Chapter 202: Perry and the Early Four Classes (4K)

Perry was very interested in Vanderbilt's North Star.

Perry worked at the Brooklyn Navy Yard in New York in his early years, serving as the director of the shipbuilding institute and the director of the factory. He designed and built the USS Fulton, the first steamship of the U.S. Navy.

Perry is also a front-line expert and technician in shipbuilding, especially warships.

Perry was accompanied by some naval officers.

Before and after arriving on the Polaris, Perry assigned tasks to these naval officers and divided the work.

Some people were responsible for sketching the appearance of the Polaris, and some were responsible for visiting the ship. Perry himself carefully inspected the transom engine and asked the ship's engineer to start the engine to facilitate his observation.

"How fast is the Polaris?" Perry asked Vanderbilt.

"11 knots (21km) per hour, maybe faster, but no more than 5 knots." Vanderbilt replied.

"This engine has even more potential."

Perry stared at the speed on the tachometer, then reduced the throttle, controlled the engine speed to 5 rpm, and listened carefully to the sound of the engine.

"Using this speed, the Polaris' speed can not only be increased to about 5 knots, but also save more fuel."

"It seems I have to thank you for saving me a lot of money on coal." Vanderbilt jotted down the rpm.

"No need to thank you. The Navy wants to purchase your steam engines, and I hope you can give me a more favorable purchase price."

Perry clapped his hands, trying to shake the soot off them.

"Who can refuse an order from the Navy?" Vanderbilt said.

"It's just that my shipyard is being transferred to Mr. Liang. I'm afraid you have to talk to Mr. Liang about these issues."

"Colonel Liang, I was going to New York to visit you, but I didn't expect you to come to Baltimore."

After hearing this, Perry turned around, shook hands with Liang Yao, and then stepped off the Polar Star.

The technology of the Polaris is very advanced, especially the beam engine used on the Polaris, which has better performance than the beam engines used by the Navy's active warships.

"Nice to meet you, but I'm curious. This is your first time contacting the Polaris. How do you determine the optimal engine speed?" Liang Yao asked curiously.

"If you have been dealing with steamships for more than ten years like me, you will also master this skill." Perry said.

"When I was on the warship, I listened to the sound of the engine every day. Now I can judge the status of the engine from the sound of the engine."

"I think you should know that paddle steamers with beam engines are somewhat outdated, while hidden steamships with horizontal engines are the trend in the future," Liang Yao said.

He has no objection to selling some beam engines to the navy, but in the future his shipbuilding focus will be on hidden ships, and he is more inclined to work on horizontal reciprocating engines and invest more resources.

"As long as your shipyard can produce a concealed ship that satisfies the Navy, I can persuade the Navy Department to directly purchase the entire warship from your shipyard," Perry said.

"As a qualified naval general, you should not only consider whether the technology is advanced, but the maturity and cost of the technology are also very important indicators."

As Perry spoke, he took Liang Yao to his office.

On the way, Liang Yao saw two companies training on the playground.

The soldiers wore field uniforms with cross-body sash and belts, and carried rucksacks and blankets on their backs.

In addition, each soldier has a sword and a kettle on his waist, and is fully equipped.

The uniforms of these soldiers are very different from the navy sailors just now. They seem to be the American Marine Corps.

"Is this the Marine Corps of the Navy?"

Liang Yao pointed to the group of soldiers who were training and asked Perry.

"They are indeed members of the Marine Corps. They are responsible for protecting the Navy's military facilities at the Baltimore base." Perry glanced at the Marines who were training and said.

"These Marines have really good equipment."

Liang Yao praised.

The Marines at this time were not yet the fourth class, and Marines were even better equipped and equipped than Colonel Mason's infantry regiment.

Colonel Mason's infantry regiment is already the most well-equipped and well-budgeted infantry regiment in the army.

"The equipment is very good, but it is also very expensive. The cost of raising one Marine is enough to raise two Army infantry."

Facing Army officer Liang Yao, Perry said proudly.

The relationship between the U.S. Army and Navy is not harmonious. The Navy considers itself superior to the Army. Even a far-sighted naval general like Perry is not exempt from this.

"It's cheap."

Liang Yao lamented from the bottom of his heart that the monthly salary of ordinary army soldiers is 8 US dollars. Taking into account the wear and tear of equipment, the cost of supporting a Marine Corps soldier will never exceed 20 US dollars.

Compared with the expensive salary of the California Infantry Regiment, the cost of supporting Marines is already very cheap in Liang Yao's view.

"Not everyone is as rich as you."

Perry lowered his face and muttered. Liang Yao's reaction left him speechless.

Arriving at Perry's office, Perry asked the accompanying adjutant to exit the office and close the door.

Later, Perry showed his map to Liang Yao.

Although Liang Yao's plan for the expedition to Japan has not been completed and has not been submitted to Fillmore, he knows that the expedition to Japan is a done deal.

Perry's idea is the same as Liang Yao's. He also believes that the expedition to Japan is imperative. Whether it is for the purpose of promoting the prestige of the United States in the Far East or for Japan to obtain tangible benefits, it is very necessary.

The reason why Perry's attitude is so firm is because of his understanding of President Fillmore.

After meeting with President Fillmore on the Mississippi in the past, Perry was sure that President Fillmore would definitely agree to the expedition to Japan.

In order to go to Japan, Perry had already started to prepare early, assembled the East India Fleet, and asked Fox, the Marine Colonel Commander in Washington, for a regiment of Marines to conduct special training in Baltimore.

You know, at this time, the United States Marine Corps has a total of two regiments, with a total of less than 2,000 people.

A few days ago, Fillmore revealed to him that the California Infantry Regiment would also participate in this expedition.

This made Perry feel very complicated.

The addition of the California Infantry Regiment could alleviate the problem of manpower shortage, but the Navy Department hoped that the Navy would complete the expedition alone and did not want the Army to steal the limelight.

Liang Yao also knew what Perry was thinking, but Liang Yao did not care about Perry's attitude.

He was an officer of the Army and was under the jurisdiction of the Army Department, and the people of the Navy Department could not control him.

For Fillmore, the expedition to Japan could only succeed, not fail. Even if Fillmore only considered his own future, he would choose a more secure plan of joint expedition of the Navy and the Army.

Liang Yao stared at the map shown by Perry.

Perry planned to start from the Norfolk Naval Base in Virginia, cross the North Atlantic to the Canary Islands, and then go south to St. Helena Island, then sail into South Africa and resupply at the Port of Cape Town.

After that, Perry's fleet sailed around the Cape of Good Hope in Africa and began to sail north to Ceylon (now Sri Lanka).

After leaving Ceylon, the fleet went east through the Strait of Malacca and Singapore into the South China Sea, then continued north to Hong Kong. After resting in Hong Kong, it continued north along the Chinese coastline to Shanghai.

Finally, it departed from Shanghai and went to Edo via Ryukyu.

This route is relatively safe, but the more troublesome part is the supply points along the way. Whether it is Cape Town, Ceylon, Malacca, Singapore, or Hong Kong, these ports are all under the control of the British.

To supply these ports, you need to negotiate with the British. The 19th century's British Empire was not just a title. Most of the ports on the world's throats were controlled by the British.

If Perry knew that Liang Yao had built a transit station in Hawaii, he would definitely overturn his current plan.

If the expedition fleet detoured South America to California for supply, and finally made the final supply in Hawaii, even if it was a fully steamed fleet, it would not have to worry about fuel problems and could directly reach Edo, Japan.

"Your plan is very safe, but whether it can successfully reach Japan depends on the attitude of the British." Liang Yao said directly.

How could Perry not know this?

But facing the British maritime hegemony, he also felt very helpless.

This was the most reasonable and safest plan that Perry could come up with.

"Do you have a better plan?" Perry asked.

"Yes, the port facilities in San Francisco are already very complete. Our fleet can be repaired and supplied in San Francisco, and then cross the Pacific Ocean to Edo, Japan." Liang Yao said loudly.

"Cross the Pacific Ocean?" Perry shook his head, thinking that Liang Yao was still an outsider and didn't know much about the navy.

"The carrying capacity of warships is very limited. Supplies and ammunition have already occupied a large part of the space, and the space available for storing coal is very limited. This coal is not enough for our fleet to cross the Pacific Ocean."

"What if we refill the coal in Hawaii?" Liang Yao stared at Perry and said.

Perry's eyes lit up, and then he measured the distance from Hawaii to Edo, and came to a conclusion after a simple calculation.

"If we can replenish coal in Hawaii, it will be more than enough to reach Edo! Have you built a supply station in Hawaii?"

"Yes, the port of Hawaii can now be used by the US Navy, and the Global Shipping Company will also send cargo ships to serve as supply ships for the naval fleet, providing special logistical support for the naval fleet.

The fleet of the Global Shipping Company often travels across the Pacific Ocean to the Far East, and can provide navigation assistance for the Navy's expeditionary fleet."

The port and warehouse that Liang Yao spent a lot of effort to repair in Hawaii are finally put to use.

The reason why he was able to enter Hawaii is thanks to the French Navy's invasion of Hawaii last year.

If it weren't for the French high-level officials' impatience and sending the navy to rashly invade Hawaii, causing dissatisfaction among the British, he would hardly have the opportunity to get involved in Hawaii.

"Great!" Perry clapped his hands and exclaimed, "If we have Hawaii as a transit point to provide supplies, our expedition will not have to rely on the British at all, and the voyage will be shorter.

But how do we get back? After all, in the Far East, America has no ports or supply points to replenish coal."

"As long as we force the Japanese to sign a treaty, there will naturally be a supply port. As for coal, I will have people purchase enough coal from Hong Kong in advance and ship it to Japan."

Liang Yao said.

Liang Yao was not worried about the coal problem on the return trip, because the ships used by Global Shipping Company were also steamships, which also burned coal.

He had a special coal warehouse in Guangzhou Port, storing coal purchased from Hong Kong for Global Shipping Company.

Even if the British did not sell him coal, he would not panic, because there were ready-made coal mines in the Baiyun area of ​​Guangzhou.

"Now I finally understand why Mr. President said you would be my best partner for the expedition to Japan. You consider things more carefully than I do." Perry said with emotion.

Now he has completely changed his original attitude and believes that Liang Yao is an indispensable member of the military operation to Japan.

"It will take some time for the fleet to go around South America and arrive in California. I hope your fleet can set off for California in advance to save more time. The port of San Francisco is large enough and there are enough docks for naval warships to berth." Liang Yao said to Perry.

"I will get the approval of the Navy Department as soon as possible." Perry nodded and said.

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In the New York Telegraph Office, amidst the noisy noise of the telegraph room, Charlie is sending and receiving telegrams seriously.

He is serious and meticulous in his work, and behaves diligently, no different from ordinary telegraph operators in the telegraph room.

No one would have thought that this small clerk in the telegraph office is the "Wall Street robber" that the entire New York citizens have been looking for.

It is rumored that the Wall Street robber who harvested nearly two million dollars in Wall Street in one year.

Just a year ago, Charlie had another name: Brannan Jr.

That is, the younger brother of Sam Brannan, the first millionaire in the West.

After arriving in New York, due to the crime committed by his brother in California, Brannan Jr. had to take his nephew to hide his identity, changed his name to Charlie, and settled in New York.

Charlie did not choose to squander the property left by his brother, but looked for opportunities to make a comeback in New York.

Charlie's business sense is no worse than his brother Brannan, and soon Charlie found new business opportunities in New York.

Telegraph!

Before the advent of the telegraph, the exchanges in New York used a very traditional way to convey market information to the outside world.

If traders on Wall Street want to convey trading information to Philadelphia, the fastest way is for them to use flag signals to convey trading information to the other side of the Hudson River.

The staff on the other side who are responsible for receiving information quickly added the information conveyed by the traders and rode non-stop to Philadelphia 100 miles away.

The fastest Philadelphia can receive trading information from Wall Street is the next day.

But in the financial market, the price of stocks changes rapidly. Not to mention a day, even an hour, even a minute, or a second, the difference is enough to cause stockholders to suffer huge losses.

Therefore, before the advent of the telegraph, riders with many fast horses were very popular on Wall Street. These riders shuttled between New York and surrounding major cities, racing against time and wealth.

Until the advent of the telegraph, these riders who were responsible for conveying trading information finally lost their jobs, and the telegraph operators in the telegraph room replaced these riders.

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