Forums » Ongoing roleplay » New dry docks and improvements to existing docks

I had sent for, and employed a well respected Gorean Architect to draw up plans for Our new dry dock, and expansion of the existing docks, I sat in His office overlooking Our docks, Bythell for that was His name, had just displayed the artists impressions across His desk, I stood to take a closer look, Impressed I said, "well if the real dock looks anything like the artists impression then I will be more than pleased", Then He removed the artists impression and showed Me the blue prints, The actual structural plans with, specifications and all the information the builders would need, I had stipulated we wanted the dry dock to take the biggest round ships currently afloat plus an extra 25% to allow for future developments in ship building design and technology, although serpent ships are smaller than round ships, I have a vision of eventually overseeing the building of a gigantic serpent ship, and the dry dock needed to be able to take it.
Looking to Bythell, I said, "now comes the big questions, as you know I want the work completed in a year, and did You come up with a cost"?, He smiled, wrinkling His nose as if encountering a bad smell, a habit that had given Him the nickname, gas leak Bythell, "Yes He said I can oversee the work and have it completed in a year, as for cost it wont be cheap", "Yes I understand that but what is Your projected price, for the whole project?, He sniffed again, before rubbing His chin and saying, As You have timber and quarries on the Island most of the cost will be labour, I envisage paying each labourer 2 coppers a day, that comes out as about 6 silver tarsks per labourer for the year, artisans like masons and carpenters will earn slightly more, I envisage 200 men, 50 working the quarry and 25 felling timber, about 100 men working at excavating and building, then there is my fee, my price is, he paused for effect, .. 150 gold tarns. and there might be some additional costs upon completion, depending on matters beyond my control. I looked again at the artists impression and said, "right roll up the plans and I will submit Your plans and cost to Talarius, If He agrees You will hear from Us within the hand", I bid You good day Bythell, turning I walked from His office, the plans and cost projections tucked safely under My arm. I hoped Talarius would not be disappointed when I met with Him later.

I met with Aiken on the old jetty at Verrs Hoof Bay and there we discussed the plans and costings put forward by Bythell. North of the jetty a large tented encampment now stood, as I had instructed Tacitus to use the labourers no longer needed on the site of the new Estate to begin clearing trees and levelling land on the eastern side of the bay. Tacitus approached and asked what he should do with the masses of earth that would need to be removed to bring the east shore closer to water level, "I could have it all dumped out at sea?" he suggested. My gaze moved to the wide mouth of the bay and an idea came to me. "No, we need a wall across the harbour, to restrict entry and reduce the effect of storms on the anchorage, from the Old Fort across to the headland .... what think you of that idea Admiral?". Aiken nodded saying, "Aye, a good use for all that earth, and good protection for the squadrons too, there's no great depth at the neck of the bay, should be a simple matter!". "Then could you have Bythell add that into his calculations Akab, his price has seemed fair so far .... oh, and there are quite a few idle hands amongst the Fleet, a waste of labour, I'm sure many can swing an axe and use a spade!!"

I looked again at the Fleet List that the Admiral had given me ......

Squadron 1, The Kyrie, and six other serpent ships, Captain Torres is in overall command of the three squadrons that make up the current Helisto Home Fleet, together with Captain Black's Squadron 2, & Captain Drogba's Squadron 3, currently on patrol.

Squadron 2 The Athos and six other serpent ships, Captain Black in command, See above.

Squadron 3 The Layla and six other serpent ships, Captain Drogba in command, See Above.

Squadron 4 The Nassor and six other serpent ships, Captain Rogan in command, anchored close to shore in the bay, currently refitting.

Squadron 5 The Ramla and six other serpent ships, Captain Cheung in command.
Squadron 6 The Thabit and six other serpent ships, Captain Kyte in command.
Squadron 7 The Osiris and six other serpent ships, Captain Jangon in command.

These three squadrons are all about 1/3 below strength and anchored further out in the bay with minimum crews, the balance of those crews being on the island.

There are a score of roundships also in the bay, most of their crews are also ashore, perhaps as many more roundships are still at sea, a proper audit can be done upon their return.

Having agreed with Talarius's ideas for dumping the surplus soil to form a breakwater across part of the harbour, I set off to relay Our thoughts to G,L, Bythell, our architect and planner, meeting with Him in the temporary offices We had assigned Him, Having past a few pleasantries We got down to the business in hand, He gave me an update of the work to date, and I told Him of Our needs for a breakwater, asking in his opinion could we use the surplus soil, He stroked his chin and gave another of his trademark sniffs before saying, "Its not quite that simple, Soil would just be washed away with each tide, but using timber logs and boulders we could then deposit the soil, I'v noted its mostly clay, so give me a few days and I will draw up some plans and do the costings", Nodding We stood and shook hands, I told him "I look forward to hearing from You within the hand". turning I left the office and began walking to where Swan had her shop, I would pop in and surprise Her with a bunch of flowers. chuckling at what an old romantic I had become.

{Swan} hearing the shop door opening I turn and see Aiken, eyes open wide as I see flowers slightly tilts My head to one side as I say "What a lovely surprise, what brings You here this time of day?" I take the flowers that Aiken offer Me and calls for tula to put them into water.

Aiken joins Me at My work table and tells Me a little of how the New Docks are progressing. I listen with interest after the conversation I had with Talarius last evening. An idea pops into My head, "Aiken would You be so good as to escort Me to the docks to look at how "Admiralty House is shaping up?" "If that is what You want Dearest of course We can go and look around".

I shout to tula and aria that we are just popping out and instruct them to clean up whilst We are gone.

Taking Aiken's arm We leave the shop and walk towards the Dock discussing the layout of what is to be Our new Home.

The new docks were completed two full hands ahead of the scheduled time, the Admiral and His FC Lady Swan settled into Their new home, and trade and prosperity came to the Island of Helisto/

~The End~