Normandie-class. ©Warshipsresearch.blogspot.com
Lyon-class 1913-1914 design. ©Warshipsresearch.blogspot.com
British Queen Elizabeth-class. ©Warshipsresearch.blogspot.com
Lyon-class 1917 design. ©Warshipsresearch.blogspot.com
Dunkerque-class. ©Warshipsresearch.blogspot.com
Part of Lyon-class consisting of Lyon, Lille, Duquesne and Tourville preceded by Normandie-class succeeded by Dunkerque-class. Improved Normandie-class design. Displacement 29,600 tons and as dimensions 190 (between perpendiculars)-194.5 (over all) x 29 x 8.65-9.2 metres or 623.4-638.1 x 95.2 x 28.5-30.2 feet. Main armament 4x4-34cm/13.4”guns. Design work started in 1910 with several proposals with varying displacement between 27,000-29,000 tons and as an answer on the British Queen Elizabeth-class 4 variants which with 34cm guns mounted in twin or quadruple turrets and 2 variants with 38cm guns in twin turrets. Even a variant with 5x4-30.5cm/12” was considered. In the Proceedings of the US Naval Institute, dated July 1915, professional notes prepared by lieutenant C.C. Gill, U.S. Navy are 5 design proposals mentioned:
1-26,000-27,000 tons, same design as the preceding Normandie-class, 12-13.4" guns, thicker armour and heavier ammunition
2-29,500 tons, improved Normandie-class design, 16-13.4" guns and better armour protection, chosen as definitive design
3-27,000-28,000 tons similar to the British Queen Elizabeth, 8-38.1cm/15" guns
4-32,000 tons,3x4-15" guns, not much support
5-around 30,000 tons, battle cruiser type, speed 28.5 knots, 12-13.4" guns or 8-15" guns, not much support.
To be built by Arsenal de Lorient, Lorient, scheduled to be ordered on 1 April 1915 and cancelled in August 1914.