FAN Ernest Renan (AC-1911)

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Ernest Renan, Edgar Quinet and Waldeck Rousseau were the last of the French armoured cruisers, and probably their best. Size, power and speed was impressive right up to the time the Invincible was completed in 1908. The only 6 funnel ships in the French navy and possibly any other, they had a silhouette unlike any other. The three ships differed slightly in armament but for my purposes all three are one class.

Even with the ex Germanic States cruisers that were imported into the French Navy, the French Navy was woefully short of cruisers. A dispensation was given to the French for these three ships. The ships were outsized and should have been scrapped because of the Washington Treaty. The completion of the 3 Duguay Trouin class meant that these three ships could be rebuilt for ancillary duties. The Waldeck Rousseau was caught in a storm, in harbour, broke away from its moorings and ran aground. The hulk was stripped of anything of value, with the remainder broken up in situ. (Remember this!)

The remaining ships were converted to training ships. The first Royal Navy Area Defence Vessels were being completed at this time and it made sense to the French Navy to do the same with these ships as they could use them at their overseas territories. The Edgar Quinet was already earmarked for South East Asia on completion of its conversion. There, it would act as static Fleet Flagship.



Edgar Quinet 1928. Note funnels reduced to four, casemate guns have been removed and plated in. A still respectable armament of 10x7.6". Ready for conversion to a training ship.

Old drawing - I am glad there are better drawings available now.

 

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