In the Atlantic, a fleet is sailing at sea. This fleet is the Spanish fleet that Rear Admiral Samplin has been searching for and the American people are gnashing their teeth.

Instead of continuing to attack Boston north, as Rear Admiral Samplin had intended, they sailed south through the open sea after completing their attack on New York.

On the flagship Empress Isabel (Turin), Vice Admiral Sedra was chatting with Colonel Lefeel.

"Has the power system of the Princess Christina (Palermo) been repaired?"

"Captain Anthony sent a telegram an hour ago telling me that the power system had been repaired, but the two damaged boilers were no longer in use, and the problem had to be solved at the shipyard. And we also need to consider whether the shipyard has the same boiler, which is really a big problem. And without two boilers, Princess Christina could only run at a maximum speed of 16.8 knots, which was a problem. ”

Colonel Lefel's words made Lieutenant General Sedra's face not look good. The news is really terrible, it seems that the cost of this shelling of New York is too great.

How could the price not be great, in addition to the Princess Christina power system being hit once, there was also the Isabel II (Barry) was destroyed with two 152mm secondary guns, and even the Empress Isabel was hit several times, losing a transport boat, as well as a 76mm naval gun.

And this time the damage caused by the shelling was not over, and the destroyer Molina, because of the surprise attack of the torpedo boats of the US Navy, was hit by a 280-mm shell in the power compartment, and then was sunk by concentrated fire.

At the cost of such losses, the result was that the three Turin-class battleships fired a total of 184 356-mm shells and 461 152-mm shells at New York City. If it weren't for the fact that the New York coastal defense forces had sent ships to lay mines, they could have fired more. But for the sake of safety, the three valuable battleships were quickly withdrawn.

And the shelling of New York this time also poured cold water on all the officers and men of the fleet.

For the goal of tight shore defense facilities, I want

And taking into account the current large consumption of ammunition by the fleet, coupled with the fact that the fleet has also suffered losses, the plan to continue the attack was canceled, and the return was carried out ahead of schedule.

Their destination, of course, was Bermuda, with the hospitable Governor, where Scottish white coal was still unsold. Of course, it would be nice to have the same boiler as the Turin class, but don't expect too much from this.

……

Bermuda is a warm place, and while it may not be easy to make money, it is better to be comfortable.

Governor Oaks just thinks Bermuda is suitable for retirement, not for ambitious people like himself.

"Major Jeffrey, how about a drink?"

On one side of the docks, Governor Oakes greeted a British Imperial naval officer.

"No, thank you very much, Your Excellency Governor Ochs, my job is to write boring records of supplies delivered to naval bases throughout the Americas, I don't know why I deserve such enthusiasm from you, Your Excellency the Governor, but your enthusiasm makes me a little uneasy."

Faced with Major Jeffrey, who seemed a little inadequate, Governor Oakes would not believe that no one would not be bribed unless the price was not enough.

"Major Jeffrey, I didn't expect the offer to invite you for a drink would make Major think so much. Actually, I'm just a little busy asking you to help, which will not only promote our friendship, but also improve your boss's opinion of you. I know you've been in this position for almost five years, don't you want to go to a more developed role? ”

Governor Ochs' words caused Major Jeffrey to stop his notes and look at the Governor of Bermuda.

"Jeffrey, I think you should have the big picture, for example, at some point, you can do things that are inconvenient for the higher-ups to do. Trust me, this may seem a bit aggressive, but you won't regret it. ”

"So that's why you sold the three thousand tons of Scottish white coal from the base's reserves?"

Facing Major Jeffrey, who didn't seem to react at all, Governor Oaks showed an indifferent expression. "Yes, I was indeed deceived and sold these three thousand tons of white coal to the Spanish fleet, which caused huge losses to the United States, and I heard that even New York was shelled, but so what?"

Governor Oaks said this, squeezing out a little sad expression. "So, in order to appease the mood in the United States, the gentleman of London removed me from my post in this isolated island. Believe it or not, in just two months, London will transfer me to India as a commissioner somewhere, for the same reason, do you believe it? ”

Although Governor Oakes was a bit absurd, Major Jeffrey knew that what he said was very likely. This was because the British Empire cared for the United States, and any British military official knew it.

After seeing Major Jeffrey's expression soften a little, Governor Oaks rode the hot railroad. "Do you always want to stay in this logistics position, and don't want to be the commander of a detachment and command the battleship?"

Governor Oakes' words said that Major Jeffrey was in trouble. Who doesn't want to be the commander of the fleet, commanding warships to defend the interests of the British Empire.

"You mean, as long as I don't say that you sold 3,000 tons of military coal for the base?"

"No, these three thousand tons of coal sold to the Spanish fleet are my credit, and it is useless if you say it or not. You need to make your own contribution to the gentlemen of London, you don't have to think about rubbing me, and what you want is actually very simple. ”

In this way, Major Jeffrey would have gone too far if he had not understood it.

"At present, there are more than 9,000 tons of military Scottish white coal in the two supply ships, and I can leave 6,000 tons here."

Major Jeffrey was really generous, and he left 6,000 tons directly.

"It was a wise decision."

While the two were talking, they heard the alarm bell ring, and someone in the watchtower shouted. "There's a fleet coming, and it's the Spanish flag."

This is really Cao Cao, Cao Cao.

I saw Governor Oaks turn to Major Jeffrey. "Looks like you've even saved the work of transporting."

In a few moments, the dusty Spanish fleet poured into the port.

And Governor Ochs didn't wait long for Lieutenant Admiral Sedra and the others who disembarked. "Your Excellency Vice Admiral Sedra, I would like to reiterate the rules of neutrality of the British Bermuda Islands, and we will observe the strict neutrality of your country in the war with the United States, so I ask that your fleet must leave in three days."

"Rest assured, Mr. Governor Oakes, our fleet will not disrupt your neutrality. I just wanted to ask, is Bob Dylan Trading still selling coal? ”

"Lieutenant General Sedra, it's a coincidence that you're here, Bob Dylan Trading Company has just purchased six thousand tons of Scottish white coal."

Lieutenant General Sedra was very satisfied to hear that there was white coal for sale, and of course he had one more thing to help with.

"Bob Dylan Trading Company is fantastic, I'll buy this coal at the old price. In addition, I have a reluctant request to ask your Excellency, do you know where Mansa's N-3 heavy-duty boiler is? ”

"Mansa's N-3 heavy boiler?"

Governor Ochs really didn't know where Lieutenant General Sedra's need was, because he had basically never heard of this boiler, and he, the Governor of Bermuda, was also a governor, unless he had a special hobby, how could he know about the boiler?

"Yes, if you know where it is, you can tell us and we would be very grateful."

In the expectant eyes of Lieutenant General Sedra and the others, the powerful Governor of Oaks shook his head. "I'm sorry, I don't know about this boiler, maybe I can get someone to ask for you, maybe there's one on that boat."

In the face of Governor Ochs's answer, Vice Admiral Sedra and others concealed their disappointment, this boiler is basically not available on civilian ships, this is a military boiler.

At this time, Major Jeffrey, who had been watching the play for a long time, suddenly spoke. "Actually, I can answer this question."

Faced with Major Jeffrey's words, Colonel Leffel, who had rekindled his hope, hurriedly asked. "Mr. Major, do you know where this boiler is?"

Major Jeffrey replied quickly to Colonel Lefe's inquiry. "Yes, this boiler is a military boiler introduced by Mansa ten years ago, and it just so happens that one of my ships is using this boiler. Also, my name is Jeffrey, Alperen Jeffrey. ”

"Major Jeffrey, if you can sell us two of these boilers, we'll pay you the full fee."

"There are no problems, the boiler and the coal are on board."

"Which ship?"

"It's the Kingfisher."

Under the guidance of Major Jeffrey, the Kingfisher transport ship leaning against the docks was so conspicuous, and even more conspicuous was the flag of the Royal Navy of the British Empire on it.