Chapter 678: The Gap between Eastern and Western Warships
Zheng Zhilong spent his life on the sea and had many contacts with Westerners. In the past, he even did smuggling business with the Dutch. Therefore, Zhong Jinwei really asked the right person when he asked this question.
So Zheng Zhilong told Zhong Jinwei everything he knew about the situation.
It turns out that Ming Dynasty's shipbuilding technology was leading the world in Zheng He's era. At that time, the largest ship had six thousand materials.
If Zhong Jinwei had read Song Yingxing's "Tiangong Kaiwu" in later generations, he would know this without Zheng Zhilong's introduction.
It is clearly recorded on it: the captain of four hundred materials is about nine feet, the captain of two thousand materials is about eighteen feet, and the captain of five thousand materials is about twenty-six feet.
Zheng He's handsome ships at that time were the lucky ships with five thousand materials. The largest ship with six thousand materials was named Fengzhou.
But in recent years, the largest of the Ming Dynasty's ships, whether warships or civilian ships, only has 400 materials.
This reason actually stems from the Ming Dynasty's sea ban policy from the Taizu period. Although there were such large ships in the Chengzu period, there was still an order not to privately build large ships. The original sea-going ships had to be changed to flat-bottomed boats and were not allowed to go to sea privately.
The no-sea policy was continued intermittently until the end of the Ming Dynasty, and the technology of building large ships was basically lost.
Of course, the Ming Dynasty ships also had advantages, that is, they had balanced rudders and watertight compartments, which were beneficial to ocean navigation and had good sinking resistance.
This is mainly because the ships of the Ming Dynasty used floor plates to replace the ship's ribs, but the hull structure was limited, making it impossible for the Ming Dynasty's sailing ships to have more than two decks like Western sailing ships.
Although Western sailing ships do not use watertight compartment technology, they use a large number of dense ribs and thicken the thickness of the ship's plates.
Although the anti-sinkability has been affected, the structural strength of the hull has been strengthened through dense and thick ribs, forming a long deck inside the hull. This allows Western sailing ships to carry a larger amount of cargo, and it is also convenient to place more artillery on the ship.
, and can also withstand the huge recoil when the artillery fires.
As for the main warships of the Ming Dynasty, they were still mainly used for angle battles and side-to-side battles. Although they were equipped with firearms, they were very few and were only used for auxiliary purposes.
Even people of later generations can get confirmation of this from "Ji Xiao Xinshu Zhi Shui Bing Pian".
The book records Qi Jiguang's naval situation. If the main weapons equipped by the four Fu ships, two Haicang ships and four Cangshan ships in a naval camp are added together, the total is: Dafa Ji, Fo Lang
Forty machine guns, thirty bowl-mouth cannons, sixty-eight blunderbuss, etc.
What's even more ridiculous is that the most powerful large-scale cannon cannot be fired directly from the ship because its reaction force will shatter the ship. The artillery must be hoisted to the bamboo raft towed by the big ship before it can be fired again.
How useful would this be in wartime? Zhong Jinwei didn't even dare to think about it.
The largest Western warships weighed more than 2,000 pieces. The average warship weighed about five or six hundred pieces, and each bow warship was equipped with thirty to forty cannons.
This kind of ship has a solid structure, flexible operation, and powerful firepower. Compared with the largest warships of the Ming Dynasty, it can install two cannons and several small cannons, and the firepower of the two is simply incomparable.
In addition, there is another big difference between the Ming Dynasty and Western sailing ships, and that is the application of sails, which is ultimately reflected in the difference in ship speed.
All Daming sailing ships, without exception, use rigid sails. The advantage of this rigid sail is that it is easy to adjust the sails and raise and lower the sails. The sails can easily use the wind direction and are highly efficient. They can also save a lot of manpower and cost less money.
The crew can operate the sail.
However, this also requires taller masts and sails that cannot be too wide. This affects the use of larger sails by ships, and masts that are too high will affect the stability of the ship.
Western sailboats, on the other hand, all have soft sails. Although it is not as convenient to use the wind direction as the Ming Dynasty sailboat, the efficiency is not high, and it is very inconvenient to raise and lower the sail. It requires a large number of sailors to operate, and the risk is relatively high.
However, Western sailing ships used triangle sails to solve the problem. At the same time, they could make the masts higher and the sail area larger. In this way, Western sailing ships were greatly surpassed in speed.
The possibility of the Ming Dynasty sailing ship.
Zhong Jinwei listened silently. The ships of the Ming Dynasty were not at the same level in terms of size, sailing speed, or firepower configuration. It is no wonder that Westerners can roam the sea without any scruples.
Zheng Zhilong previously said that a ten-to-one numerical ratio would be needed to catch up with Western warships. Zhong Jinwei now knows that this is actually just a polite statement.
However, Zhong Jinwei still has a question. If the gap is really so big, there is no way to fight the Westerners. How did Zheng Zhilong win the sea control along the southeast coast in history?
Thinking of this, he couldn't help but ask: "It is said that your navy is not weak. If it were not for the enemy's trick, it would still be able to fight. I want to know, what do you rely on to fight?"
Zheng Zhilong himself had come to the capital, so what reservations did he have? He replied in detail: "The general purchased some of their ships from the Westerners and equipped them with their artillery. In addition, he also imitated some, and added that they can
The Ming Dynasty ships are used as support, and their numbers far exceed the Western ships. Therefore, if they fight with open swords and guns, the generals will naturally not be afraid of them."
Zhong Jinwei nodded after hearing this. After he asked some other questions, he turned to Emperor Chongzhen and said: "Your Majesty, for this war initiated by the Dutch, I think it is time for the Ming Dynasty's shipbuilding industry to realize its shame and become courageous. Otherwise, it will definitely...
Influence the national policy of the Ming Dynasty."
Emperor Chongzhen knew that Zhong Jinwei was referring to the vassal feudal overseas affairs. He nodded and said: "I know that I have discussed it with Wen Qing. After the Hongyi matter is resolved, a full sea ban will be launched. However, the specific matters have not yet been discussed.
There is discussion.”
As soon as Zhong Jinwei heard this, he immediately suggested: "Your Majesty, I think Zheng Guerrilla's method is good. Ming Dynasty can first purchase Western ships, and at the same time quickly narrow the gap with Westerners in warships through imitation. As for the future, as long as we step up
With the development of steam engines, steam ships will inevitably replace sailing ships in the future."
Regarding future trends, no one in this world can compare with Zhong Jinwei. Emperor Chongzhen had a very profound understanding of this point.
Therefore, when Zhong Jinwei said this, he looked forward to the day when the steam engine was successfully developed.
The people in the Wenhua Palace were all the highest-ranking officials of the Ming Dynasty, and they basically knew about steam engines. Of course, except Zheng Zhilong. After listening to Zhong Jinwei's words, he was secretly surprised. What on earth was this righteous chicken? How powerful could it be?
Zhong Jinwei continued to suggest: "Your Majesty, I suggest that the Shipbuilding Research Institute recruit experienced shipwrights from all over the country. Those who have made outstanding contributions can refer to the examples of Gunbo and Weibo."
Emperor Chongzhen and senior officials of the Ming Dynasty had been deeply stimulated by the Jiangnan incident and knew the importance of coastal defense, so they all believed in Zhong Jinwei's suggestions.
"Your Majesty, I have understood the specific differences between the Ming Dynasty and the Dutch. I believe that their firearms must not be as powerful as the new firearms of the Ming Dynasty. As soon as the new army arrives, I will lead the army southward immediately." Zhong Jinwei said again.
Emperor Chongzhen looked at Zhong Jinwei with excitement, nodded and said: "I have arranged fast-horse ships along the way. I hope Master Zhong can reach Jiangnan as soon as possible and put down the Hongyi Rebellion as soon as possible."