Chapter 137: Shipyard

After getting the two French guys drunk, Liang Yao washed his face, rode a horse and prepared to go to the shipyard to take a closer look at his warship.

"I drank a lot of wine. If you want to see the ship, you should take a carriage."

Sven reminded him with some concern.

Liang Yao turned his head and looked at Sven: "I didn't drink much, I was very sober."

"I didn't expect you to be so cunning at the table."

Sven immediately understood that this guy was cheating at the table. He excitedly rode on the horse and followed Liang Yao.

"What we got this time is a warship! A warship with a displacement of more than 2,000 tons! It's exciting to think about it!

Although this is only a frigate in the battle sequence of the French Navy, it is more than enough to be a frigate or cruiser in the American Navy, even if it can be the flagship of a small fleet!"

At this time, the American Navy was not strong. A warship with a displacement of more than 2,000 tons, even if it cannot be the flagship of a fleet, is also the main battleship in the fleet.

When Commodore Perry of the U.S. Navy knocked on the gates of Japan twice and opened the door to Japan, there were not many warships with a displacement of more than 2,000 tons in Perry's American East India Company fleet.

Moreover, the degree of steamization of the U.S. Navy was not high, and many sailing warships with a displacement of less than 1,000 tons were still retained.

This was the U.S. Navy two years later, and the current situation will only be worse.

"When the Roland is repaired, you drive it to Hawaii to convey our goodwill to the King of Hawaii. Hawaii is an excellent transit station in the Pacific." Liang Yao said, "The British and the French can go to Hawaii, so we can go there too."

It is unrealistic to annex Hawaii at present, but it is still feasible to build a transit port in Hawaii under the guise of helping Hawaii rebuild.

Before the end of the Mexican-American War, the United States had already shifted the focus of its strategic expansion to the Pacific.

The greatest achievement of President Fillmore during his tenure was to send Perry's East India Company fleet to open the door to Japan.

At this time, America was very eager to expand towards the Pacific Ocean and get involved in Hawaii. Liang Yao not only had no resistance in the United States, but also received their strong support.

"What about the route from San Francisco to Guangzhou? Who will operate it?" Sven asked.

"This route cannot be cut off. Can't other captains of Global Shipping be competent for this route except you?" Liang Yao said, "Besides, California's immigration work cannot rely solely on our Global Shipping Company. I have also made arrangements with Chinese businessmen, and they will also participate in immigration work."

After the Taiping Rebellion broke out, the Qing Dynasty's control over the local areas was much worse than before, especially in the southern region, which was also conducive to Liang Yao's immigration work.

At present, the Chinese population in California has exceeded 20,000, which has exceeded one-fifth of the total population, becoming an ethnic group second only to native Americans.

But this is still far from Liang Yao's expected goal.

When Liang Yao came to the shipyard, Fremont was there.

Fremont stood with his hands behind his back and looked at the Roland, which was being repaired in the dock.

"The French warships are really good." Fremont exclaimed.

"Now they are our warships!"

Liang Yao suddenly appeared from behind Fremont, startling Fremont.

"Ours?"

Fremont's eyes widened, with an incredible expression on his face.

"It's ours, Senator. Just now, the Deputy Governor bought their warships from the French at the wine table." Sven smiled.

"Both were bought?"

Fremont pointed to the two French Navy warships and asked, his tone was a little excited.

"Only the Roland was bought, the larger one."

Liang Yao said with regret. How could he not want to buy both warships? The only thing to blame was that the British Royal Navy did not shoot accurately enough, and the other French ship that was in dock for repair was only slightly injured.

"I just asked an old worker at the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard. The full load displacement of the Roland is as high as 2,300 tons. In the battle sequence of the US Navy, it is a cruiser-level warship, but the French use it as a frigate."

Speaking of this, Fremont was inevitably a little eclipsed. The US Navy is not only a world apart from the British Royal Navy, but also a huge gap compared to the French Navy.

"The 10-inch and 8-inch guns on the ship are better than those of the US Navy. It's a pity that the French didn't leave the shells on the ship, otherwise we could still see the French shells."

"The French didn't leave the shells?" Liang Yao frowned, "When the French wake up, I will ask them for them. I spent 2 million francs to buy the Roland. I bought a warship. If they don't give me shells, what's the use of this warship?"

"The Hope will be launched next month. Once the launch and trial are successful, it will prove that the shipyard in California has the ability to independently produce steamships."

Fremont said while walking and pointing at the Hope that was about to be completed in the dock.

The Hope started construction in November last year, and it has been three months now.

Although the Hope is only a small civilian steamship with a full load displacement of only 500 tons, and the technology used is not advanced, it is a leap from scratch in the steamship manufacturing industry in California, which is of extraordinary significance.

"This is just the beginning. In the future, California shipyards will build giant ships of 1,000 tons, 2,000 tons, 3,000 tons and even 10,000 tons." Liang Yao said ambitiously.

"10,000 tons, you have a big appetite." Fremont said, "America does need a naval base in the Pacific. For now, San Francisco is the best choice."

"We need a Pacific fleet even more!"

Liang Yao thought of the time when California and the federal government in Congress were in a stalemate, and the fleet of the British Hudson Company was cruising along the coast of California all day long.

"The British Hudson Company also has a fleet to our north. Although it is not large, I always feel like a thorn in my side. We don't even have a warship in the Pacific coastal area of ​​America."

"Don't we have the Roland now?"

Fremont smiled with relief.

"I am a close friend of His Excellency Commander Robert Stockton of the Navy. This Mamluk naval accessory of mine was a gift given to me by General Stockton."

Fremont proudly showed Liang Yao the sword on his waist.

"Do you know about the Bear Flag Rebellion?"

"How could I not know? This is one of the highlights of your life. Every Californian knows about it."

Liang Yao looked at the navy Mamluk sword in Fremont's hand. He had to say that this navy officer's sword was more beautiful and exquisite than his army officer's sword.

It turned out that Fremont's sword was given by the navy commander, which also solved Liang Yao's original doubts: why did Fremont, an army officer, wear a navy sword.

It turned out that this guy had a close relationship with the navy generals.