NAVYPEDIA

Ships

Name	No	Yard No	Builder	Laid down	Launched	Comp	Fate
Cyclone			A C Augustin-Normand, Le Havre	11/1896	21.5.1898	1899	stricken 10.1920
Bourrasque			A C Augustin-Normand, Le Havre	6.1899	31.8.1901	1.1902	stricken 10.1921
Rafale			A C Augustin-Normand, Le Havre	7.1900	27.11.1901	2.1902	stricken 4.1921
Borée			F C de la Gironde, Bordeaux	1900	23.3.1901	12.1901	sold 1921
Tramontane			F C de la Gironde, Bordeaux	1900	21.5.1901	1902	sold 1923

Technical data

Displacement normal, t	Cyclone: 113 others: 119
Displacement full, t	Cyclone: 150 others: 165
Length, m	Cyclone: 45.0 wl 46.4 oa others: 45.0 wl 46.6 oa
Breadth, m	Cyclone: 4.68 others: 4.78
Draught, m	1.50
No of shafts	2
Machinery	2 VTE, 2 Normand boilers
Power, h. p.	Cyclone: 4200 others: 3800
Max speed, kts	29
Fuel, t	coal 25
Endurance, nm(kts)	1000(14)
Armament	2 x 1 - 47/40 M1885, 1 x 2 - 380 TT (4)
Complement

Standard scale images

Project history

The prototype Cyclone was ordered on 17.8.1896 and the other Normand boats on 21.6.I899 and the last pair on 26.7.1899. This class was an improved version of the highly successful Forban, and Cyclone made 30.38kts on trials. The hull was constructed of nickel-steel of lighter scantlings because of reduced vibration from the engines, and had twice the radius of action of Forban (2000nm at 10kts). On trials Bourrasque was the fastest at 31.54kts, but neither of the Gironde boats made 30kts.

Modernizations

None.

Naval service From completion they were assigned to the 'defense mobile' of Mediterranean ports, indicating that they were already outmoded, and their role was taken over by the first

From completion they were assigned to the 'defense mobile' of Mediterranean ports, indicating that they were already outmoded, and their role was taken over by the first French destroyers. Rafale accidentally sank at Boulogne 1.12.1917 after own DC explosion, later she was salvaged and repaired.