Arden by: dnrock(dnrock@rock.com)
Dear Reader: Just a brief reminder. Almost all of the science and technology Arden describes below is well documented. Dates of occurrence, are solid.
40: Weapons, Spies and Diplomacy
1319, 4th month, 18th day:
The General, Vitale, Raffaele and Odo's mother arrived the other day, along with our French connection and several other former sanctuary men. I was quite surprised to see the General, is not only in excellent health but in no great need of the temple waters. He did desire them but did not need. This poor health business was an elaborate ruse. The General will be joining the university as professor of military history. Raffaele will become a student studying military history, Odo's mother will continue to be the General's house keeper and Vitale will fade into obscurity, in readiness for his next assignment. I think Hesiodos has enlightened Iason on this but if so he is keeping it secret from even me. Raffaele will continue to live in the Generals home, he has joined the Phi Alpha fraternity. I assume the General will write to Florence, saying the climate of Parga is beneficial to his failing health and he will remain here as an academic for the remainder of his life.
I know Odo is happy that his mother is not only well and being well cared for but also close to him. He was much disappointed in her when he came to us but that has been forgiven. I think he realized she had little or no choice at the the time.
The captured pirate ships sailed for Taranto today and will be sold. The Prince Polydeukus escorted them and will return with our officers. The former slaves proved to be a very interesting lot. Most had some place or another they wish to attend. A hand full asked to return to Parga as they had no home or other country. Very few desired to continue in anyone's navy. I think I can understand that. Those that wish to return to Parga will be welcomed.
It is still unclear what will happen to the pirates. Apparently the local sultan in Bejaia, is not very interested in having them returned, claiming they are not his concern or vassals. This presents a bit of a problem for us. We do not want or need them here. We have no employment for pirates or mercenaries. I do not trust them either. One can see the difference between the Florentines and these pirates. The Florentines were professionals and honorable. These pirates are professional after a fashion but I do not feel honorable; as I understand it, they have some different views of both professionalism and honor. The scholar advisors tell us that these North African pirates are a little of both, self financing thieves and extensions of sultanic foreign policy. Many sultans receive a share of the plunder for the privilege of sailing from his port and from the sale or ransom for any slaves captured.
As to the notion of honor and lawfulness, I think the basis is just different. The scholars tell me that by the standards of North African societies they are no more or less honorable than anyone else. By those standards what they do is lawful and according to their custom. The problem then must lay in the basis of laws and customs between our two societies. They are theocratic and we are secular. We in Parga are not bound to some external theocracies, our neighbors are theocratic. It is just that we have more in common with our neighbors then with the North Africans. We share a common heritage even if that be moderated by state religions. The customs and standards of their society is just different from ours.
These North Africans are Islamic but they have a singularly different view of Islam than those of that faith among us. I think it is more cultural than religious. As to their culture I am less than impressed. They view us, as our ancestors and the Romans viewed barbarians. I just keep asking myself who are the barbarians. To us, me anyway, they are barbarians. I see little art, music or even poetry being developed in these places. The art is sterile and devoid of humanity. It does have complex and interesting patterns and rich color. Perhaps they never had any. I see the Persians and Egyptians continuing with some music, poetry and writing. The great Alexander would be much saddened to see what has become of these once great societies. He was a builder and purveyor of Greek ideals and valued knowledge, he was not a destroyer as these theocrats are.
We princes feel, pressure need be brought upon this sultan to admit these pirates are his vassals. He need be made to pay the price for allowing them to attack the ships of Parga. Some say we should just ignore them, others say try and appease them. We say nonsense to both. The only thing they understand or respect is raw and blunt power or force.
Between us we have formulated a plan that I believe will make the point so forcefully, this sultan will pay the price we demand and instruct his vassals not to interfere with any ship flying the ensign of Parga. Should that point fail we will simply destroy his pirates and lay his land open for others to plunder. The price of attacking Parga will be so great only a fool would do so again. I think the point will also be made to other pirate ports on that coast. Bejaia is the largest and has the reputation of being the most fearsome. Since the Venation's and Genoese trade with these places they are unwilling to take direct action. Uncle Iason told us not to even inform them of our intentions.
By the winter soloists we will have eight Prince Class Ships commissioned and armed with 20 to 24 Kannons. Combined with 240 marines on each and our other armaments, every ship in that port will be sunk and destroyed. To implement this plan we will place spies on the Venetian and Genoese merchants that call on Bejaia regularly. The Sicilians have assured us of their full support in what ever venture we choose. Kastor and Father do not trust the Sicilians all that much, but feel if we present them with a good opportunity they would follow up on it. We have not told them what our plan is as yet and will not until the last possible moment. This will take much preparation and readiness.
Kastor will spend much effort to evaluate the potential for spies among us. Identify who they are, who they work for and how we can turn that to advantage. The Venation's are fully aware of our Kannons as we buy them from Venice. They buy war ships from us. To date we have not sold any Prince Class ships to anyone. No other navy we know of, uses Kannons of this size and to the extent we do either. We are a small, locally powerful, reliable ally. It is in their best interest to keep us that way, since most of the trade moving along the East side of the Adriatic pass us and they control its bulk. It is not in their interest to see us extend our power beyond our local waters. The same can be said for most other states in the Mediterranean.
I hope for some kind of political solution but if that proves impossible then military action will be required. The Sicilians have told us the 7 lost ships will mostly be replaced by early next year. The lost officers and trained crews are another matter. We have asked the Spanish and Sicilians to take some advantage of these losses, by pressuring the pirates that operate from other ports to hinder the rebuilding process. It is said Bejaia had as many as 25 pirate vessels operating from it.
Polydeukus has suggested we use the stories of the magic prince and his magical ships to spread fear to the pirates in general and Bejaia specifically. I think that a good idea but did not want it limited to me. I suggested Odo and Thoren conspire to tell the captured pirates and visiting seamen the wildest and most outrageous tails of our magical powers and those of our Prince Class ships.
If these people are superstitious, as they seam to be, let us make advantage of it. It is our way to give respect to the beliefs of others. Since these men give none to us or anyone else, I think it only fair to use what we can against them. Those among them who are educated, beyond the narrow constrains of their religious writings, will not be fooled. Fortunately most of these pirates are not. Among the tails being told are: Pargaian arrows are dipped the the blood of swine, much of our leather is their skin, some of our weapons are fueled by the fat of these animals, our ships need no wind to sail and of course have no oars. Our princes have the power to summon great storms and render plagues and pestilence upon them at will and cause their women to be barren. These are a few examples. The stories of battles, captures and sinkings need be little more than factual the minds of the listeners will do the rest.
Several weeks ago the logs of the two captured ships and letters from the captured officers were sent, via a Venetian merchant, to Bejaia. King Iason wrote a long letter which was translated into Arabic, line by line. In it he expressed his surprise and disappointment that our ships had been attacked on two occasions. On both occasions without provocation and in waters well removed from Bejaia. Having lost 7 ships and many men in these ill-fated adventures, he hoped the Bejalanese had learned a valuable lesson and that in the future, ships flying our ensign would be treated with respect. Nothing short of a seriously enforced decree, forbidding any vessel using Bejaia as a port or based their, from attaching us would be acceptable. Bejaia will immediately arrange transportation for the prisoners to their home port. In addition, Bejaia is expected to endow a chair in Arabic language studies at our university, which will cost 100 florins/ year for the next ten years. They have the privilege of nominating the qualified scholar that will fill that chair. The university would provide living quarters for the scholar and his family.
These terms are not negotiable and this offer will expire in 60 days. Letters from the senior officers and the officials at the mosque were also included. Somehow Hesiodos had placed spies among the captured. He told us the letters were sealed by the writers and placed by them in the box, with the logs and King Iason letter and that was sealed by the captain of the merchantman taking it. We do not know exactly what anyone except King Iason wrote. This came as quite a surprise to them. From the spies we know the mosque people assured the sultan that King Iason was two things, honorable and fair minded but not known to let deadlines slip or tolerate mischief (TN: he probably means double dealing) of any kind. The prisoners pleaded to be brought home immediately. They were being treated well, much better then they expected but feared that should the sultan fail to secure their release they would be turned over to the Sicilians or some other unfriendly power.
None of us believe King Iason's terms will be accepted, not even the writer. These pirates are fond of holding hostages for ransom. They somehow feel others should pay them tribute. They do not believe they should ever pay. They seam to believe the only rules they are to follow are the ones they make and no one else's.
This time they will play by our rules or they will be crushed. Since we have no trade with them and our few merchant vessels almost never venture into their waters, it is us, not them, who require appeasement. I am not all that fond of the Sicilians either but they are at least realistic and seam a bit flexible. We do have common cause with them as relates to these pirates, even if our objective are somewhat different.
1319, 4th month, 19th day:
Our boys presented us with a most entertaining and pleasurable evening. Six of them Joulous, Justus, Nikias, Kalkrates, Solon, Hilarus all danced while others played, Dios on his bagpipes and others on the drums. The six boys began dancing in a line. It was a relatively slow and sensuous dance and after 2 bars the melody repeated but the tempo increased, as did the dancing. On the third increase the six boys formed three pairs. Each pair proceeded to touch, fondle, and seduce, when the rhythm increased again the three pairs reformed into two triads. Now the dancing became more suggestive to the point of lewdness. The tempo slowed again and the two triads began having sex for real. This ran through two bars and the tempo slowed for another two. All the while the triads rearranged themselves so that each member had an equal time in the middle with one behind and one in front.
The melody was a very simple three note progression in two steps and repeated but descending and so on. When this was finished, Agapios and William came with two other pages and the boy singers and sang one of Odo's most erotic songs with the three pairs acting out the courtship and consummation of two lonely boys who find each other. This was followed by us twelve men being overwhelmed by boys. Each was ministered to by two and some three boys all seeking to share pleasure with us. It was quite clear that the under 12's in attendance would not be returning to their mothers this evening, several were proudly riding on our erections. Alfred and Dios had overwhelmed Iason and Nikias and Helladios, myself. I think Iason put up little resistance, I know I gave none.
1319, 4th month, 20th day:
Now that the General's health has returned and he is Professor of Military History, Raffaele has resigned his commission to become one of the General's students. He will still live in the General's home as his part time aid. Odo visits his mother as often as he is able. I think that is good for him, their is no doubt in my mind that he is a man who loves men, he still shows not the slightest sexual interest in women.
Vitale is preparing for a new assignment. He seams to find the business of being a spy most interesting. He will begin work as a junior officer apprentice on a Venetian trader that will call on a number of North African ports, in the next several weeks. He as been spending much time with Gergoio both in and out of bed. Vitale has a talent for easily picking up accents and mannerisms of other cultures and will be able to pass himself off as a Venetian; temporarily sent away from his Venetian colony home by his father, for some indecision or another. That will explain why he was dropped off by one trader and is being picked up by another.
We have been working out a new code with him, his music is not sufficient to allow this. Instead he will be armed with two books of the Torah that have been translated into Latin, Leviticus and Numbers. By using the chapter and verse numbering as identifiers, a simple letter identification code can be defined. This code changes with each new reference. By stating the reference differently, say combining two or three the letters of the words to use are identified. (TN: This is a substation code.) The communications will be short letters to a mythical scholar which discuss various philosophical points. If the reference is to Leviticus it mean letters, words, ideas and so on. It it is to Numbers it means numerical things and letter identifiers what the numbers represent.
Vitale will depart in the morning. I know, but no one else does, that three other sanctuary men are already at work on this information gathering project. They do not know about each other, two use this code method and one the musical code. Letters will be routed through Syracuse.
1391, 4th month, 25th day:
It has now been 23 days since the letters were sent. No reply has shown yet. We expect them to come at the very last, if at all.
Our new postal service is operating well and people seem satisfied with what 1 chalcus will accomplish. (TN: This coinage business is very complex and was different in every place. Arden has not said anything about it. Parga as a free city state issued its own coins. We know they were gold, silver and bronze from other comments Arden has made. This is the first time Arden has named one of them which was probably bronze, 1/8 of an obol, which was 1/6 of a drachma. We know they accepted foreign coins, he tells us that. What he has not said was how foreign money got changed. Since he does not mention banks or money changers it appears this was done by the state as in Ptolemaic Egypt. That would fall into Arden's recently assigned portfolio, we assume.)
Edward has written several letters as have Abrith, Abernath and Ajax. Edward tells me how much he likes Koalhurst and my family. My parents have made him feel wanted and comfortable. Abernath and Ajax write that Edward shows great promise with every task they assign him. He learns very quickly and is very exacting in performance. He does miss his brothers and I know they miss him as well. Perhaps I should plan a visit and take them and some of the other boys along. I will ask Kleitos if he and Squire Miltiades would like to accompany us.
1391, 5th month, 3rd day:
Our sojourn to Koalhurst was most successful and held no adventure. We did enjoy ourselves and the company of our friends. Since the first group of Koalhurst boys has now graduated they joined us for a community wide festival. The mayor did express some concern that so many young people were leaving for the city and my school that he would soon have a population shortage. I reminded him that many of them would be returning to the community in their new capacities.
Edward indicated that he was most interested in growing things and he wished to experiment to improve crops by selectively breading them, like we bread animals. I gave him much encouragement and told him to spend the remainder of the year here and we would revisit his future at that time. If he still desires to work with plants I have a place for him in the castle gardens. Perhaps he will be my Kleitos of plants. Abrith and Abernath have agreed to give him a small garden plot to do some experiments.
Information is starting to be returned about our pirate advisories. Other powers are putting pressure on all the pirate states along the African coast. Since Parga, such a small power, can so easily defeat them, others with larger navies have been embolden. It would appear our need to attack and destroy them in Bejaia will not come about. The Sultan is attempting to put a large fleet against us. He is gaining support from every pirate port, from Algiers east to Alexandria. They will send this armada from Tripoli north, in the hopes of avoiding opposition.
We met with the Venetian Ambassador yesterday. He was informed and has sent a message to Venice. The Venetian have a very large and powerful navy and consider the Adriatic as their sea. So too the Sicilians in regard to the Ionian. Me thinks Parga is the bate in a very large trap. Once we have a clear picture of the pirate strength, the Venetians and Sicilians will each match it. Admiral Pantaleon claims any one of our Prince Class vessels is equal to three pirates, if that be the case then our 7 ready equal 21 of them.
Karyakos sent a message to all the ports south of us, on both the east and west coasts alerting them to this impending battle. He explained that subsequent to our sinking and capturing of four Bejaia pirates the Sultan was raising a large armada in Tripoli, to sail against us. He did not ask for any help, claiming the pirate armada will be destroyed once they enter our historic zone of protection. He thought they should be alerted to the possibility that some may escape. We would not chase them south of Levkas' latitude.
1391, 5th month, 5th day:
Today after our council meeting I ran and ran, for several hours. Only Nikias on his horse could keep up with me. Everyone else was forced to drop out. I am stronger now then before I was wounded. Not just physically but in my mind as well. My once perfect body now has a scar. A reminder of the fragility of life and the importance of making the most of each day we live. It all started at the council meeting in the morning.
It was attended by an ancient knight, Sir. Metrophanes. He has almost 80 years and we had never met him before. He was carried into the hall by four knights. The man is a legend to say the least. He was a page in Iason the 2nd's court. He had been the primary Admiral that chased the pirates our of our waters during Iason the 4th's time. He was advisor to Iason the 5th and 6th.
All of the knights gathered around him. It was clear to everyone he was held in a reverence even greater than the King. Uncle seamed his most humble supporter. Each of the princes including Lysandros was presented to him. To each of us he had something special and personal to say. Lysandros was the last. "Lysandros you look exactly like your great, great, great grandfather Iason the 3rd. I know because he and I were boyhood friends. Few know, I was his uncle and Iason the 2nd's half brother. It is like being 8 yeas old again myself, to have you sitting next to me." He patted the stool and Lysandros sat.
Few of you know also that my sire was Iason the 1st. I never knew him. My mother told me she was just a young woman of 13, when she was sent to assist the old king in his last few weeks of life. She told me, to the very end he was both kind and in control of everything and everyone. She said, I thought my virginity was safe but you Met', she always called me that even when I became a knight, prove he was a true warrior to the last.'" He looked at Uncle, "See Iason I still know things you don't and still have something to teach the young ones.
Iason the 3rd and I were the wildest pages in my brother's court. My other nephews were no match for us but I must say they made a good try. Many of the traditions you boy have today were begun by us. I don't remember any of us climbing down ropes into the dining hall, Helladios. I do remember your name sake, Iason the 3rd's third son was by far the most efficent at producing children. He never married but as I recall he always had a bed chamber full of women and not a few boys as well." Helladios turned bright red and everyone laughed.
"I did not come here just to tell stories about your long dead forbears. I came here because I wanted to meet the fabled princes of Parga for myself. I thought we were, in my day, about as good as it would ever get in this business, I was wrong. You young men and boys have far surpassed us and your grandfathers and great-grandfathers. I wanted to tell you this myself for I know I have not much time remaining.
After talking to Pantaleon I am sure you will have even less difficulty defeating these pirates than I did. I am only envious of one thing, that I am far to old to command one of these magnificent vessels. I have one thing to ask of you princes. In the coming battle stay on the shore, your presence on the water will be more hindrance than advantage. If you are present all will devote to protecting their prince not overwhelming the enemy. Your sword and bow are truly of little added value with so many fighters. It is your leadership here in this chamber that can not easily be replaced.
One of your grandfathers, I won't tell you which, was so determined to sail into battle that the council of his day had to forbid it. I know that same sprit lives within all of you. The result was many years of division and friction between King and council. Parga did not need that then and it does not need anything like that now."
Sir. Metrophanes is correct of course. We all recognized the wisdom of his words. That did not mean I would easily stand by and watch the Prince Arden sail into battle without me. We see this as duty. Others see our duty in a different light. Neither is wrong but neither is completely correct.
Iason and I sought out one of the senior scholars to ask if Sir. Metrophanes had made this kind of speech in the council before? His answer was yes, 3 times. Did the princes of the day head his advice, we asked? The old man smiled and answered, "all the princes I have ever worked for have been men such as yourselves, reasonable."
We are still left to wonder who invited him. We strongly suspect he did not invite himself. This is something Father would do or put one of the councilors up to it, I am sure. Another lesson for the princes of Parga. I sought out a portrait of Iason the 3rd. Lysandros did favor him in facial features. He would appear to have been a very large man. Judging from Lysandros present size he to will be anything but small.
1319, 5th month, 6th day:
We spent the morning with the ingegneres who have developed some new weapons. These weapons are not new to the world, just new to us. We have learned the Chinese used a "fire arrow," an arrow carrying a flammable substance is also called a rocket. About 100 years ago, the Chinese Sung Dynasty, under pressure from Mongolians, found itself forced to rely more and more on technology to counter the threat. Chinese ordnance experts introduced and perfected many types of projectiles, including explosive grenades and Kannon. We have now perfected these rockets, Kannons and developed our own explosive grenades. When combined with our Greek Fire, this will give us a devastating advantage.
Our scholars tell us rocket fire-arrows were used to repel Mongol invaders at the battle of Kai-fung-fu in 1232 A.D. The rockets were huge and apparently quite powerful. According to a report: "When the rocket was lit, it made a noise that resembled thunder that could be heard for five leagues. When it fell to Earth, the point of impact was devastated for 2 stedia in all directions." Apparently these large military rockets carried incendiary material and iron pellets. Our sources describe the design as incorporating an "iron pot" to contain and direct the force (TN: thrust) of the gunpowder propellant. Our ingegneres showed us many different designs but all much smaller than that just described.
1241 A.D. accounts from Eastern Empire sources, describe rocket-like weapons being used by the Mongols against Magyar forces at the battle of Sejo, which preceded their capture of Buda Dec. 25, 1241. Rockets appear in Arab literature in 1258 A.D., describing Mongol invaders' use of them on February 15 to capture the city of Baghdad. Quick to learn, the Arabs adopted the rocket into their own arms inventory and, during the Seventh Crusade, used them against the French Army of King Louis IX in 1268. They did not seam to employ them all that much after that and it was not until 1316 that we learned much about how they worked and what could be done with them. As I understand, our scholars were exchanging mathematical and astronomical ideas and information with Ottoman scholars in Alexandria, when they were told about these rockets.
It is now 1319, rockets are incorporated into our arsenal. We have them for both land and navel offense and defense. On the land side they tend to be small and designed to be used mostly in defense. We can fire them, at ships like the catapults did but with much longer range. These are larger then the ones used against troops or calvary. The Castle will also be defended by special rockets designed to destroy segue machines and troop protection, as well as men. On our ships they will be used in three ways. They will be fired from tubs that are shaped like Kannons but are much lighter and can be aimed and loaded by only a couple of marines. They can be shoot also from tubs upward into a arch which drop onto a ship or onto the shore.
We have also developed a rocked like "machine" that skims over the water and crashed into a boat or ship causing an explosion and fire. These Skimmers (TN: torpedoes in our terminology) can cary both Greek Fire and explosive gunpowder. They need relatively calm water and have a limited range. The ingegneres are planning to use them in the Bejaia harbor, if we needed to go there. We could also launch them from the shore in our own harbor, should any ships ever get that far or from the little salt islands should the enemy come to close. If waters are calm and our ships are being attacked by galleys, they can be used to defend.
The ship launched rockets will explode on impact and some will also cary Greek Fire.
They have also developed an easily controlled source of light and fire for the ships and the land. It is a mixture of Lime and Koal, that when water is added produces heat and a gas which burns. It was discovered by accident in the lime kilns. Since we do not have sufficient forests to cut down for fuel, the lime kilns use Koal. Apparently, some thought to be unfinished lime, was mixed with Ajax's special Koal but the kiln was still active and the Koal and lime mixed to form this gray rock. Someone put water on it to cool it and it began to bubble. The Alchemists experimented and found this new combustible vapor. This means the flame used to light the fuses of the cannons and rockets or grandees can be portable and easily contained or controlled. On wooden ships with explosive material around, a good thing. I am told the light from this gas is also bright and is now used in the signaling devices at night or if the sun is covered. It will soon be used for lamps in the Castle, other buildings and on ships. (TN: This stuff would be calcium carbide and the gas acetylene.)
I have written this up in great detail in the special journal I began keeping about two years ago. It contains the science and engineering details from some of my university classes. (TN: We were not able to locate this journal in the archive. We suspect Arden kept it in some other place, perhaps where it could be easily accessed by others.)
Iason is planning a strategy meeting with the military for tomorrow. He has asked the General and one of our history scholars to speak. I expect most of the talking will be done by the Admiral and his staff.
1319, 5th month, 7th day:
The General and Tertius spoke first, they were more philosophical than specific. Some of the points they made were: Speed is the essence of war. Do the unexpected. Surprise is everything. Attack the enemy's strategy. Victory is essential, prolonged operations not. A military operation involves deception. Irritate and goad to imprudent action if possible and so on. "I have been told of military writings by a Chinese General named Sun Tzu. He said many things like we have this morning, most quite similar. He also advised what I have always done and what I know Pantaleon and others here do: "Treat your men as though they are your sons and they will follow you into the deepest valley."
Pantaleon outlined his approach to this whole affair. I have quoted him as best I could but fear much has been left out.
Given that galley style ships require a head on ram (TN: bowe on) and boarding, due to the oars, they are almost forced to use the line abreast tactic. The Kannons of others, which are still few and far between, are small and can only be used when close in contact, as they can only be fired once, due to long reload times. A problem we have solved.
Most other armaments are of limited range, since contact is so important. We started to change those rules during the Florentine war. Since they row during battle they need strike sails in most situations. We relied on our sails and had eliminated oars for all except maneuvering in port or gaining a little extra speed when needed.
That is why we were able to strike them in the side as we had great speed. We fired our Kannons and rained arrow on them before contact. Our catapults were highly effective as were and are our large cross bows which we launch from the side. Our range is twice others and our oars did not get in the way as they were ported. Unlike the Byzantines, our Greek Fire is flung by catapults and crossbows not short range syphons. Our objectives were to sink them if possible or render them unable to fight and board them only if necessary.
Now that we are completely sail ships, we can attack them from any side. We no longer have rams attached. Our kannons can be reloaded quickly and are not just anti personnel but capable of sinking them. The catapults and cross bows are still in service but used to deliver incendiary and now explosive devices. The new rockets and exploding Kannon shot, which can be delivered at twice the distance as before, now means we never need get close enough to the enemy to take their limited range shot, arrows or the like.
We know that they will try and keep a line abreast as that is what they know and how they must operate, give their oars. We no longer use that approach and at no time are we intending to expose ourselves to their rams. In the two recent battles we demonstrated that our superior number of long bows can devastate a boarding party long before they are even in range to answer. The large armaments and light catapults can devastate, set alight and sink with only a few direct hits. We have two new innovations, the bowes and sterns of the Prince Class ships are four times thicker then normal and also plated with Iron. Our sides can be protected by Iron chains held out further than the longest ram. These out riggers can be deployed when needed and retracted when not or cut loose should that be necessary. This added weight just reduces the need for ballast. Given that our ships are twice to three times the size of these pirate galleys, that means two to three times the weight. Should we need ram them, they will be crushed like an egg. Due to their design they can not board us if they ram ours in the side. This they will try and avoid. We have developed new and interesting ways of boarding them, as demonstrated in the most recent battle with these pirates.
If they can be denied land fall to rest and regroup they will be at great disadvantage. As long as the wind blows even moderately we can out run them. Even with the assistance of their sails they can not maintain battle speed for more than a few hours. They are greatly limited in time on the water due to lack of space for supplies. Our Prince Class ships have none of these problems.
We will not attack them unless we have tactical advantage. If the wind is not at our backs we will run. Forcing them to chase. If the wind is, we will come down upon them line astern or in some variation of line astern. Given our flexibility we can then attack in any formation desired.
The winds at this time of the year are from the north east, gentle to moderate in the morning picking up to good or better in the afternoon. The major currents on the east side of the Ionian run southward along the coast. In the area of Parga they become confused.
We will hold north of Parga until we get the signal to advance. The Venetian will hold still a little north of us and will follow our advance. The Sicilians will be coming in from the south of west and since the land is on the east, the enemy will be in a two pronged trap. If they try and run south the Epirus and Kafalianians will be waiting for them and the Venetian and Sicilians will give chase.
As we can now fire our Kannons at two minuet intervals we can start with our new rockets at 4 stadia and bow guns at 2 stadia. Our approach will be to sail between two, discharging our side Kannons into their sides and letting our archers, rockets, capatults and crossbows shoot freely until past. If they have a second line abreast behind the first we will just continue moving through them. If they are scattered we will need pick targets as best we can. Should they be to close together we can force them apart as they must protect their propultion. Our rudder and new sail configurations allow us to turn much more quickly and sharply than ever before. They will not be expecting this. All they know about our capabilities are the rummers and the report from the one that was to slow last summer. They will be expecting catapults and Crossbows as well as archers. We will open with rockets and Kannons.
If we can come from the stern the advantage is ours. They will think we intend to ram the stern. When they see us coming they will turn as quickly as possible to meat us head on, unless they can be surprised. When they turn space will be opened and we can take advantage of it. In any event these new rockets should completely surprise them and devastate them at the same time. If they run, all advantage is ours. If they prove faster then us we will hold position and devastate them as they try to attack.
These pirates are not accustomed to working in a highly coordinated way, with a large armada. Never having faced our kind of attack before, they will not have prepared for it. When combined with the high level of mystery and fear, created by the fables being circulated, many may completely brake ranks. Should they do that all will be lost for them. As demonstrated in the second battle, once alone they are totally open to us.
Parga has just changed navel warfare for ever. The rockets being shot from special tubes can be aimed like an arrow. The tubes can be reloaded in two minutes. They are in pairs but each tube is independent. The tubes can be elevated and the rocket shot like an arching arrow. We also have calculating machines attached to the range finder on each. Our large Kannons can also be elevated but not as much as the rocket tubes.
We expect between 25 and 30 pirate galleys. Venice is sending 50 galleys and the Sicilians 27. Other states will guard their coasts with naval ships and land armies to prevent them land fall or at least make those landfalls short and difficult. They think we are weak and out numbered. They do not realize we know they are coming. Good, let them think that, let them believe that. If we can catch them at night all the better. We have new ways of fighting night battles. We are out numbered in ships but our seven cary three times the number of marines all 30 of theirs will. They do not have anything like our armaments or innovations. They now fear Prince Arden is a sorcerer or magician. When this is over those that survive will believe just that.
The Venetian will hold at Kerkiri and the Sicilians at Syracuse. We have stationed two very special fishing boats at Malta. Each day they sail out crossing the path the pirates must take. At the first sign of them they will head for Sarycuse and Parga. These boats look like simple deep water fishing boats but they are very special. We have sever more of them in port now. They have 4 times the sail area per foot of length than any other boats we know of. They use a very large fin for stability and are very light. The mast is twice that normally on a boat of this size. The best the enemy can do is make it here in three day, with favorable winds. Sailing from Malta our ships should be able to report to Syracuse in less than one day to us in about 1 day. leaving 1 full day to properly position ourselves and the others. If we need leave them to sail the ocean looking for a fight that is fine with us. Our lookouts will spot the Sicilians long before they do. Perhaps we can entice them to come close to our shores as the shore defenses are also armed with rockets and much larger ones I should add.
He had much more to say and many other inventions and innovations which may or may not be employed or needed. This is only a brief summary.
After hearing this I was saddened that we were not permitted to venture out with the fleet. I am sure this battle will be won but I am not sure this will solve our problems with these pirates. I still believe my plan to destroy his ships in his own harbor is the only message that he will understand.
I now realize that for us to mount such an adventure would be very costly. It would leave us open for that period of time and would expose these wonderful weapons to others hastening their dissemination. It is best to keep as much a secret as possible. I suspect Pantaleon is quite correct, we do not need the Venetian or the Sicilians. That is knowledge neither of them need have. The Venetian still view us as useful allies and as long as we are never powerful enough to challenge them especially in the Adriatic, they will be content. The Sicialians view the Ionian as their area of marine influence. Again if we demonstrate to great a strength they will become worried and jealous. I do not trust them.
Pantaleon will try and draw the pirates close to the shore. At least close enough to be observed. We can then signal the Sicilians and Venetian as to position and needs with simple codes. They have all seen our ships but do not know the capabilities. The Admiral would have our fleet sweep through this armada and continue out to sea. He will inflict maximum damage possible on this single pass. That will mean sufficient pirates should remain to for the others to engage. They will feel they made a major contribution and praise themselves. We will praise them as well.
Kastor believes we must make sure all 7 of our ships return to port and to do so when our allies can see it so. He feels if we appear to weak one or both will try to take advantage. We must not forget Epirus. They will not try anything while the others are here but once their fleets leave our waters I am sure we can expect a visit and probably a fresh supply of spies.
Hesiodos assures me they have several here now but they have been cooped into our service. The Sicilians do not seam to play this game and the Venice has no need. I know the General made a great show of recovery after taking the baths at Apollo's temple. I assume Florence has one or two still in place. Once the pirates are defeated the Ottomans will surly take notice.