Mediterranean.
Therefore, for the Commander of the Austro-Hungarian Navy Fleet, Lieutenant General House, how to use the Austro-Hungarian Navy to play a greater role is a question.
Because according to the agreement of the Triple Alliance, the Austro-Hungarian Navy and the Italian Navy formed a combined fleet during the war to achieve the purpose of controlling the Mediterranean.
Lieutenant General House was born in Tolmaine in the Empire. He joined the Austro-Hungarian Navy at the age of eighteen. He later served as an instructor at the Austro-Hungarian Naval Officer School in Fiume and wrote the influential monograph "Oceanography". and marine meteorology”.
He served as an officer on the armored cruiser "Maria Theresa" in 1900. He was stationed in Beijing until 1902. He was promoted to vice admiral in 1907 and served as a representative of the Austro-Hungarian Empire from May to October of that year. The Hague Second Peace Conference.
Since last year, Vice Admiral House has become the commander of the Austro-Hungarian Fleet and is responsible for all tasks of the fleet.
Therefore, Lieutenant General House's workload is not small at all and he is busy at all times.
While the lieutenant general was immersed in processing various documents, the secretary opened the door and reported to him. "Lieutenant general, Lieutenant Colonel Horthy is here to report."
"Okay, I understand. Let Lieutenant Colonel Horthy wait for a few minutes. I will see him after I finish processing this document.
After processing the documents in his hand, he called Lieutenant Colonel Horthy in.
"Report, Lieutenant Commander Horthy reports to His Excellency the Vice Admiral."
Horthy, wearing the uniform of a Lieutenant Colonel of the Austro-Hungarian Navy, stood upright and appeared in front of Lieutenant General House.
"Horthy, relax, don't be so formal."
Why is House so polite to a naval lieutenant colonel? This is because Lieutenant Colonel Horthy has a great background. This former naval staff officer of the emperor was sent to the fleet after resigning a few days ago.
Since he has been with the emperor, House has dealt with him before, so he cannot be treated as an ordinary lieutenant colonel.
"Yes, Lieutenant General."
Horthy was not a person who didn't know how to adapt, so he relaxed a little. Then he placed his order in front of House.
"Lieutenant General Xiang, this is my transfer order. Now I am ordered to return to the Lieutenant General for arrangements."
"Would you like something to drink?"
"No, thank you, Lieutenant General."
Looking at Lieutenant Colonel Horthy in front of him, Lieutenant General House then spoke. "Lieutenant Colonel Horthy, I have arranged two options for you. The first is to become the commander of the third cruiser formation, responsible for the The daily routine and command work of the formation.”
When Lieutenant General House said his first choice, Horthy quickly flipped through the information on the Third Cruiser Group in his mind, which consisted of two cruisers and three destroyers. However, they were all built before 1900. Belongs to a supporting role in the cruiser formation.
After saying this, Lieutenant General House briefly gave Horthy some time to think, and then continued. "Or become the captain of the Prinz Eugen."
Regarding the Prinz Eugen, Horthy certainly knew that the ship was the fourth ship of the Combined Forces class. Unlike the three ships that were already in service, the Prinz Eugen was still being installed.
The two options given by Vice Admiral House were both pretty good, either to command a cruiser formation or to become a battleship captain. These were both very ideal positions for a mid-level naval officer, and he was not unworthy of someone who had served beside the emperor.
people.
"I want to go to the Prinz Eugen."
Horthy didn't think much and made his choice quickly.
Isn't it every man's dream to become the captain of a battleship that has become a symbol of cannons and giant ships? There is nothing to hesitate about.
The changes brought about by the combined forces' construction earlier than history allowed Lieutenant Colonel Horthy to become the captain of the battleship. The development of his personal history also changed.
