Of course, for Jervis, preserving the steam battleship construction plan he single-handedly initiated was also about securing his own position as Sea War Minister.
A knock came at the door. Jervis's aide spoke from outside the office: "General, Lieutenant Colonel McPherson wishes to see you."
Jervis signaled the reporting officer to step out first, then said to the aide, "Let him in."
Soon after, McPherson entered and saluted, placing a stack of documents before Jervis. "General, the investigation results are in."
Jervis hefted the report, and said somewhat impatiently, "Just get to the conclusion."
"Yes, General." McPherson bowed slightly. "Among all the warships that malfunctioned, at least six were due to a broken shaft."
Indeed, since most of the troubled ships did not make it back, there was concrete evidence for only a handful.
"In addition, from our inspection of other steam battleships, we have found cracks in the main shafts of seven more ships."
