"Let's use torpedo-grade explosives," Charles suggested.
Tijani nodded in agreement. Using a mixture of TNT and hexanitrodiphenylamine, the explosive would be 7% more powerful for the same volume and weight, meaning a greater chance of damaging a submarine.
"This needs to be as simple and cheap as possible," Charles continued. "For now, we can use timed fuses. We'll measure the rate at which it sinks, estimate the submarine's depth, and adjust accordingly."
"Then we drop the bombs in the direction the submarine might flee," Tijani said excitedly. "It wouldn't even need a direct hit—an explosion nearby could still disable it!"
Charles was pleasantly surprised; Tijani clearly understood the principles. It was similar to a torpedo: the reason a torpedo could punch through the thick armor of a battleship with just a small charge was due to the massive explosive force created under water pressure.
Depth charges would work the same way. Even without a direct hit, the shockwave and sudden change in water pressure could crack the hull or damage systems on the primitive submarines of this era.
The challenge, of course, was accurately locating the submarine. Later, depth charges would work in conjunction with sonar to pinpoint submarines' exact position and depth. But since sonar hadn't been invented yet, they'd have to estimate the submarine's depth based on its last known heading and drop the charges accordingly.
This approach wouldn't have a high success rate, but it was better than nothing. After all, there was only one German submarine in the area. The rest were smaller coastal submarines that needed to be towed by warships to reach the battlefield.
If Charles could neutralize that one large submarine, the submarine threat would be greatly reduced—at least in the Dardanelles.
At that moment, Wells was wrapping up a phone call with the Minister of the Navy. Wells had been working tirelessly to support his son Tijani's unusual "artistic pursuits" on the battlefield. ᴛhis chapter is ᴜpdated by NovᴇlFirᴇ(.)nᴇt
Arrangements for the Toulon Naval Base training and for the Gaulois battleship to escort the landing craft were all thanks to Wells's influence. Although French regulations prohibited industrialists like Wells from dealing directly with the military, his position as a member of parliament, as well as his oversight of much of the Navy's shipbuilding, ensured that doors opened for him.
The Minister of the Navy had said as much:
"I understand, Mr. Wells. Even without your intervention, I would make these arrangements gladly. Tijani is commanding the 105th Landing Regiment alongside Charles in the Dardanelles—this is an honor for France, a matter of pride, and our best hope for success."
Wells expressed some concern about the Gaulois's safety. "I've heard reports of German submarines in the area. The British have recalled their battleships to safer waters—are we certain it's safe?"
"Yes," replied the Minister of the Navy. "We're keeping the fleet to limited escort duties and only deploying them in emergencies."
"In that case," Wells said, "I hope my request to deploy the Gaulois doesn't cause too much trouble."
"Not at all," the Minister assured him. "This is war, Mr. Wells. I want you to know, this is not just for your son. The British themselves are hoping Charles can find a solution to this problem."
Of course, some British officials, particularly the First Sea Lord and Secretary of State for War, were not as eager. They feared Charles might either succeed or fail too visibly: if he failed, it would prove "not even Charles could salvage this," as Charles had predicted. But if he succeeded, Charles—and France—would take the glory, overshadowing Britain's efforts.
So the French Minister of the Navy was eager to cooperate. He even assured Wells, "If Charles needs further support, we'll gladly provide more ships. They're sitting idle in port anyway. And let's be clear: we'll show the British that it's they who are helpless, not us!"
Wells couldn't help but marvel at Charles's growing influence. With a mix of admiration and unease, he hung up the phone, reflecting that his own Brest shipyard's reputation paled in comparison. How had Charles achieved such sway?
Just then, the phone rang again—it was Tijani.
"Is there anything else you need?" Wells answered, a hint of sarcasm in his tone. "Shall I suggest they let you command the French Navy?"
"No, Father," Tijani replied, undeterred. "Charles has an idea for a new weapon. We need to produce it within a week."
"A week?" Wells nearly laughed. "Are you planning to take it straight to the front?"
At first, the request seemed impossible. Wells was accustomed to the shipbuilding process, which took years, not days. But the more he listened, the more sense it made.
"Yes, a week," Tijani insisted. "It's simple. We're thinking a 200-kilogram explosive barrel—something cylindrical like a gasoline drum, with a timed fuse."
Wells paused, surprised. Yes, he realized, that could be done within a week, and they could produce a lot of them if needed.
But… what would it be used for? Wells asked, "Are you planning to use it against enemy fortifications?"
"No, Father," Tijani said. "We're going to use it to sink submarines."
Wells bolted upright, as if shocked by electricity.
Sinking submarines… with a timed explosive barrel that could detonate underwater?
Good heavens, yet another simple but ingenious invention. Cheap, practical, and effective—it was basically just an explosive charge.
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