Fullsteamchronicles
Royal Yacht "Skytanic"
And there she was: The „Skytanic“! Van de Maersk’s shipyard under the direction of his son in law, Hiram Lever, had outdone itself.
While steel itself wasn’t a new construction material, Brixton engineers had recently developed a brand new process for producing ultra-light steel which would take the airship industry literally to new heights. Whereas traditional wooden ships had to fight with friction, inflammability and atmospheric humidity, first-generation steel-hulled ships were heavy prodding behemoths using tons of energy to leave the ground and stay up in the air. Brixton’s heavy industrial and colonial expansion, driven by insatiable steam engines, led to a rapid depletion of Brixton’s energy resources. This new steel producing method served to slow down this process somewhat and create an export hit for Brixton on top of that. The new Studdington engines the „Skytanic“ was fitted with were especially designed for high-altitude flying, thereby limiting friction, increasing speed, and reducing energy consumption. Even with four separate engines, all smoke could be emitted through a single giant bright-red smokestack.
Aside from being a five-story technical marvel, the furnishing and adornments were state-of-the-art as well. Each cabin had a window, plush beds and plumbing. Guests could drink at the “Heaven’s Gate“ bar or dine in the exquisite restaurant „The Flying Fish“. The top deck invited passengers to take a stroll, relax in the warm-water pool (a first as well) or take a peek through one of its many telescopes. The highlight was the royal cabin on the bow of the airship with its lovely pavilion on top, a place the Queen adored. There was no better view on all of the ship. As a special birthday present she let the cabin to Princess Emily.
Chief naval architect Hiram Lever – a true perfectionist – believed in his design. He just wished he had been granted more time for a couple of additional test runs. Having his wife on board for this maiden voyage did not further his relaxation either, for he desired to focus on monitoring every little detail of this ship. But it was too late now.
Boarding was completed, and Captain Ulysses Wheeler had given the signal to fire up the engines. In only two days the „Skytanic“ would reach the coast of Belleville.
Or would she?
Royal Yacht "Skytanic"
And there she was: The „Skytanic“! Van de Maersk’s shipyard under the direction of his son in law, Hiram Lever, had outdone itself.
While steel itself wasn’t a new construction material, Brixton engineers had recently developed a brand new process for producing ultra-light steel which would take the airship industry literally to new heights. Whereas traditional wooden ships had to fight with friction, inflammability and atmospheric humidity, first-generation steel-hulled ships were heavy prodding behemoths using tons of energy to leave the ground and stay up in the air. Brixton’s heavy industrial and colonial expansion, driven by insatiable steam engines, led to a rapid depletion of Brixton’s energy resources. This new steel producing method served to slow down this process somewhat and create an export hit for Brixton on top of that. The new Studdington engines the „Skytanic“ was fitted with were especially designed for high-altitude flying, thereby limiting friction, increasing speed, and reducing energy consumption. Even with four separate engines, all smoke could be emitted through a single giant bright-red smokestack.
Aside from being a five-story technical marvel, the furnishing and adornments were state-of-the-art as well. Each cabin had a window, plush beds and plumbing. Guests could drink at the “Heaven’s Gate“ bar or dine in the exquisite restaurant „The Flying Fish“. The top deck invited passengers to take a stroll, relax in the warm-water pool (a first as well) or take a peek through one of its many telescopes. The highlight was the royal cabin on the bow of the airship with its lovely pavilion on top, a place the Queen adored. There was no better view on all of the ship. As a special birthday present she let the cabin to Princess Emily.
Chief naval architect Hiram Lever – a true perfectionist – believed in his design. He just wished he had been granted more time for a couple of additional test runs. Having his wife on board for this maiden voyage did not further his relaxation either, for he desired to focus on monitoring every little detail of this ship. But it was too late now.
Boarding was completed, and Captain Ulysses Wheeler had given the signal to fire up the engines. In only two days the „Skytanic“ would reach the coast of Belleville.
Or would she?