Sfax 1895
| Name | No | Yard No | Builder | Laid down | Launched | Comp | Fate |
| Sfax | Arsenal de Brest | 3/1882 | 29.5.1884 | 6/1887 | stricken 1906 |
|
Displacement normal, t |
4561 |
|
Displacement full, t |
|
|
Length, m |
91.6 wl |
|
Breadth, m |
15.0 |
|
Draught, m |
7.67 max |
|
No of shafts |
2 |
|
Machinery |
2 HC, 12 cylindrical boilers |
|
Power, h. p. |
6500 |
|
Max speed, kts |
16.7 |
|
Fuel, t |
coal 980 |
| Endurance, nm(kts) | 5000(10) |
| Armour, mm | steel; deck: 60, CT: 25 |
|
Armament |
6 x 1 - 165/28 M1881, 10 x 1 - 139/30 M1884, 2 x 1 - 47/40 M1885, 10 x 5 - 37/20 M1885, 5 - 350 TT (aw, 1 bow, 4 beam) |
| Complement | 486 |
Project history: The first French protected cruiser, the Sfax was a two-funnelled ship with a ram bow and an overhanging stern. There was a forecastle and poop and she was rigged as a barque with 1990m2 of sail. The 165mm guns were at upper deck level with two in embrasured ports forward and the others in sponsons amidships and aft, while the 139mm were on the main deck amidships between the sponsons. The hull plating was wrought iron with steel frames and the Sfax was sheathed and coppered.
Ship protection: The armour deck was 0.6-0.9m below water and was 60mm thick in four layers of steel. There was a cofferdam and early form of cellular layer between the armour and main decks, and there was 25mm on the CT located on the bridge abaft the forefunnel.
Modernizations: 1890s: mainmast and all sails were removed; - 6 x 5 - 37/20, 3 - 350 TT (1 bow, 2 beam); + 4 x 1 - 47/40 M1885, 6 x 1 - 37/20 M1885
Naval service: No significant events.
© Ivan Gogin, 2014