Two months after the signing of the agreement, Laos and the United States finally shipped the first batch of Jiangdong's light and small ships and the experts, technical workers and equipment needed by the shipyard to Tianjin.

On October 18, a grand welcome ceremony was held at Tianjin Military Port.

Military flags were flying, ribbons were fluttering, and people were shouting.

"Beep...beep..."

When the huge fleet appeared outside the military port, everyone's eyes were drawn to it.

The most eye-catching thing is the huge battleship, which can exert a sense of oppression from a long distance.

After that came cargo ships, light cruisers, frigates, gunboats and submarines.

The cargo ship is carrying all the equipment needed by the shipyard!

Except for the battleships, all the warships that appeared outside the military port were used by the United States to be delivered to Jiangdong.

Two light cruisers, three frigates, two gunboats and two submarines, a supply ship and a training ship.

At the military port, Xu Tingyi led a group of officers from the Bohai Fleet to line up neatly. Looking at the fleet that was getting closer and closer, their expressions were more excited than anyone else around them.

Only more than two months have passed. Naturally, these ships appearing outside the Tianjin Military Port cannot be newly built.

In fact, more than half of the first batch of light and small ships delivered by the United States were drawn from the Navy's active service.

Some have served in the navy for more than three years.

Even so, the officers of the Jiangdong and Bohai fleets would not dislike it, because the most important thing at the moment is to move the strength of the Sixth Corps from land to sea.

At least it must be able to maintain the safety of offshore waters and protect the interests of fishermen.

"Finally saw the warship..."

Wang Xueqin felt that his face was a little hot and the blood in his body was flowing faster. He half sighed and half said in surprise:

"At present, it seems that the hundreds of millions of silver dollars spent on the navy are still worth it. It would be great if the battleships were also given to us!"

Jiang Dong laughed, looking equally excited and happy,

"It's very clear in the agreement that we want brand new battleships.

It’s impossible to launch a new ship in two months, don’t worry, what’s supposed to come will come!”

The Navy is different from the Army and Air Force in that they attach great importance to ritual.

After the fleet entered the port, the military band began to play naval music, and the military flag guard faced the sea to welcome the fleet from afar.

The Chinese prepared a grand welcome ceremony. Lieutenant Colonel Smith on the warship, naval officers and soldiers, as well as experts and technicians required by the shipyard all looked satisfied.

They have experienced the feeling of being valued, and their rejection of cross-ocean work has also been reduced.

"salute!"

Xu Tingyi led the naval officers and the American personnel led by Smith saluted each other. Everything was done in accordance with the etiquette taught by the Naval Academy.

After the navies from both sides finished the salute, Jiang Dong stepped forward.

"General, the first batch of ships delivered are two light cruisers, three..."

Smith handed the handover document to Jiangdong seriously.

Jiangdong did not sign immediately. He asked people from the Development and Reform Commission and the Administrative Committee to come forward to arrange American experts and technicians.

The transportation of equipment also started at the same time.

Then Jiang Dong and Xu Tingyi led more than 200 naval officers and soldiers to board the cruisers, frigates, etc. delivered by the United States and began to conduct serious inspections.

Jiangdong has not been idle in the past two months. Through Fuxing Trading Company, he has recruited many experienced shipwrights and technical talents from the south who have participated in the construction of warships.

The knowledge base and skills of these people may not be as good as those of American personnel, but they are still more than enough to participate in the acceptance of ships.

The entire delivery process lasted more than three hours. After Chinese personnel inspected each ship, Jiangdong signed the handover document.

After this name fell, these warships belonged entirely to the Bohai Fleet.

The Chinese personnel no longer restrained themselves and cheered happily on each warship.

That evening, a welcome dinner was organized by the Foreign Affairs Office of the Administrative Committee.

"General, my soldiers and I will stay in China for two months, and we must leave after two months." Lieutenant Colonel Smith was very satisfied with the arrangements in North China. After drinking and eating, he said to Jiangdong while smoking a cigarette.

The United States does not simply hand over warships to China. They are also responsible for training naval officers and sailors. They will not leave until the Bohai Fleet has fully mastered the operation of these warships.

This is also part of the agreement.

Jiang Dong touched his chin and thought for a while, two months should be enough, so he agreed.

On October 20, Jiangdong held a naval ship induction ceremony at Tianjin Military Port.

After more than a day of heated discussions, the names of each warship were finally determined.

It is similar to the naming rules of the People's Navy in later generations.

The aircraft carrier and battleship Jiangdong plan to be named after provinces and municipalities. Provinces are easier to understand. Municipalities in the Republic of China mainly include Beiping, Tianjin, Shanghai, Wuhan, Chongqing, Nanjing, etc.

Sooner or later there will be aircraft carriers and battleships, and Koto left these names behind.

The aircraft carriers and battleships will be followed by cruisers and destroyers, both of which will be named after ordinary administrative cities, such as Jinan, Qingdao, Taiyuan, Guisui...

After that came frigates and gunboats, named after "county".

Finally, there is the submarine, which has a rather special name. Jiangdong is named after the names of major passes in China.

For example, Shanhaiguan Pass, Juyongguan Pass, etc.

Among the ships delivered in the first batch, the largest were two Brooklyn-class light cruisers.

They were named Baoding and Datong respectively.

The cruisers Baoding and Datong were separated from the US Navy's active service, with a standard displacement of 9,900 tons and a full load displacement of 12,400 tons.

The main armament is five triple 152mm naval guns, and the secondary armament is eight single-barreled 127mm naval guns.

It is 185 meters long, 19 meters wide and has a draft of 7 meters.

The maximum speed can reach 31 knots.

There are also two water reconnaissance aircraft and two catapults.

The total number of personnel on the ship is 868.

Before the follow-up warships arrive, Baoding and Datong will be the main force of the Bohai Fleet.

The light cruiser is followed by three Ludlow-class frigates.

It has a displacement of 1,780 tons, a total length of 93 meters, a width of 11 meters, a speed of 24 knots, and a crew of 186.

In addition to the main gun, the frigate is also equipped with triple torpedo launchers and multiple anti-aircraft cannons.

The three frigates were named Lu'an, Tai'an and Huai'an respectively.

The two gunboats were named Qingzhou and Dengzhou.

The two submarines are Dongyangguan and Tianjingguan.

There is also a training ship Tanggu and a supply ship Fenshui.

The above are all the ships of the Bohai Fleet.

The next two months will be two months of hard training.

After the first batch of naval officers pass the training, there will be a second batch and a third batch...

Jiangdong should use the ships on hand to cultivate as many naval talents as possible.

As long as there is sufficient talent reserve, subsequent warships will not need to undergo long-term training when they arrive in Tianjin, and can form combat effectiveness in a very short time.
Chapter completed!