Bourrasque 1902
| Name | No | Yard No | Builder | Laid down | Launched | Comp | Fate |
| Cyclone | A C Augustin-Normand, Le Havre | 11/1896 | 21.5.1898 | 1899 | stricken 10.1920 | ||
| Bourrasque | A C Augustin-Normand, Le Havre | 6.1899 | 31.8.1901 | 1.1902 | stricken 10.1921 | ||
| Rafale | A C Augustin-Normand, Le Havre | 7.1900 | 27.11.1901 | 2.1902 | stricken 4.1921 | ||
| Borée | F C de la Gironde, Bordeaux | 1900 | 23.3.1901 | 12.1901 | sold 1921 | ||
| Tramontane | F C de la Gironde, Bordeaux | 1900 | 21.5.1901 | 1902 | sold 1923 |
|
Displacement normal, t |
Cyclone: 113 others: 119 |
|
Displacement full, t |
Cyclone: 150 others: 165 |
|
Length, m |
Cyclone: 45.0 wl 46.4 oa others: 45.0 wl 46.6 oa |
|
Breadth, m |
Cyclone: 4.68 others: 4.78 |
|
Draught, m |
1.50 |
|
No of shafts |
2 |
|
Machinery |
2 VTE, 2 Normand boilers |
|
Power, h. p. |
Cyclone: 4200 others: 3800 |
|
Max speed, kts |
29 |
|
Fuel, t |
coal 25 |
| Endurance, nm(kts) | 1000(14) |
|
Armament |
2 x 1 - 47/40 M1885, 1 x 2 - 380 TT (4) |
|
Complement |
|
Project history: The prototype Cyclone was ordered on 17.8.1896 and the other Normand boats on 21.6.I899 and the last pair on 26.7.1899. This class was an improved version of the highly successful Forban, and Cyclone made 30.38kts on trials. The hull was constructed of nickel-steel of lighter scantlings because of reduced vibration from the engines, and had twice the radius of action of Forban (2000nm at 10kts). On trials Bourrasque was the fastest at 31.54kts, but neither of the Gironde boats made 30kts.
Modernizations: None.
Naval service: From completion they were assigned to the 'defense mobile' of Mediterranean ports, indicating that they were already outmoded, and their role was taken over by the first French destroyers. Rafale accidentally sank at Boulogne 1.12.1917 after own DC explosion, later she was salvaged and repaired.
© Ivan Gogin, 2008-14