Solovyov in Tsarist Russia 1796

The inventor of the practical steamboat has not yet received the letter, but there is always a need for steam applications.

It is not too difficult to build a cast iron boiler, but it becomes a problem just to burn something.

Some people will say in the future that Russia lacks coal, which sounds very interesting.

Not to mention the coal in Donbass, there are also many places where coal can be mined around Moscow. This does not include Russia’s forest coverage, how much wood can be provided for use.

After the Russian army entered Ukraine, Peter the Great quickly discovered coal in the area around Donetsk. Although the development in his time was limited, this reserve was actually being built in the railway construction by Nicholas I's time. On the issue, he claimed that Russia was “short of coal”.

This is a joke in itself. The fuel used in the foundry in Lugansk is coal from the Donbas region. The foundry here mainly produces artillery shells needed to supply the Black Sea Fleet, and is also building blast furnaces.

On the afternoon of the basketball game, Paul received the report from Lugansk in the gymnasium.

"Mr Gascoigne is doing a good job and we should increase the budget for Luhansk."

What he said was completely regardless of his own whims, and he almost shut down the foundry in Luhansk. This was a factory established by the empress in 1795, but the person in charge at the time was Count Zubov.

There is a bit of personal grudge in it, but in Luhansk, the pace of construction has never stopped. In 1797, the construction of workers' settlements began, followed by a stable supply of coal from Lisichansk in 1799, and now Luhansk. Construction of the blast furnace in Gansk is completed.

Although steam engines themselves are relatively rare in Russia, and even Mr. Gascoigne's initial plan for Luhansk mainly relied on water-powered mills and dams, in the long run, steam power can provide more powerful power. energy.

The plans currently underway there are still the same old ones.

Solovyov has no interest in caring about what is happening in Lugansk. What he has to do now is to build a small heating boiler at his home, and also start testing lower-level safety valves and the use of high-pressure steam. , should not be limited to pressure cookers.

Moreover, if this boiler is completed, it can be used for heating, boiling water and hot meals at the Guards station in the future. At least the soldiers will not have to eat cold food to replenish energy while standing guard.

What he was thinking of was the cast iron boiler, and he began to recruit blacksmiths to complete the construction of the shell. However, it was not easy to do it. After all, it required incoming materials, and he used a water-powered mill in Petersburg to process it - —After all, there is no coal produced around Petersburg.

As for the power structure to be presented, this aspect must be taken into consideration. The main processing method at the moment is still hydrodynamic, and the popularity of steam is not that high.

It would take several more years until the Luhansk steam-powered drilling machine was completed, and it would not be completed until 1804.

However, compared to the manufacturing of the boiler, the wooden static model that is now presented to Tsar Paul is the first more difficult point.

He is relatively familiar with structures. Whether it is a paddle wheel ship or an early locomotive, they are all relatively simple structures. Even a small wooden model of a small steamer can be made. Demonstration powered steam model.

But for processed parts, the requirements are relatively high.

At times like this, a watchmaker is needed to do the fine work.

After Paul saw the static model, he was still very satisfied.

"Solovyov, is this called a ship? It has no sails, but is propelled by steam power?"

"Yes, Your Majesty. This is a model of a small ship made through known intelligence from various countries, including France, Britain and the United States. As far as I know, the first such ship in France, the length Around 35 Arshin, the specific displacement is unknown, but it must be 10,000 poods.”

"I think this is still not very practical. We need to try to use a hybrid of sail and steam after professional engineers arrive. The Duke of Enghien said that when they sailed for the first time, the boiler burst. It was mentioned in your report The power mode, if using high-pressure steam, sounds a bit dangerous.”

"But Your Majesty, using brand-new technology also involves risks. Even a less powerful and safer vacuum structure may still explode, but it will not be as powerful."

"You always talk about explosions, as if you are building an explosive ship, Major. Are you going to use this ship to explode in front of the enemy and then damage the enemy's warships?"

When Paul said this, several admirals on the side couldn't help but laugh.

Solovyov felt a little helpless when he heard this. Why did you even come up with a "special attack"?

"If necessary, we should imitate Watt's steam engine, or import it and modify it on the basis of it. I am not a professional mechanical engineer myself, but I am familiar with the principles and design. If an officer has the corresponding knowledge, he should also Be a part of the invention.”

"Very good, Major, what you need to do now is to solve the problem of the ship. As for the steam-driven train, we can also try to complete this idea. Don't worry. Britain and France may have similar designs, but they will not get strong support from the monarch." That's true. George III's mental state is unstable, and monarchs of other countries are unlikely to be as generous as the Russian royal family.

Speaking of this, Paul began to miss his old friend, the brainless Louis XVI and his wife. When they arrived at the Palace of Versailles, that friend's interest in machinery was like his interest in new weapons.

As for the problem of the ship, Paul was actually right. A sailing ship with only one power system is indeed useful in many cases, and it is not realistic to make an ironclad ship now. It will take some time for a warship with a metal shell, and it will take even longer for a full metal one. This is not something that can be done overnight.

Solovyov had the idea of ​​building a train before, but it was always on the drawing board. If he wanted to make a track model now, it was not impossible, but he had to make a metal model, which was more complicated than the wooden steamer.

By the middle of the 19th century, European steamships could be seen even in the East.

Alexander was also listening, and he also thought this kind of ship was very interesting, but in his mind, he still wanted a new thing, to be able to take a boat to Kotlin Island, or to go sightseeing on the water somewhere, that's about it.

Even in terms of military use, he thought that steam-powered ships were only suitable for transportation.

"Soloviev, but if the ship you designed is enlarged to a warship, it will affect the firepower output in the middle, right here. And if the enemy's artillery fire penetrates the hull, it will also cause great harm to the ship itself."

"Your Highness, what do you mean?"

"I think this kind of ship, before it is perfected, is more suitable as a transport ship, carrying cargo and passengers, rather than a warship."

"Yes, Your Highness, this still requires careful demonstration, comprehensive research from all aspects, and a comprehensive plan to launch it at the right time. In a word, it still needs further development. If you are worried about wind and waves, transport it in canals and natural rivers, and in places where the water environment is relatively stable."

"Okay, that's it. Father, what do you think?"

Alexander turned to Paul, and Paul nodded in agreement.

"Indeed, I think the Navy Committee can make good preparations."

Then he stood up, walked to Solovyov's side, and tapped his leather boots with his cane.

"You have grown taller, Major. If this invention can be completed, I can give you the right to operate a section of the canal's steam shipping. You serve in the army, and you can let your father operate it!"

This is a great favor to the ministers, and Paul also wants to stimulate those nobles. If they are willing to serve the country, they will be rewarded.

"Alexander, what do you think?"

"Father, I also think it's okay, as a reward. However, this right to operate is time-limited, and it also requires a partner."

This is not a problem. After all, the two backers of the Solovyov family, although the previous Prince Menshikov's family has fallen, Paul's younger brother Count Bobrinsky can support them behind the scenes because of his special status.

In fact, these operating rights will eventually be given to the Tsar and the Crown Prince by the wise earl.

This price was also offered to Fulton by Alexander after he became the Tsar. The activation condition was to provide several steamships within three years, and then obtain the 15-year monopoly rights between Kronstadt and St. Petersburg, as well as the natural rivers and canals in Russia.

If it was given to a Russian, it would be better than giving it to a foreigner, especially since Solovyov seemed easy to manipulate, and the partner was naturally designated by the Russian government, so that a lot of profits and taxes could go directly into the treasury or into the emperor's own pocket.

And the designated "partner" can also be confirmed to be the new factory separated from Count Bobulinsky and the Admiralty Shipyard. Even the production materials have been prepared. It only needs to start intensive construction after the manpower is in place and an order is given.

It all sounds great, and there is strong support from the royal family and the Navy Committee, but Solovyov is still worried about one issue, which is Russia's traditional art - bureaucracy.

But he doesn't have much time to think about this now. Now he has to make a powered model in front of the palace embankment first, and for this he needs to make some miniature parts. This processing technology naturally requires a skilled watchmaker to complete it.

At the end of November, he finally made this thing, but the place to display it was the bath in the palace.

"This is very good, Solovyov, although this little thing flipped over when docking, it was not controlled by anyone. If there were experienced sailors, it could still be controlled and docked."

Paul was very satisfied with this boat, but Maria made a request to him.

"Father, can you give me this flipped boat?"

"Maria, you should ask the inventor, after all, he made it."

"I think your highness can have such a model. Although this little gadget is broken, the structure is still intact. You can put the boat in a small display cabinet and display it as a static model."

In this regard, Solovyov is still very thoughtful. Now that the royal family members are all in the palace, his approach is to have one for each bedroom. In addition to this movable but broken model, he also asked the carpenter to rush to make some wooden models that he showed to the Navy Committee.

However, the Tsar himself and Queen Maria, because they now live separately, each has a model to present.

Paul has always been more partial to Maria, so this boat that turned over in the bathtub is not suitable for collection, but it was handed over to the Navy Committee

The boat that Alexander obtained was placed in Louisa's study. He came back very rarely, and ended up seeing the child.

As for Louisa's attitude, of course, it was still the same. After mentioning the child, the relationship between the two became more intimate.

However, Alexander could also see that although his wife looked better now, she was still very weak. Compared with Naryshkina, her condition was indeed much worse.

He was picky about food, and he also needed spiritual harmony. A wife who was too intellectual and loved quietness did not seem to suit his appetite.

Little Maria began to grow teeth, and she was not shy. She would not resist when her father, who was not here, came to hold her. This made Alexander decide that he should come back more often during this period. It would also be good to see the child.

Then, Solovyov "arranged" the patrol time, which should be separated from the time when the crown prince was in the palace, and he should spend more time on invention.

You know, although he has a great advantage now, the Scottish businessman Charles Bird is also developing a new steam engine in St. Petersburg, but his business scope is mainly in steam-powered machinery for factories, not ships and railways.

At this time, he had to wait for the arrival of French engineers while understanding the situation of potential opponents.

As a result, Arkady told him that his father-in-law, Alexander Naryshkin, had really found out in a club in St. Petersburg that the Scottish Bird Machinery Factory had no relevant plans at present and was still engaged in their main business.

However, if he knew another thing, it might prompt him to speed up the progress anyway.

After all, the first Russian steamship built by Charles Bird was called "Elizabeth", which was shown to Queen Elizabeth on the water near the Tavrid Palace in 1815.

This is a steal, you know?

Soloviev did start preparations without knowing it, and he did want to name the ship "Elizabeth" and transform it with small boats commonly used on the canal.

This is no longer a restoration of history, it is even accelerated.