In fact, the price of a 12,000-ton battleship was between 100-110 pounds at this time, but this time the East China government stipulated the date of ship delivery very strictly. The construction cycle of such a battleship is generally about 2 years (not counting as trial voyages). Now it is less than two years. After taking into account the early negotiations and preparations, the construction time for Germany is only about 1 year and 8 months, and overtime is required to build, so the price is naturally higher. In addition, the several warships built by Germany for the East China government were given relatively preferential prices, so the price this time cannot be lower. Now the East China government urgently needs warships and is not too concerned about the price.

This type of battleship still continues the navy's idea of ​​one type and two ships. It adopts the ship type of a 10,000-ton armored cruiser in Germany. The size is basically the same, but the width has increased by about 1 meter. After all, the battleship has higher requirements for stability, with an estimated displacement of 12,000-12,500 tons. The increase in tonnage is mainly on armor. The main armor of the waterline belt is 110 meters long, 2.4 meters high, and a thickness of 120-240 mm.

The armor belt is 95 meters long, 1.6 meters high, and has a thickness of 100-180 mm. The headquarters, the front armor of the main gun is 280 mm; it is inclined in 15 degrees, with a thickness of 180 mm on the side, and a dome armor length of 80 meters. The low part extends into the water about 2 meters, 120 mm thick, and a top thickness of 50 mm. The power is 20,000 horsepower, two steam engines, two shafts and double rudders propelled, with a speed of 19-20 knots, and an integrated fire control system is installed.

The ship-based weapons were basically the same except for the main guns being replaced by four dual-mounted 280mm 40-caliber artillery guns, which were arranged along the central axis in a stern of the ships and were arranged in a back-type structure. Originally, the Navy Department considered the main guns to use the most common 305mm (12-inch) caliber artillery of this era, but they were worried that a 12,000-ton warship could not afford the shooting counter-knives of 8 305mm caliber artillery guns. After all, in the old time and space, the first dreadnought that proposed the concept of full-heavy firepower was the 18,000-ton class, and 10 305mm caliber artillery guns were installed, and only 8 could be used at the same time. Therefore, 8 305mm caliber artillery guns were installed, and it was estimated that at least 15,000-ton class hulls would be required.

It just so happened that the German Navy built the battleships firepower to 305mm caliber at the suggestion of the crossing, but the batch of 280mm cannons produced for battleships were all useless and could only be changed to shore defense cannons. In fact, this batch of 280mm cannons is also quite good. Although the power is inferior to the 305mm cannons, the firing rate is almost twice that of the 305mm cannons. Moreover, the battleships built by the East China government are equipped with 8 main guns, and the battleships of this era usually only have 4 main guns, so the firepower of a single ship is completely enough. So the crossing decided to take over this batch of cannons and install them on their own battleships.

Germany was naturally happy because one more ship was built in Shandong, with 16 warships in total, and 24 warships were replaced. In addition, a total of 24 were needed. Not only could all the existing batch of artillery in Germany be used up, but another batch would be produced, so that even the production line could be used again.

This warship was still built in the Kiel Shipyard. Although the East China government tended to build the Volkeng Shipyard, which was better at building battleships, considering that this type of battleship and the large armored cruiser built in the Kiel Shipyard are of the same type, Kiel Shipyard is obviously more experienced, because this battleship has strict requirements on construction periods.

And the time travelers also knew that after Germany and Britain launched a shipbuilding competition, Kiel Shipyard also began to build battleships, which also shows that Kiel Shipyard still has a technical foundation. The German government also promised to draw a group of engineers from Vulken Shipyard to Kiel Shipyard to ensure that the battleship can be completed smoothly.

So the two sides quickly agreed on various conditions and signed a shipbuilding contract. Germany promised to start construction before September, and those built in Shandong would start construction in October. The East China government did not have too strict requirements on the construction period of the battleship built in Shandong. After all, it was built at its own home, and everything was decided by itself. When the war really started, even if Germany wanted to withdraw all the workers, the East China government could detain all the workers and release them after the warship was built.

While the Navy was speeding up the arrangement of equipment, it did not relax the training. At this time, the two protective cruisers who returned from Germany had been repaired in the dock, and the two same-type ships built in Shandong had been equipped and could be carried out at sea tests. Therefore, after the officers and soldiers who took the ship took a leave, they temporarily transferred to the new ship to participate in the trial sailing training. This would certainly be more secure for experienced soldiers to participate in the sea test. At the same time, the soldiers would not be idle and could also teach their experience to the new army.

At the same time, the Army Department also submitted design plans for armored trains and tow artillery to the Military Commission and the Executive Yuan.

In fact, strictly speaking, armored trains and train guns are two concepts. The former refers to armored railway vehicles that provide fire support and independent combat to the troops along the railway line; while the latter refers to large-scale artillery types set up on railway tracks. Armored trains do not need to be equipped with large-caliber artillery, and large-scale train guns can also be independently organized and do not have to be combined with armored trains.

However, the armoured train designed by the army combines these two concepts. An armored train has 12 carriages, arranged symmetrically in front and back. The first position in front and rear is a cannon carriage, equipped with two double 105mm cannons and one double 125mm cannon; behind the artillery carriage are 2 and 3 are all personnel transport cars, each carriage is equipped with one company of soldiers, responsible for protecting the safety of the train. After all, armored trains are a very huge target. Each carriage is equipped with 2 50mm rapid-fire cannons, 6 Mark bar machine guns, and a range hole is opened on the side wall of the carriage. Soldiers can shoot outwards inside the carriage, or get off the car to fight.

Behind the command carriage and Buji carriage. In addition to the command personnel, there are also medical personnel and some engineering personnel. They mainly repair the railways and are equipped with a double 75mm cannon, 2 50mm rapid-fire cannons, and 2 Mark machine guns. Buji carriage is mainly loaded with food, drinking water and emergency repair materials and accessories for rails. Buji carriage is not equipped with weapons, and finally the main gun carriage is equipped with two 240mm 40-diameter guns per carriage. The train's armor uses Junior steel plates and the thickness is between 50-120mm. After all, armored trains are support weapons of the Marine Corps, so there is no need to use thicker armor.

Originally, the Army Department wanted to install 280mm guns like battleships, but considering that it was the first time to build an armored train, the large-caliber artillery fired with great recoil. Before firing, not only should the main gun cabin be separated from the train, but the main gun cabin also had to lower the support rod to support the ground. Therefore, a more conservative plan was chosen, and only 240mm guns were equipped. After the first armored train was manufactured, manufacturing experience was accumulated and the use effect was tested, then larger guns were considered on the armored train behind.

In fact, the 240mm artillery is not small anymore, and is the same as the main gun of the current Navy's Tuohai armored cruiser. The Caesar Frederick III-class battleships and Vecchelsbach-class battleships built in the early days used artillery of this caliber.

The power of the armored train is to be pulled by two locomotives, each locomotive is equipped with a coal-water carriage. On the one hand, it is to increase the power of the train. When necessary, it can also hang a few more carriages to transport materials. On the other hand, in some special circumstances, armored trains can also be divided into two and fight separately. However, the locomotive is located between the two personnel carriages rather than at the end of the train, which is also to protect the safety of the locomotive.

Overall, the armored train designed by the Army Department is basically a mobile artillery vehicle, which can be called a land battleship. Even if it is not considered the firepower of the main gun, it can be almost the same as a regiment. It mainly provides firepower support to the army along the railway and protects railway lines and transportation hubs. Since an armored train is equipped with 4 companies of infantry, it can also fight independently. However, the range of the 240mm artillery can reach 20-25 kilometers, and the maximum elevation angle can be launched, even close to 30 kilometers. This range is quite considerable and powerful. The amount of medicine can reach about 40 kilograms, which is of great help to the army attack the enemy's defense line and solid fortifications.

In terms of towing artillery, the Army Department decided to establish an independent 155mm heavy artillery regiment, which does not belong to other troops, but is incorporated into the required troops to fight depending on the battlefield situation.

The heavy artillery regiment is divided into two mobile battalions and one ordinary battalion and one motor heavy artillery company. Each mobile battalion is equipped with 12 155mm guns; each company is equipped with 4 units, each gun is towed by a car, and each gun is equipped with 60 soldiers, commanded by two crossing soldiers, and also serves as a driver. In addition, each gun is equipped with 4 horses, mainly responsible for transporting shells, accessories and other materials; the company headquarters and battalion are also equipped with a special transport vehicle; the regiment headquarters are equipped with 2 transport vehicles, a total of 34 cars are required. In addition, each mobile battalion is equipped with a special engineering company, mainly responsible for temporary roads and bridge construction on the battlefield. After all, the mobile battalion has higher requirements for roads; the ordinary battalion is equipped with 16 155mm guns, with 4 companies, each company is equipped with 4 units, and each cannon is equipped with 12 horses.

Mobile battalions are mainly arranged on the battlefield, while ordinary battalions can only be arranged on railways, but the use of the whole body still depends on the actual needs and situation of the battlefield.

The motorized heavy artillery company is only equipped with 4 artillery pieces, but it is a 200mm-level large-caliber cannon. It is not to be towed by a car, but is directly installed on the car and used as a self-propelled artillery.

It turned out that when the Army established a heavy artillery regiment, it did not consider the 200mm level artillery, but after checking the vehicles passing through, it was found that there were actually several 50-ton load trucks. These vehicles were indeed a waste tonnage used as tractors, and the planned amount of vehicles was not used up. Therefore, after negotiations, the Army decided to make full use of these vehicles, transform 4 self-propelled artillery, and install 200mm artillery. In addition, two transport vehicles were equipped, which happened to use 40 cars.

Although armored trains are equipped with 240 mm artillery, they must be arranged along the railway line and are only useful within 30 kilometers of the railway. Once the battlefield deviates from this range, armored trains will have no use. These four 200 mm self-propelled cannons can be unlimited by railways. In theory, they can be arranged on any battlefield. Although the power of 200 mm artillery is much smaller than that of the 240 mm artillery of armored trains, in land battlefields, artillery of this level is quite considerable, far better than 155 mm artillery, not to mention that they can be deployed manually. Therefore, the establishment of the mobile heavy artillery company can make up for the shortcomings of armored trains and increase the attack capabilities of the People's Army to a higher level.
Chapter completed!