The Shadow of Great Britain

Eld led Arthur to the embankment of the Thames River.

He pointed to an old-style wooden two-masted sailing warship that was entering the ship repair dock on the opposite bank and said,

"See that ship? That's the Beagle, about to embark on a scientific expedition.

It measures 90 feet in length, 25 feet in width, with a draught of 12 feet; it is equipped with ten 12-pound short cannons and can carry a crew of 120 men. It was launched in 1820 with a total cost of 7800 British Pounds.

Although it can't compare in size and firepower with the active ships of the Royal Navy, not even the least of the sixth-rate warships, it still has some capacity for combat and self-defense. It should be sufficient to deal with common pirates."

Arthur, looking at the Beagle moving sluggishly on the Thames River, suddenly realized and said, "No wonder the Thames was so congested this morning. So, it was because of this ship? What's wrong with it, why is it moving so slowly?"

Eld said helplessly, "What else could it be, of course, it got damaged. To tell you the truth, our scientific voyage this time is to carry out the Beagle's second global scientific expedition.

On its first voyage, it had to return when it just reached the vicinity of South America. I heard it was due to a storm, plus the unfamiliarity with the local sea conditions, so it almost hit the reefs several times, and the crew barely made it back alive. Even the original captain committed suicide because of the immense mental pressure."

Considering the unsuccessful navigation last time, that's why the Navy Department decided to bring the Beagle here for a comprehensive repair and upgrade.

Removing four cannons, adding an extra mast, wrapping the hull with copper sheeting to navy standard, applying some tung oil, and finally reinforcing with iron and copper rivets."

At this point, Eld couldn't help swallowing his worry, "After all these preparations, there shouldn't be any issues on the next voyage, right?"

Arthur asked, "If you're so scared, why are you so keen on going?"

"Arthur, you don't understand."

Eld shook his finger earnestly, "The Navy Department has always believed in one principle—calm seas don't make skilled sailors.

Therefore, high risk also means high reward. If we can complete this global scientific voyage, every crew member on board will be up for promotion.

In that case, my uncle could naturally transfer me to work at the Navy Department headquarters, perhaps even secure me a small official position.

Arthur, if it weren't for such an opportunity, would I have sought you out?"

Arthur said calmly, "I think you just want a friend to talk to on the ship. After all, this voyage is around the world, which will take three to five years. With your personality, if you can't find a decent friend to accompany you, I guess you might go mad."

"Ah…" Eld didn't shy away, "So you've seen right through me."

Arthur, staring at the distant Beagle, asked, "But why doesn't the Navy Department get you guys a bigger ship? For instance, repurposing a battleship, like the sixth-rate one you just mentioned?"

Upon hearing this, Eld couldn't help complaining, "That's what I thought too. But there's nothing I can do about it. Even the smallest sixth-rate battleship is about twice the size of the Beagle. If we brought such a ship to the Americas, it could easily create friction with the people in the North American colonies."

Arthur asked, "If a sixth-rate is that large, then what about a first-rate battleship?"

Eld replied, "Take, for example, Nelson's flagship 'Victory'.

The Victory, even though it's an old ship launched in 1778, already has a displacement of 3,500 tons.

It can carry 108 cannons, 850 crew members, store 35 tons of gunpowder, and 120 tons of cannonballs.

Back then, over 2000 oak trees and 38 tons of iron were consumed in its construction, with a total cost exceeding 100,000 British Pounds, whereas the national revenue at that time was only around 10 million British Pounds.

However, the expenditure was well worth it. A first-rate battleship like this could typically sail the seas for 6 months continuously and engage in battle for several days without interruption."

If we were to send a behemoth like the Victory to America, those insurgents from the North American colonies would certainly raise diplomatic issues.

If it were one of those newly launched first-rate battleships with a displacement close to 4000 tons in recent years, I estimate those uncultured American folks would start grabbing their guns to prepare for the third war of independence.

By the way, speaking of battleships and the Victory, do you know who was the last to order Captain Fitzroy not to employ you?"

"Who?"

Eld leaned in mysteriously close to Arthur, "The First Sea Lord, Admiral Thomas Hardy."

"Is he very impressive?"

"Oh! My God! Impressive is an understatement!"

Eld, filled with excitement, said, "During the Battle of Trafalgar, he was the captain who commanded General Nelson's flagship 'Victory'!

And when Nelson's body was brought back home for burial, he was also one of the four who carried Nelson's coffin.

Arthur, you have no idea, he is a super VIP at the Navy Department, the highest military commander of the entire Royal Navy now!

Colonel Fitzroy said the other day that not even my uncle dares to make requests to him, and he was absolutely right because even the Naval Minister dares not directly oppose him. The Royal Navy actually listens to the First Sea Lord when it comes to military matters."

As Eld was vividly introducing the glorious deeds of Thomas Hardy, a young priest with a round face and a black robe suddenly came over.

He swung the cross in his hand in front of the two men: "Sorry to interrupt, but might one of you be named Eld Carter?"

Arthur glanced at the priest, looking at his face, which seemed somewhat familiar, yet couldn't recall where he had seen him.

After thinking for a long time, he suddenly slapped his thigh and pointed at the man, exclaiming, "Manchester United's Rooney?"

"Rooney?" The young priest was baffled by Arthur's comment, "Sir, I think you may have mistaken me for someone else, my name is Charles."

"You're also named Charles?" Arthur joked, "I just made a new friend a couple of days ago, he's also named Charles, Charles Dickens, and he's quite a figure."

Hearing this, Eld sniffed, "What's so great about a court stenographer? Thomas Hardy is the real big shot!"

Arthur smiled without directly contradicting him and simply said, "Even if he isn't now, he will be in the future."

With that, he turned to the priest and pointed towards Eld, "You must be the priest who graduated from Cambridge, right? Coming to be a naturalist on the Beagle?

The person you're looking for is right here beside me, Eld Carter, the cartographer of the Beagle, a highly skilled graduate in classical literature, and the nephew of a Royal Navy Rear Admiral."

Upon hearing this, Eld interjected with dissatisfaction, "Arthur! Why did you have to spill all my secrets?"

Arthur shrugged, "You're going to be living on a ship together for three to five years. With that mouth of yours, even if I didn't say it, you would have eventually spilled the beans."

The priest did not mind the digression and extended a friendly hand towards Eld.

"Mr. Carter, it's a pleasure to meet you. Although you might already know, it's polite to introduce myself anyway.

I'm Charles Darwin, the naturalist of the Beagle, a graduate of the Theology Department at Cambridge University."