How to Survive in the Roanoke Colony

Simultaneously, mine development needed to proceed.

The iron mine in Roanoke was still maintaining good production. The problem now wasn't on the iron side.

"What about stone?"

"Given the scale of either bridges or breakwaters, stone alone would be difficult. We'll need cement."

Cement to be used in the construction of bridges and breakwaters.

Fortunately, unlike what Kin Issei had thought, 17th-century people were well aware of cement's existence. Since it had existed since ancient Roman times, they couldn't help but know about it.

However, cement was mostly used as exterior material or architectural adhesive, and rarely used for actually constructing various facilities.

Still, they did know that cement could be mixed with water and various aggregates to harden into concrete, and structures could be raised with it.

They just lacked practical experience using it.

So they immediately established a mine at a limestone deposit relatively close to Roanoke, as listed in the catalog.

Coincidentally, mining was also quite popular these days (for the same reason cotton farming was popular), making it easy to find workers.

And for efficiency, a cement factory began to be built nearby. Though know-how regarding cement manufacturing and usage hadn't accumulated yet, they decided to solve that gradually and moved on to the next problem.

What is generally called cement is mainly limestone powder mixed with other minor ingredients and heated.

In other words, whether for cement production or to handle the recently increased iron production, fuel for burning was needed.

Fortunately, bituminous coal, suitable for fuel among coal types, was mined abundantly in the former Powhatan tribe's territory, so fuel wasn't a major concern.

Another mine was established, and a miner's monastery was also built nearby. However, since it was located inland, transportation difficulties were anticipated.

"...Fortunately, following the James River leads directly to the coal deposits, so we're at ease."

"But going upstream won't be easy, so I'd like to find a method for that."

"Nameless one, did you say a method?"

"Yes. Besides, hasn't the phosphate rock mine in the south been greatly expanded recently? I understand they use river transport too, so the same problem arises."

"Isn't that unavoidable? It's still better than moving everything by land..."

"No. There is a method."

Kin Issei told his administrative staff:

"...Let's make boats that don't need rowing or wind power."

Everyone asked how that was possible. Kin Issei answered without difficulty:

"Haven't we already made carts that aren't pulled by oxen or horses?"

Steam tractors.

"Then, using the same principle, boats can move too."

Steamboats.

==

Steam engines and steamboats in the 17th century.

Even saying it myself, it feels somewhat unreal.

Well... without the 21st century materials and technology supporting us in the beginning, we would have only made toy-level items.

Anyway, in some fields, our technology had reached 18th or 19th century levels. It was certainly something to be happy about.

The first thing made with a steam engine was a simple water pump. It was used for reclaiming wetlands.

After that...

We made tractors right away.

We modified them to use as tanks.

Oh.

It seems like we skipped tremendously important intermediate steps, but it was a challenge that would have been impossible without my basic knowledge of 21st century educational comics and agricultural machinery.

Anyway, for us who didn't just make steam engines but developed tractors too, putting engines on boats to make them paddle themselves wouldn't be difficult.

According to the educational comics I read, the first steamboat was developed in 1807, the early 19th century, meaning we only needed to be about 200 years ahead.

Of course, the first tractor came out in 1856.

Entirely possible.

Certainly, it was worrisome that unlike agricultural tools, I was completely ignorant about ships.

But with the skilled shipwrights who had worked together on clippers, they could correct my minor errors.

'Ships mostly use screws, don't they?'

Even as someone ignorant about ships, and according to the countless educational comics about the Industrial Revolution at my home, ultimately the screw-propelled ship was the victor of the seas.

I immediately drew a simple design and showed it to Raleigh's various shipwrights. Although it looked childish, like an upside-down fan attached to a boat, they all quickly grasped my intention.

"...Indeed, this would allow us to move freely without having to row or rely on capricious winds."

"That's right. So how about adopting this design for building the new steamboat?"

"Hmm."

"...What's wrong?"

An ambiguous expression appears on the shipwrights' faces. As I tilted my head, one of them speaks:

"It seems like a good design, but there are anticipated problems."

"Problems, you say?"

Huh? How could that be? It's a conclusion copied from the future's answer.

As I wondered, another shipwright continued:

"Water will likely leak into the boat through the gap where that rotating shaft is inserted. Besides, making this 'screw'... doesn't look easy either."

Lack of watertightness. Water could rise into the boat through the screw's rotating shaft.

"Also, looking at the structure, the draft seems deep, but isn't the new steamboat going to navigate rivers and their coasts, not the sea? It doesn't seem easy to navigate in such shallow waters."

"..."

Deep draft. A structure that could hinder movement over shallow riverbeds.

How perplexing.

When we actually made a small model and floated it, problems kept emerging, like debris near the surface getting tangled around the screw.

Clearly... that structure seems correct... but our technology doesn't quite reach it yet.

I experienced the bitter taste of things not going as planned after a long time.

Anyway, for now, humanity's first steam screw-propelled ship design was discarded.

But that didn't stop progress. I had a Plan B.

Since things had come to this, we had no choice but to follow the form of early steamboats that appear 'there' as well.

I quietly returned from the Chesapeake shipyard site to Croatoan and turned on my computer.

I had received help before when making clippers... I'd get help again.

With a click sound, violin music played, and text appeared on the screen.

'Anno 1800'.

Of course.

A city management game set in the 19th century.

Perfect for the help I need right now.