Chapter 46: Chapter 46
Chapter 46: Fleet
On October 8, 1866, Ernst visited the Hechingen shipyard in Venice to attend the launching ceremony of his new fleet. The shipyard had completed the construction of the fifth ship ordered by Ernst, and it was ready to be launched. Due to other orders, the shipyard could only allocate one dock for Ernst's fleet at a time.
Ernst was accompanied by the ship's designer and technical director as he arrived at the shipyard. He observed the huge sea boat at the dock, surrounded by dismantled wooden frames. The boat was slowly lifted by the rising water level as the water channel was closed off.
The technical staff explained the details of the ships to Ernst, emphasizing that they had followed mature and safe design solutions. Ernst raised concerns about the safety of these ships, especially for long ocean journeys.
The staff assured Ernst that their shipyard had experienced workers who relied on their craft for a living. They emphasized that they would not compromise on workmanship and material selection. Ernst took some comfort in their assurance, knowing that the crew's safety was crucial.
Ernst wanted to start recruiting crew members for his first ocean-going commercial fleet. He instructed his assistant, Eric, to begin preparations for recruitment, seeking experienced sailors who had traveled ocean routes to lead the way, with local sailors to be recruited as well.
He also planned to use these ships to transport machinery and equipment to East Africa, including sisal weaving machines, threshers, and other basic machines. This would allow for on-site processing of materials before export, increasing profitability.
Meanwhile, Prince Constantine was focused on finding a suitable marriage partner. He examined materials from various noble families, primarily from the German region, to secure a marriage alliance. He considered candidates from Sweden, France, and Russia in Northern Europe as well.
Ernst officially registered the five ships under the name of the Hechingen Ocean Trading Company. These ships would primarily be used for trade from Europe to East Africa and the Far East, with the aim of reducing transportation costs and facilitating control of the colonies.
The Suez Canal had not yet opened, so the fleet would become familiar with ocean routes before the canal's completion. Once the canal was operational, the fleet's route from Europe to East Africa would be significantly shorter.
Ernst instructed Eric to search for second-hand ships for sale in the market, aiming to expand the fleet to more than ten ships. This would help speed up the transportation of goods and resources between Europe, East Africa, and the Far East.
As Ernst stood on one of the five newly launched sailing ships, he contemplated the future. These ships would play a vital role in the development of the East African colonies, connecting Europe and East Asia while focusing on the growth of East Africa, which held a special place in Ernst's plans.
(End of Chapter 46)
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