| 1 |
So you are the captain that is going to help us construct the first commercial motor ship? I am the lead engineer of the project. Let’s go for a cup of coffee before we get to work. |
| 2 |
Our company, B&W, has been building ships for a long time. But using the new diesel engine as propulsion has been my idea. We will need to experiment with different materials first. |
| 3 |
We have built a lot of steamships. So I will start with the construction based on a steamboat first. The modern steamers are constructed mainly from iron, so we will work with that. |
| 4 |
Apart from helping me with the construction, I will also need your assistance with handling the delivery of the food supplies to our factory. Our last supplier went bankrupt a week ago. |
| 5 |
Can I see your fleet and maybe have a word with your crew? I like to know the people I am doing business with. And I always get the best ideas by talking with others. |
| 6 |
After having a word with your crew I got a great idea for a ship design. I must make a model before I forget the details. Quick, get me some material I can use! |
| 7 |
This model shows the main parts of the ship. But the most important part, her heart, is the engine which will run on fuel made from oil. Let’s get some in advance, we will need a lot of it for the test runs. |
| 8 |
Before we can even start the work we need to buy the design for the diesel motor. I like to arrange my business personally so let’s go to Germany and visit Mr. Diesel. |
| 9 |
The B&W has a sister company in Germany. Since we are already going there, we can take care of the next shipment of goods to our subsidiary. I am sure your fleet can handle it. |
| 10 |
I have arranged a meeting with Mr. Diesel for tomorrow. Today we can check the local market. Maybe there will be some things we can use for our motor ship. |
| 11 |
The deal is sealed. I have obtained the rights for the diesel engine for my company. Now nothing stands in our way of constructing the first motor ship. Let’s go back on one of your ships and get to work. |
| 12 |
I might have jinxed it by being so enthusiastic. The factory workers are on a strike. We need them at work now. Let’s give them some free lunches and hope they will calm down. |
| 13 |
The free food worked for now, but I think this situation is not completely resolved yet. Let’s start the work on the ship before they go on strike again. |
| 14 |
I need to make some experiments with the basic engine before I can design one to be used in a ship. I will need some fuel for that. It’s highly flammable, so please handle it with care. |
| 15 |
You are a good business partner so I decided to offer you a partnership on the project. It will require some financial investment at first, but it’s guaranteed to pay back in time. |
| 16 |
I have made some designs about how to incorporate the diesel engine into the ship. We will make a few changes to the typical steamship design. For example, she won’t have a funnel. |
| 17 |
We don’t need to make the prototype too big. It will serve for testing purposes mainly, so let’s finish the hull and decks with some cheaper material. |
| 18 |
Let’s concentrate on the engine now. I need you here, captain, so leave your fleet in care of your sailors. I am sure they will handle it fine for a while. |
| 19 |
The ship is ready, now we just need to install the engine and get ready for the first test on the water. Please, prepare the dock for our newest ship. |
| 20 |
Well, the motor died after a few minutes. I will need to make some tweaks here and there. Just leave it to me and you handle the delivery of food for our employees. We need to keep their bellies full. |
| 21 |
The design of the ship is good. I need to concentrate on the diesel engine now. We will have to make more test runs and that means we will need more fuel. |
| 22 |
The engine is working. And we have already received the first order for the diesel motors from a carriage factory. I must personally oversee the construction of the engines and you can deliver the materials. |
| 23 |
We can’t afford any complications while we are working on an order from a customer. So let’s get the workers a bonus so they will be content and concentrate on work. |
| 24 |
The engines are ready for transport to our client. But first, let’s make sure they will endure the voyage without any harm. We will need a solid crate for each engine. |
| 25 |
The first delivery of diesel motors made by our company was a success. The client is happy and I am sure we can expect more orders soon. We are making a little celebration at the company, call your crew too. |
| 26 |
Let’s get back to business! We got a contract for our first motor ship, and it may very well be the first seaworthy motor ship in the world. So let’s get to work! |
| 27 |
The East Asiatic Company ordered a large passenger-cargo ship with a diesel engine. The consumption of fuel will be huge even for the test runs. Let’s buy some oil first, before the price rises. |
| 28 |
We have an unrelated issue. One of the fishing vessels we made has malfunctioned. I promised the client to send him some help, while we fix the problem. You do have some fishing vessels, right? |
| 29 |
While you were away fishing, the works on the motor ship have progressed well. We are already ahead of schedule. The only problem is that we will soon run out of construction materials. |
| 30 |
We have had some troubles at the factory today. I think our workers need to be schooled properly in the construction of the new engine. It won’t be cheap, but it is necessary. |
| 31 |
The motor ship will be able to sail with a smaller crew than an average steamship. However, the sailors will have to be schooled in how to handle the new equipment. How about a short course for the men? |
| 32 |
The ship will serve both as a cargo transport and as a passenger liner. So we will need to make some pretty cabins for the passengers and a large enough cargo hold. |
| 33 |
The ship needs to be properly balanced so that when she is fully loaded she won’t lean to a side. We must be prepared for a heavy cargo like marble or bricks. |
| 34 |
I promised to the client that we will take care of the fuel for the maiden voyage as a form of discount for the ship. She was not cheap, I will tell you. So let’s get that oil processed. |
| 35 |
I received a word from my friend who owns the canning factory. They just lost a few ships during a storm. Since you are such a great fisherman, you could help supply them with fresh fish. |
| 36 |
The fish have left an unpleasant smell in the cargo hold of your ships. We need a bunch of men to clean it up down there before we use the ships to deliver more material for the motor ship. |
| 37 |
Now we can finish the captain’s cabin and the main deck. We will need some more metal for that. |
| 38 |
I have just got the message from the client. He has chosen a name for the ship. She will be called Selandia. Let’s buy some paint to make her pretty and write her name on the hull. |
| 39 |
She looks perfect inside and out. We are ready for launch. There are still some details that will need to be completed later. But we can prepare the launching track and get her on the water. |
| 40 |
The ship is with her new owners and is getting ready for her maiden voyage to Bangkok. I have been invited aboard for the voyage. Have you ever been to Thailand? |
| 41 |
You remember that special discount I promised our client? I did not expect the maiden voyage to be so long. We will need more fuel to cover the whole voyage. |
| 42 |
We have oil for the engine and now we need only food for the people. Then we can head out into the sea. The first stop will be in London. |
| 43 |
British Prime Minister Churchill will be visiting Selandia in London. Warn the men to be ready. Everything must be perfect. This is a chance to gain new customers from England. |
| 44 |
Mr. Churchill was impressed with our ship. This promises a good future for us. Now we are full of passengers but we have still a cargo of iron to pick up at Antwerp. So let’s get going. |
| 45 |
The docking fee in Antwerp is horrendous. But everyone wanted to see the ship that does not smoke. We have got the people’s attention for sure. And the investment will pay back in no time. |
| 46 |
Selandia is far more fuel efficient than the steamships and she can be operated with a much smaller crew too. That means we have more space for some additional cargo. |
| 47 |
The East Asiatic Company already ordered a sister ship for Selandia. I promised them the same deal as before, fuel for the maiden voyage for free. |
| 48 |
We can start looking around for the materials for Jutlandia, Selandia’s sister ship. In Europe everything is too expensive, we can get the materials in Asia much cheaper. Let’s make use of that. |
| 49 |
There is no stop planned until we arrive in Bangkok. Let’s talk to the quartermaster and see if they have enough supplies for the voyage. We can always help them out a bit. |
| 50 |
We have successfully arrived in Bangkok and the ship has proven herself. Let me thank you and all of your sailors too. Thanks to you we will be able to construct many motor ships in the future. |
| Final |
It was a productive time we spent together, captain. And here is the fruit of our work, MS Selandia. Take care of her. Goodbye! |
IVAR KNUDSEN
9,195,000
95
5,479,000
2,630,000
2,558,000
1,456,000
360
8,783,000
3,500
800
15