Chapter 179 The plan remains unchanged
Led by the first-class battleship "King", a huge fleet with 11 third-class battleships, six cruisers, four frigates, and three troop carriers is slowly sailing into the Mediterranean Sea.
Lieutenant General William Simmons is enjoying Haydn's work "Nelson's Mass", also known as "The Emperor's Mass of the Sea".
William Simmons participated in the Battle of Trafalgar, where he was aboard HMS Victory as the starboard gunner.
When he heard that Lieutenant General Nelson had been shot, the battle was over, they had won, but they had lost that great captain forever.
William Simmons always blamed himself for not being able to die in battle. After that, he kept fighting, looking for his own salvation.
However, until Simmons became a fleet commander, he still did not die in battle with honor. He envied Helmut for being the first to leave for Beirut.
"It would be great if the Egyptian and Ottoman fleets were as strong as they boast." William Simmons said.
"Twenty-eight battleships? It's indeed scary, but Captain, you are not planning to return, are you?"
Vice-captain Rear Admiral Peel smiled and said that he did not take the Egyptian Navy and the Ottoman Navy seriously at all. If it were 28 French warships, he might persuade the reckless captain to turn around and return.
"The Egyptian battleships are too weak in terms of protection and firepower. Those fragile guys may not be able to survive our round of bombardment." William Simmons said with some worry.
If someone else, or another captain, had said this, Major General Peel would have felt that the other party had drunk too much rum.
But William Simmons' "Monarch" definitely has this qualification.
The "King" was built after the "Victory", with a displacement of 3,600 tons. It was equipped with 40 64-pound cannons on the bottom floor and 30 32-pound cannons. The upper gun deck was equipped with 20 24-pound long-barreled cannons and the top gun deck was equipped with 20 guns. An 18-pound long-barreled gun, and five 64-pound short-barreled carronade guns at the bow and stern.
Its firepower is almost twice that of the common 74th ship (third-level battleship), and Captain William Simmons likes to fight the enemy within 300 meters.
"Who knows? Maybe if the battle ends soon, we can go ashore to find women. It is said that their women like to wear headscarves, and those women don't even know what they look like. It's so exciting to think about it." Major General Peel said optimistically said.
"You guy?" William Simmons was a little speechless, and then asked seriously, "Are the explosive bombs ready?"
"Don't worry, I have already prepared according to your arrangements. Aren't you afraid that the enemy will not be able to fight? You are using such a foul weapon." Major General Peel joked.
"I will not make fun of the lives of my soldiers. Aren't you following me because I am victorious in every battle? Are you coming with me to seek death?" Simmons asked rhetorically.
"Mr. Captain, didn't you add water to your rum today? Why are you talking nonsense? Of course we are following you to make a fortune! I heard that Beirut is a wealthy city. Maybe after this battle, We can save enough money to go home, marry a wife, and build a factory.”
On the other hand, the Egyptian navy, under the instructions of Mohammed Ali, stayed in Beirut, waiting for the arrival of the British fleet.
Ali received a pigeon message from the French saying that the French fleet was already on its way to Beirut and was expected to arrive in two days.
According to Ali's estimation, the French fleet will arrive in Beirut before the British. By then, the combined French and Egyptian fleets will be unprecedentedly large, and they can definitely easily eat up the British fleet.
Then there will be a decisive battle with the British North Sea Fleet. Although the North Sea Fleet is very powerful, it still has a trump card, and by then it may be possible to recruit the Russians into its ranks.
As long as the British North Sea Fleet is eliminated, British maritime hegemony will end. After all, they still have so many colonies to maintain, and it is impossible to send all the fleets to the Mediterranean.
The day when Egypt will dominate Eurasia is coming, Muhammad Ali thought.
Friedrich also received information from the Egyptian Navy, and also confirmed the intelligence that the French Navy had not taken any action.
In fact, Thiers had already lost power at this time. King Louis Philippe stood up against his adventurous policies. Together with Guizot, the power of the prime minister fell into the hands of Marshal Soult.
The old marshal just wanted to retire peacefully. He was firmly opposed to going to war with Britain, and it was impossible to send the navy to support the Egyptians. This was supported by Guizot, and Guizot even gave this information to the British.
Palmerston's London Conference became his one-man show, a one-man show in the true sense. Only Britain participated, France was not invited, and Russia and Austria refused to participate out of their own interests.
The Prussian ambassador was bribed by the French and suggested to the Prussian king to give up attending the London Conference on the grounds that discussing the Near East issue was of no value to Prussia.
William IV felt that Sewell (Prussian Foreign Minister) was right and agreed with him. At this point, Palmerston was disgraced. To make matters worse, the British navy's advance team was defeated by the Egyptians, creating the 19th century. The largest maritime tragedy in history.
Some members of Congress have begun to impeach Palmerston. After all, he has brought double losses to Britain's reputation and military.
What's even more terrible is that there is a British squadron heading towards Beirut in accordance with previous orders. If another British fleet is destroyed, Britain will have no choice but to send out the North Sea Fleet.
The expedition of the North Sea Fleet means a huge attrition, and it also means the bankruptcy of Britain's Near East plan, because the mission of the North Sea Fleet is to defend the British mainland, not to fight externally.
This time, Palmerston did not have the history of changing clouds and rain. Russia still occupied the Black Sea, and the Straits Convention only existed in his mind.
The French are eyeing Britain's status and may become the third competitor (referring to world hegemony) at any time. Austria's influence has not been weakened, and it is fighting for its own interests in its own way.
The Ottomans' confidence in Britain was shaken and they began to seek help from other powers.
The Egyptians listed Britain as their number one enemy and almost wiped out a British squadron. The losses were so heavy that even the Queen and Prince Albert were shocked.
Under great pressure, Palmerston did another stupid thing. He broke the virginity of one of the Queen's maids in Windsor Castle where the Queen lived.
Although the news was temporarily suppressed, it would reach the queen's ears sooner or later. In order to escape the blame, he thought of his old friend Sassoon. Maybe India is a good place.
When Palmerston applied to go to India, he did not arouse anyone's suspicion. After all, his series of mistakes caused Britain to suffer huge losses, so applying for overseas release was regarded as atonement.
At the same time, Lieutenant General Simons also received intelligence from the French, telling him that the entire main force of the Egyptian Navy was in Beirut, where there was a death trap specially designed for him and advised him to wait for reinforcements.
"What do you think, Mr. Peel?" Simmons handed the letter to the other party.
"Listen to your captain, I obey the order." Major General Peel did not read the letter, but saluted with a military salute.
"The plan remains unchanged and we move forward at full speed!"