Firearms in a Fantasy World

Chapter 107: Naval Cannon Test

Translator: Cinder Translations

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Paul brought 12 naval cannons this time, including 2 12-pounders, 6 6-pounders, and 4 swivel guns. Combined with the 2 6-pounders and 4 swivel guns previously used for training, the navy now possessed 18 cannons.

Swivel guns are small-caliber cannons mounted on swiveling supports, capable of 360-degree rotation, used for firing grapeshot and small projectiles. They are lightweight and flexible, designed to support boarding actions and cover blind spots of broadside cannons.

During the construction of the Hope, gun ports for cannon placement were reserved on both sides of the upper deck. Due to it being the first build, the exact number of cannons that could be fitted was unclear, with only 8 gun ports opened, 4 on each side.

Upon returning from the trial sail, Austin directed the sailors to receive the new cannons brought by Paul. Four 6-pounders were immediately installed on the ship, accompanied by a crate of cannonballs and several barrels of gunpowder.

Installing ship cannons was no simple task; with limited space onboard, a proper recoil mechanism using ropes and pulleys had to be constructed. The navy experimented extensively on land before devising a feasible solution.

"Let's go, take me out for a spin on the sea! And let's fire off a couple rounds while we're at it." After the sailors finished placing the cannons, Paul eagerly ordered them to set sail.

The sail handlers raised the sails, and several sailors together heaved on the anchor windlass to retrieve the anchor. Propelled by the wind, the Hope once again slowly sailed out of the harbor.

Among those accompanying Paul, many were on a boat for the first time, excitedly observing everything as if the Hope were a novel giant toy.

"This is exactly the feeling I wanted!"

Sailing into the boundless sea breeze, Paul felt as though he had stepped into the great age of exploration on Earth.

In a corner of the deck, two female advisors whispered to each other.

Eileen pondered, "So we can move this fast without rowing?"

Ladia added, "Yes, with so many sails unfurled, relying solely on wind power for such a large ship is quite rare."

As an adventurer, she had seen a lot, but the types of ships that didn't rely on human-powered rowing she had seen in the past were generally small vessels that sailed along coasts or inland rivers, carrying only a few people.

Eileen mysteriously continued, "Let me tell you, besides the paper and porcelain we use daily, and the canned food we ate that day, Count Grayman has come up with quite a few other things."

The nature of women made her impatient to share what she had seen with her companions: "In his army, there is a very scary..."

She suddenly stopped, because she remembered the "confidentiality agreement" she had signed.

Oh no! This feeling is so uncomfortable.

Eileen remembered the scene of artillery and musket shooting she had seen during flag signaling exercises. She wanted to describe to Ladia how powerful and impressive the firearms were.

"If we could equip the kingdom's army with a large number of these weapons, the rebels in the south would definitely be unable to hold out against such power."

She thought this more than once in her heart. Should she reveal her identity as a princess and ask this lord to contribute his manufacturing technology to the royal family?