The Later French Armored Cruisers, 1899 - 1910
Comparative Plans and Specifications

The MONTCALM on trials
Trailing a dense plume of coal smoke, the Montcalm breaks 22 knots on trials, 1902.

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General Introduction

As the 19th century rolled to its end and the 20th roared into being, French big cruiser design shifted from the jeune école extremes of the Dupuy de Lôme model into larger and more conventional armored cruisers in the 10 to 14,000-ton range -- larger than the French battleships of the 1890s. This marked the emergence of the Louis-Émile Bertin era of warship design in France, as seen in the similarity to the République-Liberté battleship classes, an elegant contrast to the clunky "fierce-face" warships that had preceded them. Although these vessels represented steady improvement over the earlier design doctrine, French warships continued to be hampered by long build times -- still as long as 7 years at the turn of the century for ships that ordinarily would have taken but 2-3 years in a British or German yard. For that reason BBB gives two dates for these ships: the first is the date laid down, the latter, of completion and commissioning.

A common design feature of all these ships was that the boiler rooms were split into two blocks, with the engine room placed in between. This arrangement was visible externally in their distinctive profile: pairs (or trios) of funnels separated by a long gap amidships in these long, narrow ships. Also like the Liberté class battleships, they shared a de-emphasized ram, evolving to a concave bow-shaped stem and eventually to a plumb stem. Other period features included recessed anchor beds and various designs of standardized masts. One feature that was inherited from the 1890s style vessels: these were nearly all triple screw ships. Compared to previous French efforts, they were mechanically sound and seaworthy vessels. In keeping with the Marine National's more modest budgets, these ships emerged in smaller numbers than the British fleet, but still in classes of 3 to 5 ships, as befit a major colonial power -- France at that time held extensive territories in North Africa, the Caribbean, and Southeast Asia.

There is sufficient variety in their design to sustain the interest of our well-informed Big, Bad Battleships readers. As for the protected cruisers, these still retained more vestiges of France's strange design fixations of the previous decades. These ships were mostly one-offs. In numbers they did not begin to compare with the swarms of smaller cruisers being punched out by British, German, and American yards during the period; but with their individuality, make a worthy object of contemplation for the French warship aficionado.

This page outlines the various classes of armored and protected cruisers built during the Bertin period. In the interest of overview and the ability to compare designs and development, our profiles here are limited to schematics and specifications. Selected classes are examined in detail in our Later French Armored Cruisers page.


Pothuau    |    Montcalm    |    Dupleix    |    Jeanne d'Arc

Amiral Aube    |    Léon Gambetta    |    Renan    |    Edgar Quinet

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The Pothuau - 1893/1896

USS MONOCACY - Civil War double-ender gunboat

The Pothuau was a smaller version of the Dupuy du Lôme, one of the last of this inspiration in the French navy. Mounting all single turrets, she rehearsed all the characteristics of the "fierce face" cruiser, from the outsize plough ram to the far-forward placement of the bow gun and bridge, to the almost grotesque tumble-home of the sides.

Specifications for the Pothuau:
Dimensions: 370'9" x 50' x 22'6"    Displacement: 5,360 tons. Armament: (2) 7.6", (10) 5.5", and (10) 3-pdr guns; (4) 18" TT. Armor: Acier special durci (Harvey) type. 2⅜"/1¼" belt, 9½" CT, 7" turrets, 3" hoists, 2" casemates, 2" secondary hoists; 3⅜" deck. Fuel capacity: 538 tons of coal normal; 638 tons maximum. Propulsion: (6) coal-fired Belleville boilers; (2) horizontal triple expansion engines developing 10,000 hp, shafted to twin screw. Speed: 19.2 knots. Crew: 463. Cost: £384,000 at 1895 valuation.

Metric Specs:
Dimensions: 113m x 15.25m x 6.9m    Displacement: 5,360 tons. Armament: (2) 194 mm, (10) 174 mm, and (10) 3-pdr guns; (4) 45 cm TT. Armor: Harvey type. 60/32 mm belt, 240 mm CT, 178 mm turrets, 76 mm hoists, 50 mm casemates & secondary hoists; 86 mm deck. Fuel capacity: 538 tons of coal normal; 638 tons maximum. Propulsion: (6) coal-fired Belleville boilers; (2) horizontal triple expansion engines developing 7,457 kW, shafted to twin screw. Speed: 32 km/hr. Crew: 463. Cost: £384,000 at 1895 valuation.


The Montcalm Class - 1902

USS MONOCACY - Civil War double-ender gunboat

Specifications for the Montcalm class:
Dimensions: 452'9" x 63'8" x 24'6"    Length OA: 460'    Displacement: 9,517 tons. Armament: (2) 7.6"/40 M1893, (8) 6.4" M1891, (4) 4", and (16) 3-pdr guns; (2) submerged 18" TT. Armor: Harvey type. 6¾"/4" belt; 3" forecastle; 3¾"/2¼" upper belt; 6" CT; 8" turrets; 5" turret bases; 4" casemates; 2" deck. Fuel capacity: 1,000 tons of coal, normal; 1,600 tons maximum incl. 300 tons oil. Propulsion: Coal-fired water-tube boilers*; (3) VTE developing 19,600 hp, shafted to triple screw. Speed: 21 knots. Crew: 540; as flagship, 583.

Ships in class:  Montcalm · Dupetit Thouars · Gueydon
* Boilers: Niclausse (G), Normand (M), Belleville (DT).

Metric Specs:
Dimensions: 138m x 19.4m x 7.5m    Length OA: 140.2m    Displacement: 9,517 tons. Armament: (2) 194 mm/40 M1893, (8) 165 mm M1891, (4) 100 mm, and (16) 3-pdr guns; (2) submerged 45 cm TT. Armor: Harvey type. 170/100 mm belt; 76 mm forecastle; 95/57 mm upper belt; 152 mm CT; 254 mm turrets; 127 mm turret bases; 100 mm casemates; 50 mm deck. Fuel capacity: 1,000 tons of coal, normal; 1,600 tons maximum, incl. 300 tons oil. Propulsion: Coal-fired water-tube boilers*; (3) VTE developing 14,616 kW, shafted to triple screw. Speed: 38.9 km/hr. Crew: 540; as flagship, 583.


The Dupleix Class - 1903

USS MONOCACY - Civil War double-ender gunboat

A one-off alternative to the single mount model, the Dupleix had a novel layout echoing the 1890s "diamond pattern," with twin 6.4" turrets forward, aft, and on the beams.

Specifications for the Dupleix class:
Dimensions: 426'6" x 58'6" x 24'3"    Displacement: 7,700 tons. Armament: (8) 6.4"/45 (4x2), (4) 4", and (10) 3-pdr guns; (2) above-water 18" TT. Armor: 4"/3¼" belt; 6" CT; 4" turrets & bases; 2¼" deck. Fuel capacity: 880 tons of coal normal; 1,000 tons maximum, plus 200 tons oil. Propulsion: (20) coal-fired Belleville boilers (Niclausse in Klèber); (3) inverted VTE developing 17,700 hp, shafted to triple screw. Speed: 21 knots. Crew: 520.

Ships in class:  Dupleix · Desaix · Klèber

Metric Specs:
Dimensions: 130m x 17.8m x 7.4m    Displacement: 7,700 tons. Armament: (8) 165 mm/45 (4x2), (4) 100 mm, and (10) 3-pdr guns; (2) above-water 45 cm TT. Armor: 100/83 mm belt; 152 mm CT; 100 mm turrets & bases; 57 mm deck. Fuel capacity: 880 tons of coal normal; 1,000 tons maximum, plus 200 tons oil. Propulsion: (20) coal-fired Belleville boilers (Niclausse in Klèber); (3) inverted VTE developing 13,199 kW, shafted to triple screw. Speed: 38.9 km/hr. Crew: 520.


The Amiral Aube Class - 1903

USS MONOCACY - Civil War double-ender gunboat

The Aube marked a turn back to symmetrically placed single mounts after the Dupleix class experiment with twins. Handsome 10,000 tonners with twinned paris of funnels, they presaged the appearance of the much larger Léon Gambetta Michelet, and Edgar Quinet classes to come. Fifth sister ship Sully was wrecked in Vietnam in 1905.

Specifications for the Amiral Aube class:
Dimensions: 452'9" x 63'6" x 26'6"    Length OA: 460'    Displacement: 10,000 tons. Armament: (2) 7.6"/40 (2x1), (8) 6.4"/45 (8x1), (6) 4", and (18) 3-pdr guns; (2) 9-pdr boat guns; (5) 18" TT. Armor: Creusot type. 6¾"/4" belt; 5" upper belt; 2¼" bow; 8" turrets & CT; 4" turret bases; 4¾" small turrets and casemates; 3¾" small turret bases; 4" bulkheads; 2½"/1¼" deck. Fuel capacity: 970 tons normal; 1,590 tons maximum. Propulsion: (8) coal-fired Niclausse (Gl, C) or Belleville boilers (Mar, AA); (3) VTE developing ~22,000 hp, shafted to triple screw. Speed: 21½-22 knots. Crew: 612. Cost: £875,000 at 1900 valuation.

Ships in class:  Gloire · Marseillaise · Condé · Amiral Aube · Sully

Metric Specs:
Dimensions: 138m x 19.35m x 8.1m    Length OA: 140.2m    Displacement: 10,000 tons. Armament: (2) 194 mm/40 (2x1), (8) 165 mm/45 (8x1), (6) 100 mm, and (18) 3-pdr guns; (2) 9-pdr boat guns; (5) 45 cm TT. Armor: Creusot type. 172/100 mm belt; 128 mm upper belt; 57 mm bow; 254 mm turrets & CT; 100 mm turret bases; 121 mm small turrets and casemates; 96 mm secondary turret bases; 100 mm bulkheads; 64/32 mm deck. Fuel capacity: 970 tons normal; 1,590 tons maximum. Propulsion: (8) coal-fired Niclausse (Gl, C) or Belleville boilers (Mar, AA); (3) VTE developing ~16,400 kW, shafted to triple screw. Speed: 39.8-40¾ km/hr. Crew: 612. Cost: £875,000 at 1900 valuation.


The Jeanne d'Arc - 1903

Schematic of French armored cruiser JEANNE D'ARC of 1903

Specifications for the Jeanne d'Arc:
Dimensions: 475'8" x 70' x 26'7"    Displacement: 11,300 tons. Armament: (2) 7.6" (2x1) and (14) 5.4" guns; (26) smaller calibre guns; (5) 18" torpedo tubes. Armor: Harvey type. 6"/4"/3" belt; 3" upper belt; 6" CT; 7¾" turret; 4" turret base; 5" casemate; 2½" deck. Coal capacity: 1,400 tons std; 2,100 tons maximum; undisclosed qty bunker oil. Propulsion: 36 coal-fired DuTemple boilers; 3 inverted vertical triple expansion engines developing 28,500 hp; triple screw. Speed: 21.7 knots. Crew: 626. Cost: £900,000+ at 1900 valuation.       Schematic

Metric Specs:
Dimensions: 145m x 21.34m x 8.1m    Displacement: 11,300 tons. Armament: (2) 194mm (2x1) and (14) 138mm guns; (26) smaller calibre guns; (5) 45 cm torpedo tubes. Armor - Harvey type, in millimeters: 152/105/76 belt, 76 upper belt, 152 CT, 197 turret, 105 turret base, 130 casemate, 63.5 deck. Coal capacity: 1,400 tons std; 2,100 tons maximum; undisclosed qty bunker oil. Propulsion: 36 coal-fired DuTemple boilers; 3 inverted vertical triple expansion engines developing 21,252.5 kW; triple screw. Speed: 40.2 km/hr. Crew: 626. Cost: £900,000+ at 1900 valuation. Full-size Schematic


The Léon Gambetta Class - 1901/1906

Schematic of LEON GAMBETTA

The lead ship was completed in 1903 and proved unusually successful: a champion steamer, fast and seaworthy. The other two ships were authorized in a later budget and completed in 1906. Name ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Med during WWI, founding the fame of the sub's commander, Baron Georg von Trapp.

Specifications for the Léon Gambetta class:
Dimensions: 476' x 71' x 26'3" Displacement: 12,400 tons. Armament: (4) 7.6" (2x2), (16) 6.4" QF guns (6x2, 4x1), and (24) 3-pdr guns; (5) 18" TT. Armor: 6¾"/3" belt; 8" CT, turrets, and turret bases; 5½" secondary turrets & bases; 5" aft bulkhead; 2¼" deck. Fuel capacity: 1,320 tons of coal normal, 2,100 tons coal and 100 tons oil. Propulsion: Boilers: 20 coal-fired Niclausse(LG), Guyot (JF), Belleville (VH); (3) 4-cyl VTE developing 29,000 hp, shafted to triple screw. Speed: 23 knots. Crew: 730. Endurance: 1,500 nm @22 knots; 12,000 nm @10 kts.

Ships in class: Léon Gambetta · Jules Ferrer · Victor Hugo.

Metric specs:
Dimensions: 145m x 21.6m x 8m    Displacement: 12,400 tons. Armament: (4) 194 mm (2x2), (16) 165 mm (6x2, 4x1), and (24) 3-pdr guns; (5) 45 cm TT. Armor: 172/76 mm belt; 254 mm CT, turrets, and turret bases; 140 mm secondary turrets & bases; 126 mm aft bulkhead; 57 mm deck. Fuel capacity: 1,320 tons of coal normal, 2,100 tons coal and 100 tons oil. Propulsion: Boilers: 20 coal-fired Niclausse(LG), Guyot (JF), Belleville (VH); (3) 4-cyl VTE developing 21,625 kW, shafted to triple screw. Speed: 38.4 km/hr. Crew: 730. Endurance: 2,778 km @40¾ km/hr; 22,224 km @18.5 km/hr.


The Jules Michelet - 1908

Plan of the armored cruiser JULES MICHELET of 1908

The Renan and Michelet began as sister ships, but evolved into distinct personalities. The Renan completed as the larger and faster of the two. Main and secondary armament had a nearly identical layout in the two ships, but the Michelet had a uniform small gun armament of 3-pounders, while the Renan was furnished with three separate sizes of small gun. The obvious point of difference between the two was that the Renan had six funnels, the Michelet only four.

Specifications for the Jules Michelet:
Dimensions: 485' x 70' x 27'    Length OA: 493'    Displacement: 12,600 tons. Armament: (4) 7.6"/45 (2x2), (12) 6.4"/50 (12x1), and (24) 3-pdr guns; (4) 18" TT. Armor: 6¾"/3" belt; 8" CT; 6" turrets & bases; 6" bulkhead; 4" secondary turrets & casemates; 5" bases to secondary turrets; 2½" deck. Fuel capacity: 1,400 tons of coal normal; 2,300 tons maximum. Propulsion: (20) coal-fired DuTemple Guyot boilers; (3) 4-cyl VTE developing 29,000 hp, shafted to triple screw. Speed: 23 knots. Crew: 750. Cost: £1,233,700 at 1910 valuation.

Metric Specs:
Dimensions: 147.8m x 21.3m x 8.2m    Length OA: 150.3m    Displacement: 12,600 tons. Armament: (4) 194 mm/45 (2x2), (12) 165 mm/50 (12x1), and (24) 3-pdr guns; (4) 45 cm TT. Armor: 172/76 mm belt; 254 mm CT; 152 mm turrets & bases, bulkhead; 100 mm secondary turrets & casemates; 126 mm bases to secondary turrets; 64 mm deck. Fuel capacity: 1,400 tons of coal normal; 2,300 tons maximum. Propulsion: (20) coal-fired DuTemple Guyot boilers; (3) 4-cyl VTE developing 21,625.3 kW, shafted to triple screw. Speed: 42.6 km/hr. Crew: 750. Cost: £1,233,700 at 1910 valuation.


The Ernest Renan - 1908

Plan of the armored cruiser ERNEST RENAN of 1908

Specifications for the Ernest Renan:
Dimensions: 515' x 70'3" x 27'    Displacement: 13,644 tons. Armament: (4) 7.6"/45 (2x2), (12) 6.4"/50 (10x1, 2 casemate), (16) 9-pdr, (8) 3-pdr, and (2) 1-pdr guns; (2) submerged 18" TT. Armor: 6¾"/3¼" belt; 8" CT; 6" main turrets; 5"/4" main turret bases; 6" bulkhead; 4" secondary turrets & casemates; 5" bases to secondary turrets; 2½" deck. Fuel capacity: 1,350 tons of coal normal; 2,300 tons maximum incl. oil. Propulsion: (20) coal-fired Niclausse boilers; (3) 4-cyl VTE developing 27,000 hp, shafted to triple screw. Speed: 23 knots; 24.2 f.d. Crew: 750. Operational radius: 10,000 nm @10 kts. Cost: £1,444,400 at 1910 valuation.

Metric Specs:
Dimensions: 157m x 21.4m x 8.2m    Displacement: 13,644 tons. Armament: (4) 194 mm/45 (2x2), (12) 165 mm/50 (10x1, 2 casemate), (16) 9-pdr, (8) 3-pdr, and (2) 1-pdr guns; (2) submerged 18" TT. Armor: 57/83 mm belt; 254 mm CT; 152 mm main turrets; 126/100 mm main turret bases; 152 mm bulkheads; 100 mm secondary turrets & casemates; 126 mm bases to secondary turrets; 64 mm deck. Fuel capacity: 1,350 tons of coal normal; 2,300 tons maximum incl. oil. Propulsion: (20) coal-fired Niclausse boilers; (3) 4-cyl VTE developing 20,134 kW, shafted to triple screw. Speed: 42.6 km/hr; 44.82 f.d. Crew: 750. Operational radius: 18,520 km @18.5 km/hr. Cost: £1,444,400 at 1910 valuation.


The Edgar Quinet Class - 1905/1910

Schematic of cruiser WALDECK ROUSSEAU

Specifications for the Edgar Quinet class:
Dimensions: Length: 521'4" Beam: 70'8" Draft: 27'6"    LOA: 527'6"    Std Displacement: 14,100 tons. Main Armament: (14) 7.6"/50 Model 1902 guns (2x2, 10x1), (8) 9-pdr, and (24) 3-pdr guns; (2) 18" torpedo tubes. Armor: Krupp type. 6¾"/3" belt; 10" CT; 6" turrets, casemates, and aft bulkhead; 5" turret bases; 2½" deck. Fuel capacity: 1,400 tons of coal std; 2,300 tons maximum. Propulsion: 40 coal-fired Belleville boilers; (3) inverted vertical triple expansion engines, 36,000 SHP, shafted to triple screw. Speed: 23 knots. Crew: 860 peacetime; 892 wartime. Endurance: 6,560 nm @10 knots. Maximum Range: 28,390 yards @ 45° elevation (16.1 miles) with a 197.3 lb. AP projectile. Cost: £1,226,593 (EQ), £1,247,035 (WR).

Ships in class: Edgar Quinet · Waldeck-Rousseau

Dimensions: 208.5m x 28.3m x 11m    LOA: 211m    Std Displacement: 14,100 tons. Main Armament: (14) 194mm/50 Model 1902 guns (2x2, 10x1), (8) 9-pdr, and (24) 3-pdr guns; (2) 45 cm torpedo tubes. Fuel capacity: 1,400 tons of coal std; 2,300 tons maximum. Armor: Krupp type. 172/76 mm belt; 254 mm CT; 152 mm turrets, casemates, and aft bulkhead; 126 mm turret bases; 64 mm deck. Propulsion: 40 coal-fired Belleville boilers; (3) inverted vertical triple expansion engines developing 26,845.2 kW, shafted to triple screw. Speed: 42.6 km/hr. Crew: 860 peacetime; 892 wartime. Endurance: 12,149 km @ 18.5 km/hr. Maximum Range: 25.96 km @ 45° elevation with a ~89.5-kg AP projectile. Cost: £1,226,593 (EQ), £1,247,035 (WR).


The Later French Protected Cruisers - 1896 - 1902
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The d'Entrecasteaux - 1894/1898

Schematic of French cruiser d'ENTRECASTEAUX of 1902

Specifications for the d'Entrecasteaux:
Dimensions: 393'6" x 58'6" x 26'    Length OA: 308'10"    Displacement: 8,114 tons. Armament: (2) 9.4"/40, (12) 5.5"/45, and (12) 3-pdr guns; 4 Maxim MG; (6) 18" TT. Armor: Harvey type. 10" CT, 8" main turrets, 4" turret bases, 3" casemates; 3¼" deck. Fuel capacity: 650 tons of coal normal; 1,000 tons maximum; 100 tons oil. Propulsion: (5) coal-fired double-ended cylindrical boilers; (2) inverted VTE developing 13,500 hp, shafted to twin screw. Speed: 19.2 knots. Crew: 521. Cost: £670,000 at 1900 valuation.

Metric Specs:
Dimensions: 119.9m x 17.8m x 8m    Length OA: 123.55m    Displacement: 8,114 tons. Armament: (2) 9.4"/40, (12) 174 mm/45, and (12) 3-pdr guns; 4 Maxim MG; (6) 45 cm TT. Armor: Harvey type. 254 mm CT, 203 mm main turrets, 100 mm turret bases, 76 mm casemates; 83 mm deck. Fuel capacity: 650 tons of coal normal; 1,000 tons maximum; 100 tons oil. Propulsion: (5) coal-fired double-ended cylindrical boilers; (2) inverted VTE developing 10,067 kW, shafted to twin screw. Speed: 35.6 km/hr. Crew: 521. Cost: £670,000 at 1900 valuation.


The Guichen - 1895/1902

Schematic of French cruiser GUICHEN of 1902

Specifications for the Guichen:
Dimensions: 436'6" x 55' x 27'    Displacement: 8,277 tons. Wood-sheathed hull. Armament: (2) 6.4"/45, (6) 5.5"/45, (10) 3-pdr, and (5) 1-pdr guns; (2) 18" TT. Armor: Harvey type. 6¼" CT; 2" shields; 1½" casemates; 2½" deck. Fuel capacity: 1,460 tons of coal normal; 2,000 tons maximum; some oil bunkerage. Propulsion: (36) coal-fired Lagrafel d'Allest boilers; (3) 4-cyl VTE developing 24,000 hp, shafted to triple screw. Speed: 23 knots. Crew: 625. Cost: £650,000 at 1900 valuation.

Metric Specs:
Dimensions: 133m x 16.76m x 8.2m    Displacement: 8,277 tons. Wood-sheathed hull. Armament: (2) 165 mm/45, (6) 174 mm/45, (10) 3-pdr, and (5) 1-pdr guns; (2) 45 cm TT. Armor: Harvey type. 160 mm CT; 50 mm shields; 38 mm casemates; 64 mm deck. Fuel capacity: 1,460 tons of coal normal; 2,000 tons maximum; some oil bunkerage. Propulsion: (36) coal-fired Lagrafel d'Allest boilers; (3) 4-cyl VTE developing 17,897 kW, shafted to triple screw. Speed: 42.6 km/hr. Crew: 625. Cost: £650,000 at 1900 valuation.


The d'Estrées - 1896/1901

Schematic of French cruiser d'ESTREES of 1901

Specifications for the d'Estrées:
Dimensions: 312' x 39'6" x 16'    Displacement: 2,460 tons. Armament: (2) 5.5"/45, (4) 4"/45, and (3) 3-pdr guns; (3) 18" TT. Armor: Creusot-Schneider hard steel type. 1½" deck. Propulsion: (8) coal-fired Lagrafel d'Allest boilers; (2) inverted VTE developing 8,500 hp, shafted to twin screw. Speed: 21 knots. Crew: 231. Endurance: 7,000 nm @10 kts.

Metric Specs:
Dimensions: 95.1m x 12m x 4.9m    Displacement: 2,460 tons. Armament: (2) 174 mm/45, (4) 100 mm/45, and (3) 3-pdr guns; (3) 45 cm TT. Armor: Creusot-Schneider hard steel type, 38 mm deck. Propulsion: (8) coal-fired Lagrafel d'Allest boilers; (2) inverted VTE developing 6,338.5 kW, shafted to twin screw. Speed: 38.9 km/hr. Crew: 231. Endurance: 7,000 nm @10 kts.


The Jurien de la Gravière - 1897/1901

Schematic of French cruiser JURIEN DE GRAVIERE of 1901

Specifications for the Jurien de la Gravière:
Dimensions: 440' x 48'8" x 22'    Displacement: 5,685 tons. Armament: (8) 6.4"/45 and (10) 3-pdr guns. Armor: Harvey type. 6½" CT 3" deck. Fuel capacity: 467 tons normal; 733 tons maximum. Propulsion: Coal-fired Guyot boilers; (3) inverted VTE developing 17,000 hp, shafted to triple screw. Speed: 22 knots. Crew: 511. Cost: ~£456,000 at 1900 valuation.

Metric Specs:
Dimensions: 134.1m x 14.8m x 6.7m    Displacement: 5,685 tons. Armament: (8) 165 mm/45 and (10) 3-pdr guns. Armor: Harvey type. 167 mm CT, 76 mm deck. Fuel capacity: 467 tons of coal, normal; 733 tons maximum. Propulsion: Coal-fired Guyot boilers; (3) inverted VTE developing 12,677 kW, shafted to triple screw. Speed: 40¾ km/hr. Crew: 511. Cost: ~£456,000 at 1900 valuation.


The Châteaurenault - 1895/1902

French commerce raiding cruiser CHATEAURENAULT of 1902

The Châteaurenault was built as a speedy commerce raider, along the lines of the USS Columbia. Very fast and elegant, and quite heavily armed for her rôle, the ship was a fuel hog and spent many years laid up or as a stationary school ship. Recommissioned in 1914, she did service as a troop transport and convoy escort in WWI. On Oct. 5, 1917 she rescued more than 1,200 men from the torpedoed troopship Gallia. Châteaurenault met her demise at the hands of the German UC-38 in the Med on Dec. 14, 1917. She was initially torpedoed amidships at 0640 and assisted by destroyers and armed trawlers in the convoy, which mounted a stiff retaliation against the attacker. They were unable to prevent the sub from putting another fish into Châteaurenault's bows, however, and the cruiser foundered shortly after, at around 0820. 1,162 men were saved from the French ship -- the bulk of those aboard. Continued depth-charging eventually brought the submarine to the surface and slew at least 5 of her crew before their vessel followed its prey to the bottom at 0840. Twenty German submariners were taken prisoner.

Specifications for the Châteaurénault:
Dimensions: 459'4" x 44' x 17'3"    Length OA: 469'10"    Displacement: 8,200 tons. Armament: (2) 6.4"/45, (6) 5.5"/45, and (10) 3-pdr guns. Armor: Harvey type, 3" shields and deck. Fuel capacity: 2,100 tons maximum. Propulsion: Coal-fired Normand-Sigaudy boilers; (3) 4-cyl VTE developing 24,000 shp, shafted to triple screw. Speed: 24½ knots. Crew: 625.

Metric Specs:
Dimensions: 140m x 17.6m x 8.5m    Length OA: 143.55m    Displacement: 8,200 tons. Armament: (2) 165 mm/45, (6) 140 mm/45, and (10) 3-pdr guns. Armor: Harvey type, 76 mm shields and deck. Fuel capacity: 2,100 tons maximum. Propulsion: Coal-fired Normand-Sigaudy boilers; (3) 4-cyl VTE developing 17,897 kW, shafted to triple screw. Speed: 45.37 km/hr. Crew: 625.


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