Chapter 316: Around the World Sailing
April 10, 1912, Sydney.
After more than a week of careful preparation and with the consent of all the countries where the stops were located, the Australasian airship voyage around the world officially began.
The news that Australasian was going to carry out an airship voyage around the world soon became another news that shocked 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 had other ways, that is, to stay at the stop before the airship arrived at the stop to get the first news of the airship.
Although it was only eight o'clock in the morning, Sydney was already surrounded by people. Including major newspapers and media in Australasia, curious Australasian people, and Arthur and the Australasian government.
In order to further promote the government's reputation, the official sponsors of this voyage around the world are the Australasian government and the royal family, and all expenses will be borne by the government and the royal family.
"Oh my God, can such a big guy really fly into the sky? And also have a round-the-world voyage?"
Among the crowd of onlookers, someone looked at the airship that looked like a behemoth not far away and couldn't help but ask questions.
"Damn, do you still doubt that His Majesty will lie to us? Even if he is a piece of iron, His Majesty said he can fly into the sky, and he can fly into the sky." The person next to him, who was obviously a companion, couldn't help but answer unhappily after hearing his companion's question.
"Haven't you seen this guy flying in the sky? It's really a behemoth, and his shadow is much bigger than a building." There were also people next to him who had seen the airship soaring in the sky, and at this time they couldn't help but speak out to explain.
For the Australasians, big news like the round-the-world voyage will naturally become a hot topic that everyone talks about.
What's more, such a hot topic is promoted by Arthur and the government, which will naturally attract more Australasians to watch and be curious.
Airships are not unfamiliar to Australasians. It has been several years since the birth of airships in Australasian, and it is not a secret at all.
What makes people feel a little surprised and suspicious is actually the size of the airship printed with the Australasian flag and royal emblem.
Compared with the previous airships, this airship is at least the size of several previous airships, and it looks more spectacular and huge.
"Your Majesty, everyone. This is the latest work of the Aviation Laboratory, an airship that can carry 40 tons and has a maximum speed of 110 kilometers per hour, AU-3!" On the high platform that was temporarily carried out in this open space, Theodore, the head of the Aviation Laboratory, was introducing it to Arthur, all government officials, the media, and the people below with excitement.
Theodore's voice was transmitted far away with the loudspeaker, so that almost everyone nearby could hear it clearly.
"According to our conservative estimate, AU-3 can carry at least 105 people and is equipped with at least half a month's worth of living supplies. Even with a full load of 40 tons, AU-3 can reach a speed of at least 70 kilometers per hour, which can greatly shorten the time for intercontinental communication."
In addition to the royal family, government, media and ordinary people, there are also a group of small and medium-sized capitalists in Australasia who come to visit the departure ceremony of the round-the-world voyage.
At present, Australasia does not have a long-standing aristocratic system. The only few aristocrats are the non-inheritable knight titles bestowed by Arthur.
"Director Theodore, how many people are needed to operate such a big guy?" A government official asked with a little curiosity.
"Although the size of the AU-3 airship is several times larger than before, its operating system is simpler than the previous airships. Including all the operators, it only takes two shifts and a total of 32 operators to make this airship fly perfectly in the sky. If it is just a short-distance flight, there is no need to consider the fatigue of the operator, and only 16 operators are needed." Director Theodore answered confidently.
The new airship has achieved ultra-long-distance navigation, and naturally a more serious problem must be considered, that is, the fatigue of the operator.
Although the airship can sail for several days or even half a month, the operator needs to change shifts for at most ten hours to avoid accidents due to fatigue.
This also means that when the airship sails long distances, it must carry at least two shifts of operators before it can change shifts.
When everyone heard this, they nodded as a matter of course. For such a huge guy, it only takes 16 people to control the flight, and only 32 operators are needed in two shifts, which is completely reasonable and expected.
However, because it can only carry 105 people at most, after deducting 32 operators and 15 waiters, the maximum passenger capacity is only 58.
It is worth mentioning that, at the request of European and American countries, Australasia will not take all the 58 passenger capacity of this round-the-world airship, but will be divided into 6 for the United States, 10 for the United Kingdom, 8 for Germany, 7 for Russia, and 5 each for France, Austria, and Italy.
This also means that Australasia can only sell 12 airship tickets to its own country, which is only about one-sixth of the total number of tickets.
However, this does not affect the fact that the credit for this circumnavigation was shared by Australasia alone. In addition, the interest of various countries in airship tickets also means that they are interested in airships, so Arthur did not refuse.
Anyway, the price of airship tickets is relatively expensive at present. The price of any ticket is as high as hundreds of pounds, which is not affordable for ordinary people in Australasia.
Arthur is still very happy to see the behavior of European countries sharing airship tickets. Once this circumnavigation is successful, it means that airships will soon enter commercialization.
As the first country to achieve circumnavigation by airship, Australasia's airships will also leave a deep impression on countries and people all over the world.
The sale of airships, the sale of airship technology, etc., will bring Australasia a lot of profits, and the value of these profits is far more important than these dozens of airship tickets.
"Everyone, our aviation laboratory has already achieved assembly line production of AU-3 airships. If this round-the-world voyage is a complete success, we will plan to support the establishment of airlines and look for airline partners worldwide." At the end of the introduction of the airship, Director Theodore suddenly advertised the airship construction technology of the aviation laboratory and said with a smile.
If nothing unexpected happens, such words will be staged at all stops until this passage spreads to the ears of capitalists and nobles in major European and American countries.
In fact, Theodore's intention is obvious, that is, to promote the market of airships and allow aviation laboratories to make a lot of profits.
But if the airship achieves a round-the-world voyage, the value it brings is no less than that of a cruise ship.
In terms of time spent, airships and cruise ships are not at the same level.
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 one month.
Even if the most advanced warship is used for a round-the-world voyage, it will take at least two to three months to complete.
But according to the speed of the airship, an airship carrying only passengers seems to only take a few days from Europe to North America.
Even if it is a long distance from Europe to Asia or Australia, it only takes ten days to half a month at most to complete.
This means that if people choose airships, the time saved will be calculated in weeks, which greatly facilitates people's intercontinental navigation.
More importantly, you can also enjoy the scenery and the fun of flying on the airship.
But what about cruise ships? In addition to the bumps on the sea, is the endless sea considered a scenery?
Maybe it is indeed considered at the beginning, but looking at the endless sea for a long time will make people more bored and irritable.
"Your Majesty, the airship has been introduced. Please start the flight preparation." After the introduction of the airship, Director Theodore saw that the time was almost up, and respectfully asked Arthur.
"Well, it's time to start the round-the-world voyage. Director Theodore, I wish you a complete success in advance!" Arthur smiled and nodded, approving Director Theodore's request.
Yes, Theodore, the director of the Aviation Research Laboratory, will be the person in charge of this round-the-world voyage and the main driver of this airship to complete the mission of this round-the-world voyage.
"Yes, Your Majesty, I will not let you down!" Director Theodore nodded solemnly, and then looked at the airship.
After receiving the order, the airship maintenance worker and the driver hurriedly carried out the final inspection and inspection 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 excitement, and boarded the airship in a mighty manner under the leadership of the waiter.
"Australasian AU-3 airship, codenamed Dawn, ready to take off!"
After all the materials and personnel boarded the airship, the Dawn airship slowly flew up to the sky in the eyes of all the media and the public watching on the scene, and then gradually turned into smaller and smaller white dots until it disappeared.
"The heyday of airships has begun." Arthur looked at the airships that were gradually going away, and the deep meaning in his eyes became stronger and stronger.
Seeing the huge creatures gradually flying into the sky and then disappearing, many Australasian people were also enlightened. They were reluctant to leave and enthusiastically discussed with their friends around them.
Although they had heard about various deeds of airships before, it was better to see it with their own eyes. After seeing such a huge thing as an airship flying into the sky, many Australasians couldn't help but think, if they could also take such a huge airship to fly into the sky and complete a spectacular round-the-world voyage, how great it would be!
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