NUS News 1911

[Sachmle]

Office of Defence Minister Livan Rodriguez y Perez

"Senor Rodriquez, what are you doing here so late on a Friday, besides, aren't you supposed to be going fishing this weekend?"
"Just picking up some paperwork to work on during the boat ride up to Concepcion. Don't worry Rosa, I'll be out of here in a few minutes."
"You work to hard some days Senor."
"I only work hard so our people may sleep an night knowing that their government is doing it's best to protect them, no matter what that entails. Have a nice weekend Rosa, buenos noches."
"Buenos noches to you Senor, enjoy your trip."

[Sachmle]

The following Monday

Rosa: Hola Senor!!
Livan: Hola Rosa, how was your weekend?
Rosa: Good, how was the fishing? Did you catch anything?
Livan: I think so, but I'm not sure.
Rosa: Que es? Not "sure"?
Livan: ...mubles as he walks away to his office.

[Sachmle]

Mid 1911, office of Livan Rodriquez y Perez. Almirante del Conjunto Miguel Torres y Barrientos and Senor Rodriquez discuss the future of La Marina.

Livan: So, what does La Marina think it needs to remain competitive in our part of the world, Almirante Torres?

Miguel: Well, first of all, now that we've secured a buyer for those Italian mistakes(1) we find ourselves a little short on Capital ships. With only Veinticinco de Mayo and the old Independencia's we feel that we do not have the necessary vessels to defend the homeland, if attacked. Isla de Pascua will still be a year and a half at least before she's ready to enter service. The new cruisers(2) are more useful as escorts for capital ships than as independent vessels.

Livan: I see. And what does La Marina have in mind for these capital ships? And better yet, how do you propose to pay for them?

Miguel: Well, the design board has 4 designs to start with. The first two are each in the 18,000t area. One is armed with the 12"/45cal that just finished it's final testing. It has a AQY layout like Isla. A second design has an additional turret amidships, but sacrifices secondaries and speed to fit it.

Livan: How few secondaries? We can't have torpedo boats sinking our investment without a fight especially if she's slower.

Miguel: She would have ten 6" in deck level casemates, six in the forward superstructure and four aft. Also, there would be eight 3", two each mounted on top of the main battery turrets.

Livan: That's quite a reduction from Isla(3). I don't know if I like that idea very much. What of the other two designs?

Miguel: Well, they are a bit heavier than the other two, around 22,000t.

Livan: What?!? 22,000t! How do you expect to fund a ship that size? We can't just build battleships you know? What of the cruiser program, not to mention the base construction at Isla de Pascua?

Miguel: We are still working on the details of the funding at this time. Do you still want to see the designs?

Livan: Very well, go ahead and show me. I may as well have some idea of whether or not they're worth the money.

Miguel: Very good sir. The first uses the 13.5"/40 cal the CSA sold us and is an enlarged version of Isla. She won't do 24 knots, but she will be faster than VdM. Her armor is much heavier than Isla as well, a true battleship. The other is a very unique layout that one of the junior engineers is very sure will work. She's to carry six turrets layed out around the perimeter of the ship. She will have to return to the 12"/45cal as we only have three 13.5" turrets, and the armory is still having trouble developing more. However, engineer Tomas assures me that the 12" will be able to handle the grande shell that he's been working on.  Tests are ongoing, but so far he has been proven correct. This ship should be able to withstand quite a beating as well. She also carries the standard fourteen 6" secondaries, plus the 3" QFs on top of the main turrets, similar to Isla.

Livan: And this ship will fit in our current docks?

Miguel: Yes, she's been specifically layed out for our docks and yards. All relevant technology will be in place by 1913, if approval is given.

Livan: Well, I can tell by your enthusiasm which design is the preferred one. I'll speak with El Presidente and see if some funding can be found in the budget. At least we have until the 1913 budget to find the money.

Miguel: Thank you sir. I'll be off now. I need to oversee the finishing of the two Union class cruisers.

Livan: Very good. Buenos diaz, Almirante.

1.) The Nuevo de Julio class BBs sold to the Ottoman Empire.
2.) San Carlos de Bariloche class, 3x2x9.2", 24kts, 9,750t and Union class, 2 6" 10 4", 27kts, 4,400t.
3.) Isla de Pascua: 14 7", 18 4", 4 3".