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fighting ships of the world

FRENCH NAVY (FRANCE)

MINE WARFARE SHIPS

CIRCÉ minehunters (1972 - 1973)

Circé 1980

Name

No

Yard No

Builder

Laid down

Launched

Comp

Fate

Cybèle M712   CMN, Cherbourg 15.9.1970 2.3.1972 28.9.1972 decommissioned 7.1997, to Turkey 12.1998 (Erdek)
Calliope M713   CMN, Cherbourg 4.4.1970 20.10.1971 28.9.1972 decommissioned 2.1997, to Turkey 7.1998 (Edincik)
Clio M714   CMN, Cherbourg 4.9.1969 10.6.1971 18.5.1972 decommissioned 3.1997, to Turkey 1.1999 (Erdemli)
Circé M715   CMN, Cherbourg 30.1.1969 15.12.1970 18.5.1972 decommissioned 2.1997, to Turkey 8.1998 (Edremit)
Cérès M716   CMN, Cherbourg 2.2.1971 10.8.1972 8.3.1973 decommissioned 4.1998, to Turkey 10.1998 (Enez)

 

Displacement standard, t

423

Displacement full, t

508

Length, m

46.5 pp 50.9 oa

Breadth, m

8.90

Draught, m

3.60 max

No of shafts

1

Machinery

1 MTU diesel / 2 electric propulsors

Power, h. p.

1800 / 520

Max speed, kts

15

Fuel, t

diesel oil

Endurance, nm(kts) 3000(12)

Armament

1 x 1 - 20/90 MIT-20F2, 2 PAP-104 USV, 6 mineclearing divers

Electronic equipment

DRBN-32 radar, DUBM-20 sonar

Complement

47

Project history: The world's first purpose-built minehunters, the Circé class were designed round the DUBM-20 minehunting sonar and the PAP-104 minehunting vehicle, which was handled by the large articulated davit mounted on die stern. The system can detect mines laid to a depth of 60m at a maximum range of 500m from the ship. No sweep gear was fitted. The sonar and operations control room were housed in the superstructure block forward of the bridge. Cérès was fitted with the prototype EVEC automatic plotting table, which was subsequently retro-fitted to the other units.

    A low magnetic signature and silent operation were design priorities. As insufficient expertise with GRP had been acquired it was decided that the hull should be of sandwich construction, with blocks of wood and foam inside an outer skin of wood. The outer skin was coated with a film of GRP to ease maintenance. The deckhead and superstructure were a composite of wood and glass resin.

    There were two independent propulsion systems, one specifically for minehunting operations. The latter comprised two 'active rudders' each with a small crew propeller mounted at its base, energised by a 260hp electric motor. All propulsion machinery can be operated either from the bridge or from a soundproof control room located above the main deck.

Modernizations: mid-1980s, all: - DUBM-20 sonar; + DUBM-20A sonar

mid-1990s, all: - DRBN-32 radar, DUBM-20A sonar; + DRBN-34A radar, DUBM-20B sonar

Naval service: No significant events.

Clio 1979

© Ivan Gogin, 2016