Algérie-class

Summary

Description

Algérie was the last treaty cruiser constructed for the French Navy, a response to the Italian Zara class cruisers. Unlike previous French ships, she featured a new design with a fully armored belt protecting the magazines and machinery spaces, as well as a shift from a unit propulsion system to grouping boilers forward, resulting in a single funnel. Algérie was innovative for her time, as one of the first vessels to employ superheating boilers, and welding was primarily used over traditional riveting. Originally named to commemorate a century of French rule over Algeria, the ship was equipped with 8-inch main armament and increased secondary guns to 100 mm.

The cruiser's protection system was comprehensive, featuring a 100 mm thick armored belt made from high tensile steel, variable in height to secure vital areas. The deck was covered with 80 mm of the same steel, while the conning tower had 100 mm sides and a 70 mm roof. Algérie was also the first treaty cruiser with extensive protection against underwater threats, including an extended double bottom and protective steel walls surrounding the machinery spaces.

Algérie's machinery comprised superheating boilers, innovative for the time, generating high pressure and temperatures, driving four steam turbines and allowing her to reach speeds up to 31 knots. The ship's fuel capacity allowed for significant operational range at varying speeds.

The ship maintained its primary armament of eight 203 mm guns in four armored turrets, while enhancing its anti-aircraft weaponry with 37 mm and 13.2 mm guns and updating the torpedo launchers to include 550 mm torpedoes. Adaptability for aircraft operations was included with a compressed air catapult for launching reconnaissance floatplanes.

Algérie's operational history began as the flagship of the 1st Cruiser Squadron in World War II, participating in operations against German surface raiders and shelling Genoa when Italy entered the war. Following the French surrender in 1940, she served with the Vichy fleet and underwent weaponry upgrades, including the addition of early French radar.

The German invasion of the "Free Zone" in November 1942 led to the decision to scuttle the French fleet in Toulon to prevent capture. Algérie was among the ships sunk; she was later raised in sections by the Italians but was sunk again by bombing in 1944. Ultimately raised once more, the cruiser's remnants were scrapped in 1949.

Technical specifications

Photo of Algérie class