The French ironclad Gloire was the first ocean-going ironclad, launched in 1859. It was developed after the Crimean War, in response to new developments of naval gun technology, especially the Paixhans guns and rifled guns, which used explosive shells with increased destructive power against wooden ships, and after the development of the ironclad floating batteries built by the British and French for the bombardment of Russian forts during the Crimean War.
Antony Preston was an English naval historian and editor, specialising in the area of 19th and 20th-century naval history and warship design.
The Claymore class was a group of thirteen contre-torpilleurs (destroyers) built for the French Navy in the first decade of the 20th century. All of the ships survived the First World War and were scrapped after the war.
The Pertuisane class was a group of four destroyers built for the French Navy in the first decade of the 20th century. They survived the First World War only to be scrapped afterwards.
The Arquebuse class was a group of 20 destroyers built for the French Navy in the first decade of the 20th century. Two ships were sunk during the First World War and the others were scrapped after the war.
Guépard was the lead ship of her class of destroyers (contre-torpilleur) built for the French Navy during the 1920s.
Valmy was one of six Guépard-class destroyers (contre-torpilleurs) built for the French Navy during the 1920s.
Verdun was one of six Guépard-class destroyers (contre-torpilleurs) built for the French Navy during the 1920s.
Lion was one of six Guépard-class destroyers (contre-torpilleurs) built for the French Navy during the 1920s.
The French destroyer Vauban was one of six Guépard-class destroyers (contre-torpilleurs) built for the French Navy during the 1920s.
Gerfaut was one of six Aigle-class destroyers (contre-torpilleurs) built for the French Navy in the interwar period.
Carabine was a Arquebuse-class destroyer built for the French Navy in the first decade of the 20th century.
Sarbacane was a Arquebuse-class destroyer built for the French Navy in the first decade of the 20th century.
Harpon was one of 20 Arquebuse-class destroyers built for the French Navy in the first decade of the 20th century.
Francisque was one of 20 Arquebuse-class destroyers built for the French Navy in the first decade of the 20th century.
Mousqueton was one of 20 Arquebuse-class destroyers that were built for the French Navy in the first decade of the 20th century.
Arc was one of 20 Arquebuse-class destroyers built for the French Navy in the first decade of the 20th century.
Catapulte was one of 20 Arquebuse-class destroyers built for the French Navy in the first decade of the 20th century. She saw service during World War I.
Bombarde was one of 20 Arquebuse-class destroyers built for the French Navy in the first decade of the 20th century.
Poignard was one of 10 Branlebas-class destroyers built for the French Navy in the first decade of the 20th century.
France