African Entrepreneurship Record

Chapter 103: Chapter 98: Coastal Defense Cannon

”What you said makes certain sense, but I still favor prioritizing industrial development. Especially since the current population in East Africa is not large, industrialization presents fewer challenges, and the food problem can entirely be resolved by exchanging high-value industrial products for low-value agricultural products,” said Maximilian I.

”If we observe the actual conditions in some European countries, His Majesty’s words hold weight. After all, not every country is suitable for developing agriculture. However, the natural conditions and land area in East Africa determine that agriculture is its advantage, and having food at hand brings peace of mind.”

The leader continued, ”Prince Ernst often emphasizes that agriculture is the easiest industry to be self-sufficient, because no one can live without eating. On the other hand, developing industry requires various conditions with high thresholds, especially since first-mover countries have strong advantages. They are continuously updating technologies, thus raising the threshold for industrialization in backward countries.”

”For instance, in East Africa, we currently lack fundamental conditions for industrialization. Most of our residents come from rural areas and have almost zero knowledge of industry; our food production is insufficient to support large-scale industrialization, unable to supply adequate raw materials; our transportation condition is even worse, inferior to most backward countries, the length and density of dirt roads cannot compare with those countries and regions with even a slight historical background. Introducing machinery and equipment from Europe is essential for developing industry, but the Heixinggen consortium still seeks profits, and East Africa is temporarily unable to massively introduce industrial facilities from Europe.”

Maximilian I listened silently to the words of the sisal factory leader, falling into contemplation as he recalled his life’s experiences.

He has always believed in liberalism. When governing Milan (at 25 years of age, crowned Governor of Lombardy and Venice), he implemented numerous policies he considered advanced and humane, which ultimately caused dissatisfaction from his elder brother and led to his dismissal.

This was one of the reasons he later chose to go to Mexico, to prove that he was not an idealist and that his policies could promote national development.

Unfortunately, reality slapped him in the face; the Mexicans did not buy his policies at all and even ended up wanting to execute him, as he offended everyone all over.

Reflecting now, Mexico indeed was unsuitable for a monarch’s development. Mexicans were deeply influenced by republicanism, and because the previous royal family had exhausted the Mexicans’ trust, going to Mexico was a mistaken decision from the start.

Of course, Maximilian I was also deceived at the time. The French fabricated a public opinion survey in Mexico, misleading the high-spirited Maximilian I into coming to Mexico as a scapegoat.

Opposition from Mexicans to his rule involved selecting their ruler, whereas Ernst’s East African colony did the opposite and involved Ernst selecting the people he governed.

Therefore, the East African colony was able to enforce strict commandments, allowing Ernst to fully utilize his talents, Maximilian I thus thought.

...

September 11, 1867.

Mtwara Port.

”One, two, three, hey yah! One, two, three...”

Hundreds of dockworkers at the port were exerting all their strength to transport cannons that were unloaded from sea vessels. These cannons, brought over from Austria-Hungary, were hefty pieces, and the East African colony lacked transport tools, relying entirely on manpower to move them.

Recently, all the cement imported into East Africa was used for constructing defensive works at the port.

Influenced by the Paraguayan War, Ernst suddenly felt a resemblance between the location of the East African colony in Africa and Paraguay in South America—both situated toward the eastern central part of their respective continents, with the difference being Paraguay’s lack of sea outlets compared to East Africa’s extensive coast.

This is also East Africa’s advantage and disadvantage compared to Paraguay: East Africa has more development potential with numerous ports, whereas the disadvantage is the greater maritime threat that East Africa faces.

The East African colony currently lacks a navy, equating to an open door facing the Indian Ocean, necessitating responses to potential enemies from the Indian Ocean direction.

Two solutions exist: one is to establish its own naval forces, and the second is to build defensive structures along the coast, especially important installations like fort batteries that can retaliate.

The navy, oh! It’s a costly affair, and if the scale is too small, it’s entirely useless and can only bully some fishing boats; armed merchant ships aren’t easy targets.

Moreover, the navy is purely a technical arm, without accumulated experience and extensive training, it is hard to utilize its effects.

Given the current economic situation of the East African colony, fantasies are unnecessary; it’s more practical to focus on some fort batteries.

Right now, there’s a favorable window period for purchasing some retired large-caliber cannons from European retired ships. The last Battle of Lissa between Austria and Italy’s ironclad ships accelerated the upgrade pace of naval vessels in various countries.

Many old warships are facing retirement along with their large-caliber cannons that naturally also require retirement.

For efficiency, some countries may dismantle and continue their service, such as using them as coastal defense cannons, or some countries might find buyers to take over.

Interestingly, Ernst managed to obtain a batch of large-caliber cannons retired from warships from Austria-Hungary. Although second-hand, they remained sturdy and serviceable, far more intimidating than those ”shell” cannons left by the Zanzibar Sultanate.

Mtwara, as the southernmost sea port in East Africa, naturally gets to enjoy the convenience first; ships traveling between Europe and East Africa reach Mtwara Port first.

Mtwara Port, having received prior notifications, had already constructed foundational outlines of the basic fort batteries. The design was drafted by professionals from the Austria-Hungary naval department and represents the most advanced of this era.

Just waiting for the cannons to be in place, make the final shooting calibrations, and it will be complete.

Workers, having exerted tireless efforts, finally transported the cannons to the designated location, with the accompanying Austria-Hungary naval advisors personally overseeing the ammunition loading and target selection.

Once all preparatory procedures were complete, the cannon aimed at the sea’s prearranged target, a wooden float marked with red paint.

”Fire!”

”Boom...”

A roar accompanied by thick smoke from the cannon muzzle, the coastal defense cannon precisely hit the specified area and exploded.

A massive wave surged up instantly on the sea surface, along with the floating target, bursting into pieces soaring into mid-air.

Personnel close to the firing point, both operators and observers by the coast, all felt a deafening roar in their ears, experiencing a noticeable air wave the moment the ammunition was fired.

Judging by this, these cannons’ power is definitely adequate for dealing with some large armed vessels of the current era.

However, drawbacks exist too, with ammunition still needing import from Austria-Hungary, and prices aren’t cheap, thus requiring frugality in usage, simultaneously enhancing the gunners’ professional skills to compensate for the shortage of ammunition.