Chapter 18

Despite his seemingly quiescent demeanor as crown prince, Your Majesty, the man is far from insignificant. The Netherlands' astonishing recent progress, surpassing even our own in various sectors, speaks volumes. Their advancements in steel production and bearing manufacture, specifically, are demonstrably superior in both quality and efficiency. Consider this: in 1860 alone, the crown prince's denim enterprise generated over £100 million in revenue from sales exceeding one million garments—jeans, denim clothing, and cowboy hats—in Europe and America, at a price of just £1 per item. This is a staggering sum, exceeding the cost of a first-rate battleship tenfold. Queen Victoria's gaze sharpened at this revelation, her initial interest in him as a son-in-law markedly intensified. However, any further considerations would await the planned meeting with the Rotterdam royals next month. This nascent cordiality was abruptly shattered by an urgent dispatch.

Beginning January 1st, 1862, the Dutch launched a relentless campaign across the East Indies, seizing numerous South Pacific islands. The flagship *East India*, a formidable first-class sailing warship, led the charge, capturing Port Moresby in late January and subsequently overwhelming New Britain, the Solomon Islands, and New Caledonia by January 20th. A telegram from India paints a grim picture: by January 23rd, a reinforced Dutch fleet was besieging Fiji, compelling the surrender of 2,000 British subjects and 10,000 islanders. The situation is critical; immediate action from London is imperative....January 20th, 1862. Europe's gaze was riveted on Belgium, oblivious to the unfolding drama in the distant Pacific. There, the Dutch, relentlessly expanding their dominion, asserted their presence. A majestic first-rate warship, its flag – a triband of crimson, pristine white, and azure – proudly proclaimed Dutch sovereignty. The vibrant blue, mirroring the boundless ocean, symbolized national jubilance. White embodied liberty, equality, and the unpretentious nature of the Dutch spirit. The bold crimson represented the triumphant legacy of revolution. The vessel sliced through the southeastern waters toward New Guinea.

"Sir," a voice announced, "New Caledonia lies a scant ten nautical miles ahead. We must inform General Linden." A shadow of apprehension crossed the captain's face. "Have we evaded detection by the Royal Navy?" "Not yet, sir. However, our reconnaissance reveals a substantial population of 2,000 on New Caledonia. Over 200 British and 200 French nationals reside there. Could this compromise our relations with France?" The captain's gaze hardened. "Fear not. This expedition bears the personal imprimatur of His Majesty William himself. Your duty, soldier, is unwavering obedience. Questioning this mission is tantamount to self-betrayal. Is that understood?" "Crystal clear, General," the officer responded, his voice firm. "Proceed then. Prepare for immediate deployment. Should we encounter a British man-of-war, we shall meet their challenge with unwavering resolve, exhibiting no sign of weakness."

With the captain's departure, Theo von Linden cast a sardonic glance at his companion, the submarine magnate Gerrit de Friston—a man who'd pragmatically pledged allegiance to the Netherlands. De Friston's observation hung heavy in the air: "The Dutch seem intent on a significant eastward expansion this time." His voice carried a weighty undertone. "Europe has become too confined, and some within the Netherlands find themselves marginalized, forcibly fractured into three entities." His words alluded to the British-orchestrated dissection of the Kingdom of the Netherlands into the Netherlands, Belgium, and Luxembourg—the latter a Dutch exclave, geographically isolated and encircled by Belgium, France, and Prussia. "The British," De Friston continued, his tone laced with bitterness, "are masters of manipulation, perpetually aggressive." "Indeed," von Linden concurred, "Lord Palmerston's strategic brilliance is undeniable." Leaving Luxembourg vulnerable was a calculated move, a blatant display of power that made the territory a tempting morsel for other ambitious nations. Napoleon III had coveted it for over a decade, making several offers to King William III, only to be thwarted by Prussian resistance—a cruel twist of fate.

De Friston's acquiescence to the Netherlands seemed complete, yet his concern for his new nation was palpable. "This foray into the South Pacific—will it provoke British ire? Deploying the Netherlands' most formidable warship seems excessive, bordering on reckless."Lyndon offered a knowing glance. "You concur?" he murmured enigmatically. Gerrit De Friston simply nodded, his agreement unspoken. Their shared secret hung heavy in the air, a calculated deception designed to mislead. The conversation shifted, subtly, to the formidable warships of Europe. De Friston, a master of naval architecture, launched into a detailed description, his gaze fixed on the Dutch Vice-Chancellor. "Behold," he began, "a magnificent first-rate sailing battleship—a leviathan of the seas. Besides the two stationed in the Netherlands, this is the *only* such vessel in the Dutch East Indies. Imagine: three gun decks bristling with 106 cannons, a crew exceeding 900 souls, and a displacement of 3,500 tons. A veritable floating fortress; a Victory-class vessel of the highest caliber." He paused, emphasizing the enormity of the investment. "Such vessels are exorbitantly expensive—a staggering £100,000 apiece. Even the mighty Royal Navy, the apex of maritime power just a decade ago, possessed only around ten of these behemoths." His words carried a calculated weight. De Friston understood the Vice-Chancellor's significance; the man wielded authority second only to the Admiralty itself, holding sway over naval construction. De Friston's future, the fate of his submarine project, rested in these powerful hands. A quiet relief washed over him. Linden's surprising collaboration, despite lingering internal reservations, had opened an unexpected door.

De Friston continued, his voice measured and precise, citing the latest edition of the *Amsterdam Peace Research Institute's* findings: "Globally, only a select few nations possess these first-rate sailing warships. The British Empire boasts ten; France, three; Spain, Italy, and the Netherlands each command three; while the Ottomans, Tsarist Russia, Denmark, and America each possess two." His final statement carried the weight of geopolitical reality. "Only a handful of nations—Britain, France, Spain, the Netherlands, and the Ottoman Empire—possess the industrial capacity to construct such titans."Several naval powers significantly bolstered their fleets through international acquisitions. The United States secured two second-class sailing battleships from France, while Russia acquired a pair from the Dutch Republic, and Denmark obtained two from Great Britain. These formidable vessels, slightly less imposing than their first-class counterparts, boasted three gun decks and a complement of 750 sailors. Their displacement hovered around 2,000 tons, their popularity reflected in a construction range of 86 to 98 units across various navies. A significant drawback, however, manifested in inclement weather; their lower-deck armament became unusable in stormy conditions. While rarely deployed by the Royal Navy, these ships formed a crucial component of the fleets of France and other nations lacking sufficient numbers of first-class battleships. A survey of global naval strength reveals France's dominance in this class with 20 ships, followed by Spain (13), Italy, Portugal, and the Netherlands (8 each). Russia and the United States each possessed 9, while Denmark and Austria trailed with 5 apiece.

The capacity for constructing these vessels resided with a select group of maritime powers, including Great Britain, France, Spain, the Netherlands, Denmark, Portugal, the Ottoman Empire, Russia, and the United States. Italy augmented its fleet by purchasing 8 ships from Britain, and Austria procured 5 from the Netherlands.Linden's reticence prompted De Friston to elaborate. He expounded on the British Empire's naval dominance, detailing the crucial role of third-rate sailing battleships. These formidable vessels, comprising several subtypes, boasted two or three gun decks, typically mounting 64 to 80 cannons and carrying a complement of 500 to 720 men. Their displacement ranged from 1,300 to 1,800 tons, making them the British Navy's largest capital ships. Their strategic significance was undeniable. Of the 175 major battleships in the British fleet during the Napoleonic Wars, a commanding 117 were third-raters. This class represented a masterful compromise: potent firepower combined with reasonable speed and cost-effectiveness, solidifying their position as the backbone of the fleet and the Empire's maritime power projection across global oceans. The Battle of Trafalgar itself served as a testament, with 20 of Britain's 27 battleships and 29 of France's 33-strong combined fleet belonging to this pivotal class. Their construction wasn't limited to Britain; France, Spain, Austria, the Netherlands, Denmark, Portugal, the Ottoman Empire, Russia, the United States, and Italy all possessed the capability. In contrast, the less imposing fourth-rate battleships, equipped with fifty guns and a crew of approximately 350, displaced over 1,000 tons but lacked the offensive punch of their larger counterparts. Their construction cost a comparatively modest £26,000, but their weaker firepower rendered them unsuitable for major fleet engagements. Their role, therefore, was primarily as flagships for overseas patrols, mirroring the deployment of squadrons in the Dutch East Indies. The same nations capable of building third-rates also possessed the shipbuilding expertise for fourth-rates. Linden's observation, sharp and laced with suspicion, cut through the air.

"Your encyclopedic knowledge is astonishing," he remarked, a hint of menace coloring his words. "Were it not for our thorough vetting, I'd suspect you were a French agent, deliberately dispatched to glean our naval secrets." De Friston's complexion paled momentarily before a wry smile touched his lips. The weight of Linden's accusation hung heavy in the air, a stark reminder of the perilous game of espionage and naval rivalry.Fifth-rate battleships, coastal defense vessels measuring 130 to 150 feet, embodied a potent blend of firepower and versatility. Armed with 32 to 44 cannons and displacing 600 to 800 tons, these ships, crewed by approximately 250 sailors, excelled at preying upon merchantmen and conducting maritime patrols. Their role as advance scouts for larger fleets, coupled with lucrative inspection duties, fostered their popularity despite their comparatively modest size and comparatively lean budgets. Construction was widespread, undertaken by the British, French, Spanish, Austrian, Dutch, Danish, Portuguese, Ottoman, Russian, American, and Italian navies, a testament to their practicality and value. Sixth-rate warships presented a stark contrast: nimble, single-masted schooners representing the epitome of economical naval power. These vessels, equipped with a single gun deck boasting 20 cannons and displacing 450 to 550 tons, required a crew of only 180. Their primary function—the swift delivery of dispatches and sensitive cargo across international waters—matched their frugal design. Manufacturing costs as low as £10,000 made them remarkably accessible, fueling their widespread adoption and robust sales across the globe, manufactured by the British, French, Spanish, Austrian, Dutch, Danish, Portuguese, Ottoman, Russian, American, Argentinian, and Italian navies. The sight of imposing ironclad warships, propelled by steam, shattered preconceived notions of naval dominance. Prior to their arrival in the East Indies, De Friston, like many Europeans, believed only Britain and France possessed the industrial capacity to construct such behemoths. However, the majestic presence of six of these vessels, towering over the horizon, unveiled a resurgent Netherlands, dramatically altering the European power dynamic and rendering the nation's revitalization a palpable reality.