NAVYPEDIA

Photo

L'Alsacien 1980

Ships

Name	No	Yard No	Builder	Laid down	Launched	Comp	Fate	Modification
Le Normand	F765		F C de la Méditerranée, La Seyne	7.1953	13.2.1954	13.11.1956	stricken 10.1983	E 52 type
Le Picard	F766		A C de la Loire, Nantes	12.12.1953	31.5.1954	20.9.1956	stricken 12.1979	E 52 type
Le Gascon	F767		A C de la Loire, Nantes	1.4.1954	23.10.1954	29.3.1957	stricken 9.1977	E 52 type
Le Lorrain	F768		F C de la Méditerranée, La Seyne	2.1954	19.6.1954	1.1.1957	stricken 3.1976	E 52 type
Le Bourguignon	F769		Penhoët, St-Nazaire	23.4.1954	28.1.1956	11.7.1957	stricken 9.1976	E 52 type
Le Champenois	F770		A C de la Loire, Nantes	20.8.1954	12.3.1955	1.6.1957	stricken 8.1975	E 52 type
Le Savoyard	F771		F C de la Méditerranée, La Seyne	11.1953	7.5.1955	14.6.1957	stricken 2.1980	E 52 type
Le Breton	F772		Arsenal de Lorient	2.11.1954	23.4.1955	20.8.1957	stricken 4.1976	E 52 type
Le Basque	F773		Arsenal de Lorient	3.5.1955	25.2.1956	18.10.1957	stricken 12.1979	E 52 type
L'Agenais	F774		Arsenal de Lorient	3.8.1955	26.1.1957	14.5.1958	trials ship A784 late 1979, stricken 11.1985	E 52 type
Le Béarnais	F775		Arsenal de Lorient	15.12.1955	26.1.1957	18.10.1958	stricken 6.1979	E 52 type
L'Alsacien	F776		Arsenal de Lorient	2.7.1956	26.1.1957	27.8.1960	stricken 9.1981	E 52B type
Le Provencal	F777		Arsenal de Lorient	1.2.1957	5.10.1957	6.11.1959	stricken 3.1981	E 52B type
Le Vendéen	F778		F C de la Méditerranée, La Seyne	11.3.1957	27.7.1957	1.10.1960	trials ship A778 1.1981, stricken 6.1982	E 52B type

Technical data

Displacement standard, t	1250
Displacement full, t	1702
Length, m	95.1 pp 99.7 oa
Breadth, m	10.3
Draught, m	4.30
No of shafts	2
Machinery	2 sets Rateau or Parsons geared steam turbines, 2 Indret boilers
Power, h. p.	20000
Max speed, kts	28
Fuel, t	oil 310
Endurance, nm(kts)	4500(15)
Armament	E52: 3 x 2 - 57/60 Mod 1951, 2 x 1 - 20/70 Mk 4, 4 x 3 - 550 TT (24 K2/L3), 1 x 6 - 375 Bofors Mk 54 ASWRL, 2 DCT, 1 DCR E52B: 2 x 2 - 57/60 Mod 1951, 2 x 1 - 20/70 Mk 4, 4 x 3 - 550 TT (12 K2/L3), 1 x 4 - 305 ASWRL, 2 DCT, 1 DCR
Electronic equipment	early ships: DRBV-20A, DRBV-31, DRBC-31 radars, DUBV-1, DUBA-1 sonars later ships: DRBV-22A, DRBV-31, DRBC-31 radars, DUBV-1, DUBA-1 sonars E52B: DRBV-22A, DRBV-31, DRBC-31 radars, DUBV-24, DUBA-1 sonars
Complement	175

Standard scale images

Graphics

Project history

E 52 was a follow-on design from the E 50 incorporating a number of improvements. The first seven units, ordered in 1952, were financed under MDAP. The remaining ships were paid for by France; two were ordered in 1953, two in 1954 and three in 1955.

The major difference in layout compared to E 50 was the relocation of the ASW tubes, together with their ready-use lockers, from 01 deck forward to the upper deck amidships. Besides reducing topweight this had the effect of freeing the forward position for the Bofors ASWRL with a consequent improvement in arcs.

The first vessels completed had a similar radar fit to E 50, but later units were fitted from the start with the new DRBV-22A air search radar, which was carried at a lower level than the DRBV-20A. All ships were tater brought up to the same standard.

In place of the tiered bridge structure of the earlier ships, L'Agenais and Le Béarnais was given a large single block extending well forward, the fire control position being relocated on top.

The last three ships of the class incorporated a number of important modifications, and were known as the Type E 52B. The 57mm mounting in 'X' position was replaced by a large quadruple 305mm ASW mortar of a new design. The Bofors ASWRL was deleted and the forward 57mm mounting moved into its place to improve arcs. Reload magazines for the ASW torpedoes were removed, suggesting that the early vessels of the E 50 and E 52 classes may have suffered from excessive topweight. The E 52B class units had the larger bridge structure introduced by the previous two ships and in addition had the Strombos-Velensi funnel cap. Two further vessels of this type were included in the 1957 naval estimates but were cancelled due to financial problems.

In 1954 plans were drawn up for a new class of austere convoy escorts. Dimensions were 89.0x9.5m on a displacement of 1000t standard. ASW armament was to be on a par with the E 50, but AA armament was restricted to four 40mm. The first three ships were to have been laid down at Lorient but the design was not proceeded with.

Modernizations

late 1950s, early ships: - DRBV-20A radar; + DRBV-22A radar

mid-1960s, Le Savoyard, Le Breton, Le Basque: bridge was modified as on later ships; - 1 x 2 - 57/60(aft) (MSBS tracking equipment was installed on its place)

mid-1960s, Le Savoyard: - 1 x 2 - 57/60(aft) (MSBS tracking equipment was installed on its place)

late 1970s, Le Basque: - MSBS tracking equipment; + fire control equipment for Otomat SSM

1979, L'Agenais: - 1 x 2 - 57/60(aft), 2 x 3 - 550 TT(fwd); + VDS sonar.

1981, Le Vendéen: - 1 x 2 - 57/60(aft); + 1 x 1 - 550 TT (stern, firing aft) for wire-guided torpedoes.

Naval service

No significant events.