The Fox of France

Chapter 440: A Duel with the Enemy

The column of smoke grew closer and clearer, a single column of smoke.

"The British North American squadron consists of six ships; if it were them, we should be able to see six columns of smoke. However, there's only one now, which must be a whaling ship returning home," reasoned the Americans logically. They dispersed their fleet in advance for a surrounding and interception maneuver—though whaling ships usually don't have steam-assist power and aren't fast.

As the smoke column drew nearer, through General Cadet's telescope, the ship finally emerged in full from the horizon.

"Good heavens! That's... that's the 'Free Trade'! Damn it, how could she be here!"

General Cadet had once participated in a two-against-one battle with the "Free Trade," a ship that had become a veritable nightmare for the Americans. So familiar was he with this super-cruiser that, despite the considerable distance between them, he recognized the ship that had haunted his nightmares more than once.

"'Free Trade'? The 'Free Trade' has returned? What about the 'Common Market' then?" asked a young officer standing next to General Cadet, puzzled. He also noticed that General Cadet's hands were trembling slightly.

"It's not our 'Free Trade,' it's the British 'Indefatigable'!" General Cadet steadied his nerves and then spoke in as calm a voice as possible, "Order the fleet to regroup immediately and prepare for battle!"

The American fleet, comprising three super-cruisers and three regular cruisers, began to reform and accelerate, ready for the confrontation.

General Cadet felt that although their ships were indeed far inferior to the British "Indefatigable" in performance, they had the advantage in numbers, which meant they weren't without a fighting chance.

After being ravaged by the French "Free Trade," the American navy had always been studying one question: how to counter the "Free Trade." When the French put the "Free Trade" up for sale, the Americans were the first to bid, hoping to buy back the ship that caused them nightmares. However, the British intervened and snatched the "princess" from the American navy with a higher price—thus proving, according to the life principles his father taught him—to believe in God, to pay taxes according to the law, and to hate the British, was indeed reasonable.

ly, their ships had a higher speed, giving them a better chance to win the T-positioning game, and their sailors were better trained.

Secondly, the British had modified the "Indefatigable" by removing the original side-mounted cannon arrangement and instead mounted two cannons on circular railings at the front and back decks, which could rotate over a wide angle. Ṛ

After the British began to turn, the Americans also started to maneuver to avoid being outflanked. The ensuing action saw both fleets circling each other on the sea, with the British trying to gain a position ahead of the Americans, while the Americans constantly maneuvered to keep their sides towards the British.

The "Indefatigable" had a slight speed advantage, but the American ships were more agile in turning, making it difficult for the British to secure the T-position.

After several turns, the distance between the two sides began to close, but due to the angle, the American side cannons couldn't aim at the "Indefatigable" to fire, whereas the "Indefatigable's" stern cannons could rotate and fire at the Americans. Although the British only had two stern cannons and everyone was maneuvering at high speed, making accurate firing difficult, the initial volleys failed to hit.

However, being under one-sided attack without the ability to retaliate was highly demoralizing. And just because the first few shots missed didn't mean the subsequent ones would too. At this distance, a hit would definitely cause significant damage to the American warships.

Indeed, after six unsuccessful shots, a cannonball finally struck the "Constitution," leading the American formation.

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