Paris Temps

[Walter]

I have a meeting with Ambassador Takeda tomorrow morning, as well the .

As well as the... what? Just curious. :)

[The Rock Doctor]

Frickin' French - always leaving us hanging on their every word.

[maddox]

December 6, Premier Galpouxs office.

Au revoir Ambassadeur Takeda, I'm glad we could clear up the air about the unpleasantness in Indokina and the Indochinese actions. You can rest assured the information won't leave these 4 walls.

Paris, 7 december 1916, a stonecold evening. Premier Galpoux is enjoying a good cognac at home.
A servant brings a letter from the Independent Indochinese embassy

Premier Galpoux,

The Indochinese Embassy wishes to inform yourself that Indochina is not embarking on an offensive war.  Indochinese troop movements will be explained in due course.  However, Indochina also requests that this is kept secret, until such times as Indochina makes a public announcement.  I can assure you again, troop movements are being made in French and Indochinese Interests.

By the instructions of President Sarrault,
Ambassador Hoang Cao Khai

December 8, 11 am.  Paris, Parliament.

Messieurs, I got the reply on the questions France asked of the Independent Indochinese.
After consulting with my collegue Sarrault, there is no reason to conclude that Independent Indochina is embarking in any offensive war.
After talking with Minister lebrun, France does not see any reason to recall the 3 Ville class Cruisers, nor the troop movement for the 2 corps in R&R at fleet base Greater Napoleon.

I thank you all for your patience.

[TexanCowboy]

A letter was found in the Foreign Ministers letter box on January 3rd. It read

Dear Premier Galpoux,
The Imperial Romanian Goverment is asking permission to use the Suez canal to transport a fleet of ships to the Indian Ocean. This fleet is mostly merchant marine, with its escorts. The escorts consist of a Quebec class cruiser, 7 Pluche class torpedo boats, 4 Virtejul class torpedo boats, and 4 Bucharesti class destroyers. We remain your humble servents,

King Carol

[maddox]

OOC
According to me it's not a good idea to send these shortlegged ships to far away countries.

7 Pluche class torpedo boats
Range 1.500nm at 12,00 kts

Virtejul class torpedo boats
Range 1,000nm at 12.00 kts

But especialy thses
4 Bucharesti class destroyers
Range 650nm at 10.00 kts

You're recoaling every other day then, doubling the time needed to get anywere.
10 kts, distance between your main naval port and the island of Masirah= 2940nm, meaning @ 10 kts continuous sailing 13 days; with the every other day recoaling, meaning 24 to 26 days to get to the island of Masirah on the Omani coast.

Furthermore, the Pluches and the Toronto are ships that didn't get a refit, nor have the Romanian crews had any time to learn even to read the gauges- it's all in French, and probably the gauges use units not even vaguely known by your sailors.


IC,

Honored King Karol,

Glorious France will be welcoming the Romanian fleet and will happely let those ships pass the Suez Canal, as is standard procedure.

Minister Capet

[TexanCowboy]

They are escorting at 8 knots, doubling the range, or so.

[maddox]

OOC

3000 nm@8 kts, recoaling every 1300 nm = 17 days

[TexanCowboy]

I can handle that. Also, using the distance calculater, it said that at 8 knots, Constanta to Rangoon is 29 days, or 5,700 nm. If you factor in a extra day for the Dardellens and another for Suez, plus 2 refueling stops, you get 33 days.
About the Pluches, yeah, thats going to be a problem. But since they are idling in Varna for a month, I wonder if it is within the rules to just rip out the gauges, and put in new ones?

[ctwaterman]

Refit is the rules your looking for.  Along with Shake Down Cruises lasting a minimum of 3 months.

Charles

[TexanCowboy]

Ok, I can do that. Gives them something to do in their spare time. Also, it says the shakedown time is included. Since the items we are speaking of don't really have a price, I'm going to say $.01 per ship. Gauges are pretty cheap.

[maddox]

Of course.

Ever been in the engine room of a early 20th century warship?

[TexanCowboy]

USS Texas, but thats about it.

[maddox]

That engine room is in "restored, and made safe for public" state. And is spacious compared to a DD or TB's engine room.

Imagine steamleaks, grease, darkness, unreadable gauges, faulty safetvalves and so on.
Stockers shoveling in the coal in the firebox. An atmosphere filled with smoke and dust.

[TexanCowboy]

Ok, then I'll do the refit.

[maddox]

takes 6 months.