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{{short description|Coastal defense breastwork monitor of the French Navy}}
⚫ '''''Tonnerre''''' was the ] of a ] of two ] ]s built for the ] ({{lang|fr|Marine Nationale}}) in the 1870s. Armed with a main armament of two {{cvt|274.4|mm|0}} Modèle 1875 guns mounted in a single ] that had armor {{cvt|300|mm|in|0}} thick, the ship was ] in 1875, the vessel was originally ] into ] at ]. Between 1884 and 1885, the ship served in the Evolution Squadron ({{lang|fr|Escadre d'Evolutions}}) but joined the Northern Squadron ({{lang|fr| Esadre du Nord}}) in 1891. As part of a ] in 1893, the vessel participated in the successful defence of ] against a superior force. As French naval doctrine moved from a fleet of smaller coastal defense ships to larger ocean-going ], the ship ''Tonnerre'' had an uneventful career.
{{other ships|French ship Tonnerre}}
{|{{Infobox ship begin}}
{{Infobox ship image
|Ship image=French ironclad Tonnerre NH 74885.jpg
|Ship caption=''Tonnerre''
}}
{{Infobox ship career
|Hide header=
|Ship country=France
|Ship flag={{shipboxflag|France|naval}}
|Ship name=''Tonnerre''
|Ship namesake=
|Ship ordered=
|Ship nickname=
|Ship builder=], ]
|Ship original cost=
|Ship laid down=August 1873
|Ship launched=16 September 1875
|Ship sponsor=
|Ship christened=
|Ship completed=
|Ship commissioned=1 April 1878
|Ship decommissioned=
|Ship struck=12 December 1905
|Ship fate=Sold after 1920
|Ship notes=
|Ship badge=
}}
{{Infobox ship characteristics
|Hide header=
|Header caption=
|Ship class={{sclass|Tonnerre|ironclad|0}} ]
|Ship displacement={{cvt|5588|t|LT|lk=on}}
|Ship length={{convert|78.6|m|ftin|abbr=on}} (])
|Ship beam={{convert|17.6|m|ftin|abbr=on}}
|Ship draft={{convert|6.421|m|ftin|abbr=on}} (mean)
|Ship power=*8 × rectangular ]s
*{{convert|3400|ihp|lk=on|abbr=on}}
|Ship propulsion=1 shaft, 1 ]
|Ship speed={{convert|14|kn|lk=in|abbr=on}}
|Ship range={{convert|2100|nmi|lk=in|abbr=on}} at {{convert|10|kn|abbr=on}}
|Ship complement=190
|Ship armament=*1 × twin {{convert|274.2|mm|in|0|abbr=on|adj=on}} guns
*4 × single {{convert|121|mm|in|0|abbr=on|adj=on}} guns
|Ship armor=*]: {{convert|250|-|330|mm|in|abbr=on|1}}
*]: {{convert|50|-|120|mm|in|abbr=on|0}}
*]: {{convert|300|-|333|mm|in|abbr=on}}
*]: {{convert|300|mm|in|abbr=on|1}}
|Ship notes=
}}
|}
⚫ '''''Tonnerre''''' was the ] of a ] of two ] ]s built for the ] ({{lang|fr|Marine Nationale}}) in the 1870s. Armed with a main armament of two {{cvt|274.4|mm|0}} Modèle 1875 guns mounted in a single ] that had armor {{cvt|300|mm|in|0}} thick, the ship was ] in 1875, the vessel was originally ] into ] at ]. As French naval doctrine moved from a fleet of smaller coastal defense ships to larger ocean-going ], the ship ''Tonnerre'' had an uneventful career. Between 1884 and 1885, the ship served in the Evolution Squadron ({{lang|fr|Escadre d'Evolutions}}) but joined the Northern Squadron ({{lang|fr| Esadre du Nord}}) in 1891. As part of a ] in 1893, the vessel participated in the successful defence of ] against a superior force. The ship was struck in 1905 and, after serving as a target, was sold after 1920.


==Design and description== ==Design and description==
] ]
On 10 November 1871, the ] ({{lang|fr|Ministère de la Marine}}) ] issued a specification for a new ]. Of the three alternatives submitted on 9 August 1872, the ] accepted that developed by Louis de Bussy, which was signed on 29 July. The design was based on his existing second-class coastal defense ships, as epitomised by the {{sclass|Bélier|ram|2}}, but with an armored deck raised by {{cvt|10|cm}}, sitting {{cvt|90|cm}} above the ] and all vertical dimensions increased by 25 percent. With similarity to the ] ] {{HMS|Glatton|1871|2}} but with a shorter breastwork, the design was agreed and built as class of two vessels, the first named ''Tonnerre''.{{sfn|Roberts|2021|page=80}} On 10 November 1871, the ] ({{lang|fr|Ministère de la Marine}}) ] issued a specification for a new ]. Of the three alternatives submitted on 9 August 1872, the ] accepted that developed by Louis de Bussy, which was signed on 29 July. The design was based on his existing second-class coastal defense ships, as epitomised by the {{sclass|Bélier|ram|2}}, but with an armored deck raised by {{cvt|10|cm}}, sitting {{cvt|90|cm}} above the ] and all vertical dimensions increased by 25 percent. With similarity to the ] ] {{HMS|Glatton|1871|2}} but with a shorter ], the design was agreed and built as class of two vessels, the first named ''Tonnerre''.{{sfn|Roberts|2021|page=80}}


A ] that had hull of steel, ''Tonnerre'' had a single turret forward and a narrow superstructure {{convert|6|ft|m|order=flip|abbr=on}} wide aft.{{sfn|Campbell|1979|page=299}} The vessel ] {{convert|5588|MT|LT|lk=on}}, had an ] of {{convert|78.6|m|ftin|abbr=on}}, {{convert|75.6|m|ftin|abbr=on}} at the ] and {{convert|73.6|m|ftin|abbr=on}} ]. The ship's ] was {{convert|17.6|m|ftin|abbr=on}} at the waterline and ] was {{convert|6.421|m|ftin|abbr=on}} mean and {{convert|6.639|m|ftin|abbr=on}} ]. The ] numbered 190 sailors of all ranks.{{sfn|Roberts|2021|page=80}}{{sfn|Brassey|1897|page=292}} A ] that had hull of steel, ''Tonnerre'' had a single turret forward and a narrow superstructure {{convert|6|ft|m|order=flip|abbr=on}} wide aft.{{sfn|Campbell|1979|page=299}} The vessel ] {{convert|5588|MT|LT|lk=on}}, had an ] of {{convert|78.6|m|ftin|abbr=on}}, {{convert|75.6|m|ftin|abbr=on}} at the waterline and {{convert|73.6|m|ftin|abbr=on}} ]. The ship's ] was {{convert|17.6|m|ftin|abbr=on}} at the waterline and ] was {{convert|6.421|m|ftin|abbr=on}} mean and {{convert|6.639|m|ftin|abbr=on}} ]. The ] numbered 190 sailors of all ranks.{{sfn|Roberts|2021|page=80}}{{sfn|Brassey|1897|page=292}}


''Tonnerre'' was powered by a reconditioned engine that had previously powered the ] {{ship|French ironclad|Normandie||2}}.{{sfn|Roberts|2021|page=81}} It was a single horizontal simple expansion ] that drove one ]. Steam was provided by eight reinforced high rectangular ]s that were designed to run at a pressure of {{convert|2.25|kg/cm3|abbr=on}}. The engine had two cylinders, each of {{convert|12.085|m|ftin|abbr=on}} bore and {{convert|1.27|m|ftin|abbr=on}} stroke. The engine was rated at {{convert|3400|ihp|lk=on}} at 60rpm. While undertaking ]s, ''Tonnerre'' reached a speed of {{convert|14.07|kn|1}} from {{cvt|4166|ihp}}. The ship carried {{convert|291|t}} of coal, which gave a range of {{convert|2100|nmi|lk=in}} at a cruising speed of {{convert|10|kn}}.{{sfn|Roberts|2021|page=80}} In service, the ship was rated at {{convert|14|kn|0}}.{{sfn|King|1881|page=21}} ''Tonnerre'' was powered by a reconditioned engine that had previously powered the ] {{ship|French ironclad|Normandie||2}}.{{sfn|Roberts|2021|page=81}} It was a single horizontal simple expansion ] that drove one ]. Steam was provided by eight reinforced high rectangular ]s that were designed to run at a pressure of {{convert|2.25|kg/cm3|abbr=on}}. The engine had two cylinders, each of {{convert|12.085|m|ftin|abbr=on}} bore and {{convert|1.27|m|ftin|abbr=on}} stroke. The engine was rated at {{convert|3400|ihp|lk=on}} at 60rpm. While undertaking ]s, ''Tonnerre'' reached a speed of {{convert|14.07|kn|1|lk=in}} from {{cvt|4166|ihp}}. The ship carried {{convert|291|t}} of coal, which gave a range of {{convert|2100|nmi|lk=in}} at a cruising speed of {{convert|10|kn}}.{{sfn|Roberts|2021|page=80}} In service, the ship was rated at {{convert|14|kn|0}}.{{sfn|King|1881|page=21}}


''Tonnerre'' carried a ] of two {{cvt|274.4|mm|0}} 19.75 ] Modèle 1875 guns in a single enclosed turret. The guns were capable of firing every seven or eight minutes.{{sfn|Roberts|2021|page=80}} The guns were ] loaded, as were the turrets.{{sfn|King|1881|page=22}} The guns were designed to fire astern, but doing so damaged the superstructure.{{sfn|Campbell|1979|page=299}} Defence from torpedo boats was provided by four {{convert|121|mm|adj=on}}/17 12-pounder bronze guns mounted at the corners of the flying deck, raised above the hull. The ship was equipped with a {{cvt|3|m}} ram. Six {{convert|37|mm|adj=on}} ] were added, which were replaced, in 1900, by six ] and two {{convert|37|mm|adj=on}} ]. Four {{cvt|60|cm}} Mangin searchlights were also added.{{sfn|Roberts|2021|page=80}}{{sfn|Paloczi-Horvath|1996|page=110}} ''Tonnerre'' carried a ] of two {{cvt|274.4|mm|0}} 19.75-] Modèle 1875 guns in a single enclosed turret. The guns were capable of firing every seven or eight minutes.{{sfn|Roberts|2021|page=80}} The guns were ] loaded, as were the turrets.{{sfn|King|1881|page=22}} The guns were designed to fire astern, but doing so damaged the superstructure.{{sfn|Campbell|1979|page=299}} Defence from torpedo boats was provided by four {{convert|121|mm|adj=on}} 17-caliber 12-pounder bronze guns mounted at the corners of the flying deck, raised above the hull. The ship was equipped with a {{cvt|3|m}} ram. Six {{convert|37|mm|adj=on|abbr=on}} ] were added, which were replaced, in 1900, by six ] and two {{convert|37|mm|adj=on|abbr=on}} Hotchkiss revolving cannons. Four {{cvt|60|cm}} Mangin searchlights were also added during the ship's time in service.{{sfn|Roberts|2021|page=80}}{{sfn|Paloczi-Horvath|1996|page=110}}


The ship was fitted with wrought iron armor with a full-length waterline ] that tapered from the maximum thickness of {{cvt|330|mm|in|0}} ] to {{cvt|250|mm|in|0}} forward and {{cvt|300|mm|in|0}} aft. The ] armor was {{cvt|50|mm|in|0}} thick amidships with ends had {{cvt|120|mm|in|0}} of wood mounted on {{cvt|10|mm|in|0}} plating. The belt stretched from {{cvt|1.51|m|in|0}} below the waterline to {{cvt|0.89|m|in|0}} above. The breastwork had armor that was {{cvt|333|mm|in|0}} amidships and 300 mm at the ends. The turret was also protected by armor that is 300 mm thick, although the gun ports themselves were {{cvt|350|mm|in|0}} thick.{{sfn|Roberts|2021|page=80}} The turret was {{convert|34|ft|6|in|m|order=flip|abbr=on}} in diameter. A cylindrical ] was mounted on the turret, supported by a fixed {{convert|4|ft|8|in|m|order=flip|abbr=on}} shaft that ran through the turret.{{sfn|Campbell|1979|page=299}} The ship was fitted with wrought iron armor with a full-length waterline ] that tapered from the maximum thickness of {{cvt|330|mm|in|0}} ] to {{cvt|250|mm|in|0}} forward and {{cvt|300|mm|in|0}} aft. The ] armor was {{cvt|50|mm|in|0}} thick amidships with ends had {{cvt|120|mm|in|0}} of wood mounted on {{cvt|10|mm|in|0}} plating. The belt stretched from {{cvt|1.51|m|in|0}} below the waterline to {{cvt|0.89|m|in|0}} above. The breastwork had armor that was {{cvt|333|mm|in|0}} amidships and 300 mm at the ends. The turret was also protected by armor that is 300 mm thick, although the gun ports themselves were {{cvt|350|mm|in|0}} thick.{{sfn|Roberts|2021|page=80}} The turret was {{convert|34|ft|6|in|m|order=flip|abbr=on}} in diameter. A cylindrical ] was mounted on the turret, supported by a fixed {{convert|4|ft|8|in|m|order=flip|abbr=on}} shaft that ran through the turret.{{sfn|Campbell|1979|page=299}}


==Construction and career== ==Construction and career==
] in January 1873 by the ] at ], ''Tonnerre'' was ] on 16 September 1875. Initially ] for trials on 15 September 1877, the ship was fully commissioned on 1 April the following year. ] in January 1873 by the ] at ], ''Tonnerre'' was ] on 16 September 1875. Initially ] for trials on 15 September 1877, the ship was fully commissioned on 1 April the following year. The vessel was transferred to ], arriving on 22 June, and placed in ]. Between 1884 and 1885 the ship served with the Evolution Squadron ({{lang|fr|Escadre d'Evolutions}}), before being returned to reserve at ]. In 1891, ''Tonnerre'' was commissioned into the Armored Division ({{lang|fr|Division cuirassé}}) of the Northern Squadron ({{lang|fr| Esadre du Nord}}){{sfn|Roberts|2021|page=81}} On 26 July, ''Tonnerre'' joined fellow ironclads {{ship|French ironclad|Furieux||2}} and {{ship|French ironclad|Victorieuse||2}} on a ]. The flotilla was instructed to defend Cherbourg from a more powerful force of ironclads, ]s and ]s. They were successful in deterring the attacking force and, on 3 August, the ship participated in an attack against the enemy using dummy ]es.<ref>{{cite news|title=The French Naval Manoeuvres|newspaper=]|date=24 August 1893|issue=34038|page=4}}</ref>


French naval doctrine was changing and the focus on coastal defense was being replaced by one of larger sea-going warships. The size of ships was also increasing, and newer, more capable ]s entered service.{{sfn|Paloczi-Horvath|1996|page=50}} After being reboilered and rearmed in 1900, the ship served for five years before being struck on 12 December 1905. After serving as a target at Brest for one year and at Lorient for another twelve, ''Tonnerre'' was retired. The ship was put up for sale at Lorient between 1920 and 1922.{{sfn|Roberts|2021|page=81}} On 7 September 1894, it was announced that the vessel was to be retired from active service and replaced by the newer ironclad {{ship|French ironclad|Jemmapes||2}}.<ref>{{cite news|title=Naval & Military Intelligence|newspaper=The Times|date=8 September 1894|issue=34364|page=10}}</ref> French naval doctrine was changing and the focus on coastal defense was being replaced by one of larger sea-going warships. The size of ships was also increasing, and newer, more capable ]s entered service.{{sfn|Paloczi-Horvath|1996|page=50}} After being reboilered and rearmed in 1900, the ship served for five years before being struck on 12 December 1905. After serving as a target at Brest for one year and at Lorient for another twelve, ''Tonnerre'' was retired. The ship was put up for sale at Lorient between 1920 and 1922.{{sfn|Roberts|2021|page=81}}


==Citations== ==References==
===Citations===
{{Reflist|30em}}
{{reflist|20em}}


==Bibliography== ===Bibliography===
* {{cite journal | editor-last=Brassey | editor-first=Thomas | title=Part II: British and Foreign Armoured and Unarmoured Ships | journal=The Naval Annual 1897 | year=1897 | location=Portsmouth | publisher=J. Griffin & Co. | pages=227–335 | oclc=1342523853 | editor-link=Thomas Brassey, 1st Earl Brassey}} * {{cite journal | editor-last=Brassey | editor-first=Thomas | title=Part II: British and Foreign Armoured and Unarmoured Ships | journal=The Naval Annual 1897 | year=1897 | location=Portsmouth | publisher=J. Griffin & Co. | pages=227–335 | oclc=1342523853 | editor-link=Thomas Brassey, 1st Earl Brassey}}
*{{cite book | last=Campbell | first=N. J. M. | chapter=France | title=Conway's All the World's Fighting Ships 1860–1905 | editor1-last=Chesneau | editor1-first=Roger | editor2-last=Kolesnik | editor2-first=Eugene M. | publisher=Conway Maritime Press | location=Greenwich, UK | year=1979 | isbn= 978-0-85177-133-5 | name-list-style=amp | url-access=registration | url=https://archive.org/details/conwaysallworlds0000unse_l2e2 | pages=282–333}} *{{cite book | last=Campbell | first=N. J. M. | chapter=France | title=Conway's All the World's Fighting Ships 1860–1905 | editor1-last=Chesneau | editor1-first=Roger | editor2-last=Kolesnik | editor2-first=Eugene M. | publisher=Conway Maritime Press | location=Greenwich, UK | year=1979 | isbn= 978-0-85177-133-5 | name-list-style=amp | url-access=registration | url=https://archive.org/details/conwaysallworlds0000unse_l2e2 | pages=282–333}}
* {{cite book | last=King | first=J. W. | title=The War-ships and Navies of the World | location=Boston | publisher=A. Williams and Company | year=1881 | url=https://www.google.com/books/edition/The_War_ships_and_Navies_of_the_World/9v8_AAAAYAAJ}} * {{cite book | last=King | first=J. W. | title=The War-ships and Navies of the World | location=Boston | publisher=A. Williams and Company | year=1881 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9v8_AAAAYAAJ}}
*{{cite book | last=Paloczi-Horvath | first=George | title=From Monitor to Missile Boat: Coast Defence Ships and Coastal Defence Since 1860 | publisher=Naval Institute Press | location=Annapolis, Maryland | year=1996 | isbn=978-1-55750-270-4}} *{{cite book | last=Paloczi-Horvath | first=George | title=From Monitor to Missile Boat: Coast Defence Ships and Coastal Defence Since 1860 | publisher=Naval Institute Press | location=Annapolis, Maryland | year=1996 | isbn=978-1-55750-270-4}}
*{{cite book | last=Roberts | first=Stephen | title=French Warships in the Age of Steam 1859–1914 | year=2021 | location=Barnsley | publisher=Seaforth Publishing | isbn=978-1-5267-4533-0}} *{{cite book | last=Roberts | first=Stephen | title=French Warships in the Age of Steam 1859–1914 | year=2021 | location=Barnsley | publisher=Seaforth Publishing | isbn=978-1-5267-4533-0}}
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Tonnerre}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Tonnerre}}
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Latest revision as of 23:41, 30 November 2024

Coastal defense breastwork monitor of the French Navy For other ships with the same name, see French ship Tonnerre.
Tonnerre
History
France
NameTonnerre
BuilderNaval shipyard, Lorient
Laid downAugust 1873
Launched16 September 1875
Commissioned1 April 1878
Stricken12 December 1905
FateSold after 1920
General characteristics
Class and typeTonnerre-class coastal defense ship
Displacement5,588 t (5,500 long tons)
Length78.6 m (257 ft 10 in) (o/a)
Beam17.6 m (57 ft 9 in)
Draft6.421 m (21 ft 0.8 in) (mean)
Installed power
Propulsion1 shaft, 1 single-expansion steam engine
Speed14 kn (26 km/h; 16 mph)
Range2,100 nmi (3,900 km; 2,400 mi) at 10 kn (19 km/h; 12 mph)
Complement190
Armament
  • 1 × twin 274.2 mm (11 in) guns
  • 4 × single 121 mm (5 in) guns
Armor
  • Belt: 250–330 mm (9.8–13.0 in)
  • Deck: 50–120 mm (2–5 in)
  • Breastwork: 300–333 mm (11.8–13.1 in)
  • Turrets: 300 mm (11.8 in)

Tonnerre was the lead ship of a class of two coastal defense breastwork monitors built for the French Navy (Marine Nationale) in the 1870s. Armed with a main armament of two 274.4 mm (11 in) Modèle 1875 guns mounted in a single turret that had armor 300 mm (12 in) thick, the ship was Launched in 1875, the vessel was originally commissioned into reserve at Brest. As French naval doctrine moved from a fleet of smaller coastal defense ships to larger ocean-going battleships, the ship Tonnerre had an uneventful career. Between 1884 and 1885, the ship served in the Evolution Squadron (Escadre d'Evolutions) but joined the Northern Squadron (Esadre du Nord) in 1891. As part of a naval exercise in 1893, the vessel participated in the successful defence of Cherbourg against a superior force. The ship was struck in 1905 and, after serving as a target, was sold after 1920.

Design and description

Diagram of the Tonnerre class from Brassey's Naval Annual
Plan view of the Tonnerre class

On 10 November 1871, the Minister of the Navy (Ministère de la Marine) Louis Pierre Alexis Pothuau issued a specification for a new coastal defense ship. Of the three alternatives submitted on 9 August 1872, the French Navy accepted that developed by Louis de Bussy, which was signed on 29 July. The design was based on his existing second-class coastal defense ships, as epitomised by the Bélier-class ram, but with an armored deck raised by 10 cm (3.9 in), sitting 90 cm (35 in) above the waterline and all vertical dimensions increased by 25 percent. With similarity to the Royal Navy monitor Glatton but with a shorter breastwork, the design was agreed and built as class of two vessels, the first named Tonnerre.

A breastwork monitor that had hull of steel, Tonnerre had a single turret forward and a narrow superstructure 1.8 m (6 ft) wide aft. The vessel displaced 5,588 metric tons (5,500 long tons), had an overall length of 78.6 m (257 ft 10 in), 75.6 m (248 ft 0 in) at the waterline and 73.6 m (241 ft 6 in) between perpendiculars. The ship's beam was 17.6 m (57 ft 9 in) at the waterline and draught was 6.421 m (21 ft 0.8 in) mean and 6.639 m (21 ft 9.4 in) aft. The ship's complement numbered 190 sailors of all ranks.

Tonnerre was powered by a reconditioned engine that had previously powered the ironclad Normandie. It was a single horizontal simple expansion steam engine that drove one propeller shaft. Steam was provided by eight reinforced high rectangular tubular boilers that were designed to run at a pressure of 2.25 kg/cm (81 lb/cu in). The engine had two cylinders, each of 12.085 m (39 ft 7.8 in) bore and 1.27 m (4 ft 2 in) stroke. The engine was rated at 3,400 indicated horsepower (2,500 kW) at 60rpm. While undertaking sea trials, Tonnerre reached a speed of 14.07 knots (26.1 km/h; 16.2 mph) from 4,166 ihp (3,107 kW). The ship carried 291 tonnes (286 long tons; 321 short tons) of coal, which gave a range of 2,100 nautical miles (3,900 km; 2,400 mi) at a cruising speed of 10 knots (19 km/h; 12 mph). In service, the ship was rated at 14 knots (26 km/h; 16 mph).

Tonnerre carried a main battery of two 274.4 mm (11 in) 19.75-caliber Modèle 1875 guns in a single enclosed turret. The guns were capable of firing every seven or eight minutes. The guns were hydraulically loaded, as were the turrets. The guns were designed to fire astern, but doing so damaged the superstructure. Defence from torpedo boats was provided by four 121-millimetre (4.8 in) 17-caliber 12-pounder bronze guns mounted at the corners of the flying deck, raised above the hull. The ship was equipped with a 3 m (9.8 ft) ram. Six 37 mm (1.5 in) Hotchkiss revolving cannons were added, which were replaced, in 1900, by six Canon de 47 mm (1.9 in) Modèle 1885 Hotchkiss guns and two 37 mm (1.5 in) Hotchkiss revolving cannons. Four 60 cm (24 in) Mangin searchlights were also added during the ship's time in service.

The ship was fitted with wrought iron armor with a full-length waterline armor belt that tapered from the maximum thickness of 330 mm (13 in) amidships to 250 mm (10 in) forward and 300 mm (12 in) aft. The deck armor was 50 mm (2 in) thick amidships with ends had 120 mm (5 in) of wood mounted on 10 mm (0 in) plating. The belt stretched from 1.51 m (59 in) below the waterline to 0.89 m (35 in) above. The breastwork had armor that was 333 mm (13 in) amidships and 300 mm at the ends. The turret was also protected by armor that is 300 mm thick, although the gun ports themselves were 350 mm (14 in) thick. The turret was 10.52 m (34 ft 6 in) in diameter. A cylindrical conning tower was mounted on the turret, supported by a fixed 1.42 m (4 ft 8 in) shaft that ran through the turret.

Construction and career

Laid down in January 1873 by the naval shipyard at Lorient, Tonnerre was launched on 16 September 1875. Initially commissioned for trials on 15 September 1877, the ship was fully commissioned on 1 April the following year. The vessel was transferred to Brest, arriving on 22 June, and placed in reserve. Between 1884 and 1885 the ship served with the Evolution Squadron (Escadre d'Evolutions), before being returned to reserve at Cherbourg. In 1891, Tonnerre was commissioned into the Armored Division (Division cuirassé) of the Northern Squadron (Esadre du Nord) On 26 July, Tonnerre joined fellow ironclads Furieux and Victorieuse on a naval exercise. The flotilla was instructed to defend Cherbourg from a more powerful force of ironclads, cruisers and torpedo boats. They were successful in deterring the attacking force and, on 3 August, the ship participated in an attack against the enemy using dummy torpedoes.

On 7 September 1894, it was announced that the vessel was to be retired from active service and replaced by the newer ironclad Jemmapes. French naval doctrine was changing and the focus on coastal defense was being replaced by one of larger sea-going warships. The size of ships was also increasing, and newer, more capable battleships entered service. After being reboilered and rearmed in 1900, the ship served for five years before being struck on 12 December 1905. After serving as a target at Brest for one year and at Lorient for another twelve, Tonnerre was retired. The ship was put up for sale at Lorient between 1920 and 1922.

References

Citations

  1. ^ Roberts 2021, p. 80.
  2. ^ Campbell 1979, p. 299.
  3. Brassey 1897, p. 292.
  4. ^ Roberts 2021, p. 81.
  5. King 1881, p. 21.
  6. King 1881, p. 22.
  7. Paloczi-Horvath 1996, p. 110.
  8. "The French Naval Manoeuvres". The Times. No. 34038. 24 August 1893. p. 4.
  9. "Naval & Military Intelligence". The Times. No. 34364. 8 September 1894. p. 10.
  10. Paloczi-Horvath 1996, p. 50.

Bibliography

Tonnerre-class ironclads
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