Why the Chinese play cricket (an Imperial Federation timeline)
- Thread starter Miss Construction
- Start date
Sort of new. in the OTL they did try to undermine British control, particularly by currying favour with the Kheldive. However this level of meddling is new, part of the increased colonial tensions between Britain and France. In this case they're particularly concerned at the British gaining control of Sudan, along with protecting their interests in the Canal (financed by them, though the British bought out the Egyptian share in 1875).
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Would the USA really countenance joining an organisation with the "Imperial" title?
IOTL Britain was supplying components for IJN vessels much later than this - guns, most notably.
At this point Cricket in the US is just about dead, basically only played in Philadelphia. Historically it was finally killed in 1909 when the Imperial Cricket Council refused to allow any non British Empire group to join. ITTL they ICC is formed sooner and while keeping the name, lets the US in. The Philadelphia Cricket Club did actually want in, so I figured they would join ITTL.
Yes right up till 1906 IIRC, but the Japanese had been gradually trying to shift over to domestic shipbuilding. They started with cruisers, then moved to building armoured cruisers domestically and final battleships. Just the transition phase was rather long.
Another minor but important addition
January 1884: Emperor Napoleon III's son Prince Louis-Napoleon, now serving as a captain in the Royal Artillery, marries Queen Victoria's daughter Princess Beatrice. Despite his marriage into the British royal family, he is allowed to continue his military career.
=McUpdate=
January 1884: Emperor Napoleon III's son Prince Louis-Napoleon, now serving as a captain in the Royal Artillery, marries Queen Victoria's daughter Princess Beatrice. Despite his marriage into the British royal family, he is allowed to continue his military career.
=McUpdate=
May-Aug 1894: Home to roost
~May-Aug 1894: Home to roost
May 1894: Despite conservative opposition to Prime Minister Afonso Celso's liberal reforms, the 1894 elections see the Liberals mainlining a majority in the Chamber of Deputies, while conservative dominance in the Senate is being slowly eroded. However, despite remaining Prime Minister Celso is now facing increasing discontent from within his own Liberal Party, both due to concerns over the pace of reform and the deteriorating economy.
May 1894: The Pullman Company is one the leading manufacturers of railway rolling stock in the US, with most of its workers living in company towns, close to their place of employment. As a result of the Panic of 1893 and subsequent depression, the demand for rolling stock has dropped dramatically. In response the Pullman Company has drastically slashed the wages of its workers without reducing the rents they charge in their company towns, leaving many of their workers facing sever financial hardship. In response the workers form the American Railway Union and call a general strike in an effort to reduce the rents the company is charging. When this proves unsuccessful in forcing the company to reduce their rents the union organises a boycott of all trains using Pullman cars for transport. As Pullman cars are found on most trains, this brings rail transport to a near halt in the US. In an effort to break the strike and get trains moving again, President Cleveland authorises the deployment of the army. The strike will last several months, worsening the already dire economic situation.
June 1894: Italian anarchist Sante Geronimo Caserio stabs and kills French President Sadi Canot in retaliation for the repression of anarchism in France. This will lead to most of Europe passing laws similar to the French 'Lois Scélérates' repressing the anarchist movement or support for 'propaganda of the deed.' This will be a major factor in the triumph of communism over anarchism in the radical left throughout Europe.
June 1894: A note obtained from Maximilian von Schwartzkoppen, German military attaché in Paris comes to the attention of French military intelligence. The note contains a list of secret French military documents which might be available, penned by an unnamed source. An investigation is immediately launched to discover the source of the leak.
June 1894: The Regional Administration Amendment Act increases the competency of the new national administration boards in Britain, giving them control over fisheries, most government artistic and cultural organisations, prison services and conservation. As with the original law creating the boards, the new new act generates a great deal of controversy and opposition from the Conservatives and Irish Coalition. The act originally included a provision for the boards to gain limited control over their funding, however this is defeated by the Conservatives in the Lords, along with an attempt to place the courts under their control. The act will also finally spell an end to the Progressive Party with it deeply split over the issue of devolution. While party leader Lord Rosebery opposes the policy, a considerable number to the remaining Progressives are in support and twelve Progressive MPs defect to the Liberals over the matter, restoring the government's absolute majority. The remaining sixteen Progressives meet and agree to join with the Conservative Party. However more important is over half the Progressive peers elect to return to the Liberals, seriously upsetting the Dominance the Conservatives have had since Gladstone's defection from the Liberals in 1878.
July 1894: An Italian force of some 2,500 men engages a Mahdist army of 3,000 holding the town of Kassala on the border of Eritrea. The Italians under General Oreste Baratieri will successfully take the town inflicting heavy loses on the Mahdists, further weakening their morale.
July 1894: The Dublin Imperial Conference is once again dominated by the issues of further Imperial integration. Unlike previous conferences the British do not suggest a customs union, instead advancing as the 1886 Imperial Preference tariff scheme has been a success, a single common tariff scheme for Imperial goods should be introduced. To achieve this goal, a committee will be formed under the Imperial Security Council to develop an acceptable regime. This naturally leads to discussion of the proposed All Red Route of Imperial shipping. To this end, First Sea Lord Admiral Tryon suggests the Royal Naval Reserve and navy's War Book be extended to include the Dominions, with the same subsidies applying to Dominion flagged vessels as apply to British flagged ships. The idea finds enthusiastic support with the Dominions, though Campbell-Bannerman somewhat dampens this by adding that this would mean the Dominions would have to contribute to the costs. Regardless, the Dominions agree in principle, with the matter again being referred to the Imperial Security Council to work out the details.
July 1894: While the focus of the Dublin Imperial Conference is on Imperial integrations, security matters are raised. In particular the Cape Colony and Natal are increasingly concerned by the growing militancy of the Boer republics and there is general disquiet at the Egyptian rebellion, given the threat it posed to Imperial communications. Army Commander in Chief Field Marshall Wolseley attempts to quiet the fears over Egypt by pointing the rebellion was dealt with quickly and control restored. Eventually it is decided the British garrison in Egypt should never be allowed to fall below the level of the Egyptian army, with the Dominions agreeing to commit a composite battalion to the garrison, drawn from Canada and Newfoundland, southern Africa and the Pacific on a rotating two year basis. Regarding the Boer republics, it is determined no provocative moves should be made, but their should be preparations to rapidly reinforce southern Africa in the event of a crisis. The Dominions raise the matter of expansion of the shipbuilding industry, again pushing for expansion of the Royal Dockyards in the Dominions. However the response is the same as at the Wellington Conference, that it is simply unaffordable and any further expansion will require a significant financial contribution from the Dominions. At the close it is clear the Dominions mistrust of the Imperial government is falling and the conference has been a resounding success. The next conference is scheduled for Ottawa in 1896.
July 1894: Pressure for reform in the Chinese tributary state of Korea has been growing for many years. In March a peasant revolt breaks out over harsh treatment by local officials. Fearing the revolt may spread the Korean King Gojong appeals to the Qing for assistance in putting down the revolt and a small force is dispatched. However the Japanese, seeking to expand their own influence in Korea, claim this is a violation of the 1885 Convention of Tientsin, under which the Chinese and Japanese agreed not to deploy troops to Korea without informing the other first. As a consequence they deploy troops to the peninsula and occupy Seoul, installing a pro-Japanese government. This new government immediately requests Japanese aid in expelling the Chinese. A Chinese attempt to reinforce their position leads to the naval Battle of Pungdo where the Japanese destroy the reinforcement convoy. This is followed by an attack on the Chinese troops at Seonghwan, forcing their retreat to Pyongyang, beginning the Sino-Japanese War.
August 1894: The experimental vessel Turbinia is launched in Britain. The Turbinia will be the world's first vessel powered by a marine steam turbine.
August 1894: With the outbreak of the Sino-Japanese War, now Captain Zaitian Aisin-Gioro resigns his commission to resume his role as Guangxu Emperor. He is given a final promotion to the substantive rank rank of major and an honorary rank of Major General in the Royal Engineers along with being made a Stranger Companion of the Order of the Garter. He departs on the month long journey aboard the cruiser HMS Blake. The young Emperor is horrified when he receives a copy of the official Chinese declaration of war, with its derogatory language towards the Japanese. He rescinds the declaration, issues an apology for the 'misunderstanding' and reissues it in far more respectful tones. He is also appalled when he learns a bounty has been placed on the heads of Japanese soldiers. He immediately orders the practice ended and the Chinese forces to strictly follow the established European customs of war.
August 1894: Emperor Menelik II of Abyssinia, judging his power is now secure, renounces the Treaty of Wuchale he signed with the Italians in 1889. He immediately begins conducting small raids into Eritrea to harass the Italians.
May 1894: Despite conservative opposition to Prime Minister Afonso Celso's liberal reforms, the 1894 elections see the Liberals mainlining a majority in the Chamber of Deputies, while conservative dominance in the Senate is being slowly eroded. However, despite remaining Prime Minister Celso is now facing increasing discontent from within his own Liberal Party, both due to concerns over the pace of reform and the deteriorating economy.
May 1894: The Pullman Company is one the leading manufacturers of railway rolling stock in the US, with most of its workers living in company towns, close to their place of employment. As a result of the Panic of 1893 and subsequent depression, the demand for rolling stock has dropped dramatically. In response the Pullman Company has drastically slashed the wages of its workers without reducing the rents they charge in their company towns, leaving many of their workers facing sever financial hardship. In response the workers form the American Railway Union and call a general strike in an effort to reduce the rents the company is charging. When this proves unsuccessful in forcing the company to reduce their rents the union organises a boycott of all trains using Pullman cars for transport. As Pullman cars are found on most trains, this brings rail transport to a near halt in the US. In an effort to break the strike and get trains moving again, President Cleveland authorises the deployment of the army. The strike will last several months, worsening the already dire economic situation.
June 1894: Italian anarchist Sante Geronimo Caserio stabs and kills French President Sadi Canot in retaliation for the repression of anarchism in France. This will lead to most of Europe passing laws similar to the French 'Lois Scélérates' repressing the anarchist movement or support for 'propaganda of the deed.' This will be a major factor in the triumph of communism over anarchism in the radical left throughout Europe.
June 1894: A note obtained from Maximilian von Schwartzkoppen, German military attaché in Paris comes to the attention of French military intelligence. The note contains a list of secret French military documents which might be available, penned by an unnamed source. An investigation is immediately launched to discover the source of the leak.
June 1894: The Regional Administration Amendment Act increases the competency of the new national administration boards in Britain, giving them control over fisheries, most government artistic and cultural organisations, prison services and conservation. As with the original law creating the boards, the new new act generates a great deal of controversy and opposition from the Conservatives and Irish Coalition. The act originally included a provision for the boards to gain limited control over their funding, however this is defeated by the Conservatives in the Lords, along with an attempt to place the courts under their control. The act will also finally spell an end to the Progressive Party with it deeply split over the issue of devolution. While party leader Lord Rosebery opposes the policy, a considerable number to the remaining Progressives are in support and twelve Progressive MPs defect to the Liberals over the matter, restoring the government's absolute majority. The remaining sixteen Progressives meet and agree to join with the Conservative Party. However more important is over half the Progressive peers elect to return to the Liberals, seriously upsetting the Dominance the Conservatives have had since Gladstone's defection from the Liberals in 1878.
July 1894: An Italian force of some 2,500 men engages a Mahdist army of 3,000 holding the town of Kassala on the border of Eritrea. The Italians under General Oreste Baratieri will successfully take the town inflicting heavy loses on the Mahdists, further weakening their morale.
July 1894: The Dublin Imperial Conference is once again dominated by the issues of further Imperial integration. Unlike previous conferences the British do not suggest a customs union, instead advancing as the 1886 Imperial Preference tariff scheme has been a success, a single common tariff scheme for Imperial goods should be introduced. To achieve this goal, a committee will be formed under the Imperial Security Council to develop an acceptable regime. This naturally leads to discussion of the proposed All Red Route of Imperial shipping. To this end, First Sea Lord Admiral Tryon suggests the Royal Naval Reserve and navy's War Book be extended to include the Dominions, with the same subsidies applying to Dominion flagged vessels as apply to British flagged ships. The idea finds enthusiastic support with the Dominions, though Campbell-Bannerman somewhat dampens this by adding that this would mean the Dominions would have to contribute to the costs. Regardless, the Dominions agree in principle, with the matter again being referred to the Imperial Security Council to work out the details.
July 1894: While the focus of the Dublin Imperial Conference is on Imperial integrations, security matters are raised. In particular the Cape Colony and Natal are increasingly concerned by the growing militancy of the Boer republics and there is general disquiet at the Egyptian rebellion, given the threat it posed to Imperial communications. Army Commander in Chief Field Marshall Wolseley attempts to quiet the fears over Egypt by pointing the rebellion was dealt with quickly and control restored. Eventually it is decided the British garrison in Egypt should never be allowed to fall below the level of the Egyptian army, with the Dominions agreeing to commit a composite battalion to the garrison, drawn from Canada and Newfoundland, southern Africa and the Pacific on a rotating two year basis. Regarding the Boer republics, it is determined no provocative moves should be made, but their should be preparations to rapidly reinforce southern Africa in the event of a crisis. The Dominions raise the matter of expansion of the shipbuilding industry, again pushing for expansion of the Royal Dockyards in the Dominions. However the response is the same as at the Wellington Conference, that it is simply unaffordable and any further expansion will require a significant financial contribution from the Dominions. At the close it is clear the Dominions mistrust of the Imperial government is falling and the conference has been a resounding success. The next conference is scheduled for Ottawa in 1896.
July 1894: Pressure for reform in the Chinese tributary state of Korea has been growing for many years. In March a peasant revolt breaks out over harsh treatment by local officials. Fearing the revolt may spread the Korean King Gojong appeals to the Qing for assistance in putting down the revolt and a small force is dispatched. However the Japanese, seeking to expand their own influence in Korea, claim this is a violation of the 1885 Convention of Tientsin, under which the Chinese and Japanese agreed not to deploy troops to Korea without informing the other first. As a consequence they deploy troops to the peninsula and occupy Seoul, installing a pro-Japanese government. This new government immediately requests Japanese aid in expelling the Chinese. A Chinese attempt to reinforce their position leads to the naval Battle of Pungdo where the Japanese destroy the reinforcement convoy. This is followed by an attack on the Chinese troops at Seonghwan, forcing their retreat to Pyongyang, beginning the Sino-Japanese War.
August 1894: The experimental vessel Turbinia is launched in Britain. The Turbinia will be the world's first vessel powered by a marine steam turbine.
August 1894: With the outbreak of the Sino-Japanese War, now Captain Zaitian Aisin-Gioro resigns his commission to resume his role as Guangxu Emperor. He is given a final promotion to the substantive rank rank of major and an honorary rank of Major General in the Royal Engineers along with being made a Stranger Companion of the Order of the Garter. He departs on the month long journey aboard the cruiser HMS Blake. The young Emperor is horrified when he receives a copy of the official Chinese declaration of war, with its derogatory language towards the Japanese. He rescinds the declaration, issues an apology for the 'misunderstanding' and reissues it in far more respectful tones. He is also appalled when he learns a bounty has been placed on the heads of Japanese soldiers. He immediately orders the practice ended and the Chinese forces to strictly follow the established European customs of war.
August 1894: Emperor Menelik II of Abyssinia, judging his power is now secure, renounces the Treaty of Wuchale he signed with the Italians in 1889. He immediately begins conducting small raids into Eritrea to harass the Italians.
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Sept-Dec 1894: Tokyo calling
~Sept-Dec 1894: Tokyo calling
September 1894: In accordance with President Cleveland's 1892 election promise, the much criticised McKinley Tariff Act is replaced by a new regime. The new Williams-Gorman Act is supposed to reduce tariffs across the board, and thus improve US international trade by encouraging other nations to remove their retaliatory tariffs. While the act in its original form would have achieved that, the ongoing depression has sparked renewed support for protectionism and the acts intent has been essentially undone by a series of some six hundred individual amendments which have resulted in only a very limited reduction in tariffs. While President Cleveland denounces the new law as a betrayal of tariff reform and a product of “party perfidy and party dishonour.” Nevertheless he signs the act into law as being better than nothing.
September 1894: In a major move acknowledging the modernisation of Japan, the British give up the right of their citizens to extraterritoriality in Japan. The British lead will be followed by most of the rest of the western powers over the next three years.
September 1894: The Guangxu Emperor finally arrives in China and begins his direct rule of the country. He immediately begins a review of the state of the Qing army and is shocked when he learns its true state, being little more than a collection of local forces of vastly differing quality, with individual commanders responsible for training and equipping their troops. This review convinces him it is no condition to fight the current war and orders negations begun in an attempt to end the war. However he is unprepared for the intricate politics of the Qing court. His attempts to open talks with the Japanese regarding a negotiated settlement are thwarted by Dowager Empress Cixi, who believes the war can be won. Cixi is able to gather sufficient backing to retain the Regency until the newly returned Emperor has “acquainted himself with the customs of the Qing court” thus retaining her control over the government.
September 1894: The Japanese seize the city of Pyongyang, forcing the Chinese from Korea. The Chinese then suffer a far more serious defeat in the Battle of the Yalu River when the Beijing Fleet under Admiral Ding Ruchang is comprehensively defeated by the Japanese Combined Fleet under Admiral Itō Sukeyuki. The Beijing Fleet is hamstrung by poor command, discipline, training and defective ammunition. While three Japanese ships are severely damaged, no less than seven out of the ten Chinese ships are sunk, the Beijing Fleet retreats back to Lüshunkou on the Liaodong Peninsula for repairs and will play no further part in the war, ceding control of the sea to the Japanese. The crushing defeat of the Chinese navy, along with the poor performance of their army leads the British to begin attempting to bring about a negotiated settlement to avoid a total Chinese defeat. However Dowager Empress Cixi is still confident of victory and refuses to negotiate.
October 1894: With war between Argentina and Chile now seeming highly likely and having previously been unable to halt the ongoing arms race by diplomatic means the British and US have pressured their banking industry to cut off loans for the purchase of new military hardware or warships. This has finally had the desired effect. In a conference jointly hosted by the two Great Powers the three ABC nations sign the Treaty of Philadelphia. Under its terms they agree to purchase no new warships for ten years, while the Brazilian cruisers Minas Gerias and Sao Paulo ordered in 1893 are to be sold to the US. The treaty will finally end the South American Naval Arms Race and begin to reduce tensions in the region.
October 1894: With the ongoing issues with the British machine tool industry Canadian industrialists Nathaniel Curry and Nelson Rhodes expand their railcar manufacturing company to produce high quality machine tools using US manufacturing techniques. Capitalising on the lower tariffs throughout the Empire due to the Imperial preference scheme, the venture will be a huge success, and Curry Rhodes will become one of the leading producers of machine tools in the British Empire.
October 1894: Suspicion as to the author of the Schwartzkoppen note falls on Captain Alfred Dreyfus an artillery officer of Jewish heritage, despite an expert on handwriting analysis firmly stating Dreyfus had not penned the note and Dreyfus being patriotic to the point of jingoism, even being a supporter of the boulangist movement. Despite the complete lack of evidence and motive, Dreyfus is arrested and charged. Driven by anti-Jewish racism, the popular press quickly condemns him. After a closed trial, Dreyfus is convicted of espionage and sentenced to life in exile on the Devils Island penal colony. The case results in a surge of anti-Jewish racism throughout France with even his fellow boulangists turn on him.
October 1894: The Welsh Regional Administration Board, now dominated by Cymru Fydd introduce one hour a week instruction in the Welsh language Cymric. Within eighteen months both the Irish and Scottish boards will institute a similar policy, greatly improving the prospects for the survival of the British Celtic languages.
November 1894: Now realising the threat the British forces advancing from Abu Hamad pose, the Khalifa orders a 12,000 strong force to engage the British advance guard of 6,000 men under General Archibald Hunter, The Battle of Arbara will be the true turning point of the campaign, with Hunter's forces routing the Mahdists and securing the vital river junction. This will clear the way for the final advance on Omdurman.
November 1894: After an almost month long siege the Japanese capture Lüshunkou on the Liaodong Peninsula. The Chinese order the remnants of the Beijing Fleet to retreat back to Weihaiwei to avoid capture.
November 1894: The poor state of the US economy results in the US midterm elections bringing in yet another landslide victory, but for the Republicans this time, with President Cleveland's Democrats losing control of both houses, though only narrowly in the Senate.
November 1894: Tsar Alexander III of Russian contracts a fatal liver disease and dies, being succeeded by his son Nicholas II. Though many hope Nicholas will institute a new liberal regime similar to his grandfather, he continues with his father's autocratic policies.
December 1894: A group of young Greek military officers found the Ethniki Etaireia, a secret society. The group is dedicated to advancing the Megali Idea, bringing all ethnic Greeks into a Greater Greek state.
December 1894: John Thompson becomes the second Canadian Premier in succession to die in office when he suffers a massive heart attack at age 49. Charles Tupper is selected to replace him. Tupper, a staunch support of the Imperial Federation League, adopts policies of moving Canada closer to the Empire.
December 1894: Eritrean leader Bahta Hagos supported by Ras Mengesha Yohannes, Abyssinian governor of Tigray, launches a rebellion against the Italians. The Italians rapidly crush the rebellion at the Battle of Halai and occupy the Tigrayan capital of Adwa.
September 1894: In accordance with President Cleveland's 1892 election promise, the much criticised McKinley Tariff Act is replaced by a new regime. The new Williams-Gorman Act is supposed to reduce tariffs across the board, and thus improve US international trade by encouraging other nations to remove their retaliatory tariffs. While the act in its original form would have achieved that, the ongoing depression has sparked renewed support for protectionism and the acts intent has been essentially undone by a series of some six hundred individual amendments which have resulted in only a very limited reduction in tariffs. While President Cleveland denounces the new law as a betrayal of tariff reform and a product of “party perfidy and party dishonour.” Nevertheless he signs the act into law as being better than nothing.
September 1894: In a major move acknowledging the modernisation of Japan, the British give up the right of their citizens to extraterritoriality in Japan. The British lead will be followed by most of the rest of the western powers over the next three years.
September 1894: The Guangxu Emperor finally arrives in China and begins his direct rule of the country. He immediately begins a review of the state of the Qing army and is shocked when he learns its true state, being little more than a collection of local forces of vastly differing quality, with individual commanders responsible for training and equipping their troops. This review convinces him it is no condition to fight the current war and orders negations begun in an attempt to end the war. However he is unprepared for the intricate politics of the Qing court. His attempts to open talks with the Japanese regarding a negotiated settlement are thwarted by Dowager Empress Cixi, who believes the war can be won. Cixi is able to gather sufficient backing to retain the Regency until the newly returned Emperor has “acquainted himself with the customs of the Qing court” thus retaining her control over the government.
September 1894: The Japanese seize the city of Pyongyang, forcing the Chinese from Korea. The Chinese then suffer a far more serious defeat in the Battle of the Yalu River when the Beijing Fleet under Admiral Ding Ruchang is comprehensively defeated by the Japanese Combined Fleet under Admiral Itō Sukeyuki. The Beijing Fleet is hamstrung by poor command, discipline, training and defective ammunition. While three Japanese ships are severely damaged, no less than seven out of the ten Chinese ships are sunk, the Beijing Fleet retreats back to Lüshunkou on the Liaodong Peninsula for repairs and will play no further part in the war, ceding control of the sea to the Japanese. The crushing defeat of the Chinese navy, along with the poor performance of their army leads the British to begin attempting to bring about a negotiated settlement to avoid a total Chinese defeat. However Dowager Empress Cixi is still confident of victory and refuses to negotiate.
October 1894: With war between Argentina and Chile now seeming highly likely and having previously been unable to halt the ongoing arms race by diplomatic means the British and US have pressured their banking industry to cut off loans for the purchase of new military hardware or warships. This has finally had the desired effect. In a conference jointly hosted by the two Great Powers the three ABC nations sign the Treaty of Philadelphia. Under its terms they agree to purchase no new warships for ten years, while the Brazilian cruisers Minas Gerias and Sao Paulo ordered in 1893 are to be sold to the US. The treaty will finally end the South American Naval Arms Race and begin to reduce tensions in the region.
October 1894: With the ongoing issues with the British machine tool industry Canadian industrialists Nathaniel Curry and Nelson Rhodes expand their railcar manufacturing company to produce high quality machine tools using US manufacturing techniques. Capitalising on the lower tariffs throughout the Empire due to the Imperial preference scheme, the venture will be a huge success, and Curry Rhodes will become one of the leading producers of machine tools in the British Empire.
October 1894: Suspicion as to the author of the Schwartzkoppen note falls on Captain Alfred Dreyfus an artillery officer of Jewish heritage, despite an expert on handwriting analysis firmly stating Dreyfus had not penned the note and Dreyfus being patriotic to the point of jingoism, even being a supporter of the boulangist movement. Despite the complete lack of evidence and motive, Dreyfus is arrested and charged. Driven by anti-Jewish racism, the popular press quickly condemns him. After a closed trial, Dreyfus is convicted of espionage and sentenced to life in exile on the Devils Island penal colony. The case results in a surge of anti-Jewish racism throughout France with even his fellow boulangists turn on him.
October 1894: The Welsh Regional Administration Board, now dominated by Cymru Fydd introduce one hour a week instruction in the Welsh language Cymric. Within eighteen months both the Irish and Scottish boards will institute a similar policy, greatly improving the prospects for the survival of the British Celtic languages.
November 1894: Now realising the threat the British forces advancing from Abu Hamad pose, the Khalifa orders a 12,000 strong force to engage the British advance guard of 6,000 men under General Archibald Hunter, The Battle of Arbara will be the true turning point of the campaign, with Hunter's forces routing the Mahdists and securing the vital river junction. This will clear the way for the final advance on Omdurman.
November 1894: After an almost month long siege the Japanese capture Lüshunkou on the Liaodong Peninsula. The Chinese order the remnants of the Beijing Fleet to retreat back to Weihaiwei to avoid capture.
November 1894: The poor state of the US economy results in the US midterm elections bringing in yet another landslide victory, but for the Republicans this time, with President Cleveland's Democrats losing control of both houses, though only narrowly in the Senate.
November 1894: Tsar Alexander III of Russian contracts a fatal liver disease and dies, being succeeded by his son Nicholas II. Though many hope Nicholas will institute a new liberal regime similar to his grandfather, he continues with his father's autocratic policies.
December 1894: A group of young Greek military officers found the Ethniki Etaireia, a secret society. The group is dedicated to advancing the Megali Idea, bringing all ethnic Greeks into a Greater Greek state.
December 1894: John Thompson becomes the second Canadian Premier in succession to die in office when he suffers a massive heart attack at age 49. Charles Tupper is selected to replace him. Tupper, a staunch support of the Imperial Federation League, adopts policies of moving Canada closer to the Empire.
December 1894: Eritrean leader Bahta Hagos supported by Ras Mengesha Yohannes, Abyssinian governor of Tigray, launches a rebellion against the Italians. The Italians rapidly crush the rebellion at the Battle of Halai and occupy the Tigrayan capital of Adwa.
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Naval Strength at the outbreak of the Sino-Japanese War
Qing Navy
Chao Yung class unprotected cruiser
1,400 tons, 2 x 10" BL turret, 2 (4) x 4.7" BL, 0" belt, Steel 0.25" deck, 16.5 knots, low freeboard
- Chao Yung, ordered 1879, commissioned 1881
- Wang Wei, ordered 1879, commissioned 1881
Ting Yuen class battleship
8,000 tons, 2 (4) x 12" BL barbette, 4 (8) x 4.7" BL, 2 (4) x 14" TT, 16" Compound belt, 3" Compound deck, 15 knots
- Ting Yuen, ordered 1881, commissioned 1886
- Chen Yuan, ordered 1881, commissioned 1886
Chi Yuan class protected cruiser
3,000 tons, 2 x 8" BL, 3 (6) x 6" BL, 2 (4) x 14” TT, 0" belt, 4" Compound deck, 17 knots
- Chi Yuan, ordered 1881, commissioned 1887
Ping Yuen class armoured cruiser
2,200 tons, 1 x 10" BL turret, 1 (2) x 6" BL, 2 (4) x 18" TT, 8" Compound belt, 2" Compound deck, 10.5 knots
- Ping Yuen, ordered 1884, commissioned 1890
Chih Yuan class protected cruiser
2,300 tons, 2 x 8" BL, 1 (2) x 6" BL, 2 (4) x 18" TT, 0" belt, 3" Compound deck, 18 knots
- Chih Yuan, ordered 1885, commissioned 1887
- Ching Yuan, ordered 1885, commissioned 1887
King Yuan class armoured cruiser
2,900 tons, 2 x 8" BL barbette, 1 (2) x 6" BL, 2 (4) x 18" TT, 8" Compound belt, 1.5" Compound deck, 15 knots
- King Yuan, ordered 1885, commissioned 1888
- Lai Yuan, ordered 1885, commissioned 1888
Hai Chen class battleship
11,000 tons, 4 x 10", 5 (10) x 6", 3 (7) x 14" TT 1 fwd, 12" Harvey belt, 2.5" Harvey deck, 18.5 knots, shallow draft
- Hai Chen, ordered 1891, commissioned 1896
- Hai Nan, ordered 1891, commissioned 1896
Imperial Japanese Navy
Kongo class armoured cruiser
2,200 tons, 2 (3) x 6.7" BL, 3 (6) x 6" BL, 1 (2) x 14" TT, 4.5" Iron belt, 0" deck, 14 knots
- Kongo, ordered 1875, commissioned 1878
- Hiei, ordered 1785, commissioned 1788
Naniwa class protected cruiser
3,700 tons, 2 x 10.3" BL barbette, 3 (6) x 6", 2 (4) x 14" TT, 0" belt, 3" Compound deck, 18.5 knots
- Naniwa, ordered 1883, commissioned 1886
- Takachiho, ordered 1883, commissioned 1886
Chiyoda class armoured cruiser
2,400 tons, 7 (10) x 4.7", 1 (3) x 14" TT 1 fwd, 4.5" Nickel belt, 1.5" Nickel deck, 19 knots
- Chiyoda, ordered 1887, commissioned 1890
Matsushima class protected cruiser
4,200 tons, 1 x 12.6" BL barbette, 6 (11) x 4.7", 2 (4) x 14" TT, 0" belt, 2" Compound deck, 16.5 knots
- Matsushima, ordered 1888, commissioned 1891
- Itsukushima, ordered 1888, commissioned 1891
- Hashidate, ordered 1888, commissioned 1894 (built in Japan)
Wakasa class battleship
12,200 tons, 4 x 12" BL barbette, 4 (8) x 4.7", 1 (4) x 14" TT 1 fwd, 1 stn, 18" Compound belt, 3" Compound deck, 16 knots
- Wakasa, ordered 1889, commissioned 1893
- Noto, ordered 1889, commissioned 1893
Akitsushima class protected cruiser
3,100 tons, 3 (4) x 6", 3 (6) x 4.7", 2 (4) x 14" TT, 0" belt, 3" Nickel deck, 19 knots
- Akitsushima, ordered 1890, commissioned 1892
Yoshino class protected cruiser
4,200 tons, 3 (4) x 6", 3 (6) x 4.7", 2 (4) x 14" TT, 0" belt, 4.5" Harvey deck, 23 knots
- Yoshino, ordered 1891, commissioned 1893
Idzumi class protected cruiser
2,900 tons, 2 x 10" BL, 3 (6) x 6" BL, 2 (5) x 15" TT 1 fwd, 0" belt, 1" Steel deck, 18 knots
- Idzumi, ordered 1894, commissioned 1895 (ex-Chilean Esmeralda)
Fuji class battleship
12,500 tons, 4 x 12" BL, 5 (10) x 6", 2 (5) x 18" TT 1 fwd, 1, 14" Compound belt, 2.5" Compound deck, 18 knots
- Fuji, ordered 1894, commissioned 1897
- Yashimo, ordered 1894, commissioned 1897
Suma class protected cruiser
2,700 tons, 2 x 6", 3 (6) x 4.7", 1 (2) x 15" TT, 0" belt, 2" Harvey deck, 20 knots
- Suma, ordered 1894, commissioned 1898
- Akashi, ordered 1894, commissioned 1901
Qing Navy
Chao Yung class unprotected cruiser
1,400 tons, 2 x 10" BL turret, 2 (4) x 4.7" BL, 0" belt, Steel 0.25" deck, 16.5 knots, low freeboard
- Chao Yung, ordered 1879, commissioned 1881
- Wang Wei, ordered 1879, commissioned 1881
Ting Yuen class battleship
8,000 tons, 2 (4) x 12" BL barbette, 4 (8) x 4.7" BL, 2 (4) x 14" TT, 16" Compound belt, 3" Compound deck, 15 knots
- Ting Yuen, ordered 1881, commissioned 1886
- Chen Yuan, ordered 1881, commissioned 1886
Chi Yuan class protected cruiser
3,000 tons, 2 x 8" BL, 3 (6) x 6" BL, 2 (4) x 14” TT, 0" belt, 4" Compound deck, 17 knots
- Chi Yuan, ordered 1881, commissioned 1887
Ping Yuen class armoured cruiser
2,200 tons, 1 x 10" BL turret, 1 (2) x 6" BL, 2 (4) x 18" TT, 8" Compound belt, 2" Compound deck, 10.5 knots
- Ping Yuen, ordered 1884, commissioned 1890
Chih Yuan class protected cruiser
2,300 tons, 2 x 8" BL, 1 (2) x 6" BL, 2 (4) x 18" TT, 0" belt, 3" Compound deck, 18 knots
- Chih Yuan, ordered 1885, commissioned 1887
- Ching Yuan, ordered 1885, commissioned 1887
King Yuan class armoured cruiser
2,900 tons, 2 x 8" BL barbette, 1 (2) x 6" BL, 2 (4) x 18" TT, 8" Compound belt, 1.5" Compound deck, 15 knots
- King Yuan, ordered 1885, commissioned 1888
- Lai Yuan, ordered 1885, commissioned 1888
Hai Chen class battleship
11,000 tons, 4 x 10", 5 (10) x 6", 3 (7) x 14" TT 1 fwd, 12" Harvey belt, 2.5" Harvey deck, 18.5 knots, shallow draft
- Hai Chen, ordered 1891, commissioned 1896
- Hai Nan, ordered 1891, commissioned 1896
Imperial Japanese Navy
Kongo class armoured cruiser
2,200 tons, 2 (3) x 6.7" BL, 3 (6) x 6" BL, 1 (2) x 14" TT, 4.5" Iron belt, 0" deck, 14 knots
- Kongo, ordered 1875, commissioned 1878
- Hiei, ordered 1785, commissioned 1788
Naniwa class protected cruiser
3,700 tons, 2 x 10.3" BL barbette, 3 (6) x 6", 2 (4) x 14" TT, 0" belt, 3" Compound deck, 18.5 knots
- Naniwa, ordered 1883, commissioned 1886
- Takachiho, ordered 1883, commissioned 1886
Chiyoda class armoured cruiser
2,400 tons, 7 (10) x 4.7", 1 (3) x 14" TT 1 fwd, 4.5" Nickel belt, 1.5" Nickel deck, 19 knots
- Chiyoda, ordered 1887, commissioned 1890
Matsushima class protected cruiser
4,200 tons, 1 x 12.6" BL barbette, 6 (11) x 4.7", 2 (4) x 14" TT, 0" belt, 2" Compound deck, 16.5 knots
- Matsushima, ordered 1888, commissioned 1891
- Itsukushima, ordered 1888, commissioned 1891
- Hashidate, ordered 1888, commissioned 1894 (built in Japan)
Wakasa class battleship
12,200 tons, 4 x 12" BL barbette, 4 (8) x 4.7", 1 (4) x 14" TT 1 fwd, 1 stn, 18" Compound belt, 3" Compound deck, 16 knots
- Wakasa, ordered 1889, commissioned 1893
- Noto, ordered 1889, commissioned 1893
Akitsushima class protected cruiser
3,100 tons, 3 (4) x 6", 3 (6) x 4.7", 2 (4) x 14" TT, 0" belt, 3" Nickel deck, 19 knots
- Akitsushima, ordered 1890, commissioned 1892
Yoshino class protected cruiser
4,200 tons, 3 (4) x 6", 3 (6) x 4.7", 2 (4) x 14" TT, 0" belt, 4.5" Harvey deck, 23 knots
- Yoshino, ordered 1891, commissioned 1893
Idzumi class protected cruiser
2,900 tons, 2 x 10" BL, 3 (6) x 6" BL, 2 (5) x 15" TT 1 fwd, 0" belt, 1" Steel deck, 18 knots
- Idzumi, ordered 1894, commissioned 1895 (ex-Chilean Esmeralda)
Fuji class battleship
12,500 tons, 4 x 12" BL, 5 (10) x 6", 2 (5) x 18" TT 1 fwd, 1, 14" Compound belt, 2.5" Compound deck, 18 knots
- Fuji, ordered 1894, commissioned 1897
- Yashimo, ordered 1894, commissioned 1897
Suma class protected cruiser
2,700 tons, 2 x 6", 3 (6) x 4.7", 1 (2) x 15" TT, 0" belt, 2" Harvey deck, 20 knots
- Suma, ordered 1894, commissioned 1898
- Akashi, ordered 1894, commissioned 1901
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Just a heads up. Heading off to see my partner's whānau for about a week so updates may be slow
While her negative traits are overstated, it is hard to see her as anything other than a disaster for China.
Aye it does seem to be that way and it doesn't help the Emperor doesn't have a strong enough faction yet.
Still though aside from the timeline I hope you have a nice trip!
Battle of Yalu River, September 1894
Chinese Beijing Fleet under Admiral Ding Ruchang
Chao Yung class unprotected cruiser
1,400 tons, 2 x 10" BL turret, 2 (4) x 4.7" BL, 0" belt, Steel 0.25" deck, 16.5 knots, low freeboard
- Chao Yung, ordered 1879, commissioned 1881 = Sunk
- Wang Wei, ordered 1879, commissioned 1881 = Crippled and scuttled
Ting Yuen class battleship
8,000 tons, 2 (4)x 12" BL barbette, 4 (8) x 4.7" BL, 2 (4) x 14" TT, 16" Compound belt, 3" Compound deck, 15 knots
- Ting Yuen, ordered 1881, commissioned 1886 = Moderate damage
- Chen Yuan, ordered 1881, commissioned 1886 = Sunk
Qing Navy Chi Yuan class protected cruiser
3,000 tons, 2 x 8" BL, 3 (6) x 6" BL, 2 (4) x 14" TT, 0" belt, 4" Compound deck, 17 knots
- Chi Yuan, ordered 1881, commissioned 1887 = Sunk
Ping Yuen class armoured cruiser
2,200 tons, 1 x 10" BL turret, 1 (2) x 6" BL, 2 (4) x 18" TT, 8" Compound belt, 2" Compound deck, 10.5 knots
- Ping Yuen, ordered 1884, commissioned 1890 = Crippled and scuttled
Chih Yuan class protected cruiser
2,300 tons, 2 x 8" BL, 1 (2) x 6" BL, 2 (4) x 18" TT, 0" belt, 3" Compound deck, 18 knots
- Chih Yuan, ordered 1885, commissioned 1887 = Moderate damage
- Ching Yuan, ordered 1885, commissioned 1887 = Sunk
King Yuan class armoured cruiser
2,900 tons, 2 x 8" BL barbette, 1 (2) x 6" BL, 2 (4) x 18" TT, 8" Compound belt, 1.5" Compound deck, 15 knots
- King Yuan, ordered 1885, commissioned 1888 = Heavy damage
- Lai Yuan, ordered 1885, commissioned 1888 = Sunk
Two torpedo Boats = one sunk
Japanese Combined Fleet under Admiral Itō Sukeyuki
Kongo class armoured cruiser
2,200 tons, 2 (3) x 6.7" BL, 3 (6) x 6" BL, 1 (2) x 14" TT, 4.5" Iron belt, 0" deck, 14 knots
- Kongo, ordered 1875, commissioned 1878 = Moderate damage
- Hiei, ordered 1785, commissioned 1878 = Crippled, constructive total loss
Naniwa class protected cruiser
3,700 tons, 2 x 10.3" BL barbette, 3 (6) x 6*, 2 (4) x 14" TT, 0" belt, 3" Compound deck, 18.5 knots
- Naniwa, ordered 1883, commissioned 1886
- Takachiho, ordered 1883, commissioned 1886 = Heavy damage
Chiyoda class armoured cruiser
2,400 tons, 7 (10) x 4.7", 1 (3) x 14" TT 1 fwd, 4.5" Nickel belt, 1.5" Nickel deck, 19 knots
- Chiyoda, ordered 1887, commissioned 1890 = Light damage
Imperial Japanese Navy Matsushima class protected cruiser
4,200 tons, 1 x 12.6" BL barbette, 6 (11) x 4.7", 2 (4) x 14" TT, 0" belt, 2" Compound deck, 16.5 knots
- Matsushima, ordered 1888, commissioned 1891 = Light damage
- Itsukushima, ordered 1888, commissioned 1891 = Light damage
- Hashidate, ordered 1888, commissioned 1894 (built in Japan) = Moderate damage
Wakasa class battleship
12,200 tons, 4 x 12" BL barbette, 4 (8) x 4.7", 1 (4) x 14" TT 1 fwd, 1 stn, 18" Compound belt, 3" Compound deck, 16 knots
- Wakasa, ordered 1889, commissioned 1893 = Crippled
- Noto, ordered 1889, commissioned 1893
Akitsushima class protected cruiser
3,100 tons, 3(4) x 6", 3 (6) x 4.7", 2 (4) x 14" TT, 0" belt, 3" Nickel deck, 19 knots
- Akitsushima, ordered 1890, commissioned 1892 = Light damage
Yoshino class protected cruiser
4,200 tons, 3 (4) x 6", 3 (6) x 4.7", 2 (4) x 14" TT, 0" belt, 4.5" Harvey deck, 23 knots
- Yoshino, ordered 1891, commissioned 1893
Idzumi class protected cruiser
2,900 tons, 2 x 10" BL, 3 (6) x 6" BL, 2 (5) x 15" TT 1 fwd, 0" belt, 1" Steel deck, 18 knots
- Idzumi, ordered 1894, commissioned 1895 (ex-Chilean Esmeralda) = Moderate damage
I like to game out major naval battles ITTL. Sounds fancy but it involves moving little bits of cardboard and balsa with pin flags for ID around the living room floor. My long suffering partner just rolls her eyes at me 'playing soldiers' (a desire for domestic harmony prevents me telling her I'm actually playing sailors lol). I use a modified version of Paul Hague's “Sea Battles in Miniature” Dreadnought rules which I've expanded to give more scope and flexibility. Since it seemed important I gamed this battle.
I used a lot of the OTL battle. The Japanese used two independent squadrons in line astern, while the Chinese used a single line abreast wedge formation. I imposed a major handicap on the Chinese to represent their poor training and ammunition, plus had them open fire at too great a range. I also included the appalling performance of the French 12.6" heavy guns used by the Japanese. Also as a number of Chinese ships turned tail and ran, I factored in morale. The biggest change from the OTL was the presence of the two Japanese Wakasa class battleships, they were decisive. I probably should have used Hague's Ironclad rules, but I've never them before and the the results seemed okay anyway.
The battle began historically with the Chinese opening fire at extreme range for no effect. Sukeyuki split his fleet into a fast squadron of five cruisers, with the remaining five forming a battleline lead by the Wakasa's. The fast squadron crossed the Chinese T at 2,500m and opened up. The Japanese Naniwa's concentrated on the two Ting Yuen class battleships but were unable to penetrate their armour. Meanwhile the Chen Yuan managed to score a magazine hit on the Takachiho, essentially taking her out of the battle. However the Japanese smaller guns wrecked many of the Chinese ships upper works, inflicting heavy casualties and reducing the Chinese gunners effectiveness even further,
After about an hour the Japanese battleline came into action. Again the French 12.6" guns were basically useless due to their low rate of fire. But the two Wakasa class battleships made up by dealing out death, sinking the Ting Yuen and inflicting significant damage on the Chen Yuan. At this point most of the Chinese ship's morale broke with four trying to flee. Releasing the battle was lost, Ruchang order his remaining ships to withdraw. Sukeyuki ordered a general pursuit, but this was when the Chinese scored their second success. One of the Chinese torpedo boats managed to launch an attack on Sukeyuki's flagship, crippling her. Sukeyuki was forced to transfer his flag to the Noto, allowing the Beijing fleet to scatter.
Despite the disruption in Japanese command, they were still able to destroy most of the Chinese vessels. This final phase saw perhaps the most gallant action in the battle. The Chinese captain of the Ching Yuan, still capable of action made a charge at the Japanese in a effort to allow the rest of the fleet to escape. The Ching Yuan was reduced to a shattered hulk, with her entire armament out of action. Regardless, the captain ordered a ramming attack. Several Japanese captains ordered their crew to stand at attention and salute as she went under.
Chinese Beijing Fleet under Admiral Ding Ruchang
Chao Yung class unprotected cruiser
1,400 tons, 2 x 10" BL turret, 2 (4) x 4.7" BL, 0" belt, Steel 0.25" deck, 16.5 knots, low freeboard
- Chao Yung, ordered 1879, commissioned 1881 = Sunk
- Wang Wei, ordered 1879, commissioned 1881 = Crippled and scuttled
Ting Yuen class battleship
8,000 tons, 2 (4)x 12" BL barbette, 4 (8) x 4.7" BL, 2 (4) x 14" TT, 16" Compound belt, 3" Compound deck, 15 knots
- Ting Yuen, ordered 1881, commissioned 1886 = Moderate damage
- Chen Yuan, ordered 1881, commissioned 1886 = Sunk
Qing Navy Chi Yuan class protected cruiser
3,000 tons, 2 x 8" BL, 3 (6) x 6" BL, 2 (4) x 14" TT, 0" belt, 4" Compound deck, 17 knots
- Chi Yuan, ordered 1881, commissioned 1887 = Sunk
Ping Yuen class armoured cruiser
2,200 tons, 1 x 10" BL turret, 1 (2) x 6" BL, 2 (4) x 18" TT, 8" Compound belt, 2" Compound deck, 10.5 knots
- Ping Yuen, ordered 1884, commissioned 1890 = Crippled and scuttled
Chih Yuan class protected cruiser
2,300 tons, 2 x 8" BL, 1 (2) x 6" BL, 2 (4) x 18" TT, 0" belt, 3" Compound deck, 18 knots
- Chih Yuan, ordered 1885, commissioned 1887 = Moderate damage
- Ching Yuan, ordered 1885, commissioned 1887 = Sunk
King Yuan class armoured cruiser
2,900 tons, 2 x 8" BL barbette, 1 (2) x 6" BL, 2 (4) x 18" TT, 8" Compound belt, 1.5" Compound deck, 15 knots
- King Yuan, ordered 1885, commissioned 1888 = Heavy damage
- Lai Yuan, ordered 1885, commissioned 1888 = Sunk
Two torpedo Boats = one sunk
Japanese Combined Fleet under Admiral Itō Sukeyuki
Kongo class armoured cruiser
2,200 tons, 2 (3) x 6.7" BL, 3 (6) x 6" BL, 1 (2) x 14" TT, 4.5" Iron belt, 0" deck, 14 knots
- Kongo, ordered 1875, commissioned 1878 = Moderate damage
- Hiei, ordered 1785, commissioned 1878 = Crippled, constructive total loss
Naniwa class protected cruiser
3,700 tons, 2 x 10.3" BL barbette, 3 (6) x 6*, 2 (4) x 14" TT, 0" belt, 3" Compound deck, 18.5 knots
- Naniwa, ordered 1883, commissioned 1886
- Takachiho, ordered 1883, commissioned 1886 = Heavy damage
Chiyoda class armoured cruiser
2,400 tons, 7 (10) x 4.7", 1 (3) x 14" TT 1 fwd, 4.5" Nickel belt, 1.5" Nickel deck, 19 knots
- Chiyoda, ordered 1887, commissioned 1890 = Light damage
Imperial Japanese Navy Matsushima class protected cruiser
4,200 tons, 1 x 12.6" BL barbette, 6 (11) x 4.7", 2 (4) x 14" TT, 0" belt, 2" Compound deck, 16.5 knots
- Matsushima, ordered 1888, commissioned 1891 = Light damage
- Itsukushima, ordered 1888, commissioned 1891 = Light damage
- Hashidate, ordered 1888, commissioned 1894 (built in Japan) = Moderate damage
Wakasa class battleship
12,200 tons, 4 x 12" BL barbette, 4 (8) x 4.7", 1 (4) x 14" TT 1 fwd, 1 stn, 18" Compound belt, 3" Compound deck, 16 knots
- Wakasa, ordered 1889, commissioned 1893 = Crippled
- Noto, ordered 1889, commissioned 1893
Akitsushima class protected cruiser
3,100 tons, 3(4) x 6", 3 (6) x 4.7", 2 (4) x 14" TT, 0" belt, 3" Nickel deck, 19 knots
- Akitsushima, ordered 1890, commissioned 1892 = Light damage
Yoshino class protected cruiser
4,200 tons, 3 (4) x 6", 3 (6) x 4.7", 2 (4) x 14" TT, 0" belt, 4.5" Harvey deck, 23 knots
- Yoshino, ordered 1891, commissioned 1893
Idzumi class protected cruiser
2,900 tons, 2 x 10" BL, 3 (6) x 6" BL, 2 (5) x 15" TT 1 fwd, 0" belt, 1" Steel deck, 18 knots
- Idzumi, ordered 1894, commissioned 1895 (ex-Chilean Esmeralda) = Moderate damage
I like to game out major naval battles ITTL. Sounds fancy but it involves moving little bits of cardboard and balsa with pin flags for ID around the living room floor. My long suffering partner just rolls her eyes at me 'playing soldiers' (a desire for domestic harmony prevents me telling her I'm actually playing sailors lol). I use a modified version of Paul Hague's “Sea Battles in Miniature” Dreadnought rules which I've expanded to give more scope and flexibility. Since it seemed important I gamed this battle.
I used a lot of the OTL battle. The Japanese used two independent squadrons in line astern, while the Chinese used a single line abreast wedge formation. I imposed a major handicap on the Chinese to represent their poor training and ammunition, plus had them open fire at too great a range. I also included the appalling performance of the French 12.6" heavy guns used by the Japanese. Also as a number of Chinese ships turned tail and ran, I factored in morale. The biggest change from the OTL was the presence of the two Japanese Wakasa class battleships, they were decisive. I probably should have used Hague's Ironclad rules, but I've never them before and the the results seemed okay anyway.
The battle began historically with the Chinese opening fire at extreme range for no effect. Sukeyuki split his fleet into a fast squadron of five cruisers, with the remaining five forming a battleline lead by the Wakasa's. The fast squadron crossed the Chinese T at 2,500m and opened up. The Japanese Naniwa's concentrated on the two Ting Yuen class battleships but were unable to penetrate their armour. Meanwhile the Chen Yuan managed to score a magazine hit on the Takachiho, essentially taking her out of the battle. However the Japanese smaller guns wrecked many of the Chinese ships upper works, inflicting heavy casualties and reducing the Chinese gunners effectiveness even further,
After about an hour the Japanese battleline came into action. Again the French 12.6" guns were basically useless due to their low rate of fire. But the two Wakasa class battleships made up by dealing out death, sinking the Ting Yuen and inflicting significant damage on the Chen Yuan. At this point most of the Chinese ship's morale broke with four trying to flee. Releasing the battle was lost, Ruchang order his remaining ships to withdraw. Sukeyuki ordered a general pursuit, but this was when the Chinese scored their second success. One of the Chinese torpedo boats managed to launch an attack on Sukeyuki's flagship, crippling her. Sukeyuki was forced to transfer his flag to the Noto, allowing the Beijing fleet to scatter.
Despite the disruption in Japanese command, they were still able to destroy most of the Chinese vessels. This final phase saw perhaps the most gallant action in the battle. The Chinese captain of the Ching Yuan, still capable of action made a charge at the Japanese in a effort to allow the rest of the fleet to escape. The Ching Yuan was reduced to a shattered hulk, with her entire armament out of action. Regardless, the captain ordered a ramming attack. Several Japanese captains ordered their crew to stand at attention and salute as she went under.
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Sounds like a fun roleplay
My partner and I have an 'interesting' relationship which truly defies definition. The word I actually use for her is Kæreste. It doesn't have an exact translation, someone important in my life is probably the closest lol.
But anyway have finished the TL development up to 1899. That's 30 years. It needed 73K words for this. In the third iteration these years only required 5.5K, and the entire iteration only totalled some 122K for some 72 years and nine months.
Jan-April 1895: They don't like it up 'em
~Jan-April 1895: They don't like it up 'em
January 1895: Suspecting the Abyssinian governor of Tigray Ras Mengesha Yohannes is planning to invade Eritrea, attack and defeat his army in the Battle of Coatit. With captured documents clearly showing Emperor Menelik II's complicity, this is usually regarded as the start of the Italo-Abyssinian War.
January 1895: With her resumption of the role of Regent, Dowager Empress Cixi again begins pushing for the Guangxu Emperor to marry one of her relatives, Lady Jingfang of Yehe Nara clan, younger sister of her previous choice Jingfen. However the Emperor finds her no more palatable than her elder sister, preferring instead Lady Keshun of the Tatara clan, who shares his modernistic attitudes. Nonetheless the Emperor is eventually forced to give in, taking Lady Jingfang as his Empress, though he is able to take Lady Keshun as his First Consort.
January 1895: The report of the Roberts Inquiry makes a number of radical proposals for reform to the Indian Army. Roberts suggest reorganising the current dual battalion infantry regiments into twenty to twenty five a number large regiments, each to consist of six to eight battalions, with one battalion dedicated to training and recruitment. Additionally he recommends the Viceroy's Bodyguard become a permanent formation with an infantry guards unit formed alongside it. Regarding the Gurkha Regiments, Corps of Guides along with the cavalry and support arms, the report recommends they remain unaltered. Robert's also reiterates Wolseley's proposal to form an Indian Regiment of Artillery. However perhaps his most radical proposal is that a pool of Indian officers suitable for higher command and staff work should be cultivated. Roberts suggests three cavalry, ten infantry, one pioneer battalion, the Madras Sappers and Miners, and five artillery batteries should be selected for 'Indianisation.' Under his scheme suitable Indian candidates would be trained at Sandhurst and Woolwich, ideally recruited from those educated at the English style public schools established by Viceroy Temple in 1882. These would then be posted in at the bottom of the command structure and British officers wasted out through natural attrition. Viceroy Lord Wallington moves to institute the Report essentially unaltered. The Viceroy's Bodyguard is expanded to three battalion, one from each presidency, while the Indian Regiment of Guards is formed from the four most senior battalions from Bengal, Bombay, Madras and Punjab, with the remaining 146 battalions organised into twenty two infantry and four pioneer regiments. But perhaps most importantly, a regiment of Indian artillery is finally formed. Despite its acceptance by the Viceroy, the report creates a great deal of controversy in Britain, with many asking questions regarding the 'suitability' of large numbers of Indian officers and the wisdom of allowing Indian troops access to artillery. Nevertheless, Secretary of State for India Lord Ripon approves the program, the only alteration being as it is considered 'inappropriate' Indian officers train alongside British officers, two Indian military academies are opened. One at Derhadun for service arms and one at Dapodi for technical services.
February 1895: Since his exile to the US after a long failed rebellion ending in 1878, Cuban revolutionary José Martí has been rallying support for another rebellion in the Cuban exile community. In late 1894 Martí organises three ships to transport weapons and rebels to Cuba. While two of the ships are seized by US authorities, Martí proceeds and begins his insurrection, starting a vicious war in Cuba.
February 1895: Alberto Santos-Dumont launches his first non-rigid airship, the No. 1. Despite some early promise, the airship is a failure, with its envelope being too small to enable to fully retain its shape.
February 1895: For many years their has been a dispute between Britain and Venezuela over where the western border of British Guiana lies. The British base their claims on the Schomburgk Line established by explorer Robert Schomburgk in 1840, while Venezuela claims all territory west of the Essequibo River. For the past few years the Venezuelans have unsuccessfully attempting to involve the US, claiming the British are violating the Monroe Doctrine. In a renewed effort, they have engaged a US lobbyist who has been capitalising on latent US Anglophobia to elicit support for the Venezuelans. Eventually he is successfully in getting Congress to pass a resolution calling for Britain and Venezuela to submit the matter to arbitration, claiming the dispute falls under the Monroe Doctrine.
February 1895: The Japanese capture the port of Weihaiwei in the Shandong province, finally crushing the Chinese resistance in the Sino-Japanese War. The remnants of the Beijing Fleet are either scuttled or captured, with Admiral Ding Ruchang committing suicide despite an offer of political asylum from the Japanese Commander Itō Sukeyuki. The fall of Weihaiwei finally convinces the Chinese to accept the British offer to mediate and open negotiations to end the war.
March 1895: To deal with the barrel wear issue of the Lee-Metford rifle, a new barrel using the improved deeper 'Chilean' rifling is introduced, resulting in the Lee-Enfield Mk I. Other than the new barrel and gas relief ports to better cope with burst cartridges, the rifle is identical to the existing Lee-Metford Mk II*. Alongside the new rifle a new 0.303” Mk III round developed at the Dum Dum arsenal in India is introduced. The new round features an exposed point, leading to the bullet expanding on impact, greatly increasing the damage inflicted.
March 1895: The financial collapse of the Argentine banking system in 1890 and Prime Minister Celso's policy of granting generous loans to conservative landowners to reduce opposition to his reforms has pushed Brazil in a deepening depression. In an attempt to deal with the situation Celso introduces a series of drastic austerity measures. His conservative opponents seize on the opportunity to attempt to remove him. His position is only saved by Empress Isabel working discreetly behind the scenes to gain support from the Catholic traditionalists. However they demand Celso abandons his reform program in return, a demand to which Celso will reluctantly agree in order to implement his austerity program.
March 1895: General Kitchener's army in Sudan finally has advanced to take the Mahdist capital of Omdurman. With some 23,800 troops he faces the Khalifa's main 55,000 strong army. The result will be a fierce six hour battle which will see the Mahdist army routed by withering rifle and machine gun fire. Kitchener's troops have been issued with the new 0.303” Mk III round, inflicting horrific wounds, greatly increasing the effectiveness of their fire. The battle will be noted for the last cavalry charge by the British army when the 2nd (Empress of India's) battalion, Prince of Wales Royal Lancers make one of the final cavalry charge of the British army, suffering heavy casualties attacking a force of Mahdist spearmen, not realising their true strength. While the Khalifa will survive, fleeing the battlefield, the Battle of Omdurman will be a decisive defeat, ensuring a British victory in the Sudan Campaign.
April 1895: The Treaty of Shimononseki ends the Sino-Japanese War. Despite British support the terms are extremely harsh, the Chinese are forced to cede Formosa, the Pescadore Islands and the Liaodong Peninsula to Japan while permanently renouncing suzerainty over Korea. The British attempts to moderate the treaty are only successful in reducing the indemnity from 200 million taels {£38,157,064} to 150 million {£28,617,793}. Nevertheless, the British efforts are well received by the Chinese, however they also cause significant resentment amongst the Japanese government.
April 1895: After two years of fighting for new capital ship construction the 1895 US naval program includes two new battleships. The Kentucky class will be almost unique with a dual 8" gun turret directly fixed on top of the dual 12" main armament. This arrangement will prove to be a failure with the 8" guns unable to fire without inflicting serious blast damage on the main guns. In addition to the two battleships are six gunboats and four torpedo boats.
April 1895: The defeat in the Sino-Japanese War has greatly undermined the position of Li Hongzhang, the leading advocate of reform in the Qing court and main supporter of the Guangxu Emperor, who has been blamed for the defeat. However it has allowed Prince Gong to regain his position as head of the Grand Council. Perhaps far worse though is it has led the British to reconsider their support for the Chinese, with Foreign Secretary Joseph Chamberlain now advocating switching to supporting Japan as a counter to Russian expansion in Asia.
January 1895: Suspecting the Abyssinian governor of Tigray Ras Mengesha Yohannes is planning to invade Eritrea, attack and defeat his army in the Battle of Coatit. With captured documents clearly showing Emperor Menelik II's complicity, this is usually regarded as the start of the Italo-Abyssinian War.
January 1895: With her resumption of the role of Regent, Dowager Empress Cixi again begins pushing for the Guangxu Emperor to marry one of her relatives, Lady Jingfang of Yehe Nara clan, younger sister of her previous choice Jingfen. However the Emperor finds her no more palatable than her elder sister, preferring instead Lady Keshun of the Tatara clan, who shares his modernistic attitudes. Nonetheless the Emperor is eventually forced to give in, taking Lady Jingfang as his Empress, though he is able to take Lady Keshun as his First Consort.
January 1895: The report of the Roberts Inquiry makes a number of radical proposals for reform to the Indian Army. Roberts suggest reorganising the current dual battalion infantry regiments into twenty to twenty five a number large regiments, each to consist of six to eight battalions, with one battalion dedicated to training and recruitment. Additionally he recommends the Viceroy's Bodyguard become a permanent formation with an infantry guards unit formed alongside it. Regarding the Gurkha Regiments, Corps of Guides along with the cavalry and support arms, the report recommends they remain unaltered. Robert's also reiterates Wolseley's proposal to form an Indian Regiment of Artillery. However perhaps his most radical proposal is that a pool of Indian officers suitable for higher command and staff work should be cultivated. Roberts suggests three cavalry, ten infantry, one pioneer battalion, the Madras Sappers and Miners, and five artillery batteries should be selected for 'Indianisation.' Under his scheme suitable Indian candidates would be trained at Sandhurst and Woolwich, ideally recruited from those educated at the English style public schools established by Viceroy Temple in 1882. These would then be posted in at the bottom of the command structure and British officers wasted out through natural attrition. Viceroy Lord Wallington moves to institute the Report essentially unaltered. The Viceroy's Bodyguard is expanded to three battalion, one from each presidency, while the Indian Regiment of Guards is formed from the four most senior battalions from Bengal, Bombay, Madras and Punjab, with the remaining 146 battalions organised into twenty two infantry and four pioneer regiments. But perhaps most importantly, a regiment of Indian artillery is finally formed. Despite its acceptance by the Viceroy, the report creates a great deal of controversy in Britain, with many asking questions regarding the 'suitability' of large numbers of Indian officers and the wisdom of allowing Indian troops access to artillery. Nevertheless, Secretary of State for India Lord Ripon approves the program, the only alteration being as it is considered 'inappropriate' Indian officers train alongside British officers, two Indian military academies are opened. One at Derhadun for service arms and one at Dapodi for technical services.
February 1895: Since his exile to the US after a long failed rebellion ending in 1878, Cuban revolutionary José Martí has been rallying support for another rebellion in the Cuban exile community. In late 1894 Martí organises three ships to transport weapons and rebels to Cuba. While two of the ships are seized by US authorities, Martí proceeds and begins his insurrection, starting a vicious war in Cuba.
February 1895: Alberto Santos-Dumont launches his first non-rigid airship, the No. 1. Despite some early promise, the airship is a failure, with its envelope being too small to enable to fully retain its shape.
February 1895: For many years their has been a dispute between Britain and Venezuela over where the western border of British Guiana lies. The British base their claims on the Schomburgk Line established by explorer Robert Schomburgk in 1840, while Venezuela claims all territory west of the Essequibo River. For the past few years the Venezuelans have unsuccessfully attempting to involve the US, claiming the British are violating the Monroe Doctrine. In a renewed effort, they have engaged a US lobbyist who has been capitalising on latent US Anglophobia to elicit support for the Venezuelans. Eventually he is successfully in getting Congress to pass a resolution calling for Britain and Venezuela to submit the matter to arbitration, claiming the dispute falls under the Monroe Doctrine.
February 1895: The Japanese capture the port of Weihaiwei in the Shandong province, finally crushing the Chinese resistance in the Sino-Japanese War. The remnants of the Beijing Fleet are either scuttled or captured, with Admiral Ding Ruchang committing suicide despite an offer of political asylum from the Japanese Commander Itō Sukeyuki. The fall of Weihaiwei finally convinces the Chinese to accept the British offer to mediate and open negotiations to end the war.
March 1895: To deal with the barrel wear issue of the Lee-Metford rifle, a new barrel using the improved deeper 'Chilean' rifling is introduced, resulting in the Lee-Enfield Mk I. Other than the new barrel and gas relief ports to better cope with burst cartridges, the rifle is identical to the existing Lee-Metford Mk II*. Alongside the new rifle a new 0.303” Mk III round developed at the Dum Dum arsenal in India is introduced. The new round features an exposed point, leading to the bullet expanding on impact, greatly increasing the damage inflicted.
March 1895: The financial collapse of the Argentine banking system in 1890 and Prime Minister Celso's policy of granting generous loans to conservative landowners to reduce opposition to his reforms has pushed Brazil in a deepening depression. In an attempt to deal with the situation Celso introduces a series of drastic austerity measures. His conservative opponents seize on the opportunity to attempt to remove him. His position is only saved by Empress Isabel working discreetly behind the scenes to gain support from the Catholic traditionalists. However they demand Celso abandons his reform program in return, a demand to which Celso will reluctantly agree in order to implement his austerity program.
March 1895: General Kitchener's army in Sudan finally has advanced to take the Mahdist capital of Omdurman. With some 23,800 troops he faces the Khalifa's main 55,000 strong army. The result will be a fierce six hour battle which will see the Mahdist army routed by withering rifle and machine gun fire. Kitchener's troops have been issued with the new 0.303” Mk III round, inflicting horrific wounds, greatly increasing the effectiveness of their fire. The battle will be noted for the last cavalry charge by the British army when the 2nd (Empress of India's) battalion, Prince of Wales Royal Lancers make one of the final cavalry charge of the British army, suffering heavy casualties attacking a force of Mahdist spearmen, not realising their true strength. While the Khalifa will survive, fleeing the battlefield, the Battle of Omdurman will be a decisive defeat, ensuring a British victory in the Sudan Campaign.
April 1895: The Treaty of Shimononseki ends the Sino-Japanese War. Despite British support the terms are extremely harsh, the Chinese are forced to cede Formosa, the Pescadore Islands and the Liaodong Peninsula to Japan while permanently renouncing suzerainty over Korea. The British attempts to moderate the treaty are only successful in reducing the indemnity from 200 million taels {£38,157,064} to 150 million {£28,617,793}. Nevertheless, the British efforts are well received by the Chinese, however they also cause significant resentment amongst the Japanese government.
April 1895: After two years of fighting for new capital ship construction the 1895 US naval program includes two new battleships. The Kentucky class will be almost unique with a dual 8" gun turret directly fixed on top of the dual 12" main armament. This arrangement will prove to be a failure with the 8" guns unable to fire without inflicting serious blast damage on the main guns. In addition to the two battleships are six gunboats and four torpedo boats.
April 1895: The defeat in the Sino-Japanese War has greatly undermined the position of Li Hongzhang, the leading advocate of reform in the Qing court and main supporter of the Guangxu Emperor, who has been blamed for the defeat. However it has allowed Prince Gong to regain his position as head of the Grand Council. Perhaps far worse though is it has led the British to reconsider their support for the Chinese, with Foreign Secretary Joseph Chamberlain now advocating switching to supporting Japan as a counter to Russian expansion in Asia.
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My very sincere apologies if anyone is offended at the title of the latest chapter. It's just Cpl Jones has always been one of my favourite characters and I wanted to use his catch phrase.