Chapter 316 Circumnavigation of the World
April 10, 1912, Sydney.
After more than a week of careful preparation, and after obtaining the consent of all countries where the stops were located, the Australasian airship circumnavigation officially began.
The news that Australasia was going to launch an airship around the world soon became another news sensation in Europe and even the world after the Balkan War.
Unfortunately, due to time constraints, the European media were destined not to arrive in Sydney before the airship departed.
But they also have other methods, that is, stationed at the docking point before the airship arrives at the docking point to get the first time news about the airship.
Although it was only eight o'clock in the morning, Sydney was already crowded with people. Including the major newspapers and media in Australasia, the curious Australasian public, and Arthur and the Australasian government.
In order to spread the government's reputation to a greater extent, the official sponsors of this circumnavigation are the Australasian government and the royal family, and all costs will be shared by the government and the royal family.
"Oh, my God, can such a big guy really fly into the sky? Are you going to sail around the world?" Among the onlookers,
someone looked at the behemoth-looking airship not far away and couldn't help but exclaimed Questioned.
"Damn it, do you still doubt that His Majesty will lie to us? Even if he is a piece of iron, if His Majesty says he can fly into the sky, he can fly into the sky." The person next to him who was obviously a companion, after hearing his companion's question, He couldn't help but replied angrily.
"Haven't you seen this guy flying in the sky? It's really a huge thing. His shadow is much bigger than a building." There were also people nearby who had seen the airship flying in the sky. At this time, they couldn't help but say something out loud explained.
For Australasians, big news like circumnavigation will naturally become a hot topic that everyone talks about.
What's more, such a hot spot is promoted by Arthur and the government, which will naturally attract more Australasians to watch and be curious.
Airships are not too unfamiliar to Australasians. Several years have passed since the birth of the airship in Australasia, and it is not something classified at all.
What makes people feel a little surprised and suspicious is actually the size of the airship in front of them with the Australasian flag and royal emblem printed on it.
Compared with the previous airships, the airship in front of me is at least the size of several previous airships, and it also looks more spectacular and larger.
"Your Majesty, everyone. This is the latest work of the aviation laboratory, an airship that can carry a weight of 40 tons and a maximum speed of 110 kilometers per hour, AU-3!" The high platform that was temporarily built in this open space, Teodor, the head of the aviation laboratory, was introducing excitedly to Arthur, all government officials, the media, and the crowd below.
Teodor's voice was carried far and wide through the loudspeaker, allowing almost everyone nearby to hear it clearly.
"According to our conservative estimate, the AU-3 can carry at least 105 people and be equipped with at least half a month's living supplies. Even with a full load of 40 tons, the AU-3 can reach a speed of at least 70 kilometers per hour, which is completely possible. Shorten the communication time between continents."
In addition to the royal family, government, media and ordinary people, those who came to visit the global voyage departure ceremony also included a group of small and medium-sized capitalists in Australasia.
At present, Australasia does not have a long-standing noble system. The only nobles are the non-inheritable knighthoods entrusted by Arthur.
"Director Teodor, how many people are needed to control such a big guy?" a government official asked with curiosity.
"Although the size of the AU-3 airship is several times larger than before, its operating system is simpler than that of previous airships. Counting all the operators, it only takes two shifts at most to make this airship soar in the sky perfectly. 32 operators are enough. If it is only a short-distance flight, there is no need to consider the fatigue of the operator, and only 16 operators are needed." Director Teodor answered confidently.
The new airship has achieved ultra-long-distance navigation, and naturally a more serious issue must be considered, that is, the operator's fatigue.
Although the airship can sail for several days or even half a month, the operator needs to change shifts within ten hours at most to avoid accidents due to fatigue.
This also means that when the airship travels long distances, it must carry at least two shifts of operators before it can change shifts.
When everyone heard this, they nodded naturally. Such a huge ship requires only 16 people to control the flight, and only 32 operators are needed in two shifts. It is completely reasonable and expected.
However, because it can only carry a maximum of 105 people, after deducting 32 operators and 15 waiters, the maximum passenger capacity is only 58 people.
It is worth mentioning that at the request of European and American countries, Australasia will not take all the 58 passengers of this globe-trotting airship, but will allocate 6 to the United States, 10 to the United Kingdom, and 8 to Germany. Russia has 7, France, Austria and Italy have 5 each.
This also means that Australasia can only sell 12 airship tickets to its own country, which is only about one-sixth of the total votes.
However, this did not affect the credit for this round-the-world voyage being divided up by Australasia alone. In addition, various countries were interested in airship tickets, which also meant that they were interested in airships, so Arthur did not refuse.
Anyway, the current price of airship tickets is relatively expensive. The price of a single ticket is as high as hundreds of pounds, which is not within the reach of ordinary people in Australasia. Arthur is very happy to see European countries carve up airship tickets. Once this global voyage is successful, it means that airships are about to enter commercialization.
As the first country to achieve a global airship voyage, Australasia's airships will also leave a deep impression on countries and people around the world.
The sale of airships, the sale of airship technology, etc., will bring a lot of profits to Australasia, and the value of these profits is far more important than these dozens of airship tickets.
"Everyone, our aviation laboratory has now achieved assembly line production of the AU-3 airship. If this global voyage is a complete success, we will plan to support the establishment of airlines and look for airline partners around the world." At the end of the airship introduction, Director Teodor suddenly advertised the aviation laboratory’s airship construction technology and said with a smile.
If nothing else happens, such words will be performed at all stopping points until this word spreads to the ears of capitalists and aristocrats in major European and American countries.
In fact, Teodor's intention is obvious at a glance, which is to promote the airship market and allow the aviation laboratory to make a lot of profits.
But if the airship can sail around the world, the value it will bring is no less than that of a cruise ship.
In terms of time spent, airships and cruise ships are not on the same level at all.
Even from Europe to the United States, it takes at least one to two weeks. If it is from Europe to Australia or Asia, the time required will increase to more than a month.
Even a circumnavigation using the most advanced warships would take at least two to three months to complete.
But judging from the speed of the airship, it seems that an airship carrying only passengers from Europe to North America only takes a few days.
Even a long distance from Europe to Asia or Australia can only be completed in ten days to half a month at most.
This means that if people choose airships, the time they save will be calculated in weeks, which will greatly facilitate people’s intercontinental navigation.
More importantly, you can also enjoy the scenery and enjoy the fun of flying on the airship.
But what about cruise ships? Apart from the bumps on the sea, is the endless sea considered a scenery?
Maybe it does count at first, but looking at the endless sea for a long time will make people more tired and irritable.
"Your Majesty, the introduction of the airship has been completed. Please start preparations for flight." After the introduction of the airship, Director Teodor saw that it was almost time and respectfully asked Arthur for instructions.
"Well, it's time to start the circumnavigation. Director Teodor, I wish you a complete success in advance!" Arthur smiled and nodded, approving Director Teodor's request.
Yes, Teodor, the director of the Aeronautical Research Laboratory, will be the person in charge of this circumnavigation and the main pilot of this airship to complete the mission of this circumnavigation.
"Yes, Your Majesty, I will definitely not disappoint you!" Director Teodor nodded solemnly, and then looked at the airship.
At this time, after receiving the order, the airship maintenance workers and pilots quickly conducted final inspections and inspections of the airship to ensure that there would be no accidents before takeoff.
After completing these tasks, the 12 Australasians carrying airship tickets could no longer hold back their excited eyes. Under the leadership of the waiter, they boarded the airship in a mighty manner.
"The Australasian AU-3 airship, codenamed Dawn, is ready to take off!"
After all materials and personnel boarded the airship, the Dawn airship slowly flew high into the sky in the eyes of all the media and people watching at the scene. Then it gradually turns into smaller and smaller white dots until they disappear.
"The prosperous age of airships has begun." Arthur looked at the airships that were gradually moving away, and the profound meaning in his eyes became increasingly intense.
Seeing the behemoth in front of them gradually flying into the sky and then disappearing, many Australasian people gained experience and refused to leave, discussing it enthusiastically with their friends around them.
Although I have heard about various deeds of airships before, it is better to see it with my own eyes than to hear about it. After seeing a huge thing like an airship flying into the sky with their own eyes, many Australasians couldn't help but think about how great it would be if they could fly into the sky on such a huge airship and complete a spectacular voyage around the world!
The third update of 3,000 words, please vote for me and support!
Thousands per day today, updated to 10200/10000, please give me your monthly vote and support!
(End of chapter)