French Torpedo Cruisers, 1882-1897: Photo Gallery

The French torpedo cruiser was designed in 1882 as a vessel somewhat larger than other torpedo craft and capable of reaching enemy blockading squadrons including in anchorages where the enemy would feel safe from attacks by cruisers. This was initially an experimental type and only two classes were built. This type appeared in the fleet list in 1883 as Torpilleurs éclaireurs and was changed to Croiseurs torpilleurs in 1885. After the removal of the torpedo tubes in 1895 the type became Contre-torpilleurs d'escadre in 1896 and Contre-torpilleurs in 1901.

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Condor class (on list 1883)

The 1882 design was inspired by the small cruiser Arturo Prat then building by Armstrong in Britain for Chile. It omitted the large guns of the Elswick design but added thin armor as in a miniature protected cruiser. In 1891 the mainmasts were ordered removed and the original 100mm guns were ordered replaced with guns converted to quick fire. To accommodate these the ports in the forecastle had to be enlarged and the sponsons amidships lengthened by 50cm.

Condor

Condor (French torpedo cruiser) in front of the Mourillon shipbuilding ways at Toulon. (Photo: Private digital collection)

Condor

Condor (French torpedo cruiser) in 1896 after a refit in which her mainmast was removed. The 47mm guns on her bow and stern have shields as do two smaller guns on platforms above the searchlights. (Photo: NHHC Photo Archives NH-66066, Farenholt Collection)

Épervier

Épervier (French torpedo cruiser) off the south jetty at Le Havre during a naval review of the Escadre du Nord in 1895. (Photo: Private digital collection)

Épervier

Épervier (French torpedo cruiser) after the removal of her mainmast. Few other modifications are visible. (Photo: Postcard by P.B. Cherbourg)

Faucon

Faucon (French torpedo cruiser) drying laundry at Oran. The 47mm guns on her bow and stern have shields. (Photo: Shipscribe collection)

Faucon

Faucon (French torpedo cruiser) in front of the Cale Vauban in the original part of the Toulon Arsenal after removal of her mainmast. (Photo: Feuille signalétique, Archives Marine BB4-2028)

Vautour

Vautour (French torpedo cruiser) off Mourillon at Toulon. She has one and a half bands on her funnel while Condor in a similar photo from the same album has one. (Photo: Private digital collection)

Vautour

French torpedo cruiser firing a torpedo from its starboard side tube. This is probably Vautour, the only one of the class confirmed with this style torpedo tube. (Photo: NHHC Photo Archives NH-64386)

Vautour

Vautour (French torpedo cruiser) after removal of her mainmast and other small changes. (Photo: Postcard by A. Bougault)

Wattignies class (1889-1891)

The Condor design was enlarged in 1888 to reach 18 knots on trials and to carry a larger secondary battery, ultimately six vice four 47mm guns. To get the additional speed the ships were lengthened about 2 meters to accommodate triple expansion in place of compound engines and the operating pressure of the boilers was increased.

Wattignies

Wattignies (French torpedo cruiser) in the Charente in 1892. (Photo: Private digital collection and Wikimedia from SHD Archives Rochefort MR-5-G-1125)

Wattignies

Wattignies (French torpedo cruiser) in the canal at Bizerte, which opened in 1895. (Photo: Postcard by "ND Phot," the mark of Neurdein Frères)

Fleurus

Fleurus (French torpedo cruiser) at Rochefort in 1900. (Photo: Private digital collection and Wikimedia from SHD Archives Rochefort MR-5-G-398)

Fleurus

Fleurus (French torpedo cruiser) with Amiral Baudin and an older battleship in the distance. She is probably visiting Toulon with the Escadre du Nord. (Photo: Postcard by A. Bougault)