Construction and design
The Branlebas-class was a development of the previous Claymore-class destroyer, and was the final evolution of the 300-tonne type which the French had built since 1899 with their first destroyer class, the Durandalclass. Like all the 300-tonne destroyers, the Branlebas-class ships had a turtledeck forecastle with a flying deck, raised above the hull, aft. [2]
They were 58 metres (190 ft 3 in) long between perpendiculars, with a beam of 6.28 metres (20 ft 7 in) and a maximum draught of 2.96 metres (9 ft 9 in). [3] Displacement was 350 tonnes (344 long tons ). [4] Two coal-fired Normand or Du Temple boilers fed steam at 1,830 kilopascals (265 psi) to two 3-cylinder triple-expansion steam engines, rated at 6,800 indicated horsepower (5,100 kW), and driving two propeller shafts, giving a design speed of 27.5 knots (50.9 km/h; 31.6 mph). [3] [4] Speeds reached during sea trials ranged from 27.09 knots (50.17 km/h; 31.17 mph) for Glaive to 29.82 knots (55.23 km/h; 34.32 mph) for Sape. The ships had a range of 2,100 nautical miles (3,900 km; 2,400 mi) at 10 knots (19 km/h; 12 mph). [5]
A 20-millimetre (0.8 in) belt of armour was fitted to protect the ship's boilers and machinery. [6] The class was built with the standard gun armament for the 300-tonne destroyers, with a single 65 mm (2.6 in) forward, backed up by six 47 mm (1.9 in) guns, while two 450 mm (17.7 in) torpedo tubes were carried, with one amidships and one right aft. [2] [3] The ships had a complement of 4 officers and 56 men. [4]
The Branlebas class were considered good sea-boats, with reliable machinery. [7] [8] By the time the class was built, however, they were outclassed by contemporary British and German destroyers, such as the River-class and the German S138-class torpedo boat being larger (and more heavily armed. [1] [7] (French destroyer size had been kept small owing to the influence of the Jeune École, which favoured the construction of large numbers of small ships.) [7]
The Durandal class was a group of four destroyers built for the French Navy between 1896 and 1900, used during the First World War. These vessels were France's first true destroyers rather than torpedo boats. Two units were launched in 1899 while another two followed in 1900. Another four destroyers of the similar Samsun class were laid down in 1906 and completed in 1907 for the Ottoman Navy, they also served in the First World War.
The Spahi class consisted of seven destroyers built for the French Navy in the first decade of the 20th century. One ship was lost during the First World War, but the others survived to be scrapped afterwards.
The Chasseur class consisted of four destroyers built for the French Navy during the first decade of the twentieth century. They saw service during the First World War. One ship was sunk during the war and the survivors were scrapped afterwards. A fifth ship was sold to Peru.
The Voltigeur class was a pair of destroyers built for the French Navy in the first decade of the 20th century. Both ships survived the First World War and were scrapped afterwards.
The Bisson class consisted of six destroyers built for the French Navy during the 1910s. One ship was lost during the First World War, but the others survived to be scrapped afterwards.
The Enseigne Roux class was the thirteenth class of destroyers to be built for the French Navy during World War I. The first two units of this class, the Enseigne Roux and the Mécanicien Principal Lestin saw use during the war. However, the construction of the third ship of the class — Enseigne Gabolde — was suspended in 1914. It was then resumed in 1921, and completed in 1923 to a modified design.
Mameluk was one of seven Spahi-class destroyers built for the French Navy in the first decade of the twentieth century.
The Pluviôse-class submarines were a group of 18 submarines built for the French Navy in the first decade of the 20th century. Before World War I, two were accidentally lost, but one of these was salvaged and put back into service. Four others were lost during the war and the survivors were stricken in 1919.
French submarine Monge (Q67) was one of 18 Pluviôse-class submarines built for the French Navy in the first decade in the 20th century.
The French destroyer Arabe was one of a dozen Arabe-class destroyers built for the French Navy in Japan during the First World War.
Durandal was the name ship of her class of four destroyers built for the French Navy in the late 1890s.
Baliste was one of 20 Arquebuse-class destroyers built for the French Navy in the first decade of the 20th century.
Branlebas was the name ship of her class of destroyers built for the French Navy in the first decade of the 20th century.
Aspirant Herber was one of seven Spahi-class destroyers built for the French Navy in the first decade of the 20th century.
Enseigne Henry was one of seven Spahi-class destroyers built for the French Navy in the first decade of the 20th century.
Lansquenet was one of seven Spahi-class destroyers built for the French Navy in the first decade of the 20th century.
Carabiner was one of seven Spahi-class destroyers built for the French Navy in the first decade of the 20th century.
Hussard was one of seven Spahi-class destroyers built for the French Navy in the first decade of the 20th century.
Spahi was the name ship of her class of destroyers built for the French Navy in the first decade of the 20th century.
Giffard was one of 18 Pluviôse-class submarines built for the French Navy in the first decade of the 20th century.
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