Chapter 27 Chapter Thirteen Pancina's Conclusions on the Situation
The port port machinery is now out of action due to boiler explosion, the starboard port machinery is still intact.In fact, the model island appears to have lost its tractor nose.With only the starboard thruster left, it could no longer move forward except to keep spinning.
The accident made the situation even more dire.In fact, when the two propellers of the model island can operate at the same time, it is not difficult to end this situation, as long as the two sides of Tantan and Coverly have a unified understanding.The engine resumed normal operation, pushing force in one direction.At that time, the island of machines can sail back to the Bay of Madeleine, with a delay of only a few days at most.
Now, that doesn't work.Even if an agreement can be reached, it is impossible to continue sailing.Captain Sim Coyer lacked the necessary impetus to leave this vast sea.
If the model island has not moved within this week, and if the expected ship can rendezvous with the model island, then it still has the possibility of returning to the northern hemisphere...
no more!That day, by observing the sky, I discovered that the model island had drifted southward while it was constantly rotating.It drifted from 12 degrees south latitude to 17 degrees.
In fact, between the New Hebrides and the Fiji Islands, due to the close proximity of the two islands, there are several currents that flow southeastward.If the machines work in unison, the model island can swim upstream without difficulty.However, since it started to spin on the spot, it was rushed towards the Tropic of Capricorn without hindrance.
Knowing the situation, Captain Sim Coyer frankly told these brave men, what we call the neutrals, the seriousness of the situation.Here's what he said to them.
"We've drifted five degrees to the south. Or, when the ship's machinery fails, the sailors can do something about it, but we can't do anything on the model island. We don't have sails on our island, and we can't take advantage of the wind. The current dominates to our fate. Where are we going to be drifted? No idea. As for the steamers out of the Madeleine Bay, they couldn't find us at the appointed place. And we are drifting toward the Pacific Ocean at 8 to 10 miles an hour. The sea area where few ships pass!"
In these few words, Ethel Simcoyer explained this unchangeable reality.The machine island is like a huge floating object, which is carried by the current.When the current is northward, it drifts northward.When the current goes south, it goes south with the current.May drift all the way to Antarctica.And then...
This situation quickly spread among the residents, spread throughout the city of hundreds of millions, and also spread throughout the two port areas.The great danger was clearly felt by all.As a result of this, things become very human.The mood was somewhat calmed by the fear of new disasters.No one wants to use force in this brother-in-law fight ever again.If the hatred persists, it will at least lead to violent fighting.Gradually, people on both sides began to retreat; retreated to their own areas, retreated to their own avenues, and retreated to their own residences.James Tanken and Nate Coverley drop their front office row.So, at the joint proposal of the two island consuls, the Council of Celebrities made the only sensible decision: In view of the current situation, the committee handed over all powers to Captain Sim Coyer.From now on, he is the only leader, and the task of saving the model island is entrusted to him.
Ethel Simcoyer stepped in and did not hesitate.He counts on the personal loyalty of his friends, and of his subordinates.But what can he do on this vast island of water machines?The model island covers an area of 27 square kilometers, and it has been unable to drive since it lost two propellers operating at the same time.
Since similar accidents have made the model island useless, it can only be at the mercy of the wind and waves.Why can't it be said that the model island - which at that time was regarded as a masterpiece of the history of aquatic architecture - has been sentenced to death? ...
The accident was not caused by natural forces. Since its construction, the "Pearl of the Pacific" has always successfully overcome the storms of nature.It is caused by human error.Its factors include internal conflicts, billionaires' scramble for power, unrepentant stubbornness, and the opposite direction of one south and one north.These foolish actions caused the port port boiler to explode.
But what good is accusation?What should be done now is to first understand the loss of the port port.Captain Sim Coyer called a meeting of his officers and engineers.King Marekari also joined in.The emperor-philosopher was astonished to discover that human fanaticism could produce such disasters!
A specially appointed committee came to the ruins where the power plant building and engine room once stood.The steam generator exploded from overfiring, destroying everything and killing two mechanics and six firemen.The destruction cannot be said to be incomplete, and even the power plant was not spared.It should be known that the plant is responsible for providing electricity to half of the model island.Fortunately, the generator on the starboard side was still running.Pancina puts it this way:
"I can see with one eye!"
"You can see it," said Frascolin, "but we've lost a leg too, so the other leg is useless!"
"One-eyed dragon and cripple, it's too bad!"
Judging from the results of the survey, the damage cannot be repaired.It was no longer possible to stop the island from drifting south.Therefore, it is necessary to watch the situation and wait for the model island to get rid of the current that will bring it to the Tropic of Capricornus.
After understanding the loss situation again, it is necessary to check the status of the island body.With the week's rotation shaking the island so violently, is there no loss? ...Is the steel plate loose? Is it necessary to tighten the rivets? ...if there is a leak, how can it be plugged? ...
Engineers are in charge of the second inspection.Their report to Captain Sim Coyer was more or less reassuring.In many places, under the action of traction, the steel plate cracked and the steel frame was broken.Thousands of rivets fell out and cracks appeared.A number of cabins have been flooded.But the waterline has not been lowered, and the firmness of the metal plates has not been seriously damaged.The new owner of the model island does not have to worry about his property.As for the port port, after the explosion, a wharf sank... But the port port was not affected, and its dikes can still protect ships from the waves.
However, there was an order from above; fix everything that can be fixed immediately.The important thing is that residents can rest assured about the issue of material supply.Enough was enough, even too much; the model island could no longer sail to the nearest land due to the loss of the thrusters in the port port.From this point of view, there is really no cure!
Hunger and thirst are still a problem... just enough to last a month... two months? ...
That's the statistic Captain Sim Coyer made; as for the water, don't worry.One distillery was destroyed by the explosion, but the other was still functioning and should be able to meet all needs.
As for living food, the situation is not so good.It cannot be maintained for two weeks even if it is fully budgeted, unless a strict rationing system is implemented for 10,000 residents.Except for fruits and vegetables, everything is supplied from outside...and outside supply...where can I find outside supply? ...how far is the nearest land from here?How can I get there? ...
Unpleasant means followed, and Captain Sim Coyer was forced into rationing.That very night, the sad news was sent by phone and telex.
As a result, Yiwan City and Lianggang District fell into panic, and everyone had a premonition that there was an even bigger disaster to come.With no means of replenishing food, would the horror of famine--a familiar and haunting spectacle, as one might imagine--be soon to permeate the land? ... As a matter of fact, Captain Simcoyer did not have a single steamer to send to the American Continent ... so fate dictated, and the last steamer was dispatched three weeks ago, carrying Cyrus Picktaff, and The remains of other martyrs who fought against the Eromango invasion.There is no doubt that the problem of maintaining self-esteem has embarrassed the Model Island even worse than the invasion of the New Hebrides native gangs.
It is true, even if the family has billions, even if it is as rich as Rothschild, Mackay, Astor, Vanderbilt, Gould?Money can't be eaten, it can't satisfy hunger! ... There is no doubt that these rich people have deposited their wealth in banks of the old and new continents for insurance purposes.Maybe that day is not far away.At that time, even if you spend one million yuan, you will not be able to buy a catty of meat or a piece of bread.
In short, this error is due to the absurd quarrels of the rich, to their stupid rivalry, to their lust for power!They are sinners, and the two big families of Tanken and Coverly are the instigators of this disaster!Military officers, civil servants, clerks, merchants, and the entire population have been brought into this predicament by them.In case everyone is angry, they have to be careful of other people's revenge!A man can do anything if he's hungry, can't he?
This should be mentioned; the two great families are to blame, but Walter Tanken and Miss Ty Coverley are not to blame.No!This has no responsibility for young men and women!They used to be the bond that guaranteed the future of the two districts, but they were not the ones who severed this bond!
For 48 hours, observations were not possible due to weather conditions.The location of the model island is not yet certain.
Just after dawn on March 31, the sky began to open up, and the thick fog quickly dispersed.Hope to be able to determine the bearing in this good weather.
Everyone was looking forward to the observation results, and they were very anxious.Hundreds of people came to the former fort.Walter Tanken was among the crowd.But his father, Nate Coverly, and the dignitaries, they did not dare to leave the mansion, because they had caused this situation.Only at home can they escape the wrath of the masses.
Before noon, observers are ready to catch the sun's blazing time to observe.Two sextants, one held by King Marekari and the other by Captain Simkoyer, were aimed at the sky.Once the height of the sun at noon is measured, the calculation is started immediately, and the result is announced only after the result is checked correctly:
Latitude 29 degrees 17 minutes south
At about 2 o'clock, the second observation was made, and the weather conditions were also good.The measured longitude this time is:
179 degrees 32 minutes east longitude
And so it is; the current has carried it a thousand miles or so to the south-east since the model island was subjected to a spiral.
When this bearing is marked on the chart, everyone knows it.
The nearest island, also at a distance of 100 miles, is called the Cork Madeque Islands.There are many rocks, no grass grows, and there are few people, so they can't get food.Besides, there was no way to sail there.Three hundred miles to the south is New Zealand.If the current doesn't flow there, how does it get there?To the west, 1500 miles away, is Australia.Thousands of miles to the east is Chile in South America.Beyond New Zealand lies the barren polar sea of ice.Will the model island be smashed into this polar land? …One day the voyagers will find in the Antarctic the remains of these men who died of anxiety, of starvation! ... As for the current, Captain Sim Coyer immediately set about making a careful study.What would happen if these currents did not change direction, if it met no counter-current, if the usual storms arose near this pole? ...
These news are extremely panic-inducing.Everyone's emotions became more and more unstable. They hated the chief culprit of this disaster, and hated these harmful rich people in the city of billions of dollars.It is they who should be responsible for causing this situation.In order to prevent riots, King Marekari must exert his influence, Captain Sim Coyer and Colonel Stewart must do their best, officers need absolute loyalty, and they also need absolute control over sailors and soldiers.
The day passed without change.Everyone had to accept food rationing, and it was limited to basic needs - rich and poor alike.
During this period, the watchmen worked very attentively, carefully observing the horizon.Signal as soon as a ship is seen.It may thus be possible to restore a broken link.Unfortunately, Machine Island has been washed out of the way, and few ships will pass through this piece of sea near the South Pole.There, to the south, the wild imaginations seemed to see Antarctic scenes; the eruptions of Erebus and Troll lit up the poles!
However, on the night of April 3-4, the opportunity will come.The north wind, which had been blowing violently for several days, suddenly stopped.A silence ensued.The sea breeze suddenly turns to the southeast. This unpredictable climate is not uncommon during the spring equinox.
Captain Sim Coyer rekindled his hope that if the model island was sent a hundred miles westward by the wind, the upstream could send it to Australia or New Zealand.In any case, the momentum of drifting towards the Antarctic sea has been stopped.Encounters with ships are very likely in the waters off the Australian mainland.
It was dawn, and the southeast wind was already very strong, and Model Island clearly felt its influence.The high-rise buildings on the island, the observatory, the city government building, the Christian church, the Catholic church, they all become objects for a ride to some extent.They act as sails, pushing the 432 million-ton island adrift.
Although the clouds in the sky are moving very fast, although the sun appears and disappears from time to time, effective observation and measurement can still be carried out.
In fact, people managed to align the sun in the clouds twice.
Calculations show that Model Island has drifted northwest by two degrees since last night.It would be too hard to accept that the machine island is only obeying the wind.It was concluded that Machine Island would be caught in some kind of countercurrent, unlike the currents of the Pacific Ocean.What luck to have a counter current flowing to the northwest!The chance of self-rescue will become reality again.But, my God!Can you hurry, because another cut in food rations is imperative again. More than 10,000 people want to eat, can it not consume storage capacity?It's just that its consumption rate is too amazing!
When the results of the last astronomical observation were reported to Lianggang District and the city, everyone's spirits relaxed.Crowds have been known to swing from one end to the other in a split second, from despair to hope.This is change.The inhabitants here are not like the wretches who crowd the big cities.They should, and have been, appear calmer, more thoughtful, more patient.Of course, if you are threatened with hunger, you can be afraid of it, can't you? ...
Throughout the morning, the wind showed a tendency to increase.The barometer drops slowly.As the sea was greatly impacted in the southeast, there were long, powerful waves.The previous model island was unscathed, but now it can no longer withstand the huge bumps.Some homes were shaking horribly from head to toe, with things shifting inside, sort of like an earthquake.Since the residents of Hundred Million City have had similar experiences more than once, this phenomenon naturally causes everyone to be extremely disturbed.
Captain Sim Coyer and his subordinates have always been on the observatory.All work is concentrated there.The shaking of the building worried them a lot.They admitted with great reluctance that the situation had become too serious to be increased.
"It's very obvious," said Captain Sim Coyer, "the bottom of the model island has been under too much pressure...the steel box has cracks...the island is no longer strong enough to guarantee..."
"May God not wish the model island to be subject to a great storm," added King Marekari, "because the island is not strong enough to withstand it!"
"Yes! Now, the residents have lost confidence in this man-made land... They can't even stand upright... Even if they hit a rock, or hit the Antarctic land, it is a hundred times better than now! … …the fear, which is present all the time, the dread of the model island being torn apart and buried in the unfathomable depths of the Pacific Ocean, which cannot, even the most determined minds, remain optimistic and comprehensible. "
It is already an undeniable fact that some steel boxes have suffered new damage.The clapboard couldn't bear it anymore, and the steel plate was also warped.In the park, along the banks of the Serpentine, and on the ground of some avenues on the outskirts of the city, uneven shapes were seen due to breaks in the ground.Several buildings have tilted.If they fall, they will damage the substructure that bears the foundation!As for the cracks, there is no need to think about plugging them anymore!The sea will come rushing in from under the boat, that's for sure.Because the water line has dropped.Around the island, whether in the two port areas or the two forts, the waterline has been lowered by one foot.If it goes down again, sea water will come up to the shore from it.With the base of the model island already damaged, it was only a matter of time before it sank!
The situation, which Captain Simcoyer wished to keep secret, was certain to cause terror.Doing so is broken!Residents can take pretty drastic action against those responsible, since they are responsible for so much disaster.They could not rely on lifeboats to escape like passengers on a ship.Those people can hop into boats, or make their own rafts.The entire crew could take refuge on a raft, hoping for rescue at sea, but not here!Here the raft is the model island itself, and now it is sinking!
On this day, Captain Sim Coyer made people observe the changes of the waterline all the time.The model island is constantly sinking, and seawater is constantly seeping into the steel box. Although it is not fast, it continues to seep, and it cannot be prevented.
At the same time, the weather turned harsh.The sky was gray and red and bronze.The barometer drops rapidly.The atmosphere showed signs of an approaching storm.After the dense water vapor, the horizon becomes narrow, as if it is only as big as the coast of the model island.
As night fell, a terrible wind blew loudly.The waves beat the island body violently, the steel box was broken, the steel beam was broken, and the island body was torn apart.There was the sound of metal cracking everywhere.The streets in the city and the lawns in the park were in danger of breaking... So, when it got dark, the city of billions of dollars became an empty city, and all the people crowded into the countryside.There are not too many large buildings built there, so it seems relatively safe.All the residents are scattered in two port areas, the front fort and the rear fort.
At about 9 o'clock, there was a shock on the model island, and even the foundation at the bottom was shaken.The power plant that lights the starboard port has just sunk to the bottom of the sea.The surroundings are as dark as ink, and the world is indistinguishable.
Soon, the ground shook again, indicating that the house was beginning to topple like a castle of cards.In a few hours, the water buildings on the model island will be razed to the ground.
"Gentlemen," said Captain Simkoyer, "the observatory is about to collapse too, and we can't stay long on it. . . . Go to the suburbs! Wait there for the storm to pass."
"It's a hurricane," King Marekari replied.He noted that the barometer had dropped to 713mm by this time.
In fact, the movement energy of the hurricane is so great that it is like a powerful capacitor, which can drag the machine island into it.A large expanse of seawater is rolled up by the hurricane, forming a whirling storm.The storm rotates around an almost vertical wind column, rolling from west to east, from the southern sea area, towards the southern hemisphere.Hurricanes can cause many disasters in an instant.If you want to get out, you have to go to the center of the relatively weak hurricane wind, at least to the right of the wind column, that is, "mild semicircle".The waves there have subsided.But without thrusters, it is no longer possible to maneuver the island body.This time, neither man-made stupidity nor the stubbornness of the two island consuls, but a terrible natural phenomenon will destroy the model island.
King Marecari, Captain Simkoyer, Colonel Stewart, Sebastian Zorno and his companions, astronomers and officers who had to abandon the observatory due to threats to their safety and go.In time, they had gone two hundred paces before the tower collapsed with a terrible crash.The tower pierced the ground of the square and sank into the abyss of the sea.
In an instant, the entire building was left in ruins.
At this time, the "Quartet" wanted to rush back to 1st Avenue and run back to the Entertainment City.If possible, they want to grab the instrument that is there.The entertainment city was still standing, they ran in, rushed into the room, picked up two violins, a viola and a cello and ran to the park.They took refuge there.
There, thousands of people from the two urban areas gathered.Both the Tanken and the Coverleys were present.It may be a blessing for them to be in the dark.No one can see anyone, no one can recognize anyone!
Walter, however, was lucky enough to find Miss Ty Coverley.In the event of a catastrophe, he will try his best to rescue her... At that time, he will take her and cling to some kind of floating object...
The young girl had already guessed that the young man was by her side, so she couldn't help calling out:
"Oh, Walter! . . . "
"Tee... darling Tee...here I am!... I'll never leave you again..."
As for the Parisians, they don't want to separate...they're packed into each other.Frascolan was still sane.Yvernay was terribly nervous.Although Pancina has accepted it, she still ridiculed it again and again.Sebastian Zorno kept chattering with Athanaz Doremy.The latter decided to stay with his fellow countrymen. "I told you beforehand," said Atanaz Doremy, "this matter will not end well!...I told you beforehand!"
"My lord!" said "Your Highness" loudly, "it's always your penitential hymn!"
In the middle of the night, the hurricane set off another madness.The gathered cyclones set off huge waves and rushed towards the model island.Where will this storm take the model island? ...would it break upon the rocks...would it disintegrate in the open ocean?
Now, the island is riddled with scars and holes.All joints are cracked.The high-rise buildings, Santa Maria Church, Christian Church, and City Hall Building all collapsed and fell into the huge cave.The sea water gushed out from these huge caves, spraying high water columns.The magnificent buildings disappeared, only a few remnants remained.How much wealth, how many jewels, famous paintings, and sculptures will be wiped out forever!If the residents can still see the sunrise of the next day, if they have not been swallowed by the sea together with Bandao, then at dawn, they will no longer be able to see this extraordinary city of billions.
In fact, although the surface of the park and suburbs has not changed, the seawater has begun to erode in.The waterline dropped again.The island plane of the machine island is already level with the water level.The hurricane set off huge waves and rushed towards it.
There is no shelter, nowhere to hide.The front fort is facing the wind outlet, which can neither block the huge waves nor seal the howling wind.The steel box cracked and disintegrated one after another, and the cracking sound of Zhaza might have been drowned out by the sound of thunder.
At about three in the morning, the park was torn apart along the bed of the Serpentine.From this 2-kilometer-long crack, a large amount of seawater gushes out.They should flee for their lives as soon as possible, and all the residents of the city scattered to the suburbs.Some ran to the port, others to the fort.Families were torn apart and mothers could not find their children.At this time, the waves rushed towards the surface of the model island like a huge tsunami.
Walter Tanken kept his feet on Miss Tee, trying to get her off the starboard side.She had no strength left with him, he supported her who was almost immobile, and hugged her.In this way, he walked through the frightening crowd, walking in this terrible darkness.
At five o'clock in the morning, there was another sound of tearing metal in the east.
A piece of the island about half a square mile was dismembered...
It is the port on the starboard side. The factories, machines, and shops in the port are all buried in the bottom of the sea... The island body is completely cracked... The steel boxes are scattered, and some of them cannot bear the heavy load and disappear into the abyss of the sea.
"The company collapsed first, and the model island collapsed later!" Pansina said loudly.
This is a summary of the situation.
Now all that remained of the magical model island were flotsam, like fragments of an exploding comet.Of course, they are not floating in the air, but on the sea, in the vast expanse of the Pacific Ocean.
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