Chapter 277 The Origin of Landing Ships

(Note: The picture below is the Alma Bridge in Paris. The "Zouave Soldier" statue on the bridge has long been the default water level measurement tool for Parisians. People know what the water level at the bottom of the feet, waist or chest means or what measures to take. In 1910, the flood submerged the statue's neck and it took two months until mid-March to recede.)

In mid-February, the temperature rose and the ice and snow melted.

This year, the heavy snow came early and left late. This abnormal climate brought a big flood to Paris. The Seine River, the "first river in Paris" that runs through the city, surged and part of the riverbank has been submerged.

On the pier of the Alma Bridge not far from the Eiffel Tower, the famous "Zouave Soldier" statue has been submerged by one-third.

This may have attracted the attention of Parisian citizens in the past, and even prepared for possible floods, but this year people seem indifferent to it.

Because compared with the war, the surge in the river has become insignificant.

…

In the office of Schneider Arsenal, James was lost in thought as he looked out the window at the drizzle that was falling tirelessly.

The Allied landing war against the Dardanelles had already begun.

James found something interesting. Charles’ invention seemed to be invalid at sea. Although he had been in close contact with Wells recently, it was because Charles saved his only son Tijani.

Does this mean that Charles can only invent equipment on land?

This is good news.

Schneider should seize Charles’ shortcoming and strive to make achievements in naval warfare, so as to compete with Charles for the military market.

No, not the market, but the right to speak.

James knew very well that this had nothing to do with money, but power, and he was the real person in charge of this country.

If one day, the artillery, guns, and ships used by the French army were all produced by Schneider, or were related to Schneider, then even those parliamentarians would have to look at James’ face.

This is another level of rule. France is indeed a free country, but if the decision-makers, including the parliamentarians, leave Schneider, it will be just talk on paper, and James will be the de facto ruler.

However, this plan faces a major challenge: Charles and his invention.

James seems calm on the surface, but he is shouting in his heart: Creativity, creativity, I need creativity! Only creativity can defeat Charles, otherwise everything is empty talk!

Paulina's cheerful and hurried footsteps sounded behind him, and James turned around. He knew that this meant good news.

Sure enough, Paulina walked in with a happy face. Before she walked in front of James, she took out a document from her handbag and raised it, saying with a little pride: "Sir, you should see this!"

James took the document, flipped through it, and looked up in confusion: "A ship?"

"Yes." Paulina nodded.

James took another closer look and said, "I guess this is a coal ship."

He has been in the steel industry for many years and of course knows the characteristics of coal ships. They usually have a wide hull, which can carry more weight but has a shallow draft.

"Yes!" Paulina nodded again.

James was disappointed and handed the document back to Paulina: "You want me to buy this ship? Then buy it!"

"Yes!" Paulina replied, but did not take the document: "Please take a closer look, sir!"

James was a little impatient, but he still took another look at the coal ship and found something different about it: "Well, there are two doors on the side of the bow, and a gangway has been installed. Are you trying to tell me that coal can be transported ashore from the side?"

"No, sir." Paulina replied: "It's to transport people ashore. To be precise, fully armed soldiers!"

"Soldiers?" James' eyes lit up. Is this a military idea?

Sure enough, Paulina explained: "The Allied forces are landing in the Dardanelles, but the progress is not smooth. One of the reasons is that after the transport ship arrives at the destination, the soldiers need to climb down the rope ladder and then take a small boat to the other side..."

James suddenly understood: "During this period, the soldiers have to face the enemy's artillery bombardment and dense bullets. More than half of them have been killed or injured before they even landed on the shore!"

"Yes." Paulina replied: "But this kind of ship can solve this problem very well. It can carry 2,000 soldiers and run aground on the shoal. Soldiers can get off the ship along the side of the ship from the bow side door, and then use a simple pontoon bridge or go directly to the shore to attack. The whole process only takes a few minutes..."

"Great, Paulina, great!" James exclaimed, this is what he needed, he finally got ahead of Charles.

Then James hesitated: "Whose invention is this?"

He was worried that this was related to Charles again.

"It was a lieutenant colonel named Unwin." Paulina replied: "He provided the idea, I contacted him in time and bought the industrial property rights for 20,000 francs!"

James almost laughed out loud, only using 20,000 francs to buy such an idea.

These fools, don't they know that the navy may need hundreds of such ships for landing, which may even help the Allies win the war!

Thinking of this, James did not hesitate at all and ordered Paulina: "Immediately transform such a ship, and the supporting landing facilities, I will be responsible for contacting the military!"

"Okay, sir." Paulina replied happily.

During this period, she sent many spies to pay attention to possible ideas in the army, and finally she found a practical one.

Now, we should be able to fight a turnaround!

……

A noisy Chamber of Deputies, where Gallieni was questioned for his two refusal to send Charles to fight in the Dardanelles.

This was the third time Gallieni was questioned in the House of Representatives, and they asked the same question: "General, we want to know the reason for your refusal."

"Isn't the reason obvious?" Gallieni replied: "Charles is a research and development talent. The equipment he invented changed the entire war, but you plan to send him to the battlefield to take risks..."

"But General, the battlefield needs him!" Grevy stood up and replied: "This may be a decisive battle. Once we win, we are likely to end this war!"

"Yes." Armand stood up and echoed: "We only ask him to stay on the warship to boost the morale of the army, because the soldiers believe in him! He can stay away from the battlefield. Is this also called an adventure?"

Immediately, someone else started to make a fuss:

"If this is also called an adventure, then what is the general's inspection at the front line?"

"He is just a colonel and he is an adult."

"No one is special. Everyone should do their best for the war!"

...

Galieni cursed in his heart with a dark face: Aren't you guys special? You are the ones who need to go to the battlefield the most!

(The picture above shows the HMS Clyde, which was converted from a coal carrier. Two doors were opened on the bow side to add a gangway. It was used in the Dardanelles landings and is considered the ancestor of landing ships.)