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Volta 1938

Ships

Name	No	Yard No	Builder	Laid down	Launched	Comp	Fate
Volta			A C de Bretagne, Nantes	12.1934	26.11.1936	3.1939	scuttled 27.11.1942
Mogador			Arsenal de Lorient	12.1934	9.6.1937	8.1938	scuttled 27.11.1942

Technical data

Displacement standard, t	2884
Displacement full, t	4018
Length, m	131.0 pp 137.5 oa
Breadth, m	12.7
Draught, m	4.57
No of shafts	2
Machinery	2 sets Rateau-Bretagne geared steam turbines, 4 Indret boilers
Power, h. p.	92000
Max speed, kts	39
Fuel, t	oil 710
Endurance, nm(kts)	4200(15)
Armament	4 x 2 - 139/50 M1934, 2 x 2 - 37/50 M1933, 2 x 2 - 13.2/76, 2 x 3 - 550 TT, 2 x 2 - 550 TT, 2 DCT, 2 DCR, 40 mines
Complement	264

Graphics

Project history

Built under 1932 and 1934 programmes. Logical end of evolution of French super-destroyers, have ultimately approached with light cruisers. Steam temperature and pressure increase (to 350° and 27atm) became feature of the project. On sea trials they reached almost 44kts. (Mogador 43.45kts and Volta 42.88kts). Placing of main guns in twin turrets was characteristic. However these too complicated and whimsical mounts considerably reduced battle value of the ships. Real firing rate of main guns made half of designed one, and fire power was received even less, than of previous ships.

Kléber class (Kléber, Desaix, Marceau and Hoche) should become the further development of this design. Their characteristics were assumed close to Mogador, but with increased endurance and much strengthened AA artillery. In last variant of the design (on 1.6.1940) following data was provided: 3750/4180t; 131.0/137.5x13.0x4.65m; 850t of oil, 3600(30)nm(kts); 4x2-138/45, 2x2-100/45, 4x2-13.2MGs, 2x3-550TT. Building of this class was never begun.

Modernizations

late 1940, Mogador: - 1 x 2 - 139/50; + 2 x 2 - 37/50 M1933

1941, Mogador: + 8 x 1 - 13.2/94

1941, Volta: + 2 x 1 - 37/50 M1925, 2 x 1 - 25/60 M1938, 8 x 1 - 13.2/94

Naval service

At Mers-el-Kebir Mogador received hit of 15`` shell and after detonation of own depth charges lost a stern. During repair destroyed turret No4 was changed by turret No3, and  2 twin 37mm MGs were installed on its place.

Mogador and Volta were scuttled at Toulon 27.11.1942. They were salvaged by Italians in April-May 1943 and broken up.