Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 777

777. A Self-Inflicted Disaster (12)

The pirates were able to target the carrack thanks to the tactics of the English fleet, or rather, the tactics common among European navies at that time.

The naval tactics of European powers at this time hadn’t significantly evolved; the primary change was the replacement of traditional weaponry with cannons.

Naval warfare typically involved disorganized melee combat.

The carrack was designed to excel in these chaotic naval engagements. Its high forecastle [the raised structure at the front of the ship] and sterncastle [the raised structure at the rear of the ship] functioned as floating fortresses. Smaller vessels like caravels or dhows found it exceedingly difficult to board a carrack.

Attempting to approach too closely for an attack often resulted in severe damage from the concentrated fire raining down from the forecastle and sterncastle.

Therefore, the pirates prioritized attacking the caravels.

The caravels, targeted by the pirates, skillfully maneuvered to evade capture, using the carrack-class warships, the ‘Golden Blow’ and ‘Golden Mary,’ as shields.

The strategy was to lure the pirate ships into the crossfire between the two heavily armed carracks.

This was, of course, a common, almost predictable tactic.

Consequently, despite the pirates’ perceived cleverness, a traditional, messy melee ensued.

If the commanders of the Imperial Navy had witnessed this, they would have undoubtedly erupted in curses.

“Idiots who can’t even maintain a battle line! What a waste of good ships!”

* * *

It had been quite some time since forming a battle line became standard practice for the Imperial Navy in naval engagements.

This shift began at the end of the Goryeo Dynasty when cannons were introduced, sparking the idea of mounting them on ships for offensive purposes.

Initially, the approach was rudimentary: warships equipped with cannons would simply advance in a goose formation or blockade harbors, engaging in basic artillery exchanges.

However, it was Hyang who revolutionized naval strategy.

Hyang, having enhanced the existing cannons to create more powerful versions, advocated for the panokseon [a sturdy, oar-and-sail-powered warship], a warship specifically designed for artillery warfare and equipped with these improved cannons.

Previously, cannons were simply added to existing ships, but the panokseon was conceived from the ground up as a dedicated artillery platform.

Consequently, Sejong [a Joseon Dynasty king] and the Navy gradually introduced panokseons, a change facilitated by the Joseon Dynasty’s improved financial stability through austerity measures.

Hyang continued to push for innovation.

“Should we stop at just mounting cannons? Shouldn’t we also develop a proper formation?”

“Formation?”

“At sea? Is that even feasible?”

To the skeptical naval commanders, Hyang responded resolutely.

“We must make it feasible! They are all panokseons, so we simply need to train a little more.”

Despite the considerable hardship endured by many naval soldiers due to that ‘a little more’ training, Hyang’s proposal significantly enhanced the navy’s capabilities.

The navy’s strength increased dramatically as they mastered various formations, including the single line, long snake, and crane wing formations. This was due to the enhanced concentration of firepower that these formations allowed.

Following the introduction of the panokseons, the Challenger-class and Haeung-class warships were deployed in large numbers, ushering the Joseon Navy, and later the Imperial Navy, into the era of line-of-battle ships.

As the saying goes, ‘challenge and response,’ surrounding countries, particularly Ming China, actively adapted to these developments.

They constructed larger warships like the Daebokseon and incorporated line-of-battle tactics into their naval doctrine.

In response, Hyang developed the ‘Charge Gwisun,’ a ship designed to break enemy lines. Ming then countered with the ‘Double-Headed Flame Dragon,’ but this project only resulted in wasted resources and lives.

* * *

There were two primary reasons why Europe had not yet adopted line-of-battle ship tactics.

The first, and most significant, reason was financial constraints.

The production of cannons, the construction of ships to mount them, and the training of sailors to operate these ships demanded substantial investment.

While more and more countries recognized the potential profits of maritime dominance, pioneered by Portugal and Spain, most European nations still prioritized land-based economies centered on agriculture.

For many European countries, cannons remained primarily siege weapons.

The second reason was a lack of information.

The Portuguese ships traveling between Suez and the port of Mokpo in Bonji [likely a misspelling, perhaps referring to a location in India or Southeast Asia] had not witnessed the Imperial Navy executing a proper line of battle.

During conflicts with Ming, they typically remained near the southwest or Tsushima Island for safety. They had observed skirmishes between pirates and the Imperial Navy during their voyages, but these encounters usually involved only a few Challenger-class warships or three or four Haeung-class warships overwhelming pirates.

Consequently, European countries had not yet fully grasped the concept of line-of-battle ships and tactics.

In the battle between the pirates and the English fleet, the English fleet formed a rudimentary line with two carrack ships. However, this was not a deliberate maneuver executed by a well-trained navy, but rather the instinctive actions of experienced captains.

If this trend continued, it was evident that the adoption of line-of-battle tactics by European navies would be a slow and costly process.

* * *

“Hoo~.”

After the battle with the pirates, Captain Blow and the other captains and sailors took a breather, their faces etched with fatigue.

The captains and sailors had fought fiercely to repel the relentless pirate attacks.

The pirate ships, pursuing the evasive caravels, had entered the firing range of the two carrack ships and were decimated by concentrated fire.

The longbowmen stationed in the high forecastle and sterncastle unleashed volleys of arrows with the renowned ‘English longbow,’ while the musketeers fired their muskets.

The pirates, positioned lower on their ships, were cut down by arrows and bullets, and their sails and decks were set ablaze by fire arrows, turning their vessels into floating infernos.

The pirates, however, were not without cunning. They attempted to intercept the escaping caravels and board them, forcing the caravels to maneuver erratically to avoid being boarded.

As a result of this intense battle, the English fleet sustained considerable damage.

“The ‘Golden Wind’ has sunk, and the ‘Golden Rose’ is severely damaged. The other ships can sail without problems with minor repairs.”

“Damn it…. Tsk!”

Captain Blow, clicking his tongue at his subordinate’s report, turned to the clan representative.

“What shall we do? Shall we return to London?”

“What do you suggest?”

“Returning and reorganizing before setting off again is a viable option. However, our main strength, the Golden Blow and Golden Mary, are still operational, so continuing the voyage is also feasible.”

“Hmm…”

At Captain Blow’s words, the clan representative stroked his chin and looked at Captain Blow. Sensing the unspoken question, Captain Blow elaborated.

“In the first scenario, we can thoroughly prepare and start again. However, we would need to acquire at least two new ships and recruit sailors, which would incur significant additional costs.”

“Additional costs…”

At Captain Blow’s words, the representative looked troubled. Even now, there was considerable dissent among the clan members due to the expenses exceeding initial projections.

Returning empty-handed and requesting more funds would likely lead to the clan’s dissolution, or even bankruptcy.

“In the latter scenario, what are the advantages and disadvantages?”

“The advantage is that many of the new sailors and slaves have gained valuable experience through this battle. Furthermore, since our main forces, the Golden Blow and Golden Mary, remain intact, the long voyage itself shouldn’t pose a major problem. The disadvantage is that we are not strong enough to withstand another battle of this magnitude.”

“Do you anticipate another pirate attack?”

“We should be safe from pirates once we get near the Azores [a group of volcanic islands in the mid-Atlantic].”

“Hmm…”

The clan representative, after considering Captain Blow’s words, proposed a compromise.

“Let’s gather the captains and solicit their opinions.”

“Alright.”

Shortly after, the captains of the surviving ships arrived by boat and boarded the Golden Blow.

“Where is the captain of the Golden Rose?”

“Captain Sanchez has passed away, along with the first mate.”

The navigator from the Golden Rose announced the deaths of the captain and first mate. Captain Blow clicked his tongue at the news.

“Tsk. They were cheerful fellows, what a shame.”

Captain Blow, saddened by the loss of the talkative but always jovial Spanish captain and first mate, quickly moved on to the matter at hand.

After hearing Captain Blow’s summary, the captains discussed and shared their opinions on ‘continuing the voyage.’

-When we set off, many competitors were already well-prepared. If we return now, we risk falling behind. Let’s continue the voyage.

“If that is your consensus, let’s continue the voyage. Then…”

With the decision to resume the voyage made, the fleet’s sailors and captains began repairs in the open sea.

The crew, food, gunpowder, materials, and treasures were removed from the severely damaged Golden Rose and distributed among the other ships, and the bodies of the sailors who perished during the battle were transferred from other ships to the Golden Rose.

“What about the wounded slaves?”

Captain Blow, upon receiving the question, made a ruthless decision.

“Load the slaves with irreparable serious injuries onto the Golden Rose.”

“…Understood.”

In this manner, the severely injured slaves were transferred to the Golden Rose. None of the sailors objected to Captain Blow’s decision. They were well aware that the fleet’s limited medical resources and expertise offered no hope for these slaves.

Once the transfer was complete, the fleet’s longbowmen simultaneously fired fire arrows at the Golden Rose.

Thanks to the oil that had been poured in advance, the Golden Rose quickly became engulfed in flames, and the fleet’s sailors offered a silent prayer as they watched the ship burn.

* * *

The fleet, having completed its repairs, resumed its voyage towards the Azores.

Upon arriving at the Azores, the fleet immediately began resupplying.

While replenishing the fleet with the necessary food and supplies, Captain Blow encountered a new challenge.

“You’re requesting to disembark?”

“Yes, Captain.”

“Why?”

“I’m scared.”

Captain Blow looked troubled at the words of the young sailor, who still had a youthful face.

‘I can’t say I don’t understand…’ he thought.

The young man had become a sailor at a young age, driven by a longing for adventure and the outside world, but the recent battle had brutally revealed the harsh realities of life at sea.

“Hmm…”

After a moment of contemplation, Captain Blow made a decision.

“I grant you permission to disembark. I’ll calculate your wages for the distance you’ve traveled.”

“Thank you!”

“However, since you are breaking the contract, I’ll base your payment on half of the promised wage.”

“Still, thank you!”

Similar situations unfolded on other ships, and ultimately, the fleet had to recruit new sailors and slaves to replace those who left.

* * *

The English fleet, having completed its resupply and manpower replenishment in the Azores, set sail westward once more.

After more than ten days of uneventful sailing towards the setting sun, the fleet faced another crisis.

“Disease?”

Captain Thomas’s expression turned grim upon receiving his subordinate’s report. The two things he dreaded most during a voyage were pirates and disease.

“What kind of disease is it?”

“That’s… I believe it’s smallpox….”

Captain Thomas’s face paled at the sailor’s answer.