Paris Temps

[maddox]

tidbits of news.

Starting from Februari 7th , all merchants of certain countries unloading in French ports, or the firms owning them get an joboffer at very lucrative terms.

Le Magnifique is reported to be in Marseille and being loaded at a furious rate. The brand new port is in full swing.

Naval depots ordered a ridiculous amount of oil barrels .

[Kaiser Kirk]

Hear, hear!  Send the Confederates all the escargot that can be found!

Why do I have the sudden belief the French entry in the auto race will be emblazoned with an "S" ?
Look at that S car go!

[maddox]

February 10th.

The offices of Le Monde in Paris are being swamped with all kinds of recipients to transport food.

Glass jars with hermeticaly sealed lids, filled with sterlisized or pasteurized foods. Crokery filled with preserved foods, and typical for France,  barrels and barrels of Vin du pays.

Several trainwagon iceboxes are rented to get the food as safest as possible to the merchant ship " Porte Manteau".

L'institute Pasteur has dispatched a team of food experts to check the contents and the suitability to transport these.

Marie Curie has proposed to send a mobile Xray device to harnas the preservative power of radiation to aid this humanitarian efford.

***************************************************************************************
Around the same time in Paris.

Minister Lebrun adressing the naval logistics supervisors overlooking the resupply effort for the CSA fleet in the South Atlantic.

The Iberian passenger line Línea Ibérica Real has rented us the 2 liners SS España and SS Brasil, after they got the message that Glorious France is hiring ships for a certain purpose.
Together with Le Magnifique these 2 vessels are the fastest and most easely dispatched to get the most important supplies to the CSA fleet.
We also got Gargantua , the battledigger that just finished the digging job on the 320m dry dock in Marsaille.
We were planning to enlarge the tiny port of Dakar, but the situation changed, and if we send her to Bandama we can start the build of a modern naval instalation there.  The CSA request came just in time to get the proposal trough parliament.

Oh, by the way, who dropped the word in Le Moulin Rouge? I got request from the owner that they could send a troupe on Le Magnifique, as a gesture of goodwill and to educate and entertain those poor CSA sailors.

I'm tempted to accept that offer as well the request from the famous chef Marcel Boulestin.
His arguments were actualy very well tought out, and he was expecting good compensation for the effort from his side. His main argument is, if French housewifes can send in their daily greasy Pot Au Feu , then Glorious France should be able to get the best of the best to there, as fresh as possible, with the greatest care.

[maddox]

A gentle early spring evening 1915

A cafe in Brest,

So, that monster ship that you're working on is not only half build, but is costing a lot more than expected.

I don't see that reasoning, care to explain that, Richard?

Simple, with the building rates that floating island should be half finished now, and still new keelbeams are ordered for her? How to look at that?
I don't know anything about new keelbeams, but yes, Masque should be build halfway now. Maybe those beams are for another slip or dock?

Nope, they are stored in shed IV next to the Masque dock.

That was empty, so what does it matter if steel beams are stored there or not, no material for Masque there atm.

And why the construction of the permanent covering of that huge dock?

That is simple, if those airship guys can work in sheds the size of ships, nicely out of the weather, delivering quality jobs with less health issues nor accidents, why would we ,shipyard workers not enjoy the same comforts. It makes constructing ships a lot easier and faster in the end. The Union pushed for it, and the arguments they brought were good enough for the patrons. We could work longer hours during the winter. Imagine otherwise, the work slows to a crawl, only daylight working times, everytime it freezes to hard or snow is to deep the work halts.

So, that huge edifice ain't to hide something?

Pha, how to hide a steel mountain once it hits the water? Doesn't it sound ridicolous, everybody already knows how big she is, what armor she's carrying, the amount and size of guns, even the used engines.
No of all weird things I heard that one is one of the better.

You guys did hide the guns of Superbe. Why was that?

Oh, you're thinking canvas tents over a few gun turrets to get a better working enviroment on those experimental 15" guns were an anti spy attempt.  Why would we be worried about spies. Saboteurs maybe, spies, no. If somebody would have asked nicely about the size of those guns, anyone working on them would have told you so. No secret in themselfs. But nobody asked about them. And what good would it do to a spy to know the dimensions. It just gives the spies bosses an idea how powerfull those are, and then they can order designs to compete or defeat those guns. Taking years to do so. Yes it would have given them a year advance or so.But nothing we are concerned about.

Al this talking is making me thirsty.  I could use another vin blanc, your turn my dearest accounting friend.
Yes, but this is the last one, we are needed early morning to be at work and do our best. Not being bleary eyed with hairrootpain.



A reporter of Le Monde overhears this and submits an article.
But the redaction rejects it because the low news value of such things, to much reporting in the past and not a zilch effect made these articles less than desired in the changing enviroments of publishing. A Socialist premier is one of the good guys, ain't he?
And so the article lands in a wastebasket, and is recovered...

[maddox]

May 20th 1915, a dark and stormy night in Brest.

Around 11 pm, a massive powerfailure hits the port.  All electrical lightning, normaly delivering a glare seen for miles, is out.

At the coal powerplant , engineers and mechanics are keeping cool. The turbines and generators spinning idle, the boilers still making steam at normal level, but the heat is discharged. The river Penfell is getting a heatshock, and the complaints about dead fish will be unpleasant. But orders are orders.

In the port of Brest, harbor tugs are working hard to move a huge bulk.

People watching the port see how the a mountainous black shape obscures the few lights still visible, and  that shape glides silently trough the nigth.

At 00.30 am, power is restored, the powerplant engineers just trowing over the huge knife switches in the right order.

may 21 1915  Paris Temps

A powerfailure in the port of Brest resulted in a deadly accident.
In the construction dock of the large battleship Masque, a seagate failed.
The sudden inrush of seawater surprised a group of workers. Unfortunatly 2 men didn't survive.

Officials from the Penfell powerplant have stated that everything will be done to avoid such power failures in the future.

[maddox]

A jump back in time.



The CSA fleet .  Last minute alterations changed the destination of this detached BB squadron  from  the fishing village Bandama to the small naval instalation in Dakar. 
Only Gargantua and a few smaller support ships arrived at Bandama.
February 7th, just after nightfall.


The sea in front of Dakar is awash with freighters of different flags. Surprisingly enough, a lot of New Swiss vessels. But Iberian, Habsburger, even a sprinkling of Dutch ships is seen.

The few cranes in the dock of Dakar are unloading tons of supplies, and are loading other vessels. One of the CSA oilers is being seen, laborously being refilled with oil poored from barrels into the holds.

The huge bulk of Le Magnificent , riding her anchors ,brightly lightened forms the centerpiece of a gaggle of ships with passenger accomodations. Small boats and launches are seen ferrying  people from and to the other ships around her.
Music associated with the more bawdy episodes in the Moulin Rouge is being heard over the water, an ensemble giving their best. The Troupe provided by the famous establisment is giving class acts of world renown.  CSA naval officers are enjoying the French hospitality, as well the captains of the hired freigthers. 

On the CSA ships, crews are getting French supplies, and One ship, the Arkansas is the happy reciepent of the Porte manteau delivered Femme du France Supplies.

************************************************************************************

[maddox]

On board of Arkansas.

The main galley.

Garvin, I don't trust this glass jar. It says Cock in Vin. Or it is dick in vinegar, or dick in wine... And by looking ito it, it's a dark sauce with mushrooms ,green icky stuff and pieces of something that could be meat.
Also, the text on it is , as I suspect, French. So I can't know if it's eaten cold, boiled, or fried.

Chef, want to trade. I know what should be in this tin can. Escargot a l'ail. Garden snales in garlic sause. Some restaurants in New Orleans serve it. But don't ask me how I should prepare this . It's also seen as a delicatesse by the French.

Man, this sounds just filty.  Cervelle de veau. No idea what it is, but I opened the large can and it's filled with a greyish soft meat, with a strange composition.

Let me have a look at it.   Hmm, looks like boiled cows brain, but softer, seen that on the farm a few times.  That should be backed with the potato's we recieved, add a lot of gravy, otherwise nobody will eat it. Or we can mix it with other meats from those cans, and make hambugers from it.

I guess thats the best we can do. With a selection of things that are presentable put on the officer messtables. But we should ask for a translator, I don't want to poison anyone.
But what about this. Pissalat. I'm not even opening it, sounds like piss a lot.

One thing those froggies know about. Wine.  And we have a problem with that. Dry ships you know.

[Guinness]

Cow's brain burgers. Sounds better than the ground turkey-burgers my wife has been feeding me lately...

I think that the chances of finding someone that can read French on a Confederate battleship are pretty good. Whether or not they can make sense of French cuisine will be another matter.

[Tanthalas]

Unfortunetly for Me DF set the tone for NS Civilian shiping.  The quote in my sig says it all...

[The Rock Doctor]

To reply to your now-deleted question:  Jamaican-based shippers loath the CSA; GC-based shippers won't assist a friend of France without assurances from the government that they can do so. 

It's safer and more palatable for both groups to instead take up whatever business has been left in the lurch by the various Swiss, Hapsburger, Iberian, and Dutch vessels flocking to the French cause.

[maddox]

The men with straw hats have a long arm it seems.

[Sachmle]

The men with straw hats have a long arm it seems.

Not really, just a REALLY BIG stick.

[The Rock Doctor]

Er, no - Colombians are capitalists, but also patriots.  They do not act against their nation's interests for the sake of a few dollars.

[maddox]

August 1915

Paris
Premier Galpouxs offices

Bonjour Grand Admiral Geon. What a honor to meet you here.

Thank you premier, to invite me. How can I serve you and Glorious France?

Now you're in the capital, I found it an opportunity to talk to you about a few issues concerning naval matters.
Mes Oui Premier, ask and I shall answer.

Concerning the battleship diploylements at Djibouti, isn't it a bit overdone by retaining DeCreme and the 4 Bretagnes there?Now the crisis in the rift fizzled.

Yes Premier, and we're working on the redeployments, with the change in priorities that is upcoming. And that gives mea question of my own? Can't we pull the 4 305mm twin turrets from Fortress Greater Napoleon? We could use them for a fast large armored cruiser, a third to join Chevalier Rouge and Gloire.

I'm afraid that's not possible. We can't leave Indochina undefended, especialy not the main fleet base that is there. I'm negotiating the retaining of that Base for French naval forces. But Gouverneur Sarraut is proving very stuborn. But admiral, that brings me to another question. I got a few inqueries from foreign, friendly dignitaries to visit the covered dock in Brest, to admire the raw power of Masque. And by having tose inqueries, I checked something. No bureaucrats ,except from your own office and the accountants from the yard, have any confirmation she' being build. Even better yet, the ministry of finance got a request for an additional $8 funding for Masque.
With all these facts adding up, what are you up to? Why was monsieur Dassault barred from entering the premisses? He carried a warrant from my office.


Hmm, premier , in order of questions. Monsieur Dassault was barred acces on my orders. His behavoir was not acceptable when the guards at the gate asked to show legitimation and papers giving him and his 12 men strong entourage acces to a yard in full operation. His papers from your office gave him, and him alone acces. His language used was so offensive that he isn't welcome anymore at any naval yard. The orders to that effect are already distributed and on route to any Nassau treaty naval establisment. Only your direct order, or from the leaders of the other treaty members can rescind that order.
On the limited acces to the yard. Thats simple. Masque is the largest moving object deviced by men, 20000tons heavier that Le Magnifique. Even with all precautions we have a heavy toll of injuries and even deaths on that yard. The only way to get the dignitaries safe around would be halting the works, and that takes time. At least a week to make the hull safe and secure. Then the day of visitation. What easely can become a week as she's so large.And then a week to clean up all temporary fastenings and tamperings, and again a week to get the works up to speed. Would you like to see her a month or longer delayed? Also the additional pricetag would be horrifying.
And that brings me to the additional funding of $8. 2 of the main gun turrets were checked and found build to the wrong specifications. The  Rohirrim designs on wich the tripples are based made for a few, but critical mistakes. These turrets are being rebuild. But waiting on the rebuilded turrets would delay the works, so 2 extra turrets were ordered as soon the problems became clear. The 2 rebuilded turrets will be stored untill the Occitanie or another design using those mighty turrets is accepted for building. So, the $8 isn't wasted in cost overruns lining the pockets of some select head honchos.
I hope this answers your questions Premier Galpoux. And I would like to add my sincerest regrets for the misunderstandings. I hoped my secretaries were more clear on the refusals and the reasons why.

I'm not entirely satisfied Grand Admiral Geon, and I insist to see Masque for myself. As soon as possible Admiral.
No problem Premier, I'll make the arrangements myself. Next week tuesday a good opportunity for you Premier? Thats a day before I leave for my flagship DeCreme. And I have only one further arrangement for today, so if your busy time scedule allows, why won't we have dinner at Hotel Napoleon. I don't think Ambassador Takeda will object to a slightly larger group.

Actualy Geon, that is a good idea. My wife Claudie is in Paris, and currently doing what she likes best. Shopping, with this invitation, she can show off her new clothes. I'll send an aide to warn her about the time. What time actualy?

I was to meet monsieur Takeda at 20 00. If you allow me to make the further arrangements Premier Galpoux.

[maddox]

1 hour later, monsieur Granges "secundary" office at "Chez Loulou".

Geon, you're out of your mind coming here. Imagine somebody recognises you here?

And, what if somebody sees? This is house of ladies of negotiable virtue, with a pricetag that prevents commoners entering.I'm an unmarried man, a sailor with money and power to boot. Nothing wrong me being here. Actualy, it's logical. I'll explain in a moment.I guess that at least half of the ladies are in your pay.

Geon, you're half to smart for your own good. But no, not half of the ladies are in my pay. But that's not here nor there.
So tell me, why this rushed meeting?
Takeda pulled out the stops, and arranged it so Premier Galpoux wants to see Masque. I could stall it a week, but there is no way around it. We'll have to tell Galpoux the truth, or we'll need a very very good diversion. 

A diversion is difficult. Any idea's?

In a week we could try to build a plywood hull around what is build already, but that will fall trough when the notables come closer.

So we need then to stay away?   

It seems so. There is no other way to fake a ship that large half finished. Better is to keep Galpoux from the yard, but that would become obvious.

I think I can arrange something Geon. We need to preserve the secrets of Masque at all costs untill the surprise is ready.
What brings me to the next point. Is it safe to keep the secret of it all in Tripoli? The Italians are into it deeply enough, at least the admirality.

No ,but Dakar can't maintain the secret for long, and sending the gadget to any other French port would give the whole setup away at once. If somebody spots the secret in Tripoli, the Italians can expect questions.

That sounds well inside the parameters of the operation. Is there anything else I can do atm?

Yes there is monsieur Grange. I need an escort for this evening, a lady who can adapt to the highest political circles, and can work around Takeda.

I think I have the perfect lady for you. Marthe.
Not only is she well versed in the feminime arts, but she's also an accomplished aviatrice.