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FIGHTING SHIPS OF THE WORLD
FRANCE
TORPEDO SHIPS
MOGADOR destroyers (1938 - 1939)


Photo



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, t2884
Displacement full, t4018
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

Complement264


Graphics


<i>Volta</i> 1938
Volta 1938
<i>Volta</i> 1941
Volta 1941


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.