The 32-pounder shipborne gun, as the most powerful movable smoothbore gun of this era, has always been regarded as a symbol of maritime supremacy.

There are very few countries in the world that can afford to make such heavy artillery, Britain, France, Spain, Portugal, the Netherlands...... Each one represents the order of the world, and each one spares no effort to spread the light of civilization to all mankind.

Civilization is a monster that devours everything, and it is the sharpest tiger tooth in the monster's mouth.

Throughout the world, the standard 32-pounder naval gun is generally cast of pure iron, 2.7 meters long, weighs 2.5 tons, and has a caliber of 15.9 centimeters, and is equipped with 18-pound solid bullets, chain bullets, and 32-pound shotguns.

The operators of each gun were generally between 10 and 16 people, the rate of fire was 3 minutes per round (the British speed was one and a half minutes), and the maximum range of fire was 4 meters at 1350 degrees, and 8 meters at 2250 degrees.

Within 100 meters, the actual core shell can easily penetrate a 10-centimeter-thick oak plank, and within 300 meters, it can achieve direct damage to a fifth-class and below battleship, that is, in the state of direct hit, one shot penetrates the side hull.

It is a well-deserved murder weapon at sea, and it is enough to carry its terrifying recoil, and there is only a giant Galen-type warship in the world that is classified above the third level.

HMS Lion is one such battleship of the third rank.

As the latest young main force in the Royal Navy's lineup, its single ship comprehensive evaluation even surpasses the Duke of Wales, which has 98 guns, and is a well-deserved top powerhouse in the Royal Navy's New World Fleet.

That's Shaq. Drake's flagship.

At a distance of 900 meters, the Lion's powerful side completed the first round of saturated shelling, with 14 32-pound guns and 15 18-pound guns firing the first shot, setting off waves to obscure the view, creating a spectacular spectacle of the sea in the distance.

But her master did not show joy.

Shaq lowered his scope expressionlessly, and raised his eyes to sweep over the combat staff officers gathered behind him.

"900-meter deterrent artillery bombardment, is it a special order from the captain?"

A hint of the elder chief of staff flashed on his face: "According to the Admiralty's battle line operation manual, a 1000-meter battle range is a suitable distance for launching an attack. The rapid explosion can effectively disintegrate the opponent's battle line, and our well-trained artillery ensures the speed of reloading without affecting the effectiveness of the actual engagement. ”

"Officially engaged...... Is it? Shaq had an inexplicable smile on his face, "A battle line with a total of 74 firepower, an enemy army consisting of a smuggling ship...... Chief of Staff, you must not like hunting. ”

"Yes......"

Shaq didn't continue, just shook his head.

"Inform the Unicorn that the target is fleeing at a northwestern highway, and is expected to pass through its front within five minutes. Let her catch up and start a delayed battle nearby, waiting for the Lion and the other wingmen to outflank her. ”

The chief of staff interjected and came in: "Admiral, do you give the order directly beyond the formation command?" ”

"The rabbit is about to run away, and this is when the clever hunter will let go of the leash instead of waiting for the dog to learn to untie the collar on its own."

"Yes! Admiral! ”

……

A special whistling sound.

The whistling sound of the thirty-two-pounder cannon was peculiar, low and short, like a hammer stuffed in layers of fabric, and there was no danger of death.

But the sea clearly doesn't think so.

Hundreds of meters away, the waves raised by the sea were like a tsunami, and the splash was wide and thick, six or seven meters high.

Being hit by such a force, or even just being swept into close range of a miss, would cause great damage to a fragile commercial ship like the Jackdaw.

Thankfully, however, they seem to be overconfident in their own strength.

The bombardment from a distance of 900 meters was meaningless, and no matter how powerful it landed at a distance of hundreds of meters, it would not bother the Jackdaw, on the contrary, the large waves raised could effectively cover the hull of the Jackdaw, making it easier for Lorraine to change direction and escape.

Shaq, no see for a while, your mind seems to be more rigid......

Lorraine took a boring sip.

"Bell, try to keep this distance and lure the Lion to continue shelling while searching for the cut corners."

"Actually, I can get closer, I need some angles."

Lorraine thought for a moment and nodded: "The distance must not be less than 700, and when this wave ends, I will let Acharin cover us." ”

“700？ Enough is enough! ”

A gust of wind blew from the ocean into the bay and inward along the land base of the south coast, blowing the calm sea.

The Jackdaw caught the wind, and the bow turned slightly to the southwest.

She was a little closer to the Lion, stepping out of the bombing point, revealing a slender ship.

But only a moment later, the port side was released, and scattered bombs splashed on the sea.

The thinner and denser waves rose up, hiding the Jackdaw in the mist again, and Bell seized the opportunity to change direction, following the wind bend outward, and finally cut back into the wind belt completely.

The Jackdaw was full of drums, the speed climbed and rose again, and the Lion fired a second saturated shelling in vain, as powerful as ever, and as unthreatening as ever.

Cut out, get out of it!

Lorraine returned to the aft deck and stood behind Bell admiring the pleasing curvature of the sail.

"How does it feel to sail through the golden currents?" He asked.

"Your brother won't make it so easy for us." Bell put his hands on the wheel and rubbed his shoulders, "Although I have not participated in the defense of the Continental Fleet, I have a good understanding of Shaq. Drake's understanding that the blockade fleet has at least one more ship. ”

"Baltimore Brigg." Lorraine smiled, "Tactical choice...... Probably sluggish combat. ”

Before the words fell, Pierce's warning signal vibrated in the air: "At eight o'clock, the enemy is in the direction, the distance is 2600, and it is approaching quickly!" ”

Bell tilted his head to find Lorraine: "The high-speed ship you want is here." Since there are winged sails, should we use them? ”

"Caterina says that escaping is a pirate's specialty, and I'm sure the Caribbean Red Rose won't let us down."

"Shhhh You're a captain with ease. ”

"It's a misunderstanding." Lorraine quibbled seriously, "I've been recuperating to deal with life and death crises that may arise at any time, and it's very hard. ”

……

In the night, the Unicorn fell behind the Jackdaw with its wings wide open, and soon entered Lorraine's field of vision.

Lorraine was familiar with this type of ship, with a bow and shield, winged sails, and a slender hull, just like the Lucky Horseshoe.

Created by Baltimore shipwrights, this type of military ship has a much larger aspect ratio than a conventional warship, gaining speed at the expense of stability, especially in the broadside shelling, which has a disastrous hit rate.

But she is undoubtedly qualified as a high-speed ship.

Bell had maintained a full speed of 12 knots for a long time in the strong winds of the Battle of Lerobel Bay, and although the British captain behind him was not as skilled as Bell and the wind conditions were far worse today, he still made a breakthrough of nearly 11 knots with the blessing of the winged sails.

The relative speed is 1.5 knots, 2.7 kilometers per hour, and the two sides chase and flee for more than 40 minutes, leaving only seven or eight hundred meters between each other.

This distance is enough for the bow to attack, but if you want to achieve the delay effect, 500 meters is the most suitable distance.

Another five minutes...... Another five minutes......

So thought the captain, and so did Shaq aboard the Lion.

At this time, three kilometers east of the Unicorn, the Lion was breaking through the waves and riding the wind.

Shaq stood lonely in the bow of the ship, holding up his telescope motionless.

At the far end of the horizon was the lights of the Unicorn Stern, and farther away was the clever smuggling ship, which should not be far away, but the strict lighting control made it impossible for Shaq to lock her whereabouts.

So far, the performance of this little rabbit has amazed Shaq, counting from the sixth formation, sneaking in, throwing off the outpost, being calm in front of the powerful Lion, and daring to take the initiative to approach in order to catch the wind.

Especially their fight against the Unicorn.

The Unicorn had an average speed of 11 knots in this chase, which was enough to pride most of the seagoing vessels.

But as the one being hunted, the speed of the little rabbit is obviously not as fast as that of the unicorn fairy, but it can always maintain a stable high speed, and it has delayed the time of being caught up by relying on its strength.

This skill, this mentality, and the unity, self-confidence and resilience it shows......

It's a pity that no matter how good the performance is, the lawless person is just an outlaw.

Their good fortune is coming to an end, and when the unicorn opens fire, they will fall into a net from which they cannot break free.

The wind tightened.

Enjoying the strong sea breeze that rushed up, Shaq recalled the lights not long ago.

According to the light signal of the square, the progress of the chase battle is steady, and the time of the shelling should be in ......

"Urgent news, from the Unicorn, Admiral!"

Shaq raised an eyebrow in surprise, and couldn't help but have a bad premonition.

"What's wrong?"

"The unicorn fairy returned, the target suddenly accelerated, the estimated speed was nearly 13 knots and the navigation was stable, so it was judged that the possibility of catching up had been lost. The Unicorn asks to abandon the operation and return to the establishment. ”

"Actually...... Verse 13? ”

Shaq stood there stunned, a wry smile on his face.

"Are you waiting for the wind?"

"With a lot of momentum, shake off the pursuit...... This time, I was tricked by a bunny. ”