News and Stories from the Vilnius Union

[The Rock Doctor]

To:  Heads of State, Governments Worldwide
From:  Sigismund VIII Vasa

I am pleased to invite you to attend the official opening of the Trans-Erica Canal on Friday, January 3, 1919.  This great engineering feat, accomplished in a mere five years by the Vilnius Union, will great improve trade between the Erican continents and the rest of the world, bringing prosperity to all.

My family and I will be in attendance aboard my yacht.  I have also requested that the Marynarka Wojenna Zwiazku provide a presence for my review on this occasion, and would be pleased if your navy were to do the same.

I do regret that the canal will not be available to your vessels prior to the ceremony, but your usage, if required, will be prioritized after the ceremony.  I am also advised that while Union port facilities will be open for business and replenishment of consumables, it may be advisable for any naval presence to include some degree of logistical support just in case. 

Such are logistics, one supposes.

I do hope to see you there in six months.

Sincerely,

Sigismund

[The Rock Doctor]

August 5, 1918:  Johannesstadt Spectator

Three people have been injured by an exploding post-box in the city's business district. 

The Johannesstadt City Police reported that the blast, at 0934 yesterday morning, destroyed the post-box itself and caused light damage to adjacent storefronts and motor vehicles.  The injuries were reportedly caused by flying debris rather than the concussive force of the explosion, and none were expected to be life-threatening.  A horse hitched to a post near the site was also reported to have been wounded but not so much as to require euthanasia.

At this time there are reported suspects or motivations assigned to the matter, the first of its time in Johannesstadt, but residents are asked to come forward with any information that may be relevant to the investigation.

In a statement yesterday afternoon, Poczta Wilnie noted that while the cause of the explosion is under investigation, customers are reminded that the service does not transport explosive goods as a matter of policy.  "Do otherwise would be inconsistent with PW's commitments towards worker safety and good public service.  Poczta Wilnie will of course cooperate thoroughly with the investigation and will offer a reward for information leading to the arrest of the person or persons responsible for this incident."

[The Rock Doctor]

November 22, 1918

Marshal of the Army Anton Meier stared at Defence Minister Schmidt, then to the maps of Africa and South Erica, then back to Schmidt.  "We can't do it," he said.

"Pardon?" Schmidt uttered.

"We can't do it, Minister.  We haven't got the logistical capacity," Meier said.  "The Government's been ferociously implementing the Loob Doctrine for eight years now, I believe, and it's done so with precious little regard to the army's ability to actually support the troops on the ground.  I know the navy's struggled in this time period, but they've made out like gangbusters in comparison.  Hell, we've spent more on aeroplanes than on trucks and wagons."

"So...you want me to tell the Prime Minister we can't do any of this?"

Meier sighed, was silent a moment, and then got up and marched up to the maps at the front of the room, festooned with colored arrows sprouting in different directions.  "Minister, I have no idle quartermasters right now.  Not a one.  Any additional overseas deployments mean I've got to withdraw support from another deployment already in place.  That isn't sustainable.  We can't expect brigades of men to just live off the land or requisition local supplies.  It will piss off the local civilians and we'll have rebellions on our hands."

"Maybe we've got to chance that for a while," Schmidt suggested. 

"I'll require written direction as to which provinces to withdraw support from, if that's the case," Meier stated.

"I'll keep that in mind," Schmidt said, recognizing the marshal's self-preservation approach.  "What you have me do, otherwise?"

"Make some hard decisions," Meier said.  "We pulled out of southernmost Erica and pawned off part of the isthmus.  Great.  I was relieved for all of about three weeks - then the logistical slack those moves generated promptly disappeared into other parts of South Erica and Africa.  But, with respect, Sir, what is the purpose behind all of these moves?  We don't have political commitments to whoever lives there.  We're not likely to see much of a settler movement.  We're not aware of any specific resources of value.  Do we need strategic depth?  Maybe in western Orimirilandia, we do, but further into the core of South Erica?  I don't see it, Sir."

Schmidt contemplated this for a few moments while Meier returned to his chair and lit a cigar. 

"Minister, if I may," Admiral Grabowski said.  "I see the Marshal's point.  My predecessor had great reservations about the proposed move across the Pacific for much the same reason - insufficient capacity, insufficient rationale.  He spoke up and helped convince the government to change its mind, but if he hadn't, we'd be operating a major Pacific naval presence right now, at great expense.  We all know a segment of the public has an immense appetite for expansion, but they've also got to realize it's not going to fund itself."

Meier nodded.

"Very well," Schmidt said.  "I'll convey your concerns to Cabinet and seek revised direction."

 

[Kaiser Kirk]

To : Sigismund VIII of Wilno
Re : Opening of the Trans-Erica Canal

The Parthian Empire appreciates the opportunity to participate in this momentous event.
It is our hope and expectation that this will lead to vibrant trade routes taking
advantage of this new opportunity.

The Parthian Empire will send a suitable delegation* to help celebrate the glorious engineering
achievement of the Wilno Union.

(*which I can specify later)

To:  Heads of State, Governments Worldwide
From:  Sigismund VIII Vasa

I am pleased to invite you to attend the official opening of the Trans-Erica Canal on Friday, January 3, 1919.  This great engineering feat, accomplished in a mere five years by the Vilnius Union, will great improve trade between the Erican continents and the rest of the world, bringing prosperity to all.

My family and I will be in attendance aboard my yacht.  I have also requested that the Marynarka Wojenna Zwiazku provide a presence for my review on this occasion, and would be pleased if your navy were to do the same.

I do regret that the canal will not be available to your vessels prior to the ceremony, but your usage, if required, will be prioritized after the ceremony.  I am also advised that while Union port facilities will be open for business and replenishment of consumables, it may be advisable for any naval presence to include some degree of logistical support just in case. 

Such are logistics, one supposes.

I do hope to see you there in six months.

Sincerely,

Sigismund

[The Rock Doctor]

15 December 1918:  The Vilnius Globe and Post

With the coming of the industrial age, hundreds of thousands – if not millions – of peasants left their ancestral lands and moved to the growing cities of the Rzeczpospolita, Danuj, and Nordsoen to seek a better life. 

Yet life in the big cities is not for everybody.  Apartments are small and crowded, the air often thick with coal smoke, the air itself ringing with the cacophony of a million close neighbours living their lives.  For many, it was a last resort, but for some, it is proving to be a stepping stone to something else.

The Vilnius Union's expansion across the Atlantic to the Ericas, and south to Africa, have opened up new opportunities for the those with greater ambitions than a lifetime of toil in factories.  While these new found lands teem with vibrant cultures coming together under the guiding hand of the Union, not all of the lands are heavily populated, and it is to these locations that the most adventurous venture. 

Today we look at one such location...

Zelenayarus

Ever since Rus was trampled under the hooves of the Golden Horde, there has been a Russian underclass in the Union.  Fleeing the barbarians with whatever they could carry, thousands poured westward to the safety of what is now the Vilnius Union.  While they did indeed find sanctuary, they could not find land.  In the easternmost frontier of the Union, their Belarussian kin owned the land.  Further west, Polish and Lithuanian landowners had acquired all that was of value.  With nowhere to settle, the dispossessed Russians scattered to rent small plots or work for the landowners; some were among the first to move into cities such as Warsaw and Krakow as industrialization took hold.  Centuries later, some of their descendants were among those who traveled overseas as part of the Union Army's grand effort to bring peace to North Erica.

Once there, they learned of an opportunity few had considered possible.

"The Ohiyo Valley is somewhat unique in the Zwiazek Erica Polnocnej, in that it is quite sparsely populated," notes Dr. Henrik Andersen, a professor of Erican Studies at the University of Stockholm.  "The valley is naturally rich, and that fertility has caused it to be a battleground between the Erican peoples of the region since time immemorial.  For the longest time, it was impossible for anybody to establish themselves there because inevitably, their neighbours would band together and drive them back out again."

This reality has now been baked into the fabric of the ZEP.  The Shawnee of Kenta Aki have retained their core geographical lands to the southwest but ceded claim to Ohiyo.  The Erie of northern Ohiyo have retained their core geographical lands but lack authority to settle the sparsely inhabited southwest of their territory, which is governed as part of Ohiyo primarily for administrative convenience.

Enter the Russians.

As word of the verdant lands beyond the Appalachian mountains began to filter back to Europe, a movement was born in the Orthodox Churches of Krakow, Copenhagen, and elsewhere, creating a spiritual mission that sought to claim a new Rus – a Green Rus – for those who traced their roots back to a nation that no longer exists.  The first shipload of immigrants, approximately 600 in all, departed in February 1913.  Arriving at Niuepoort in March, they journeyed inland, crossing through passes in the Appalachian Mountains just in time to reach their promised land in the summer.

Several towns have now sprung up in Zelenayarus – Novaya Muscovy, Petrograd (OTL Charleston, WV) and Smolensk chief amongst them.  Lands have been cleared for the growing of cereals, tobacco, and the Erican staple known as maize.  Basic churches have been erected.  Ferries have been established at sites along the great Ohiyo River.  Surveyors at work in the Appalachians on the regions south-eastern margin report great seams of coal, not yet exploited but certainly of interest to entrepreneurs near and afar. 

A census conducted in 1918 estimated that at least 30,000 Europeans – over 70% of them ethnic Russian – have moved to the region in the past five years.  Others in Europe are clearly planning to follow. 

"This has caused some degree of political difficulty for the government," Doctor Andersen observes.  "The Zelenayarussians are under the administrative control of Ohiyo, but have no cultural affinities with the Erie who dominate the territory's politics and population.  There's a move toward establishing a new territory, basically a European settler territory largely governed by the European emigres.  The Erie elite aren't very excited about that prospect, since it would be carved out of their territory.  The Shawnee, on the other hand, are actively encouraging it.  For the moment, Vilnius isn't addressing the issue, but the time will come when their hand is forced."

[Desertfox]

OOC: Japan will send a suitably impressive delegation to the canal opening as soon as I have time to figure out who will be in attendance.

Edit: And now for the Japanese delegation:
BB Fuso
PC Agano
DD Minekaze (Izokaze II) x 6
Aux Tatsuta Maru

[The Rock Doctor]

30 December 1918

The first element of the Vilnius Union's presence at the Trans-Erica Canal opening arrives.  This includes the battleships Nieugiety and Dziki, the armored cruisers Lucznik and Lusznik, the korsarz Rybolow, four cruisers, and eight torpedo-boats.

31 December 1918

The depot ship Ostrozny and minelayer-cruiser Silbergrundle also arrive.

1 January 1919

Arriving from Europe is the training-cruiser Danube, pressed into service after the aging royal yacht Vasa was deemed unready for sailing in a pre-voyage inspection.  The cruiser's cadet quarters have been hastily reconfigured to accommodate King Sigismund VIII, Queen Sophie, and Princess Marie, plus their staff.

Accompanying the Danube are the battleships Copernicus and Dorffel, two cruisers, four torpedo-boats, and another depot ship.

The small patrol ship known only as Cutter #19 is the first ship to transit the canal, entering from the Pacific to the Caribbean in a general test of the canal's locks and navigational systems.  #19 also carries a small detachment of infantry from 47. dywizja piechoty, including Porucznik Wiktor Vasa.  He's taken ashore and has a pleasant reunion with his family that evening.

2 January 1919

While the royal family are ashore for meetings and rehearsals, the navy spends much of the day engaged in the choreography of a major fleet review, lining up the capital ships for review, establishing other columns of lighter ships, and working in foreign attendees as they arrive...

[Jefgte]

1 January 1919

The new 15800t BC Gaqus & Gadlha arrived for the inauguration of the Canal Trans Erica.
They come from Diego Suarez. They refuel at Walvis Bay & Salvador.

[The Rock Doctor]

OOC Note:

If you're sending ships and want to just leave it at that, fabulous, do that.

If you see a story opportunity as a result of the event, feel free to run with it.  My own headcanon says there's a big naval review, which gives participants perhaps a closer look at some new ships (mine and yours) than may have previously been possible.  My royal family might even seek to visit certain ships that catch their eye, or meet with other heads of state or dignitaries in attendance, and that may also be true of your own heads.

[The Rock Doctor]

January 3, 1919

The official opening of the Trans-Erica Canal was, mercifully, not as long as it could have been, but certainly long enough.

King Sigismund VIII Vasa spoke in lofty terms about the project, describing it as a "Tool for global prosperity and security in these dynamic and occasionally worrying times."

The Governor of Boriken described the project as a collaboration of Caribbean and European workers, achieving together what neither could do apart.

Foreign Affairs Minister Borowiecki described in glowing terms the contributions of Japan, Azteca and Parthia, making note of the latter's investment in infrastructure across the Pacific.

The Archbishop of Johannestadt prayed for the safety of all using the canal, while making analogies to the Tower of Babel that sounded perhaps more ominous that had been intended.

The ship's band from OZW Kucznik played Malfatti's Brass Sonata #4, as well as a new piece composed by Dimitri Jourgensen for the occasion.  Tentatively named Trans-Erica Express it featured extensive use of percussive instruments and repetitive motifs which some characterized as sounding very much like an active industrial site.  Queen Sophie was later overheard describing it as "different."

The dedication concluded in time for a luncheon for the VIP guests.

Come 1400 hrs, the royal entourage returned to the harbour and undertook a review of vessels assembled offshore.  Union and foreign warships alike were turned out in great columns, brightly decorated with flags and bunting for the occasion.

The King and party first boarded the battleship Copernicus, being treated to a quick tour along the main deck and forward superstructure.  He congratulated the ship's complement on a smartly kept vessel and wished her smooth sailing on her return voyage.

Next came a stop at the new Japanese battleship Fuso.  Here the king remarked, with a limited amount of prompting from his aides, on the similarities to the Copernicus, and expressed his appreciation that the vessel and her escorts had come so far for the occasion. 

The royal entourage also boarded the Byzantine armored cruiser Gadhla.  The King commented that the cruiser was quite impressive, well armed for her size and an interesting contrast to the Union armored cruisers anchored nearby.  He thanked the Byzantines for their attendance and wished them well on their cruise home afterward.

At the Queen's request, the entourage came alongside the Aztec battleship Implacable for a visit and a quick meeting with any female officers serving aboard. 

Princess Marie requested the opportunity to tour the Parthian armored frigate X, describing the ship as "pretty".  She was permitted, with the reluctant blessing of her mother and under the supervision of three senior Parthian petty officers, to climb up to the ship's crowsnest and wave to anybody in earshot.  The Queen thanked the Parthians for taking care of the princess and complimented the vessel's smart appearance and upkeep.

The royal entourage returned to the cruiser Danube for dinner with a few dignitaries; a few of the Union warships departed the area as the sunset.

January 4, 1919

Copernicus, Dorffel and Orzel, along with their escorts, transited the canal for a short cruise into the Pacific.

Foreign warships visiting for the opening were advised that they would be granted priority transit that afternoon or afterward as they saw fit.

January 5, 1919

The first civilian ship to use the canal was the Union freighter Sen Mandarynkowy, bound for China with a mixed manifest of industrial products.

[The Rock Doctor]

I'm making a couple of assumptions about attendance, feel free to correct me if I'm over-stepping.

[TacCovert4]

Looks good.  Actually, the trio of Implacables would probably be there for the fleet review, so that's appropriate.

[The Rock Doctor]

9 January 1919

"I appreciate the effort put into making this a comfortable voyage for my family and I, but I think it would behoove the government to consider replacement of the royal yacht," King Sigismund VIII Vasa remarked as he sipped a fruity cocktail on the quarterdeck of the training cruiser Danube.  The ad-hoc yacht was north of the Guajira Peninsula as the ship, her passengers, and a watchful cruiser continued their tour of the Union's Caribbean territories.

"I will arrange a discussion with the Minister of Defence, Sire," his chamberlain replied. 

"I suppose there might be some reluctance to proceed, given that the Cztery Korony was just built last year, but she's hardly up to the task of ferrying us around the Ericas," Sigismund noted.

"I'm sure the government will recognize the very different circumstances which she is designed for and which is required for this kind of voyage, Sire," the chamberlain said.  "Obviously there is no need to be hidebound to the building conventions of the last century as we consider a new vessel - and it would be a shining symbol of the Union's majesty wherever she travels.  That being the case, do you have some specific preferences for the replacement vessel?"

Sigismund pondered that.  "Well, Sophie made a comment about gold toiletries, but that seems gauche.  Natural stone tiles and counters would be nice, though.  Something interesting, yet neutral in color to avoid distracting from one's wardrobe."

"Marble?"

"Perhaps.  I think some kinds of granite can do the same thing, but I'm hardly a geologist," Sigismund noted.  "A pool would be delightful.  It's excellent exercise for all, especially as I'm getting older.  Low impact on my knees in particular.  Bad enough I have to ease back on my skiing this winter, you know."

"Indeed, Sire," the chamberlain nodded.  "So a pool, with the appropriate furnishings.  A sauna as well?"

"I think it should be possible, don't you?"

"I don't see why not, Sire."

"Good, good," the king said, sipping his drink.  "A library, but that goes without saying.  I wonder about some sort of an observation platform - with an elevator so we don't need to climb ladders.  It might not be pleasant in stormy weather, but on a day like this, it'd be the go-to place, I think."

"Noted, Sire."

"Fast, of course, and with enough oil that we don't need to stop for refueling all the time.  Not that I mind the Azores, but I don't want to necessarily stop there every single time I travel."

The chamberlain nodded in sympathy.

"Accommodation for you and your staff.  A larger staff, I'm sure, and nicer accommodation at that.  You've been hard done-by in your present quarters and I do regret that," the king added.

"I appreciate your concern, Sire."

"Space for the automobiles...can we fit a tennis court somewhere, do you think?"

"I can ask, Sire.  A squash court might be more compact."

"Never really cared for Squash, Henrik, you know that," Sigismund chided.  "A cinema theatre...snooker room...wine room...no way to ski, of course.  Waterskiing, perhaps.  But the yacht is probably too big to allow for that."

The chamberlain nodded, but then said, "The yacht could embark smaller motorcraft for that purpose, though, Sire."

"Valid point, thank you."

"Should the ship be armed, Sire?"

"I wouldn't think so, other than the saluting guns.  It isn't going to be a warship," Sigismund remarked.  "Perhaps there will be a need to consider a wartime function for the ship, but it wouldn't be in the line of battle, I'm sure."

"Indeed, Sire.  Perhaps a hospital ship or survey vessel or such."

"Perhaps.  I think that's a matter for the navy to consider and propose."

"Indeed, Sire."

"Do you think they can start building this year?"

The chamberlain shrugged.  "I expect not, Sire.  Budget provisions are probably in place, and it will take some time to design a ship to your satisfaction.  Perhaps next year, however."

"One can hope.  Do keep me informed."

"Of course, Sire."

[The Rock Doctor]

17 January 1919

"Sir.  Sir.  Captain," the voice of his steward insisted, stirring Komandor Cech from his slumber.

"What?  What is it?" Cech demanded.  It was quite dark in his cabin, and for Hans to be rousing him at such an hour, something had to be wrong.

"Mister Larsen's regards and he requests your urgent presence on the bridge."

"We're accelerating," Cech said, feeling the vibration and assessing the distant rumble of the cruiser's triple expansion machinery.  "Is the ship in danger?"

"No, Sir, but another appears to be."

Cech flung the blankets aside, swung out of the bunk and jabbed his feet into his slippers.  It wasn't far to Ulan's bridge, so he was still a bit stumbly and blinking as he arrived.

"Captain's on the bridge," a voice called out. 

Komandor-Podporucznik Larsen and two others were hunched over the ship's chart table.  "Sir, my apologies, we have a situation to report."

"Report, then," Cech said, and a mug of hot coffee miraculously slid into his hand.  "Thank you, Hans."

"Sir, approximately eight minutes ago we received an SOS from a vessel identifying herself as the steamship Irena Chychla, bound for the Canal Zone from Amsterdam.  She reports a serious fire in her engine room and is requesting assistance."

One of the other men, one of the navigator's mates, spoke up as Larsen looked his way.  "Sir, based on the coordinates provided in the message, I'm placing her approximately two hundred twenty nautical miles west of our current position."

"Well out in the middle of the Atlantic, eleven hours at flank speed," Cech said.  "Are we now steering to meet her?"

"Aye, sir.  I've rang for flank," Larsen nodded, "We're up to twelve knots now."

"Have we acknowledged the transmission?"

"Aye, sir."

"Anybody else do so?"

"Wireless shack reports one other transmission, voice rather than morse, was too garbled to make out.  He estimates it's probably further west than Irena Chychla."

"Stands to reason," Cech nodded.  "What do we know about Chychla?"

"I'm going through the Gephardt Registry now, Sir!" an enlisted man called out from the starboard side.  The Registry was the primary catalogue of all Union-flagged shipping and if Chychla's name was any indication, she'd be in there.  It just happened to be a pretty thick tome.

"Keep looking, then," Cech said.  "We're going to burn through a lot of coal in eleven hours, assuming we don't have an engineering casualty first.  We were supposed to reach the Azores with what's aboard at ten knots, I reckon it's enough to get us to Chychla, but I need an estimate."

"Aye, sir," Larsen confirmed.

"Got it, sir!" the enlisted man interjected.  Without waiting for acknowledgement, he continued, "She's an older liner, running immigrants to the canal zone.  Registry says she has a complement of one hundred eight five and accommodation for eight hundred twenty passengers."

"Thank you, Mister Wolowitz," Cech sighed.  "Let's hope we don't have to fish a thousand people out of the ocean.  Mister Larsen, kindly remain on watch for another ten minutes.  I'm going to return to my cabin for a quick change out of these pajamas."

"I have your uniform ready in your day-cabin, Sir," Hans noted.

Cech shrugged.  "Thank you, Hans.  Five minutes, then."

"So much for a quiet cruise home for decommissioning," Larsen mused.

"We're in it till the flag comes down," Cech said.  "Be right back."

[TacCovert4]

January 17th, 1919, the mid-Atlantic

Captain Usem sat in his chair, HIS chair, the Caicos war having promoted far outside the norms as the Royal Aztec Navy struggled to rebuild its larger surface assets.  As the first ship laid down after the crash building programs, it was only logical that one of the surviving officers from HMS Veracruz would be promoted to command.  But the former navigator had not expected such a boon.  Larger than the now partially sunk and partially scrapped Veracruz, HMS Revenge had only three quarters of the main guns, but still effectively the same broadside.  And while her armor was not up to the battle line, she was fast.  Fast enough that her class did not do a final shakedown in the Caribbean, but rather in an Atlantic crossing where her engines and boilers could be truly tested and her crew accustomed to long voyages in a true seaway.  Captain Usem had enjoyed grabbing an early morning coffee and watching dawn appear on the horizon.

The watch officer brought him a report.  "Sir, we've been able to decipher the garbled Wilno transmissions.  It appears a passenger liner en route to the canal has suffered a major fire and is requesting assistance.  A Vilnius cruiser also retransmitted.  From our estimations the Vilnius cruiser is a number of hours at its best speed away."  "And our own range?" Captain Usem replied. "Sir, best we can tell is a bit over three hundred nautical miles."  Captain Usem thought briefly.  "A day and a half at cruising speed.  But maybe twelve hours if we go to flank.  Ring Engineering, have them bring the other boilers up.  It's a good day to test what our engines can do.  Tell the chief engineer to give us all steam."

The watch officer smiled as he relayed the captain's orders.  Around the ship, hatches were buttoned up in anticipation of sea spray, and the large funnels began belching black smoke as more and more boilers were lit off, their oil burners bringing them to temperature at a speed the old coal boilers could only dream of.  White foam rose higher on the bow as HMS Revenge accelerated on course for the stricken vessel, putting her designer's promise of thirty two knots to the test.