Computer line drawing by Alexander van Maanen. The Danton in war design
This Dutch newspaper published a item dealing with the French naval manoeuvres to be held in September that year under the command of admiral Jauréguiberry. A squadron of the dreadnoughts Danton (1), Condorcet, Diderot, Voltaire and Mireabeau commanded by vice admiral Boué de Lapeyrère was to attend these manoeuvres. These dreadnoughts were according to the original program not earlier as on 1 January 1912 to be completed but were all ready commissioned in July this year.
Except for this dreadnought squadron consisted the battle fleet during these manoeuvres of 12 battle ships, 6 protected cruisers and 28 destroyers with a total crew of 19,350 men including 750 officers. It would be the mightiest French fleet every at sea.
Notes
1. These ships were part of the pre dreadnoughts Danton-class with a displacement of 18,318 (standard)-19,763 (full load) tonnes and as dimensions 114,9 x 25,8 x 9,2 metres or 475 x 85 x 30 feet. The 4 Parsons turbines and 26 coal-fired boilers supplied 22,500 hp allowed a speed of 19,2 knots, a crew of maximum 923 men. The armament consisted of 2x2-30,5cm guns, 6x2-24cm guns, 16x1-7,5cm guns, 10x1-4,7cm guns and 2-45cm torpedo tubes and an armament consisting of a 27cm belt, a 4,8cm thick and a 4,5cm thick lower deck, main turrets protected by 30 cm and the secondary turrets by 20cm. The Danton was laid down 1906, the Condorcet 23 august 1907, the Diderot 20 October 1907, Mirabeau 4 May 1908, Vergniaud in July 1908 and the Voltaire on 20 July 1907. The Vergniaud was completed on 22 September 1911.
2. Augustin Manuel Hubert Gaston Boué de Lapeyrère (18 January 1852-17 February 1924), promoted vice admiral in 1908 and was between 24 July 1909 and 1 March 1911 minister of marine in the cabinet of Aristide Bride. He was than patron for large capital ship. Next he was appointed to commander-in-chief of the Mediterranean naval forces.
