Pre-Dreadnought Battleship: FS Bouvet

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Brian James
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Pre-Dreadnought Battleship: FS Bouvet

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Pre-Dreadnought Battleship FS Bouvet pictured in 1898.
Bouvet was not officially part of any definite warship Class but she joined Carnot, Charles Martel, Jaureguiberry, and Massena in being constructed around a generally similar design (the Lead Ship typically being Charles Martel). Of the warships in the group, Bouvet was regarded as the best for she showcased improved seaworthiness when compared to her sisters thanks in large part to a contained superstructure and inherently good balance.
Commissioned in 1898, Bouvet was originally assigned to the French Mediterranean Squadron before being relocated for service with the Northern Squadron as a successor for FS Devastation. She was involved in a collision with Gaulois in January of 1903 but both ships survived to assist in humanitarian efforts concerning the eruption of Mt Vesuvius during April of 1906. She joined the French fleet in Mediterranean waters for 1908. During 1913, she underwent a refit to keep her a viable for the coming years - this proved the case with many outmoded Pre-Dreadnoughts of the period.
When world war broke out in Europe during the summer of 1914, Pre-Dreadnought warships were forced to continue service despite their generally obsolete status in many navies. Bouvet was used in convoy protection during the early-going but her most notable action was in the Dardanelles during March of 1915.Her guns were used against Turkish shoreline positions protected in forts. Bouvet was struck several times by return fire but it was not until she struck an unseen naval mine that her troubles began. The resulting damage was so severe that Bouvet went under in a short two minutes along with 660 of her 710-strong crew. The minefield finally became apparent to the Allies when two British warships followed to the bottom and a third was damaged. Because of the threat posed by the minefield, the bombardment was called off and preparations were made for the disastrous Gallipoli campaign that followed.
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Brian James
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Re: Pre Dreadnought Battleship: FS Bouvet

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Postcard of Pre-Dreadnought Battleship FS Bouvet...Dardenelles..1915.
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Brian James
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Re: Pre-Dreadnought Battleship: FS Bouvet

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Pre-Dreadnought Battleship Jaureguiberry pictured on sea trials off Toulon on January 30th 1896.
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designeraccd
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Re: Pre-Dreadnought Battleship: FS Bouvet

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Three early views of BOUVET...... ;) DFO
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Brian James
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Re: Pre-Dreadnought Battleship: FS Bouvet

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Launch day for Pre-Dreadnought Battleship Bouvet, on the ways at Arsenal de Lorient on April 27th 1896..She was sunk during operations off the Dardenelles on March 18th 1915.
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