A month later, the French naval squadron bound for Canton was entering the final phase of its journey across the seas.
Only a week remained before they would reach China.
Even among the officers who had spent years at sea, the pace of the voyage still felt unusual. Before the widespread use of steam propulsion, such a journey from Europe to East Asia could take many months depending on wind and weather. Now the fleet had crossed half the world in a fraction of that ti.
Ahead of the formation, the massive hull of the battleship Napoleon I cut through the calm waters of the western Pacific.
Her steel hull rose above the surrounding escort vessels like a moving fortress. Twin quadruple turrets rested along the forward deck while thick armor plates reflected the pale morning sunlight.
Behind her, the two battlecruisers Austerlitz and Trafalgar maintained position on either flank, their long sleek hulls built for speed and long-range operations.
Further behind ca the cruiser screen.
The heavy cruisers Marseille and Bordeaux sailed in parallel formation, their triple-gun turrets angled slightly outward as part of standard escort formation.
Closer to the rchant vessels, four destroyers moved restlessly across the formation’s periter.
Jean Bart.
Surcouf.
Duguay-Trouin.
Forbin.
Their narrow hulls rode lower in the water as they constantly adjusted course, scanning the horizon for any unexpected contact.
Beneath the surface sowhere ahead of the fleet, the two submarines Requin and Barracuda were also operating quietly. Their presence was not visible from the decks, but every officer in the fleet knew they were there.
At the center of the formation sailed the three rchant vessels carrying the real purpose of the expedition.
Victoire de Marseille.
Victoire de Bordeaux.
Victoire d’Anvers.
Compared to the warships around them, the Victory-class rchant vessels looked simpler in design, but their importance was just as significant.
Inside their reinforced cargo holds rested thousands of tons of industrial equipnt.
Generators.
Telegraph systems.
Electrical components.
Machine tools.
Agricultural engines.
Precision instrunts.
Demonstration models of turbines and locomotives.
All of it carefully packed and secured for presentation before the Qing court.
From the deck of the cruiser Marseille, the diplomatic leader of the expedition watched the fleet quietly.
Armand de Villeneuve stood near the rail with his hands clasped behind his back as he studied the horizon.
Beside him stood Remy Beauvilliers.
The older rchant had adapted to life aboard a warship with surprising ease over the past month, though he still preferred standing on deck rather than remaining inside the cramped officer cabins.
Villeneuve finally spoke.
"We will reach Manila within the day."
Beauvilliers nodded slowly.
"That is sooner than I expected."
Beauvilliers glanced toward the distant silhouette of the Napoleon I.
Even at this distance the ship dominated the formation.
"It still surprises ," he said quietly.
"What does?"
"That France now commands fleets like this."
Villeneuve allowed a small smile.
"The Emperor has invested heavily in the navy."
"That much is obvious."
Beauvilliers looked again at the warships.
"Twenty years ago, no one would have imagined such a sight."
Villeneuve said nothing.
His gaze shifted forward again.
Far ahead, faint shapes had begun to appear on the horizon.
The lookout positioned high above the cruiser’s bridge suddenly called out.
"Land sighted!"
Several officers turned their heads imdiately.
Villeneuve stepped closer to the rail and narrowed his eyes.
The faint outline of mountains was becoming visible through the haze.
Beauvilliers exhaled slowly.
"So this is the French colony."
Villeneuve nodded.
"Acquired from Spain five years ago."
"I rember hearing about that," Beauvilliers said. "Most people in Europe barely paid attention."
"They will soon."
The harbor of Manila had changed rapidly since the French administration took control. The old Spanish colonial port had been expanded with new docks and repair facilities designed to support long-range naval operations across the Pacific.
For the fleet, the stop in Manila had a clear purpose.
Refueling.
Reprovisioning.
Final coordination before entering Chinese waters.
Villeneuve turned toward one of the naval officers standing nearby.
"Signal the flagship."
"Yes, monsieur."
The officer stepped toward the signal station where sailors began raising a series of flags.
Monts later the signal was acknowledged by the Napoleon I.
Steam vented briefly from the massive battleship’s funnels as the fleet began adjusting its formation.
The destroyers moved outward slightly while the rchant vessels slowed their pace.
The harbor of Manila was now clearly visible in the distance.
Rows of piers extended into the water.
Fortifications stood along the shoreline, though the old Spanish stone defenses were now reinforced with modern artillery emplacents installed by French engineers.
Ships were already visible inside the harbor.
rchant stears.
Patrol vessels.
Supply ships.
All flying the French tricolor.
Beauvilliers crossed his arms as he studied the scene.
He watched as the battleship Napoleon I slowly began reducing speed, the rest of the fleet following her lead.
The people in Manila took the sight of the approaching fleet with imdiate attention.
From the harbor docks, laborers stopped what they were doing and looked out toward the mouth of the bay. Sailors aboard smaller rchant ships leaned over railings, pointing toward the horizon where the silhouettes of the warships had begun to appear.
At first it was only a dark line against the water.
Then the shapes beca clearer.
The massive hull of the Napoleon I erged first, cutting through the calm waters of Manila Bay like a moving wall of steel. Even from a distance, the size of the battleship was unmistakable.
A dockworker near the pier removed his hat slowly.
"What is that..." he muttered.
A group of Filipino fishern in small wooden boats had paused their work as well.
One of them pointed toward the approaching ships.
"That is not a normal fleet," he said quietly.
Another man nodded.
"No. Those are warships."
The harbor patrol vessel stationed near the entrance of the bay had already raised signal flags.
Inside the port authority building, a French naval officer lowered his spyglass slowly.
"So the Pacific Squadron has arrived."
Beside him, a colonial administrator stared at the fleet with clear amazent.
"That battleship alone could dominate the entire bay."
The officer nodded.
"Any state seeing that in their harbor would intimidate them. Good thing they are on our side."
User Comments
0 comments from readers