Rohirrim Rider: June 1907

[Ithekro]

January 5, 1907

The Marshalls of the Mark, with the King's approval, have set forth a new military uplift program to bring the Riders of Rohan and the Navy of the Mark up to the standards being set by the European and Asian powers.  The project for upgrading the Armies has already begun, but the expense are doubled what was expected and the budget for such an effort has been directed towards a Fortress at Erkenbrand to defend the New Beleriand Canal after it is completed,  Plans for a second frotress on the Pacific end of the canal will be delayed by the need to get the Army ready should war eript in the Americas again.

January 9, 1907

With the release of plans for a new military uplift four days ago, the South Mithlond Naval Shipyard laid down two new battleships of considerable size and power...the Helm Hammerhand and a new Fengel to remember the loss of the battleship that exploded over a month ago.  These two vessels will reportedly be what the Euorpeans are calling an "All Big Gun" Battleship, like the Norman Dreadnought rather than the French Greater Napoleon.  Basically a mixing of the Freawine's fourteen inch guns and the design style of the Arcadias.  Rumors that the ships will mount a new gun type has been unconfirmed.

January 26, 1907

Increased funding from foreign investors has lead to a quickening of the pace in New Beleriand's Canal project.  If the plans move forward on schedule, the canal should be ready for commercial traffic by the beginning of 1909.

February 14, 1907

Diplomatic relations between the Mesoamerican Republic and Confederate States of America have been strained of late do to an increasing number of incidents of docialist aggitators and rumors of socialist pirate activity in the Caribbean Sea and Gulf of Texas.  While Rohirrim efforts to locate and apprehend pirates in the Caribbean have has some results, the Confederate request to not have our vessels in the Gulf of Texas has resulted in a lack of ability to investigate some of the rumors.  Steps to see if the Mark can investigate from within Mesoamerica have been dissapointing.

February 27, 1908

Railroad construction of the second main line from Chicago to North Mithlond has stalled due to an acute labor shortage.  Recruiting efforts in the Haven-Indian Lands have not resulted in much success so far.

March 3, 1907

Six new destroyers were ordered today for the Fleet of the Mark.  The new Running Wolf-class is expected to replace the now aging torpedo boats and early destroyers of the Mark.  A deal between the Confederate States of America and the Kingdom of Rohan has resulted in Rohan being able to build this class of vessel.  It is also true that the Confederacy has begun payments on a class of similar destroyers to be laid down mostly in New Beleriand for the Confederate Navy.  This technological and naval exchange that has been going on for the last nine years has been beneficial to the Mark, and hopefully as useful to the Confederates.  The six Running Wolf-class destroyers will be laid down within the next three weeks.

March 19, 1907

With the recent withdrawl of Norman forces form the border areas recreation on the Sea of Rhun has become a habit for the nobility and the wealthy.  Marinas have begun to increase on the Western shores and some of the nations from United Tribes of Turtle Island have asked for povision to setup places of amusement along the Eastern side of the Sea.

March 29, 1907

Merry's Pony, S.W. out of Pelargir foundered rounding the Horn on her way to Austrian Brazil. All but 6 men perish.

April 18, 1907

A large earthquake has strick and destroyed much of the City of San Francisco in California.  Fires rage at present across many square miles of the commercial city.  An effort to send relief and fire fighting equipment to Califorina is in the works from Edoras.  (Yes I know its a year late...the Earth moved differently)

April 21, 1907

Fires still burn on in San Francisco as fire fighters from Rohan arrive to try to contain the largest fires near the docks.  Confederate fire fighters from Los Angeles have also arrived to contain the fire before it attempts to spreads into the cental valley.  The firefighters are not helped but the explosion of the former Rohirrim combat cruiser Elendur (now that battleship Umbar) exploding when she was shook aground by the earthquake and then caught fire shortly afterwards.

April 29, 1907

With the fires finally out the devistation to San Fransisco can be deturmined.  80% of the city is gone and more of it is damaged.  3,000 people are dead and probably another 250,000 are homeless.  Damages are beyond any accounting of price to rebuild.  Rohan has begun to keep a force to aid in maintaining civil order and begin with the California government to build shelters for those that are displaced.  Many are moving have noplace to go within California and the national government has even suggested absorbtion into the Kingdom of Rohan to repay the debts this rebuilding will cost.

May 6, 1907

Isengard Arms reportedly has been contracted to design a followon set of guns and turrets of their successful 14" and 12" guns for the next generation of Battleships and Battlecruisers of the Mark.

May 16, 1907

Looting and rioting around San Francisco has required the intervention of California's National Army since late April.  A Naval detactment has recently returned to their piers and found the Umbar (ex-Elendur) a mass of twisted metal.  The remains of the vessel will be scrapped in place and what little can be used will go to build shelters.  Battleships Maros (ex-Thorin) and Pellardur (ex-Durin) are still in working condition and their crews have been helping to repair the destroyed port.

June 2, 1907

With tensions on the rise in the Indian Ocean, the Mark has decided to have another war games later in the year.  The new Walda, Battleship of the Mark, will participate in that effort.

June 28, 1907

Civil Autority has been returned in San Francisco following the withdrawl of National Army troops early this morning.  Rohirrim contractors are attempting to help piece the city back together along with the continued shelter construction along the  southern coast of the bay.

[The Rock Doctor]

19 April 1907

Gran Colombia passes its condolences to the people of California.  We will be meeting with California's ambassador in Cartagena to determine how we may assist in relief and reconstruction efforts.

[Desertfox]

New Switzerland pledges to support the people of San Fransisco in this most terrible of tragedies. We shall meet any request for aid.

OOC $5 shall be sent to San Fransisco on H2/07