North America 1849, from Gold Rush to Warlord

Chapter 175 The Roaring God of War!
In any era, sending warships to force their way through a blockade in a narrow strait, under the fire of fortresses and batteries, is absolutely the most foolish choice.

Fortresses and gun emplacements are typically built in strategically vital locations that are highly contested by military strategists, and they are usually located on cliffs or precipices that are difficult for naval guns to reach.

The shore-based artillery, positioned on higher ground, has an absolute advantage in terms of range, firing arc, and line of sight.

Furthermore, warships are large targets, while shore-based artillery targets are small. If a critical area of ​​a warship is hit, such as a direct hit on the ammunition depot, it could send the entire warship flying.

Moreover, warships sailing on turbulent seas already have a very low hit rate.

In addition, a fortress or coastal battery is only worth a few dollars, while a warship is extremely expensive to build... Let alone a one-for-one trade, even a one-for-ten trade would be a huge loss!
If the commander of the fortress's coastal artillery had even a little common sense, he would have calculated the firing parameters for the entire sea surface within the firing range in advance...!
Therefore, only as a last resort would a fleet commander choose to confront the heavy artillery fire of a coastal fortress.

Commodore Andrew Webber is now facing this unavoidable situation.

"Major Klaus, I order you to personally lead two shallow-draft gunboats to probe the fortress's gun emplacements!"

Faced with the order personally given by the general, Major Klaus was stunned!

"General, I...!"

As a hidden knight of the Temple of Solomon, Major Klaus knows a lot, but commanding naval battles... that ability is definitely not in his skill book!
"What...?" Andrew Webber raised a white eyebrow. "Major Klaus, you intend to disobey orders?!"

In an instant, all the staff officers on the flagship's command tower, as well as all the officers and soldiers around them, all turned their attention to Major Klaus.

Klaus's face turned quite grim: "General, I think you should have a more suitable candidate...!"

Andrew Webber's tone was unequivocal: "Major Klaus, since it was your suggestion to send out a shallow-draft gunboat to probe the enemy's firepower, you are of course the most suitable candidate!"

"So, you just stood by and watched the soldiers on those two shallow-draft gunboats go to their deaths, and you, the instigator, just stood by and did nothing, without the slightest bit of self-sacrifice?"

"Major Klaus, you need to think carefully about what the consequences will be for disobeying military orders!!!"

Upon hearing the general's two sentences, all the officers and soldiers around him turned hostile towards Klaus.

Now that things have come to this point, what more can Klaus say given his current status?
"Snap...!" Major Klaus snapped to attention, his heels slamming into the ground. "General, as you wish, I will personally lead two shallow-draft gunboats to break through the enemy's fire blockade line...!"

"Go ahead, I'll be watching!"

General Andrew Webber said coldly, "If you can complete the mission, you will be a hero of America!"

These are the exact words that Klaus said to General Andrew Webber a few days ago.

Now, the general returns those words to them verbatim.

Klaus glared at Andrew Webber with a venomous look, gave a military salute, and then turned and left the command tower.

Moments later, under the personal command of Major Klaus, the two fastest shallow-draft gunboats, the 500-ton HMS Courage and HMS Resolution, began to break away from the fleet, accelerating at full speed towards the distant Strait of St. Francis.

Meanwhile, at the fortress on the south bank of the strait, Ah Zu, who was once again in a wheelchair, miraculously reappeared on the battlefield just over ten days after being stabbed and "seriously wounded."

The appearance of their own big boss greatly boosted the morale of all officers and soldiers.

The outcome of this battle at the Strait Fortress is a matter of life and death for the entire Huamei Company.

In this crucial battle, Ah Zu, who was in seclusion to "recover from his injuries," was really worried and so he personally went to the battlefield.

At this moment, Azu was closely monitoring the movements of the Pacific Fleet in the distance through the latest binoculars produced by Huamei Company.

Old Martinez echoed the sentiment: "Boss, we have already tested and set the firing parameters for all areas within 20,000 yards."

"The enemy fleet is currently anchored 12,000 yards away from us, which is well within the range of our 203mm and 155mm guns."

"The enemy fleet has lowered its sails and anchored; they're all sitting ducks."

"Boss, as long as you give the order, we are confident that we can severely damage the enemy fleet."

"Don't rush!" Azu said in a deep voice, "The distance is too far now, and with the accuracy of our artillery, the hit rate is too low."

“If we open fire now, it will scare them away.”

"Moreover, it will also expose the range and power of our breech-loading rifled guns."

At that moment, through the telescope, two shallow-draft gunboats were rapidly breaking away from the fleet, billowing thick smoke, accelerating at full speed on the sea, heading straight for the narrow strait.

Azu said, "Look, aren't they getting impatient?"

"Only two gunboats?" Old Martinez smacked his lips. "That's not enough!"

Ah Zu said, "Old Ma, you must remember our objective. It's not about how many enemy ships we sink, but simply ensuring they can't get into the bay area."

"In order not to completely provoke America, we should instead hold back our attacks, understand?"

"Understood, Boss!" Old Martinez said, slightly unwillingly, "We can't just go all out against them. This battle was really not satisfying."

"Hehe!" Azu laughed, "You'll have your moment of revelry later! Now is not the time for us to fully unleash our strength. We need to learn to be cautious and low-key, understand?"

"Hehe, BOSS, in your Chinese terms, this is called 'keeping a low profile and biding one's time,' right?"

"Huh...!" Azu put down his binoculars and looked at him with slight surprise: "Old Ma, when did you become so knowledgeable?"

Old Ma scratched the back of his head and said embarrassedly, "Now that I'm the commander of an independent artillery regiment, how can I not read more books and learn more?"

“You’re right!” Azu praised, “Your level of knowledge and vision determine your potential.”

"With your current skill level, you'd be barely qualified to be an artillery regimental commander. If you don't study and improve, that's your limit as a regimental commander...!"

As the two men were talking, the two shallow-water gunboats had already pushed their speed to the limit.

Even so, given the propulsion efficiency of paddle steamers, reaching a speed of thirteen or fourteen knots was already a tremendous feat for them.

Old Ma raised his binoculars again and said, "BOSS, the enemy ship is 8,000 yards away...!"

"Seven thousand yards...!"

"Six thousand yards...!"

Old Ma couldn't contain his excitement: "Boss, at this distance, we only need one volley to send them all to the bottom of the sea to feed the sharks!"

"Don't worry!"

Azu observed the two gunboats getting closer and closer through his binoculars: "Open fire when they are within three thousand yards!"

"clear……!"

"Five thousand yards...!"

"Four thousand yards...!"

"Three thousand yards...!"

This was also the first time Old Ma had commanded a breech-loading rifled gun in actual combat. He was extremely excited, put down his binoculars, and shouted without hesitation, "Fire!!"

"Fire!!"

"Fire!!"

The three fortress artillery commanders standing behind Lao Ma shouted at the same time, and swung the red flags they had raised high down hard!
"boom……!"

"boom……!"

"boom……!"

……

100mm, 155mm, and 203mm—three calibers, more than ten breech-loading rifled cannons—eagerly and simultaneously unleashed a deafening roar!

In an instant, more than ten cannons simultaneously spewed out dazzling flames!

"boom……!"

In that instant, the ground trembled violently!
In that instant, the god of war finally revealed his ferocious fangs!

More than a dozen shells, accompanied by a piercing whistle, traced perfect trajectories and hurtled straight toward the two gunboats!

Less than three thousand yards, covered in the blink of an eye!
"Boom...!"

"Boom...!"

"Rumble...!"

……

At such close range, the three caliber cannons, with their firing parameters pre-set, can guarantee an extremely high hit rate.

In the first salvo, of the fifteen shells fired, one-third hit the target.

Five high-explosive shells of different calibers directly hit the USS Courage and USS Resolution of the Pacific Squadron.

The HMS Courage was hit by three shells, one 203mm shell and two 100mm shells.

The other ship following closely behind, the "Resolution," was hit directly by two high-explosive shells, both 155mm shells. "Boom...!"

The bow of the HMS Courage was directly hit by a powerful 203mm high-explosive shell.

The bow of the HMS Courage, encased in steel, was blasted to pieces.

After the shell penetrated the wooden deck at an angle, it exploded with a loud bang between the first and second decks.

"Boom...!"

The steel bow of the "Courage" inflated like a balloon in an instant, and then countless pieces of steel turned into flying fragments!
"Boom...!"

The entire hull of the "Courage" was blasted forward and sank sharply. After the stern rose slightly, it crashed back into the sea.

A single 203mm high-explosive shell blasted the bow of the 500-ton "Courageous" ship into a mangled and horrific state.

Along with the twenty or so officers and soldiers working in the bow area, they were all turned into pieces of minced meat by the power of this shot!
"Ah... my eyes...!"

"Ah... my leg...!"

"Ah... my hand...!"

"Aaaaaah... my intestines...!"

A large number of naval officers and soldiers were also seriously injured by this shell.

In the chaotic cabin, screams, wails, and cries for help rose and fell!
At the same time, the cockpit of the HMS Courage was also hit by a 100mm high-explosive shell.

The shell pierced through the cockpit's armor and exploded in the compartment below.

"Boom...!"

Although the power of a 100mm high-explosive shell is far less than that of a 203mm shell, it is still enough to take away most of the people in the cockpit after it penetrates the compartment and explodes!
Another 100mm high-explosive shell hit the waterline midway through the ship, creating a huge hole in the steel hull of the "Courage".

"Splash! Splash!!" Seawater rushed in wildly through the hole.

The "Courageous," severely damaged by three shells, was rapidly declining at its maximum speed of fourteen knots, a rate visible to the naked eye.

The cockpit of the HMS Courage was hit directly by a 100mm shell, cleanly taking the captain and a number of key officers with it.

Temporarily without command, the "Courageous" continued its relentless advance despite being badly damaged, but its speed gradually decreased.

The HMS Resolution, which followed closely behind, was hit by two 155mm high-explosive shells and was in no better condition than the HMS Courage!
Fortunately, one shell hit the middle of the deck of the "Resolution" and another hit the stern of the hull.

Although it was also severely damaged, the cockpit of the Resolution was still largely intact and could still maintain command capabilities.

Meanwhile, on the command platform of the flagship Portsmouth, Commodore Andrew Webber observed the battle through his binoculars, surrounded by a large group of fleet staff officers who were also closely observing through their binoculars.

"What...Fuck...!!!"

General Andrew Webber could hardly believe what he was seeing through his telescope!
"Fuck...this...how is this possible?!"

Andrew Webber roared in utter shock and fury, “What the hell are they using? What the hell are these shells?!”

"Can anyone tell me why the enemy's cannons are so damn powerful?!"

In General Andrew Webber's view, five dazzlingly large balls of fire erupted almost simultaneously from the steel hulls of his two gunboats.

Their own armored gunboats were like eggs under a giant hammer, so fragile that they were easily smashed to pieces!
"General, they definitely didn't use solid shot...!"

"Nonsense! Do you think I don't have eyes? Can't I see their shells will explode...!"

One of the staff officers said urgently, "General, should we order them to retreat? Under such heavy firepower, the 'Courage' and 'Resolution' will definitely not be able to break through...!"

"No, we can't retreat!" Brigadier General Andrew Webber roared, "Tell 'Courage' and 'Resolution' with flag signals, charge forward at full speed, no matter what...!"

"Only by relying on speed can we hope to get through!"

"Once they slow down and turn, they'll become sitting ducks and die even faster...!"

……

While Andrew Webber and a group of fleet staff officers were urgently relaying orders, Klaus, who was commanding from the cockpit of the USS Resolution, was also facing the same choice.

The captain of the "Resolution" was accidentally hit on the head when the ship was hit directly by two 155mm shells.

At this moment, the captain of the "Resolution," clutching his bleeding head and dizzy, roared at Klaus, "Major, the fortress's firepower is too strong! Our ship is already badly damaged and absolutely cannot withstand a second round of bombardment. We must turn and retreat...!"

"No!" Klaus roared at her even louder, "At this moment, you absolutely cannot slow down or turn! Accelerate, accelerate, give it your all, and get through...!"

"No, we absolutely cannot get through, we're just throwing our lives away...!"

Major Klaus drew his Colt revolver from his waist and, without hesitation, pressed it against the captain's temple, roaring, "Captain, execute orders...!"

Just as they were getting into an argument, the sound of cannons booming again came from the coastal battery two thousand yards away.

"Do not……!"

The captain of the "Resolution" roared in despair, "How can their cannons fire at such a high rate...!"

"boom……!"

"boom……!"

"boom……!"

……

The fifteen cannons of three calibers roared once again, their power awe-inspiring and terrifying.

"call out……!"

Fifteen high-explosive shells were once again fired at the HMS Courage and HMS Resolution, which were closer and slower.

"Boom...!"

"Boom...!"

"Rumble...!"

……

This second salvo came so quickly, so accurately, so fiercely…!
"Rumble...!"

Under the watchful eyes of countless people in the entire Pacific Fleet, fifteen shells pounced on their prey like tigers unleashed.

"Rumble...!"

The second salvo was even more accurate!
Of the fifteen shells fired, eight hit both HMS Courage and HMS Resolution.

The HMS Courage, in particular, was hit directly by five high-explosive shells: two 203mm shells, one 155mm shell, and two 100mm shells.

"Boom...!"

The already severely damaged HMS Courage was blasted through three decks by a powerful 203mm high-explosive shell, which detonated the ammunition magazine hidden deep in the middle of the ship!

"boom……!"

In the horrific explosion, the "Courage" was blown in two from the middle of its hull!
The two sections of the ship were blasted high into the sea by the powerful explosion before crashing back into the water.

Amidst the stunned gazes of everyone, the steel hull of the "Courage" vanished from the sea at a visible speed!
Along with the more than one hundred officers and soldiers on board the "Courage", they quickly sank to the cold seabed!

The "Resolution," which followed closely behind, was hit directly in the midsection and stern by one 203mm shell and two 155mm shells.

Although it didn't cause a catastrophic explosion like the HMS Spirit, the HMS Resolution wasn't much better off.

It was hit directly in the engine room by a 155mm high-explosive shell.

"Boom...!"

The steam engines in the engine room were all blown to bits.

With a "whoosh...!", seawater poured frantically into the interior of the "Resolution".

Having lost all power, the Resolution could only glide on the sea surface by inertia.

The heavily damaged "Resolution" was rapidly filled with seawater through the bullet holes, and the ship tilted sharply to starboard.

"Abandon ship! We must abandon ship immediately...!"

The captain of the "Resolution" could no longer care about anything else, not even the gun barrel pressed against his temple. He put his mouth to the brass megaphone and roared, "I am the captain! All crew, abandon ship immediately!!"

The captain had just given the order to abandon ship when he turned around and found that Major Klaus, who had been by his side, had vanished!
"That son of a bitch, I thought you were some tough nut to crack!"

"Turns out, you got away even faster than me...!"

(End of this chapter)