Durandal class destroyer


Hallebarde, a Durandal class destroyer
Class overview
Name: Durandal class
Operators:  French Navy
Built: 1899–1900
In commission: 1899–1921
Completed: 4
Lost: 1
Retired: 3
General characteristics
Type: Destroyer
Displacement: 296 long tons (301 t)
Length: 188 ft 9 in (57.5 m)
Beam: 20 ft 9 in (6.3 m)
Draft: 10 ft 6 in (3.2 m)
Propulsion: 2 triple expansion engines
2 coal-fired boilers
4,800 hp (3,579 kW)
Speed: 26 knots (48 km/h; 30 mph)
Complement: 52
Armament: • 1 × 2.5 in (64 mm) guns
• 6 × 1.8 in (46 mm) guns
• 2 × 15 in (380 mm) torpedo tubes
Armor: None

The Durandal class was a class of four destroyers of the French Navy built between 1899-1900, used during the First World War. These vessels were France's first true destroyers rather than torpedo boats. Two units were launched in 1899 while another two followed in 1900.

These vessels resembled the Havock class of Great Britain. Its hull incorporated a turtleback bow intended to streamline the vessel to allow it to better cut through the water. Espingole was sunk in 1903 while Durandal, Hallebarde and Fauconneau were retired from service in 1919, 1920 and 1921, respectively.

Ships

References