A week later, the date was October 10th, 1834.
Napoleon II was on his way to Brest in his royal steam locomotive. He brought with him his father, Napoleon Bonaparte, and his Minister of Defense, Berthier.
"I can't believe they have done it," Napoleon I said, looking at the report. "We finally have a proper navy that would dominate the sea and make the British Navy obsolete."
"Hold your horses down father," Napoleon II said. "We are just going to see if they have really done it."
"But Berthier said they have done it. The flagship of the French Navy," Napoleon I said as he glanced at Berthier, as if seeking confirmation.
"It is indeed completed but it hasn't started its sea trials yet," Berthier finished. "The hull is sealed. The armaments are installed. Boilers pressure-tested while docked. But until she leaves harbor and endures open water, we cannot declare her operational."
Napoleon I folded the report once and set it on his knee.
