Black Corporation: Joseon-Chapter 217

The wheelhouse? Hmm

Sejong fell into thought for a moment at Hyangs answer.

He said wheel But

Sejong pondered the meaning of the word, but he couldnt quite grasp it.

He could have simply accepted it as the ministers did, thinking the Crown Prince said it, so it must be so. However, Sejongs nature wouldnt allow him to let it pass.

In the end, Sejong had to ask Hyang a question.

As far as I know, the rudder is located at the rear of the ship, connected to a long pole, and controlled by the boatman. However, the wheelhouse you mentioned doesnt seem to have such a pole, so Im very curious about its principle.

Hyang promptly answered Sejongs question.

The principle of moving the rudder left and right attached to the stern to control direction is the same. Its just that the control method has been slightly modified.

Slightly?

At Sejongs query, Hyang opened the door to the wheelhouse.

Inside the wheelhouse, which was spacious enough to comfortably fit four or five adult men, there was only a single thick wooden pillar. The wooden pillar, about chest-height for an adult man, had large wheels attached to the front and back.

This is the steering wheel. The rudder is controlled by turning this wheel.

Oh?

Eyes sparkling, Sejong went back inside to examine the mechanical devices connected to the steering wheel.

Seeing the steering mechanism composed of long metal rods, gears, pulleys, and ropes, Sejong exclaimed in admiration.

How ingenious!

It allows for more precise control of the rudder with less force.

I see!

After inspecting the steering device, Sejong turned to Hyang.

Can this device be installed on turtle ships as well?

Its under research.

I really hope it can be installed.

As soon as its performance is verified, it will be installed immediately.

Just as Hyang assured, this steering wheel began to be installed on turtle ships as well.

In the cabin created below the command tower of the turtle ship, the helmsman could control the direction of the hull from the wheelhouse.

This provided considerable advantages in battle.

Previously, the helmsman was exposed, so in combat, they were frequently killed or wounded, making it difficult to control the warship. However, the situation changed with steering from the wheelhouse surrounded by thick wooden planks.

As commands from the commander in the tower were immediately relayed, they could gain the upper hand in battle, which enhanced the combat capabilities of the turtle ships.

***

As an aside, this steering wheel was later called the nightmare of historians or the Princes bad taste.

Among the things that emerged from Joseon during the Great Leap Period, there were quite a few that transcended the era.

Still, many of the things created in that way notably, long-lasting metal type, wire nets, and others. were things that could be rationally explained to some extent by the level of technology, science, and historical background at the time.

However, the things called nightmares or bad tastes were beyond the scope of such explanations.

Among such things that even the general public could understand, the blasting cap was a prime example.

The steering wheel was one of those nightmares.

The steering wheel that suddenly popped up caused historians to suffer from insomnia.

Interestingly, the people of the time when the steering wheel was first invented, both in the East and the West, simply went Oh? This is quite useful? and moved on.

However, it was different for the scholars who had to academically reorganize this in later generations.

Lets say they could make Challenger-class ships! Turtle ships existed not only in Goryeo but also in the Silla period, and they were common in neighboring countries too! No, if we say they made the Challenger-class based on information brought by Middle Eastern merchants, who were major trading partners, it can be explained to some extent! Carracks and caravels existed in Europe around the same time!

The scholars burst out in frustration, throwing away their materials.

But what about this steering wheel? At that time, both the East and the West used the tiller method!(Note 1) The rudder in the East was even more primitive than in the West! But how did the steering wheel pop up? Theres no intermediate process!

In fact, in the history before Hyangs intervention, the steering wheel only properly emerged around the 1700s.

When many of the worlds historians were voicing such grievances, Korean historians instead responded with a serene face.

Back then, there was already a saying like this: The Crown Prince did what a Crown Prince does. It was a period when geniuses emerged one after another.

Theres got to be a limit, even for a genius!

There are records, records. There are the Annals of the Joseon Dynasty, and the National Archives have very well-organized records and blueprints.

When Korean scholars mentioned the records, scholars from other countries had to shut their mouths and quell their anger inwardly.

There was no flaw in what the Korean scholars said.

In addition to the Annals of the Joseon Dynasty, the records held by the National Archives had everything clearly preserved.

The records contained detailed and accurate contents according to the Six Elements (5W1H).

The most definitive evidence was the blueprints, component performance specifications, and production logs.

The accuracy of the blueprints drawn to the correct scale and proportions, the specification sheets recording the required component standards, and finally, the documents meticulously recording the manufacturing and testing processes were unrivaled.

In fact, there were numerous instances where objects or ships made with those blueprints and records using the technology of the time functioned properly.

Therefore, when records were mentioned, scholars from other countries shut their mouths.

Eventually, as such incidents became frequent, all sorts of conspiracy theories emerged.

Yi Hyang was an alien!

There are records of when he was born and when he died, what nonsense are you spouting?

Theres a record that the real Yi Hyang was sickly as a child! The real Yi Hyang died young, and an alien

When such crossing the line remarks popped up, thats when the government stepped in.

The spokesperson for South Koreas Ministry of Foreign Affairs gathered reporters from each country and issued a statement.

It was a statement full of all sorts of diplomatic and political modifiers, but the content was simple.

Do you want to die? You want to die? Should I kill you?

For Koreans, the monarchs who led the Great Leap Period were inviolable.

***

After examining both the interior and exterior of the new warship, Sejong turned to Hyang.

Now I want to see it float.

Yes. Then we will hold the launching ceremony.

Shortly after, an altar was set up at the dock where the experimental ship was located. All the craftsmen and officials gathered in neat attire, and the ritual began.

Starting with the announcement of the beginning of the ritual by the presider, the ritual proceeded calmly, and it came to the part of reading the prayer.

At this, Sejong stepped forward and read the prayer.

In the year of Gyeongsul, the 7th month

Sejong read the prayer with all his heart.

I proclaim to the gods of heaven and earth and the Dragon King of the sea, please allow this ship to safely carry out its duties.

Then, following the sequence of the first and final offerings and bows, he burned the prayer paper.

Lighting the prayer paper on the altar with a candle, Sejong flicked the paper upward.

The prayer paper that left Sejongs hand soared into the sky, burning brightly as it rode the wind.

Seeing this, not only Sejong but all those who attended the ritual could not hide their joy.

Its an auspicious sign!

***

Gaining confidence from the auspicious sign seen at the end of the ritual, the craftsmen prepared for the launch of the experimental ship with renewed courage.

Release the fasteners!

At the command of the head shipwright, the craftsmen released the fasteners that were securing the hull.

All released!

Good! What about the state of the mooring ropes? Theyre well prepared, right?

Yes!

Having checked everything, the head shipwright shouted loudly.

Alright! Let the water in!

Let the water in!

The craftsmen who received the order began to open the sluice gate blocking the small waterway.

Shortly after, seawater rushed in through the waterway.

Will there be enough water?

Hyang immediately answered Sejongs concern.

It should be sufficient since it was timed with the high tide.

Although he answered promptly, Hyang was slightly worried.

Considering the time lost in between, its a bit tight

As the level of seawater filling the dock rose, the experimental ship slowly began to lift.

Its floating! Its floating!

Amid the craftsmens shouts, Sejong and the ministers watched the situation with sweaty palms.

Finally, the experimental ship floated naturally on the seawater that filled the dock.

Put the gangway in place!

With the experimental ship safely afloat, a gangway was placed, and the craftsmen swarmed in to inspect the interior.

No abnormalities!

There are no leaks!

Having confirmed there were no problems with flooding, the head craftsman proceeded to the next step.

Now lets balance it!

Following the instructions of the head craftsman, who checked the tilt of the ship through observation instruments installed on land, shell limestone blocks pre-made with oyster mortar were moved to the bottom of the hull.

They used shell limestone, not just ordinary stones?

Hyang promptly answered Sejongs question.

Ordinary stones are irregular in shape, so they take up a lot of space. However, by using shell limestone blocks made in advance to fit the interior shape of the hull, space waste can be minimized.

I see

After going through a tediously meticulous process, the new warship, having achieved balance, still floated elegantly.

Is going out to sea the only thing left now?

Hyang immediately answered Sejongs question.

No. First, we will load the cannons, gunpowder, as well as the cannonballs and iron shots, and while loading other materials and provisions, we will verify how much can be loaded. Once that process is completed without issue, the captain and crew who will command the ship will board, and test sailing will begin at sea. If the test sailing and short-distance solo sailing are completed without incident, it will finally become independent.

Sejong could not hide his disappointment at Hyangs explanation.

I thought it would be done with the launching, but there are truly arduous processes remaining.

It cant be helped since everything about this new warship is literally unprecedented. We must consistently and meticulously prepare, conduct, and record everything. Only then will the operation of the ships that will be built and deployed after this become easier.

I understand that well. Its just that I wanted to board that ship and sail through the blue sea, so its a bit regrettable.

You will be able to fulfill that wish once that ship is deployed in actual combat.

Id like to, but theres too much to do.

Dont you have capable ministers?

At Hyangs words, Sejong looked around at the ministers. Receiving Sejongs gaze, the ministers unanimously bowed their heads and responded.

We will serve with utmost loyalty!

Thank you!

It is the natural duty of a subject!

Sejong showed a pleased expression at the ministers responses. However, Hyang, standing beside him, clicked his tongue inwardly.

Why do the old mens voices sound so watery Tsk tsk tsk

***

Is everything wrapped up now?

One thing remains. We need to give it a name.

A name

At Hyangs words, Sejong fell into thought, stroking his beard.

According to Sejongs memory, the existing warships were named after the regions where the naval forces were stationed. So if there were multiple warships belonging to that naval station, numbers such as one, two, three were added after the name.

Then the first matter is which naval station this ship will be assigned to But it feels somewhat lacking to decide that way.

Finding it unsatisfactory to name it according to the existing method, Sejong agonized repeatedly.

While agonizing, Sejong glanced at Hyang.

Seeing Hyangs twinkling eyes and mumbling mouth, Sejong burst into laughter.

You rascal! You already decided everything and were just being coy! Alright! What name do you have in mind?

The Challenger!

The Challenger? Challenge

After thinking for a moment, Sejong nodded his head.

Considering the tasks this ship will undertake in the future, its a fitting name! Lets decide on that!

Your grace is immeasurable!

At Sejongs decision, Hyang immediately bowed and responded loudly.

It was the moment of birth for the Challenger-class warships, which would go on to account for the largest number among Joseons naval vessels, sweep across all the seas east of Africa for decades to come, and gain all sorts of notoriety starting with the Ruffians of the East.

***

Note 1) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tiller

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