Ironclads

[Brian James]

French Ironclad Battleship Dévastation pictured in 1892, showing one of her four BL 340 mm/28.5 calibre (13.4inch ) Modèle 1884 main armament guns.

[Brian James]

Ironclad Coastal Defense Ship Bouvines pictured in 1896.

[Brian James]

On March 12th 1907, while Pre-Dreadnought Battleship Iéna was docked for a refit at Toulon there was a magazine explosion that was probably caused by the decomposition of old Poudre B propellant. It killed 120 people and badly damaged the ship. Investigations were launched afterwards, and the ensuing scandal forced the Navy Minister to resign. While the damage could have been repaired, the obsolete ship was considered neither worth the time nor the expense; her salvaged hulk was used as a gunnery target in 1909, then sold for scrap in 1912.

[Brian James]

Marceau Class Ironclad Barbette Ship Magenta sporting one of her 13.4 inch 28 calibre Modèle 1881 main armament guns c 1893.

[Brian James]

Dévastation Class Ironclad Central Battery Battleship Courbet pictured at Arsenal de Brest in 1900.