I'm the Dauphin in France

Chapter 1151 The Mediterranean Sea, Like an Eternal Nightmare

Unable to gain the upper hand, the French warships had no choice but to turn north again and "flee".

As the two sides drew closer, Colonel Russell skillfully selected five ships to block the wind gap, and then ordered the other warships to go full speed ahead and give chase.

However, as the fast fleet completed its turn, Russell sensed that something was amiss.

He turned and went to the back of the command room. Through the glass window, he could see two steam warships floating on the sea in the distance. They were his own "Shield" and "Conifer".

Russell frowned, pointed out the window, and asked the staff officer beside him, "What's wrong with them?"

The latter was clearly also very puzzled. He ran out quickly, and returned a few minutes later, somewhat dejected, saying, "Commander, the 'Zhinge Forest' reports that there is a problem with its axle, and the other ship is still being inspected for the fault."

Russell said with a grim face, "Just how much maintenance money did those guys at Chatham Shipyard embezzle? They've caused such a big problem!"

"When I get back, I will definitely put them in a military court!"

The second mate beside him gestured towards the sea: "Commander, the French have suddenly changed course again."

Russell issued orders according to standard operational procedures, and the fast fleet followed suit.

This time, however, four warships failed to keep up.

The "Grey Mahi-mahi" even experienced an explosion, and the crew's shouts of "Fire!" and "Lower the lifeboats!" reached Russell's flagship.

"Damn it, what's going on?!" Russell roared, waving his hand forcefully. "Tell all the ships to keep an eye on the pressure gauges. Don't over-pressurize just for a little speed!"

He realized something was wrong as soon as he finished speaking. The "Shield" and "Serpentine" were among the first to be built, and they used steam engines that could automatically regulate pressure...

As if to confirm his guess, the lookout's report was sent to the command room—of the four ships that had just encountered problems, two had been confirmed to have shaft failures.

Yes, Russell never imagined that this was a trap the French had dug three years ago—

The guaiac wood they used to make ship axles had been tampered with.

After the Avenger suffered a broken axle on its maiden voyage, Sandel immediately reduced the torque of the steam engine to ensure that the British warship would not damage the axle during training.

He even wrote in the operating manual, "To extend the life of the steam engine, you should avoid using maximum power for navigation as much as possible during normal times."

Even so, there have been three instances of axle breakage over the years.

However, Sandel dismissed these accusations as "steam engine pressure control malfunction" or "insufficient lubrication of the speed regulating gear." Charterham Shipyard, for the sake of its warships' reputation, cooperated by replacing the shaft—Bolton-Watt even compensated for the cost of the shaft, and Hope had no further objections.

Today, however, these British steam warships not only operate at full power for extended periods but also frequently undergo extreme rotations, subjecting the ship bearings to enormous lateral pressure. The small scratches quickly begin to expand and eventually shatter.

After sailing another 5 nautical miles, Russell finally couldn't sit still any longer—

He has lost nine warships in succession, and now the fast fleet has as many warships as the French.

He even had a premonition that his flagship would suddenly lose power at any moment.

Russell glanced at the warships drifting behind him and said to the messenger with a dark expression, "Order to cease pursuit."

"'The Sands of Time' returned to request assistance from the fleet. Other ships rallied around me and towed the malfunctioning ship back."

"Yes, Commander."

As the British fast fleet began to turn around, half a nautical mile away on the French warship "Radiance," squadron commander Captain Pierre Dumarrol immediately issued the order: "All ships turn southwest, in groups of three, and freely search for opportunities."

Yes, compared to the British Navy, which had only been using steam-powered warships for a little over a year, the French Navy was the one that truly mastered the use of this weapon. These light, fast warships were not suited for line-fighting operations; instead, they should be deployed in small groups to find gaps and repeatedly engage in skirmishes and harassment.

Ten minutes later, the French "master" began to teach the British.

Four squads flanked the British warships from both sides, preventing them from rescuing the malfunctioning vessel.

The other three squads sped southwest at full speed, their target the enemy ships that had lost power earlier.

If British warships came to intercept them, they would repeat their old tricks, making repeated sharp turns.

If you dare to follow, then pray that the ship's axle can hold up.

If they don't follow, I'll seize a favorable position and wait for an opportunity to launch a surprise attack, or bombard any malfunctioning ships.

Meanwhile, the main battleships of the British Mediterranean Fleet were still 7 nautical miles away and had no idea what was happening there.

Shortly afterward, the "Golden Head Snapper" was repeatedly bombarded and subsequently exploded.

The flames quickly spread to the coal storage bunker. The entire ship was soon transformed into a fireball on the sea.

Large numbers of British sailors screamed and jumped into the sea. Many of them were roasted alive by the heat emanating from the ship before they could swim far.

Next, while chasing a French warship, the Foxhound was hit on the mast by the latter's stern gun.

The slowing British ship was soon surrounded by three French warships. Captain Patrick, left with no other option, ordered the ship abandoned…

Russell looked at the chaotic sea around him, his face already deathly pale.

After yet another warship was sunk, he finally gritted his teeth and gave the order: "Abandon the powerless ship and return to port immediately!"

He simply forgot that when he came, his fleet had a tailwind, but now that he wanted to retreat, the wind had turned against him.

After the British fast fleet completed its turn, the French warships had closed in to within about 300 meters in a semi-encircling formation.

Colonel Dumaror didn't stand on ceremony and immediately ordered a volley.

At such a distance, the hit rate of smoothbore cannons was very limited, but they were able to force British ships to accelerate desperately.

Colonel Russell's premonition came true—a series of piercing creaks came from the bottom of his flagship, the Cyclone, before its speed suddenly decreased.

He watched helplessly as several French warships sailed past his side and fired a few symbolic shots at him.

Yes, a ship without power is like a lamb to the slaughter. Dumarol's goal was to catch up with as many intact enemy ships as possible.

At 11:30 a.m., the remaining 16 warships of the British Fast Fleet finally spotted their own battleships and hurriedly signaled for help.

Dumarol then ordered a return voyage and began "harvesting" the immobile enemy ships along the way.

Pixar listened to the messenger's report and felt as if he were dreaming.

In just over two hours, the French had destroyed nearly half of the fast fleet's 30 warships...

After a long while, he finally ordered the main fleet to head east to rescue the malfunctioning steam warship, prompted by his staff.

(End of this chapter)