Dunkerque-class
Richelieu-class
Roma of the Italian Vittorio Veneto-class
Richelieu-class consisted of the Richelieu, Gascogne, Jean Bart and Clemenceau, preceded by the Dunkerque-class and succeeded by the never realized Alsace-class. Designed as an answer on the Italian Vittorio Veneto-class battleships (1) while Italy and not Germany was the main threat for France regarded the supremacy in the Mediterranean. As a result of building under different programs were the hip not entirely similar. Laid down in the Salou graving dock (where also the Richelieu was built) at Arsenal de Brest, France on 17 January 1939, just 10% completed when German forces invaded France in June 1940, the hull section with a length of 130 metres/430”was captured by the German which referred to her as Battleship R, around 1940 floating, probably to be used as block ship was her hull sunk during an American air attack on 27 August 1944. After the Second World War broken up.General technical specification of the class. Displacement 35.000 (design standard)-48.950 tons and as dimensions 247,85 x 33 x 9,63 metres or 813.2 x 108 x 31.6 feet. Machinery consisted of 4 Parsons geared turbines and 6 Indret Sural fuel oil pressure-fired steam boilers supplying 150.000 hp and driving four 4-bladed screws allowing a speed of 30 knots. Range varied between 2.350-6,950 nautical miles with a speed of respectively 28 and 16 knots. Crew numbered 1.550 men planned while used as flagship. Armour consisted of a 33cm/13.0” thick belt, an upper armoured deck of 15cm/5.9” and a lower armoured deck of 4cm/1.6” and with the main gun turrets and conning tower protected by respectively 14cm/5.5-43cm/17” and 26cm/10.2”. The armament consisted of4/5 sea planes for which a hangar, a crane en 2 catapults were available, 2x4-38cm/15.0” /45 Modèle 1935 guns in super firing positions and 4x3-15,2cm/6.0” dual purpose Modèle 1936 guns (2 broadside amidships and 2 in super firing positions aft).
Note
1. Littorio-class or Vittorio Veneto-class consisted of the Littorio, Vittoio Veneto, Roma and Impero.
