Chapter 280: Gods Gift to the World (1/2)

Weeks had passed since Berengar returned to Kufstein, and during this time, he had been focused on expanding his naval capacity. Compared to the Venetian Arsenal, he still lacked output, even though he had three shipyards equal in scale, if not more significant.

The reason for this was simple, a lack of experience on the part of the workers who created the ships from the prefabricated components. The Venetians had centuries of experience building vessels, and as such, they could crank out a single ship every day.

Whether or not they could manufacture the cannons necessary to equip these vessels was another story. After all, they were using relatively small-bore primitive bronze cannons at this point. Bronze is a much rarer material than Iron, and of course, more expensive. The Venetian warships also lacked broadside cannons, with their armaments exclusively being located at the fore and aft positions.

Compared to the Venetian Arsenal, Berengar's shipyards in Trieste and Pola, dedicated to Naval Armament, were only capable of producing one ship every four days. However, these ships were fifth-rate frigates with a total of forty-four 24 lb cannons on board. As such, his Navy began to expand rapidly in terms of the number of vessels available, and thus Berengar had to boost recruitment efforts towards his Navy.

As for his Merchant fleet, it was also growing rapidly, with one clipper being built every three days. While Naval power was necessary to secure his dominion over the region, a properly established merchant fleet was necessary to establish trade across the Mediterranean.

At the moment, Berengar's Grand Army was 50,000 strong and was the most well-equipped and trained army in all of Europe. However, his Navy severely lacked comparison, with only 10,000 recruits over the past year, which was barely enough to field 45 vessels.

At the moment, Berengar was in the middle of implementing an essential resource to his Naval Vessels. He was honestly surprised that he had not thought of such a thing before. His vessels were currently using inferior hemp rope, and he was planning to improve it with superior manila rope when he reached the Philipines, much like how the Spanish had done in his previous life.

However, Berengar came to a sudden realization that he had a far more valuable resource and a vast stockpile of it that could be utilized in the manufacture of rope for sailing vessels. This material was, of course, high carbon steel.

Beginning in the 1830s of Berengar's previous life, steel wire rope had started to replace the traditional manila rope used by most sailing vessels. The reason for this was that steel wire rope was superior in strength, durability, and flexibility compared to textile rope.

Due to the advancements in steel-making technology and the massive supply the Europeans were able to produce during this time; they used such materials to improve the rigging of their sailing vessels.

As such, Berengar had begun to place an order to construct high carbon galvanized steel wire where it would be converted into ropes for sailing and replace the existing hemp ropes that were used on what few vessels Berengar had available.

It was best to make these innovations as early as possible. As such, Berengar had begun to implement them for all new vessels in the future; he also planned to convert the ropes on the existing ships as quickly as he could manage.

After drafting the designs and sending them to his industrial district within Trieste via a courier, Berengar sat back and relaxed in his dining hall. Just when he was about to sip some tea, he received some shocking news from one of his servants who had appeared before him.

”Your grace, Sir Andronikos of the Byzantine Empire is here to speak with you...”

Upon hearing this, Berengar sighed before getting up from his seat and approaching the great hall, leaving behind his tea in the process. When Berengar arrived, the man from the east had a broad smile on his face as he greeted the young Duke of Austria.

”Your grace, it is good to see that you are well!”

Berengar put on a smile as he greeted the man who had long since become his primary means of trade with the East since Arethas had become engaged in his campaign for North Africa.

”And you as well, my friend, tell me how is the war effort going in Egypt and Lybia?”

Andronikos sighed as he heard this question and revealed the results of the ongoing campaign.

”For the most part, it is going well; we have seized a quarter of Egypt and Libya and are currently expanding forward. However, the Knights Hospitaller, who has supported us for some time, has begun to withdraw.

Those fanatics realized that we were being supplied by Austria and immediately became offended. Stating it was either you or them, we chose your support. Seeing as your weapons are superior to the men they provide for the war effort.”

Berengar chuckled at this comment before shifting the conversation to the issue at hand.