An item reported that the tests with the former French destroyer Casablanca (1) now converted into a minelayer still were not finished despite that already for some years were going on. A new range of tests was to start soon. The tug Atlas was also to be converted into a minelayer while the first sets were successful. The mines which carried battleships on board and which were if necessary to be handed over to the destroyers were to heavy and difficult to handle. At Toulon started tests with anchoring mines with submersibles manufactured by the firm Schneider&Co. with very satisfying results. The minelayer Pluton (2) now being built at Augustin Normand had a displacement of 565 tons and as dimensions 59 x 8,3 x 3,15 metres, The two engines supplied around 6.000 ihp and were to allow a speed of 20 miles and with a speed of 16 miles a range of 1.400 nautical miles. The armament consisted of 1-7,5cm gun and she was able to carry 120 mines with her.
Notes
1. Torpedo-cruisers Casabianca and Cassini were converted into minelayer but could just carry 97 mines with them, further more the testing made clear that both were too large and slow.. The Cassabianca was launched on 21 September 1895 with a displacement of 970 tons and sunk on 3 June 1915 due to one of her own mines. Together with the sister ships Cassini and d’Iberville part of the d’Iberville-class.
2. The Pluton had one sister ship the Cerbère. She was launched on 10 March 1913 at the shipyard of A. Normand at Le Havre, stricken in 1921 and finally broken up 2 years later.
