Chapter 49: battle cruiser
"Father, Marshal, this is the blueprint of the battlecruiser I've designed for the empire." Qin Tian unfolded the meticulously prepared blueprint on the desk, catching both William II and Marshal Count Tirpitz off guard with his foresight.
Surprised by Qin Tian's proactive approach, William II and Marshal Count Tirpitz couldn't help but acknowledge the thoroughness of his preparation.
"Oscar, you've come well-prepared!" William II remarked with a chuckle.
"Yes, Your Royal Highness already had everything ready, even before convincing us," Marshal Count Tirpitz added, a smile breaking across his face.
"Of course, this is what we call being prepared in advance," Qin Tian replied with a smile.
Despite his preparedness, Qin Tian cautioned about the urgency of the situation, revealing that the British might have already completed the design drawings for their battlecruiser, the 'Invincible-class.' Hence, the need to expedite the progress of Germany's own design.
Recalling the historical construction of the British 'Invincible-class' battlecruiser in 1906, Qin Tian emphasized that despite its impressive speed, the 'Invincible' had fallen short in terms of performance. Its weaponry, due to the limitations of British artillery, compromised its power. He stressed the importance of overtaking the British navy in the arms race, underscoring the potential difficulties Germany might face if it fell behind.
Learning that the British were indeed planning to build battlecruisers, both William II and Marshal Count Tirpitz expressed their surprise. If the British were investing in such a vessel, it implicitly validated the significance of the proposed German battlecruiser.
"Yes, Father. The British are aware of their vulnerabilities and are keen on constructing a potent and swift warship to safeguard their sea transportation lines. Hence, the inception of the 'Invincible' battlecruiser," Qin Tian explained.
Curious about the comparative performance, William II asked if Qin Tian's design could outshine the British 'Invincible.'
"Of course, Father. The 'Invincible' battlecruiser boasts a full load displacement of 20,700 tons and a maximum speed of 25.5 knots. Armed with four twin 305mm main guns, sixteen 102mm single guns, and five 450mm underwater torpedo tubes, it exhibits limited defensive capabilities, with armor thickness ranging from 102mm to 254mm," Qin Tian detailed.
However, the thickness of the 'Invincible's armor raised concerns, and both William II and Marshal Count Tirpitz frowned at the vulnerability exposed by the British design.
Qin Tian seized the moment to introduce his own design, outlining a battlecruiser with superior specifications. The German battlecruiser, at 26,000 tons full load displacement, featured three triple-mounted 305mm 50-caliber main guns, along with a comprehensive armament of secondary guns and rapid-fire guns. Propelled by improved Sulzer oil-fired boilers and steam turbines, the vessel could reach a maximum speed of 26 knots. In terms of defense, it boasted a robust armor scheme, showcasing the advantages of the German design.
Impressed by the blueprint and specifications, William II expressed satisfaction, signaling the German navy's intent to order Qin Tian's meticulously designed battlecruiser.
"Father, does that mean the navy has decided to place an order?" Qin Tian asked, unable to suppress his amusement.
"Your Highness, we will indeed order such an exceptional warship. However, the specific order quantity requires further discussion," Marshal Earl Tirpitz clarified.
For Marshal Earl Tirpitz, the day unfolded in joyous strides – not only had they secured four "Nassau-class" battleships, ordered the construction of five "Helgoland-class" battleships, but now they were also adding battlecruisers to their naval strength. The promising developments marked a substantial enhancement in the German Navy's capabilities.