Странное оружие Наполеона Бонапарта

While researching new facts about Napoleon, I came across this floating contraption. It was built by the French for the invasion of England. Interrogation of a French prisoner of war revealed that such a thing was already in development. Considering it was supposed to be wooden (and judging by the images, it was), the whole idea seems extremely odd (unless it was supposed to be steel). A wooden structure would hardly have supported such dimensions. Apparently, it was never built, but who knows? 600 feet long, 300 feet wide, armed with 500 cannons, 36- and 48-pounders, capable of carrying 15,000 troops. The description below reads: View of a French raft floating on the Saint-Malo River in February 1798. An accurate depiction of the raft and its equipment, invented by the French for their proposed invasion of England. The description below speaks of 60,000 men and 600 cannons. A new machine (or raft) to cover (or protect) the French landing during their proposed invasion of England. This is another version of the story that the French were supposedly building a raft for an invasion of Britain in early 1798. Unlike other engravings created during this wave of paranoia in London, which present the vessel as an overly fantastical invention more in keeping with the tales of Baron Munchausen, this engraving demonstrates strict geometric symmetry, claiming to be based on fact.​ Indeed, the claim that the engraving was based on an original drawing by a French prisoner of war, as well as the numerous statistical details in the caption, lend it even greater credibility. ​ The machine is described as follows: 2,100 feet long and 1,500 feet wide; 500 cannons weighing 36 and 48 pounds are mounted around it; two windmills are located at each end, turning wheels in the water in any wind direction for navigation; in the middle is a fort with Perriers-type mortars. ​ There were 60,000 men on board: cavalry, infantry, and artillery. However, this does not change the fact that the "new machine" was unseaworthy, and there is no reliable evidence that such a vessel was under construction on the northern coast of France at that time. Drawing: The destruction of a French raft by an English frigate commanded by brave British sailors. February 6, 1798. Whether the above images are accurate or not is unknown. I had to search for references to similar developments in 19th-century books. The "windmill" as a propulsion mechanism is mentioned 38 years later in a book from 1836. Windmill Ship. The "Italian Library" mentions that engineer Giuseppe Bruschetti designed a ship propelled by the windmill principle. "The vessel has two paddles, like a steamboat, and the windmill mechanism is designed in such a way that if there is any wind, no matter from which direction it blows, the vessel is propelled by sails and can be steered in any desired direction." We suspect this is merely an Italian revival of some of the many similar projects discussed in England—two or three of which are described in the pages of our publication. If Signor Bruschetti turns to our 16th volume, page 65, he will see what to expect if he ever attempts to implement his ideas on a large scale. In 1855, this system was called a "new system of marine propulsion." Windmill. The newspaper "Diario de la Marina" reports that Signor Carbia of Cuba is proposing a new system of ship propulsion by constructing windmills on the decks of his ship, with large sails transmitting the motion to side wheels similar to those used on steamships. Models have been successfully developed; it remains to be seen whether the wind force applied in this way will be sufficient to give the ships the speed of conventional sailing vessels. If this problem is satisfactorily solved, writes the Diario, it is obvious that a windmill-powered ship will sail equally well with either a favorable or a favorable wind, since, since the position of the sails can be easily adjusted, they can always be pointed against the wind, regardless of its direction. The inventor has applied to the Cuban government for patent protection; and, once granted, he will begin conducting his experiments on a large scale. These "windmill ships" were also discussed in 1872. It appears that at least one such ship actually existed at some point. Windmill Ship. Mr. F. W. Hayward may never have seen or heard of such a ship before 1867; But a "windmill"-type vessel was built and sailed. *** Support me: 2200701749288293 T-Bank Evgeny V. In the payment details, write "gift" or "donation." *** For collaboration: [email protected] *** My website: razgadki-istorii.ru Boosty: https://boosty.to/razgadki Telegram: https://t.me/razgadki