Steel, Guns, and the Industrial Party in Another World

Chapter 80: Pirates’ Favorite – The Sloop Ship

On the morning following the arrival of the Foster family at Lakeheart Town, Paul was eager to lead a group of shipbuilders to Port Fran.

As for the details of the business cooperation, they were left to old Ford and others to discuss with Christopher, the person in charge.

Queller and the members of the adventure group also accompanied them, discussing the situation in the south along the way.

Jars is annexing the lords south of the Thorn Fortress who dont obey him. Its likely that no one can hold out, given his overwhelming strength, Queller informed Paul.

Paul thought to himself that it seemed the war would continue for a long time.

Ever since Hansel started working with him, he had received various news from the capital. He estimated that the main force for suppressing the rebellion could only head south next year. Until then, it would be good enough if the kingdoms army could hold the Thorn Fortress.

Another piece of news from Queller caught his attentionthe revival of the witch-hunting movement in the south.

A few days before we set off, a witch was burned at the stake in the town square.

Curious, Paul asked, How do they determine if someone is a witch?

Queller stroked his chin and replied, Theres a Witch Detection Stone. Its said to change color upon touching an object with magical traces.

Wasnt that the same stone they used when he first met Dean Leonard? They had even secretly rubbed the stone on his firearm, though it eventually cleared him of any suspicion.

What if a witch disguises well, not displaying their magic in public, or never carrying items with magical traces? Would they be safe then?

Queller shook his head, Not necessarily. Most of the time, its up to the judges experience, with various methods of judgment.

Paul shuddered, recalling the methods used to identify witches during the witch hunts of medieval Europe. He had read some of this worlds history books, where the Church itself admitted to many wrongful cases.

He sighed and said, I wish we lived in more enlightened times, drawing everyones attention.

Why would you say that, Count Grayman? asked Meru.

Paul pondered how to respond, not wanting to say anything too radical.

Well, I think even if someone is a witch, as long as they dont break the law or harm others, theres no need to take their life. Even if they break the law, they should be punished according to the severity of the crime, just like anyone else.

Queller shook his head, Paul, your view is too idealistic. Many have expressed similar opinions. But have you considered, if magic truly exists and is as sinister as the legends say, witches could commit crimes without anyone knowing.

Paul responded, Ive heard a saying, When the flood comes, its better to channel the water than to block it completely.

Therefore, I lean towards establishing an official organization to manage the witches, influence their moral direction, utilize their abilities for the public good, and monitor them for any criminal activities, promptly dealing with those who are evil.

He added, Like the Adventurers Guild, for instance. Arent adventurers also individuals with exceptional skills?

Meru smiled radiantly at Paul, Ha, Count, your suggestion is indeed quite innovative.

Scholar Miss Ladi remained silent on the side, listening without a word.

Thats a truly unique ship!

The shipbuilders from the south gathered around the sailboat model, buzzing with discussions.

Especially old Benjamin, the chubby design and characteristics of the ship in front of him coincided perfectly with his various concepts.

Yes, this was the ship he had always wanted to build.

Another type, named the Clipper, although oddly shaped, was clearly designed for high-speed sailing.

The old shipwrights eyes sparkled as he circled the model, carefully examining it from different angles, afraid to miss any detail.

Rubin, the shipyard manager, watched with a smile. He had worried that these craftsmen from Horn Bay would look down on his small shipyard, but now it seemed his concerns were unnecessary.

Ladies and gentlemen! Paul called out, drawing everyones attention.

These two ship models were reconstructed according to descriptions from ancient texts of the Gubera Empire. The texts claim these ships can cut through wind and waves, crossing oceans with their mature structures. I believe we can directly build real ships based on these models.

Indeed, such ships had been used for a hundred or two hundred years in another world how could they not be mature?

Old Benjamin was deeply moved: I never imagined that people in ancient times could build such ships. It seems modern shipbuilding has regressed.

As Benjamin was quite renowned in Horn Bays shipbuilding industry, the other southern shipwrights looked to him as a leader.

So Benjamin took the initiative to ask Paul, Count Grayman, given the scale of these two models, it might be unrealistic to build such large new types of ships immediately. Could we start by building smaller ships based on their design to test the waters?

Being a prudent old craftsman, he knew not to rush things.

Paul lifted his head, Ive already thought of that. In fact, the ancient texts also described another type of ship, whose model Ive also reconstructed. Let me show you.

He clapped his hands, and a guard brought out a new model from a box.

The pirates favorite from the Age of Exploration on Earth the Sloop.

Used extensively in the 17th and 18th centuries for coastal trade and patrol by European nations and their colonies, every part of the sloop was designed for speed and agility.

Typically about 20 meters in length, it usually had one, occasionally two, rear-leaning masts with one or two horizontal sails and a large diagonal main sail. From a distance, it resembled a shark fin skimming the water surface.

Whether with side winds or tailwinds, its large sail area propelled the ship forward. Its characteristic long bow and slanted mast, like a sharp sword piercing forward, and the large area of the bow sail provided excellent steering and upwind sailing capabilities. Its sail design was so advanced that even 21st-century racing yachts on Earth used a similar layout.

A large sloop with a displacement of 100 tons could carry 70 to 120 fully armed pirates and up to 14 cannons.

It perfectly embodied the pirate principle of if you can outrun me, you cant outfight me; if you can outfight me, you cant outrun me. It could swiftly chase down and force merchant ships to surrender or escape to shallow harbors at the sight of more formidable pirate-hunting warships on the horizon.

It was also the smallest ship safe for transoceanic voyages, able to cross the Atlantic or round the Cape of Good Hope, only slightly larger than a coastal fishing boat.

Simple in structure and easy to mass-produce, it could rapidly bolster maritime strength.

Exceptional in performance, capable of crossing the Atlantic, a trip to Horn Bay would be no issue.

Small in size, perfect for craftsmen to practice and gain experience.

Once again, everyone was captivated by this exquisite and compact ship. Old Benjamin excitedly exclaimed, Count Grayman, lets start tomorrow!

Rubin, seeing such a ship for the first time, looked at Paul with a hint of resentment, as if to say, Why didnt you show this earlier so I could have had a head start over these outsiders?

Paul smiled apologetically at him; he too had only recently thought of this type of ship.