On the shipyard at the southwest side of the harbor basin, the air was filled with a mixture of sawdust, tar, and steam.
Louis stood on the temporary trial water platform, his gaze fixed on the newly assembled experimental ship, Prototype No. 1.
It was the first small ship with a steam paddle wheel structure, completed by the Red Tide Craftsmen Corps and the shipbuilding team from the Southeast Province in three weeks.
The paddle wheels on both sides of the aft cabin were huge and heavy, connected to the steam engine by gears.
"Prepare to start," Mike said in a low voice.
The technician nodded, turned the valve, and the steam engine roared to life, spinning the paddle wheels abruptly.
Water splashed at the stern, but in the next moment, the Dawn violently shook, and the hull began to list to the left.
"The paddle wheel is off to the left!" a sailor shouted.
"Reduce the pressure quickly! The stern is shaking too much!"
