In the sea area more than 300 kilometers north of the Azores, a fleet with Chinese flags flying is sailing. This fleet has only 6 warships in total.↑ However, this is a fleet composed of the most elite cruisers and destroyers of the Imperial Navy. The fleet includes two "Star Class" cruisers and four "Earthyster Class" destroyers.

On the cruiser of the "Starry Horse", Imperial Navy Colonel Niu Zhiyuan was standing on the bridge and using a telescope to observe the north. According to the information obtained by the Imperial Navy, the British Navy's local fleet would likely march towards the Azores from this direction. On the left of the cruiser of the "Starry Horse", about five kilometers apart, there is another "Starry Class" cruiser, Zhang Yuelu.

In addition, there are four "Earthys" destroyers distributed around, namely "Earthys", "Earthys", "Earthys" and "Earthys". These two cruisers and destroyers are the latest warships to the Imperial Navy.

The displacement of the "Star Class" cruiser is as high as 4,200 tons, and its equipment is three dual-mounted 155mm main guns and six 105mm secondary guns. Of course, the most powerful one is the six 450mm medium torpedo tubes hidden in the bow of the ship. Although this torpedo is not very powerful, if it hits the target in the waterline or underwater, it is enough to tear open the underwater armor of the British Navy's battleship. Just one or two hits the target is enough to cause the British Navy's main battleship to be severely damaged. If it hits two more, it can even directly sink the opponent's main battleship. In addition, the speed of the "Star Class" cruiser reaches a terrifying 24 knots, which is far more than any warship in the British Navy's active service. This allows the "Star Class" cruiser to easily shake off the British Navy's pursuit. It is especially suitable for use as a lightning strike ship and a reconnaissance ship.

The displacement of the "Earthys" destroyer is 2,000 tons, and the main gun is a 155mm main gun at the bow and the stern of the ship. There are also 4 105mm secondary guns. These naval guns are all rapid-fire guns, and the rate of fire can reach more than three rounds per minute. Unlike the 8-inch main guns and 6-inch main guns equipped by the same type of warships of the British Navy, the firing rate is slow, and it is good to fire one shell at most in a minute. In addition, the bow of the "Earthys" destroyer also has four 450mm torpedo tubes. Moreover, the speed of the "Earthys" destroyer reaches 25 knots, which is very terrifying.

The Imperial Navy's warship construction idea is mainly based on giant ships and cannons, while small ships use rapid-fire cannons and torpedoes. In this way, although the small ship's gun caliber is small, its firepower is stronger. Facing the enemy's light battleship, it can still pose a fatal threat. Moreover, the torpedo at the bow of the ship can pose a threat to the enemy's battleships.

"Sir, the flagship phone call to ask if there is any abnormality?" A major officer asked Colonel Niu Zhiyuan.

"Tell the flagship that the British have not been discovered yet!" Colonel Niu Zhiyuan said.

"Yes, sir!" the major officer nodded and turned away.

"Damn it, where did those British guys go? Could it be that they have slipped back to the military port? That would be a waste of work?" Colonel Niu Zhiyuan said secretly.

As the captain of the cruiser "Starry Horse" and the commander of this squadron, Colonel Niu Zhiyuan, is a celebrity even in the 5th Fleet of the Imperial Navy. What's more, his identity is equally prominent, and his father is Marshal Niu Meng, the first chief of staff of the empire.

Marshal Niu Meng's three sons served in the Navy, Army and Military Intelligence Bureau respectively. However, the boss Niu Zhiyuan's appetite for Marshal Niu Meng the most. After all, he was a pirate at the time. Colonel Niu Zhiyuan can be regarded as a son who inherited his father's business.

Of course, from the current perspective, among the three brothers of Colonel Niu Zhiyuan, the third brother Niu Zhiyang has the highest military rank. Because he successfully instigated Prince Akbar of Afghanistan, Niu Zhiyang has been promoted to brigade general by exception and became the second general after Marshal Niu Meng of the old Niu family. This put Colonel Niu Zhiyuan and Lieutenant Colonel Niu Zhiwu, who served in the army, to a great pressure.

"When this battle is over, I should be promoted to Brigadier General with my military achievements. At that time, I will not be worse than that boy Zhiyang!" Colonel Niu Zhiyuan said secretly.

At this moment, Colonel Niu Zhiyuan didn't know that about fifty kilometers north of his country, a fleet of several light warships was heading south. This was the advance fleet of the British Navy's local fleet, composed of two "Orlando-class" cruisers and four most advanced "Southampton-class" light cruisers. The fleet was heading south at a speed of 12 knots. Behind them, less than a hundred kilometers, was the main force of the British Navy's local fleet.

British Brigadier General Russell is the commander of this fleet. His flagship is the "Manchester". Compared with the fast "Southampton-class" destroyer, Brigadier Russell prefers warships with larger displacement. Large displacement means large hulls, strong firepower, and thicker armor. In this way, the possibility of surviving in naval battles will undoubtedly be higher.

Originally, Brigadier Russell had the opportunity to become the captain of the British Navy's main battleship, but he failed in the competition. Therefore, in the local fleet, he finally became only a commander who commanded six light battleships. However, the "Orlando-class" cruiser with a displacement of more than 5,000 tons could still be used.

"Damn Chinese, those damn yellow-skinned monkeys, the great Royal Navy will definitely defeat them all and drive them to the Atlantic Ocean to feed sharks." Almost every day, Brigadier General Russell curses the Chinese Navy, as if this will make the British Navy win in this battle.

"Woo!" Suddenly, a shrill alarm sounded over the fleet. Brigadier General Russell immediately rushed to the front of the bridge, grabbed the telescope and looked south. The outlines of several small battleships appeared in his telescope.

"Damn it! I'll find the Chinese warship. Report to the flagship immediately!" Brigadier Russell shouted in his throat.

"Yes, General!" a communication officer replied loudly.

"Order the ships to prepare for battle and let those damn yellow-skinned monkeys taste our power!" Brigadier General Russell shouted. At this moment, he was excited to fight.

The squadron led by Colonel Liu Zhiyuan, the 5th Fleet of the Chinese Navy, also discovered the British fleet at the same time. A shrill alarm sounded also over the fleet. The officers and soldiers of the fleet rushed towards their respective posts as soon as possible. Everyone knows that the war has begun!

At 2:00 p.m. on January 5, 1855, a small fleet of the Imperial Navy's 5th Fleet and the British Navy's local fleet encountered unexpectedly in the sea more than 300 kilometers north of the Azores.

The Imperial Navy's squadron began to change its formation. Two "Star Class" cruisers were at the front, while four "Earth Demon Class" destroyers with much smaller displacement followed behind.

"Sir, the six British warships are two "Orlando-class" warships and four "Southampton-class" light cruisers!" A staff officer reported to Colonel Niu Zhiyuan.

"Well, it can be considered evenly matched. However, the British "Orlando-class" warships have powerful 8-inch main guns, and also 6 155mm secondary guns and 4 105mm secondary guns. The firepower is much stronger than our "Star Class". As for those "Southampton-class" light cruisers, the firepower is similar to our "Earth Demon-class". If torpedoes cannot be used, it is not easy to defeat the opponent!" Colonel Niu Zhiyuan frowned. The most important weapon of the Imperial Navy's latest cruisers and destroyers is torpedoes. However, before the decisive battle with the enemy begins, these torpedoes are not allowed to be used. With artillery alone, the Imperial Navy's cruisers and destroyers are undoubtedly at a disadvantage.

"General, although the enemy's "Orlando-class" cruiser is powerful, the "Orlando-class" has a long service life. The artillery they use are all old-fashioned anti-aircraft guns, with low firing rates, far less than our rapid-fire guns. In addition, with an advanced fire control system, the artillery accuracy of our warships is obviously much higher than that of the enemy. Even if we do not use torpedoes, we may not lose this battle!" said the gunman of the "Starry Horse" cruiser.

Colonel Niu Zhiyuan nodded. From this perspective, the Imperial Navy does have some advantages.

"Order all ships to prepare to take the enemy!" Colonel Niu Zhiyuan ordered.

In order to maximize its firepower advantages, the Imperial Navy is accustomed to using column formations to fight. The British Navy is very good at both columns and horizontal teams. This undoubtedly reflects that the training and quality of the British Navy are much better than the Chinese Navy. However, the Imperial Navy has proved through a series of exercises that using column formations to seize the t-head at the first time is the most effective naval combat method.

"Haha! Those timid Chinese people actually used column methods to order the main guns of each ship to prepare and tear them apart for me!" Brigadier Russell laughed.

The British Navy has always attached importance to the firepower of the ship's bow. Among the various warships of the British Navy, the ship's bow even retains a sharp impact angle. Once it encounters, it can easily tear open the enemy's warships.

"Order the fleet to turn, and the speed will be increased to 15 knots. All artillery fire is aimed at the enemy's flagship!" Colonel Niu Zhiyuan also issued a series of orders. The squadron of the 5th Fleet of the Imperial Navy immediately began to act.

The six warships began to deflect to the right and drew a big arc on the sea. At the same time, the artillery on the warships were all aimed at the flagship "Manchester" of the British Navy's squadron! (To be continued, please search for astronomy, the novel is better, updated and faster!

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