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fighting ships of the world

FRENCH NAVY (FRANCE)

TORPEDO SHIPS

CYCLONE sea-going torpedo boats (1899-1902)

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