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fighting ships of the world

FRENCH NAVY (FRANCE)

OTHER FIGHTING SHIPS

K river gunboats (1915)

Name No Yard No Builder Laid down Launched Comm Fate
K     Arsenal de Brest / Arsenal de Lorient 1915 1915 9/1915 stricken 10.1918
L     Arsenal de Brest / Arsenal de Lorient 1915 1915 9/1915 stricken 10.1918
M     Arsenal de Brest / Arsenal de Lorient 1915 1915 9/1915 stricken 10.1918
O     Arsenal de Brest / Arsenal de Lorient 1915 1915 9/1915 stricken 10.1918

 

Displacement normal, t

180

Displacement full, t

 

Length, m

28.5

Breadth, m

5.00

Draught, m

1.85

No of shafts

2

Machinery

2 VTE, 1 boiler

Power, h. p.

 

Max speed, kts

10

Fuel, t

coal
Endurance, nm(kts)  
Armour, mm belt: 20, deck: 20, shield: 20

Armament

2 x 1 - 100/45 M1893, 2 x 1 - 47/50 M1902

Complement 23

Project history: River gunboats for French mainland rivers (floating batteries). These river gunboats were designed by French naval constructors for service with the Army in France. Their construction was decided in 1915 when three types were designed. However only two of them were built. The first type armed with an M1893 138.6mm gun and second type armed with 2-100mm guns. Officially they were designated by letters (A, B, C, etc). The ships' companies gave them unofficial names such as Ardente, Brutale, Cruelle or Decidée. Of the first type eight boats were ordered in May 1915 and delivered in July by Arsenal de Brest and Arsenal de Lorient. The same yards built four boats of the second type between July 1915 and September 1915.

Modernizations: None.

Naval service: No significant events.

© Ivan Gogin, 2014