Struggle in Russia

This is still a ship that uses pure iron to build the keel ribs and hull. If it is built with tougher steel, the structural weight of the ship has room for optimization. From this perspective alone, steel ships are far superior to traditional wooden ships.

Not only that, from the perspective of the material itself, steel is also an inevitable trend to replace wood. Since the 16th century, the era of sailing, Europe has widely used teak and oak shipbuilding for 300 years.

Such a long period of time has basically cleared the large trees found in Europe and the United States. So that in the early 19th century, in order to continue building large ships, countries had to dig for hollow trees.

Initially, the entire large tree can be used, and then the small-quality, decent-quality trees can be used for splicing. Finally, in the 1840s, even the larger qualified wood was no longer available. Only a small piece of loose wood could be used to continue the patchwork. .

If it were not for the industrial revolution that has improved shipbuilding technology and the performance of iron auxiliary materials, the lack of suitable wood will directly lead to the failure of Europe to build large ships.

It is for this reason that ships cobbled together in this way will inevitably pay a heavy structural weight price. After all, the structural strength of the entire material and the assembled material are completely different. The latter must be reinforced with auxiliary materials, and auxiliary materials must add more weight.

Steel does not have this problem. It is inherently stronger and tougher than wood. As long as there are large steel mills that can produce structural parts of almost any length you want, there is no risk of lack of materials.

Even the construction costs and maintenance of steel ships are more economical than wooden ships. According to a comparative study of the British in 1848, the hull cost of the Dover iron ship was 4,816 pounds, which was only slightly higher than the wooden ship Akasaka (4257 pounds) with the same displacement. But the average annual maintenance cost of the iron bow for 8 years is 58 pounds per year, while the latter is as high as 131 pounds.

This is still the data from the 1840s when iron-built ships were scarce. The more developed the steel industry, the lower the construction cost of iron ships, and the more expensive wooden ships become.

Of course, all of this is based on the need for a developed steel industry. If it looks like a bird like Russia, let's wash and sleep, not to mention that iron boats and wooden boats are not very good.

"So, the current priority industry is the development of steel and metallurgical industries. There is not enough steel that is cheap enough. Everything is empty talk. Our long-term national policy should be based on steel!"

Li Xiao undoubtedly came to the conclusion that Lazarev and Belins Gao Jin were a little dizzy and brains-aren't we discussing the issue of shipbuilding? How did it rise to the national policy? Is this suitable?

"Of course it is right!" Li Xiao waved his hand heavily, "Iron and steel will become more and more important. In the future, shipbuilding will require a large amount of steel, pure steel ships will require thousands of tons of steel. How many ships can we produce? "

After waiting for Lazarev and Bellins Gao Jin to answer, he added: "There is also a railway, which will also greatly change the form of war. It will also require a lot of steel. Even our rifles, our Steel cannons all need steel. How can we support all this without a sufficiently developed steel industry? "

Lazarev and Belins were highly meditated. Indeed, steel is becoming more and more important. Like Li Xiao said, the previous artillery were copper cannons, but now when they go to Britain to inspect, they find that the British are using more iron cannons.

The British cannon wall can be thinner and lighter, but it can hold more propellant to fire heavier shells. All this shows that steel is indeed more and more important.

Lazarev asked: "Her Majesty, what do you want us to do?"

The old man's remarks were clear-cut. Li Xiao told them that these were definitely purposeful, and Li Xiao's purpose was also very simple: "Sir, steel is too important. But China has not realized it at all, and it has not Modern steel mills can be said, but our opponents are making rapid progress and will pull us farther and farther in the future! "

"I have spoken about this problem, but people talked lightly and did not attract any attention. Your two prestige are very prominent. If you can speak on this, it will certainly attract the attention of the War Department and the Navy and His Majesty ..."

Lazarev and Bellings both nodded. In this regard, they do have a natural advantage over Li Xiao, and they are willing to promote this.

"In the near future, we will make suggestions to His Majesty, suggesting that the iron plant be built!"

This made Li Xiao relieved. He was really worried that Russia's industrialization burden would fall entirely on his shoulders, and he really couldn't carry it. With Lazarev and Belins Gao Jin helping to talk, how much can start the role, at least better than him to sing a monologue alone.

"Her Grand Duke, I heard that you are opposed to Grand Duke Constantine's navy reform plan, especially against his expansion of the construction of steam ships? Why is that? I don't see that you are very supportive of steam ships? Why oppose?"

Faced with the sudden questioning of Bellings Gao Jin, Li Xiao laughed bitterly and explained all his concerns.

"From all perspectives, it is not a wise decision to blindly expand the construction of a steam ship. Especially when the conditions of our country are not met, there will be a lot of hidden dangers in such a brutally built ship ~ www.ltnovel.com ~ And once these hidden dangers erupt, it will inevitably give a lot of truth to those who oppose the steamboat, that way ... "

Lazarev took a quick breath and asked quickly: "Dagonist Constantine's factory is really so bad?"

Li Xiao could only say, "If you don't believe it, just go and see for yourself. IMHO, I'm not optimistic!"

Lazarev and Belins Gao Jin looked at each other, basically believing Li Xiao's words. If this is the case, then Grand Duke Constantine's plan is too foolish, and will cause their brother to lose all his reputation for two nights.

"Let's check it out recently. If this is the case, then his plan really needs to be re-evaluated and it should not be blindly moved!"

Talking here, both sides are more satisfied. If it were not for the two old men to go to the Hermitage of the Hermitage, they would have grasped Li Xiaoping's candle night talk, and before leaving, Lazarev reluctantly explained:

"His Excellency, please put your opinions into a book as soon as possible, and I will review it in detail. In addition, the problem of the anti-rust paint test you mentioned earlier, we will also start to produce the finished product as soon as possible. As long as we are two, no one in the Navy Dare to stop you, it is a piece of cake to find a few iron ships for comparison experiments! "