Demarce IV's

[TexanCowboy]

Master Powers: "Is there any possibility of damaged ships from the war going on sale? We have reliable information that the DeCreme, a Demarce IV, and a Demarce III were damaged during the war, and we wonder if a discount could be gotten on those ships."

[maddox]

Minister Lebruns eyes take a gleam that conveys encyclopedias.

Monsieur Valentinius, I dare to say, you're very aware of the Ministry of Defences plans. But I must say, compared to the Confederate offer, we're talking now.

If others, unfortunatly seemingly disadvantaged by contacts inside the French government, are willing to consider this.

France is selling 55000 tons of modern cruisers, a somma of 7 hulls, including firecontrol, ERADe and ASW technology.  Replacing those ships with at least 7 5000 ton 30 kts cruisers with a suitable anti DD armament and 24" torpedo technology is what France is planning.

Monsieur Bulloch, I hope you're aware that the entire series of Demarce cruisers are the children of the CSA Rattlesnake class... ;)

[maddox]

Monsieur Powers, France is already repairing those ships. The Demarce III is now in Alexandria  to be repaired by the Caliph... , euhr, the Egyptians.

Superbe wasn't even damaged, and was entering drydock for her 10 year rebuild before any unplesantness with the misguided New Swiss happened. The superficial damage to Decreme is already being painted away.

So, I'm sorry, the only ship in my power to sell "on damage discount" is beached Danton in Tricomalee.

[Carthaginian]

"Minister Lebruns, the Confederate States of America are quite interested in this possible turn in the discussions. As you are aware, our current El Paso class of 3rd Class Cruisers are similar to your design requirements- albeit mounting 21" torpedoes. The Confederacy also has other studies which exist which might suit Glorious France's needs. Should you so desire, those plans could be disclosed to France- in private, of course- when the meeting resumes tomorrow?"

http://www.navalism.org/index.php?topic=5078.msg61456#msg61456

[maddox]

It seems monsieur Bulloch, we have a dinner discussion later today.

[snip]

After leaving the meeting, Captain Teague McDermott  headed  back to the embassy. Aidan Gallagher was waiting for him. "So how did it go?" Aidan asked handing Teague a glass of whiskey. "Well, the first bid blew anything we could hope to match, unless the Treasury desires to let me empty the vaults. It wasn't even a reasonable one." Teague said before inverting the glass. "Well, not much else we could hope for, we are the poorest of the bunch." Aidan followed Teague's lead and reached for the remainder of the bottle. "Still, I want you to go back, who knows what we might learn." "And who knows, maybe this will help us make a few new friends." Teague accepted the refill.

OOC: Sorry for the late post, I had a bit of a packed weekend.

[snip]

The initial offer was over 1/5 of my entire half year budget per ship. Current is about 1/3 of the same per hull. I don't quite have the money. I knew from the beginning that there was very little chance of it working out. Figured I would try. If all else fails, good experience.

[Desertfox]

If NS can get word of this meeting, it will talk to the Columbians (and if they agree) for the following bid of +$2 of the CSA/Italian bid plus $1 for the Columbians for acting as intermediaries (plus maybe a tech or so).

[damocles]

Minister Lebrun the Empire of Italia is interested in acquiring some if not all of the Demarce IV and Demarce III class ships.   As you say they are all modern ships under 6 years of age.  The Empire is willing to offer 8 million Denari [$8] and either an additional 3 million Denari [$3]  in cash or 1.5K tons of construction for each of the Demarce IV.  For the Demarce III Ships the Empire is willing to offer 5 Million Denari [$5] and either 1K tons of construction or 2 million additional Denari.

The Empire is aware of the French desire to build a new class of smaller more suitable escort cruisers.  To this end the Empire would welcome the chance to help France design and build such a ship using slips and dry docks within the empire to speed the replacement of such ships.

In addition the Empire does not necessarily need all the ships and would be willing to allow the CSA to purchase one of the ships at our price if France agree's

Ombudswoman Helga Jonstel passes a note to the Irish representative, and notes with quiet detachment: "We will match the Italian offer and offer a tech exchange in addition. France can have access to some of our related research concerning the mines that we recently encountered for example.

D.   

[maddox]

Minister Lebrun gestures an aide, and that one brings a binder. A thinner folder is removed, given to the aide, who brings it to the Dutch representative.
Madame Jonstel, my aide is delivering you the full data on the mines recovered of the small, annoying minefield at the route to Nice.*
We should thank the unknown deliverers, as those mines had some interesting features the French engineers are incorperating already in their superiour designs.

Your bid on the ships is noted of course.

In a related note, my aides will bring you all the requirements for the successors of these ships.

* France does have simular or better minetech, just elects not to use it. French naval minefields are pure defensive messures, and are command detonated.

[TexanCowboy]

Master Powers: "What is this about the Superbe? I didn't mention the Superbe in any discussion, so I wonder how it got pulled into this?"

OOC: Waiting for the chance to use that quote from Golden Member.... :D

[maddox]

Monsieur Powers, I included Superbe in the list of ships on your question about buying damaged ships. As Superbe is sometimes seen as the first of the "DeCreme" class Glorious battleships. Decreme was scratched by a New Swiss torpedo volley.

Superbe already was in drydock for the 10 year refit. Still some newspapers brought the fact that Superbe was in drydock as the evidence that France doesn't need such ships.  Any more questions about damaged ships?

[P3D]

Firanji offer is $7 and a newbuilt protected cruiser (5.5BP/$6.825 foreign built) for all the three Demarce IIIs, and a half a cruiser + $5 for each Demarce IV.

For cruiser see design thread.

[maddox]

Evening in Versailles palace.

After a restfull dinner , Minister lebrun is leafing trough some 5Kton cruiser proposals,muttering to himself.

Hmm, several designs leave room for a floatplane. With the knowledge from the rift war it seems an interesting option. But not for an escort cruiser. Better to use some more stable ,larger ship to carry a few more then. I think we'll have to ask our southeastern neighbors about it. They have experience with the ship/aircraft combination.

That Dutch design looks good on paper, unfortunatly, the armor has about the same thickness. Maybe if the armor is upgraded and the amenities are diminished. 150 depth charges is a lot, as well a total of 175 tons of electromechanical gear. But the crew will love the ship during peacetime, I like the combination of messhall/movietheater, but the granite slab insulated winecellar is more for a battleship. With the new cooling plants we can do better, for less weight. Oh well, we're getting somewere. The idea to fit the belt on the outside, on that angle, looks like the good old tumblehome design of the Republiques, but without sacrificing the internal space like the real tumblehome did. Would an armored hull help against torpedo damage? I should ask some ship architects about that idea.

[maddox]

Versailles Palace, in the middle of the night

Ah monsieur Grange, your departement did what was ment to be done?

Yes, my assistents have compiled a report on the Cruiser sale.

1) Admiral Geon is furious, and isn't willing to let one of the ships go. But he's being overruled by parliament in this case. If he keeps his displeasure at this level, it could be that he has to resign. I'm urging him not to do that.

2) I'm not happy with the situation. I tried my best, but we didn't find the original leak of the sale report, yet.

3) My analists agree that the Dutch shouldn't buy all the ships. I suggest selling most to the italians, as good allies they are. But with the Chinese civil war, the Dutch are probably sending most, if not all of these ships to that grinder.  So,  2-2 Italia ,  1-2 Dutch and the last D IV for Firenj  should give us most diplomatical return of investment.

4) the 4 Dantons. We know several countries could use such hulls, if modernised. We could suggest to work together with Romania and Ireland to work on such a program. The 340mm twin turrets tough, could be kept for installing at Tricomalee's new defenses.
Danton itself. the flooding did some damage to the machines and such, so, we suggest raising it and scrap it at Tricomalee, using the resources for the new fortress.

I'll mull over these plans Monsieur Grange. I thank you for your discretion, and please, make sure Admiral Geon doesn't do stupid things.