Drawing by G.J.F. Naerebout in Van Zee tot Zee
Laid down at Arsenal de Orient, Brest, France in 1939, captured still just 28% complete by the German forces in June 1940, conversion into a light aircraft carrier temporarily called II planned in April 1942, conversion ordered on 3 December 1942, conversion however ended in February 1943, launched on 11 September 1946, works topped and redesigned as anti-aircraft cruiser, commissioned on 10 September 1956, modernized May 1964-February 1966, used for nuclear tests in French Polynesia, decommissioned in 1973, stricken on 25 January 1974 and the same year broken up. The building of her sister ships Chateaurenault and Guichen was cancelled.
Original technical specifications according to the 1930 design/ Displacement 8.000 9standard)-11.431 (full load) tons and as dimensions 180,4 (waterline) x 18,6 x 5,5 metres. The machinery was to consist of steam turbines and 4 boilers delivering via 2 shafts 110.000 hp allowing a speed of 35 knots. The crew was to number 691 men. The armour consisted of a 10cm thick belt, 3,8cm thick deck with the gun turrets and conning tower protected by respectively 10cm and 9,5cm. The armament consisted of 3x3-15,2cm guns, 3x2-10cm guns, 8-3,7cm gun, 8-13,2mm machineguns, 6-55cm torpedo tubes and 2 seaplanes for which she was fitted out with 2 catapults.
Technical specifications after her completion as anti aircraft-cruiser.
Displacement 9.389 (standard)-12.350 I(full load) tons and as dimensions 199,3 x 18,6 (waterline)-21,5 x 5,54 metres or 653.10 x 61.0-70.6 x 18.2 feet. The machinery consisted of 2 x52.500hp Rateau turbine sets and 4 boilers allowing a speed o 33m8 knots. The crew numbered 560 (after 1966)750 men. The armour consisted of a 10cm/3.9” thick belt, a 3,8cm/1.5” thick deck, 2cm/0.70” thick torpedo bulkheads and 2cm/0.70”-6cm/2.36” thick bulkheads. The armament consisted of 8x-12,7cm anti aircraft guns and in advance, 10x2-57cm Bofors guns.
