Vendémiaire was a Pluviôse-class submarine built for the French Navy in the late 1900s. She was sunk with all hands when she was rammed by the pre-dreadnought battleship Saint Louis on 8 June 1912 while on maneuvers off the Casquets in the English Channel.
Pluviôse (Q51) was the name ship of her class of 18 submarines built for the French Navy in the first decade of the 20th century.
Émeraude was the lead boat of her class of six submarines built for the French Navy in the first decade of the 20th century.
Ventôse was one of 18 Pluviôse-class submarines built for the French Navy in the first decade of the 20th century.
Germinal was one of 18 Pluviôse-class submarines built for the French Navy in the first decade of the 20th century.
Floréal was one of 18 Pluviôse-class submarines built for the French Navy in the first decade of the 20th century.
Messidor was one of 18 Pluviôse-class submarines built for the French Navy in the first decade of the 20th century.
Fructidor was one of 18 Pluviôse-class submarines built for the French Navy in the first decade of the 20th century.
Thermidor was one of 18 Pluviôse-class submarines built for the French Navy in the first decade of the 20th century.
Archimède was one of four experimental submarines ordered for the French Navy in 1906. Each boat was built to a different design and Archimède was optimized to maximize speed and range.
Amiral Bourgois was one of four experimental submarines ordered for the French Navy in 1906. Each boat was built to a different design and Amiral Bourgois was intended to test a novel powerplant. The experimental diesel engines took over six years to build and greatly delayed the boat's completion until 1913. Although engine problems plagued the submarine throughout her service, she was commissioned shortly after the start of the First World War in 1914, but never made an operational patrol. Amiral Bourgois was under repair when the war ended in 1918, but the work was cancelled shortly afterwards. The boat was struck the following year and offered for sale in 1920. There were no offers and she was used for torpedo testing in 1924–1926. The submarine was sold for scrap in 1927.
Charles Brun was one of four experimental submarines ordered for the French Navy in 1906. Each boat was built to a different design and Charles Brun was intended to test a novel powerplant. Although the shore-based prototype installation was successful, it was a failure when evaluated aboard the submarine, and the boat was never commissioned for active service. Her hull was stripped of its equipment and was used to test a floating drydock in 1914. During the First World War, the hull was ordered to be converted into a water tank in 1916, but it is not certain if this was actually done before it was sold for scrap in 1920.
The Naïade-class submarines, sometimes referred to as the Perle class were a group of submarines built for the French Navy at the beginning of the 20th century. There were twenty vessels in this class, which was designed by Gaston Romazotti. The class introduced internal combustion engines into French submarine design. They remained in service until just prior to the outbreak of the First World War.
The Farfadet class consisted of four submarines built for the French Navy at the beginning of the 20th century designed by Gabriel Maugas. Two boats were lost in diving accidents. All were disposed of prior to the outbreak of the First World War.
The Aigrette-class submarines were a class of two submarines built for the French Navy between 1903 and 1905. They were essentially experimental submarines, and although in service during World War I, saw no action. The class was designed by Maxime Laubeuf and used Drzewiecki drop collar launchers and external cradles to launch torpedoes.
Aigrette was the lead boat of the Aigrette-class submarines built for the French Navy between 1902 and 1905. Laid down in May 1902, she was launched in February 1904 and commissioned in 1908. She was essentially an experimental submarine, and although in service during World War I, saw no action. The class was designed by Maxime Laubeuf and used Drzewiecki drop collar launchers and external cradles to launch torpedoes.
Cigogne was the second of two Aigrette-class submarines built for the French Navy between 1903 and 1905. Laid down in May 1902, she was launched in November 1904 and commissioned in July 1906. She was an essentially experimental submarine, and although in service during World War I, saw no action. The class was designed by Maxime Laubeuf and used Drzewiecki drop collar launchers and external cradles to launch torpedoes.
The French submarine Z was an experimental submarine built for the French Navy in the first decade of the 20th century. Designed by Gabriel Maugas, it was the first French submarine to be completed with a diesel engine and the only one with four sets of diving planes. It was commissioned for its sea trials in 1904, although its propulsion machinery was unreliable and it was never fit for service with the fleet. It may have been completed in 1905. An extensive refit for Z was planned in 1907, but this was cancelled as too expensive. Disposal of the submarine was first proposed the following year, although it was not stricken from the navy list until 1910. Z was sold for scrap in 1911.
The French submarine Y was an experimental submarine built for the French Navy in the first decade of the 20th century. She was launched in 1905, but was only commissioned for her sea trials and remained in experimental status because her diesel engine could not be used underwater. A planned refit, which included adding an electric motor and batteries for underwater use in 1907 was cancelled as too expensive. Y was stricken from the navy list in 1909, but was retained for experimental purposes until 1911 when she was sold for scrap.
The French submarine Argonaute was an experimental attack submarine built for the French Navy between 1903 and 1911. Initially named Omega, Argonaute was laid down in January 1903, launched in November 1905 and commissioned in 1911. She was essentially an experimental submarine, and although in service during World War I, saw no action. Argonaute was decommissioned in 1919.
French Navy