Destroyers: Durandel Class

[Brian James]

Durandal Class Destroyer FS Hallebarde pictured at Le Havre c1900.
These were a group of four Destroyers built at Chantiers et Ateliers Augustin Normand, Le Havre for the French Navy between 1896 and 1900, used during the First World War. These vessels were France's first true Destroyers rather than Torpedo Boats. Two units were launched in 1899 while another two followed in 1900. Another four Destroyers of the similar Samsun Class were laid down in 1906 and completed in 1907 for the Ottoman Navy, they also served in the First World War.
These vessels, which were an enlarged derivative of the previous Filibustier Class Torpedo Boats,resembled the Havock Class of Great Britain. Its hull had a turtleback bow to reduce water resistance,with two masts and two funnels. The ships were powered by two triple expansion engines fed by water tube boilers, giving a speed of 26 knots and were armed with two torpedo tubes (with two reload torpedoes carried onboard, a 2.6 inch and six 1.9 inch guns.They were all sold for scrap in 1920–21.