French destroyer Magon: Difference between revisions
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During the preliminary stages of the [[Battle of Antivari]] on 16 August, the 1st, 4th and 5th Destroyer Flotillas were tasked to escort the core of the 1st Naval Army while the 2nd, 3rd and 6th Flotillas escorted the [[armored cruiser]]s of the 2nd Light Squadron ({{lang|fr|2<sup>e</sup> escadre légère}}) and two British [[cruiser]]s. After reuniting both groups and spotting the [[Austro-Hungarian Navy|Austro-Hungarian]] [[protected cruiser]] {{SMS|Zenta}} and the destroyer {{SMS|Ulan}}, the French destroyers played no role in sinking the cruiser, although the 4th Flotilla was sent on an unsuccessful pursuit of ''Ulan''.<ref>{{Harvnb|Prévoteaux|2017a|pp=27, 55–56}}</ref> |
During the preliminary stages of the [[Battle of Antivari]] on 16 August, the 1st, 4th and 5th Destroyer Flotillas were tasked to escort the core of the 1st Naval Army while the 2nd, 3rd and 6th Flotillas escorted the [[armored cruiser]]s of the 2nd Light Squadron ({{lang|fr|2<sup>e</sup> escadre légère}}) and two British [[cruiser]]s. After reuniting both groups and spotting the [[Austro-Hungarian Navy|Austro-Hungarian]] [[protected cruiser]] {{SMS|Zenta}} and the destroyer {{SMS|Ulan}}, the French destroyers played no role in sinking the cruiser, although the 4th Flotilla was sent on an unsuccessful pursuit of ''Ulan''.<ref>{{Harvnb|Prévoteaux|2017a|pp=27, 55–56}}</ref> |
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The torpedoing of the {{ship|French battleship|Jean Bart|1911|6}} on 21 December caused a change in French tactics as the battleships were too important to risk to submarine attack. Henceforth, only the destroyers would escort the transports, covered by cruisers at a distance of {{convert|20|–|50|mi}} from the transports. The first convoy of 1915 to Antivari arrived on 11 January and more were made until the last one on 20–21 April. After Italy signed the [[Treaty of London (1915)|Treaty of London]] and declared war on the [[Austro-Hungarian Empire]] on 23 May, the ship was still assigned to the 1st Flotilla when the unit was transferred to the 1st Division of Destroyers and Submarines ({{lang|fr|1<sup>ère</sup> division de torpilleurs et de sous-marines}}) of the 2nd Squadron ({{lang|fr|escadre}}) based at [[Brindisi, Italy]].{{sfn|Prévoteaux, I|2017|pages=111, 113}} She was deployed on patrols aimed at stopping Austro-Hungarian surface ships and submarines from passing through the [[Straits of Otranto]].<ref>{{Harvnb|Naval Staff Monograph No. 21|1923|p=147}}</ref> On 8 June, ''Magon'' was part of the escort (consisting of four Italian and three French destroyers) for the British light cruiser {{HMS|Dublin|1912|2}} on a patrol off the Albanian coast intended to destroy Austro-Hungarian light naval forces. Despite the strong escort, the Austro-Hungarian submarine {{Ship|SM|U-4|Austria-Hungary|2}} managed to torpedo ''Dublin'', killing 13 of the British cruiser's crew, but the escort managed to drive away several more suspected submarine attacks, and ''Dublin'' successfully reached Brindisi without further damage.<ref>{{Harvnb|Naval Staff Monograph No. 21|1923|p=152}}</ref> |
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On 12 July, ''Magon'' and sister ship {{ship|French destroyer|Bisson||2}} raided the island of [[Lastovo]] off the Austrian coast of the Adriatic (now part of [[Croatia]]), destroying oil stores and the telegraph station. This attack was simultaneous with the Italian occupation of [[Palagruža]].<ref>{{Harvnb|Naval Staff Monograph No. 21|1923|pp=176–177}}</ref> She remained based at Brindisi in September 1915, but on 6 December was recorded as being at [[Nantes]].<ref>{{Harvnb|Naval Staff Monograph No. 21|1923|pp=192, 248}}</ref> |
On 12 July, ''Magon'' and sister ship {{ship|French destroyer|Bisson||2}} raided the island of [[Lastovo]] off the Austrian coast of the Adriatic (now part of [[Croatia]]), destroying oil stores and the telegraph station. This attack was simultaneous with the Italian occupation of [[Palagruža]].<ref>{{Harvnb|Naval Staff Monograph No. 21|1923|pp=176–177}}</ref> She remained based at Brindisi in September 1915, but on 6 December was recorded as being at [[Nantes]].<ref>{{Harvnb|Naval Staff Monograph No. 21|1923|pp=192, 248}}</ref> |
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====Dunkirk flotilla==== |
====Dunkirk flotilla==== |
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From December 1916 ''Magon'' served in the [[Dunkirk]] flotilla, operating in the [[English Channel]] and [[Dover Straits]]. |
From December 1916 ''Magon'' served in the [[Dunkirk]] flotilla, operating in the [[English Channel]] and [[Dover Straits]].ref name="Couhat p115">{{Harvnb|Couhat|1974|p=115}}</ref><ref name="conways06 p203"/> |
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==References== |
==References== |
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Revision as of 14:28, 28 March 2023
 Sister ship Bisson in harbor
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| History | |
|---|---|
 France | |
| Name | Magon |
| Builder | Ateliers et Chantiers de Bretagne, Nantes |
| Laid down | 1911 |
| Launched | 19 April 1913 |
| Completed | 1914 |
| Stricken | 16 February 1926 |
| General characteristics | |
| Class and type | Bisson-class destroyer |
| Displacement | 756–791 t (744–779 long tons) |
| Length | 78.1 m (256 ft 3 in) (p/p) |
| Beam | 8.6 m (28 ft 3 in) |
| Draft | 3.1 m (10 ft 2 in) |
| Installed power |
|
| Propulsion | 2 shafts; 2 steam turbines |
| Speed | 30 knots (56 km/h; 35 mph) |
| Range | 1,950 nmi (3,610 km; 2,240 mi) at 14 knots (26 km/h; 16 mph) |
| Complement | 80–83 |
| Armament |
|
Magon was one of six Bisson-class destroyers built for the French Navy during the 1910s.
Construction and design
Magon was laid down at the Nantes shipyard of Ateliers et Chantiers de Bretagne in 1911 as one of six Bisson-class destroyers ordered for the French Navy under the 1910 and 1911 construction programmes as a follow-on to the earlier Bouclier-class "800-tonne" destroyers. She was launched on 19 April 1913 and was completed in 1914.[1][2]
The Bisson class were 78.10 metres (256 ft 3 in) long between perpendiculars, with a beam of 8.63 metres (28 ft 4 in) and a draught of 3.1 metres (10 ft 2 in). The machinery powering the ships differed in detail between the ships of the class. Magon was fitted with four Indret boilers which fed steam to two set of Rateau steam turbines, with the machinery rated at 15,000 shaft horsepower (11,000 kW), giving a design speed of 30 knots (56 km/h; 35 mph). Four funnels were fitted. Magon reached a speed of 32.02 knots (59.30 km/h; 36.85 mph) during sea trials, and was the fastest of her class, although operational sea speeds were lower.[1][2]
Armament consisted of two 100 mm (3.9 in) Modèle 1893 guns, four 65 mm (2.6 in) Modèle 1902 guns and four 450 mm (17.7 in) torpedo tubes in two twin mounts. This was modified during the First World War by the addition of a 47 mm or 75 mm anti-aircraft gun, two machineguns and provision for up to ten depth charges.[2][3] The ship had a crew of 5–7 officers and 75–77 other ranks.[1]
Service
First World War
Mediterranean
When the First World War began in August 1914, Magon was assigned to the 6th Destroyer Flotilla (1ère escadrille de torpilleurs) of the 1st Naval Army (1ère Armée Navale). During the preliminary stages of the Battle of Antivari on 16 August, the 1st, 4th and 5th Destroyer Flotillas were tasked to escort the core of the 1st Naval Army while the 2nd, 3rd and 6th Flotillas escorted the armored cruisers of the 2nd Light Squadron (2e escadre légère) and two British cruisers. After reuniting both groups and spotting the Austro-Hungarian protected cruiser SMS Zenta and the destroyer SMS Ulan, the French destroyers played no role in sinking the cruiser, although the 4th Flotilla was sent on an unsuccessful pursuit of Ulan.[4]
The torpedoing of the French battleship Jean Bart on 21 December caused a change in French tactics as the battleships were too important to risk to submarine attack. Henceforth, only the destroyers would escort the transports, covered by cruisers at a distance of 20–50 miles (32–80 km) from the transports. The first convoy of 1915 to Antivari arrived on 11 January and more were made until the last one on 20–21 April. After Italy signed the Treaty of London and declared war on the Austro-Hungarian Empire on 23 May, the ship was still assigned to the 1st Flotilla when the unit was transferred to the 1st Division of Destroyers and Submarines (1ère division de torpilleurs et de sous-marines) of the 2nd Squadron (escadre) based at Brindisi, Italy.[5] She was deployed on patrols aimed at stopping Austro-Hungarian surface ships and submarines from passing through the Straits of Otranto.[6] On 8 June, Magon was part of the escort (consisting of four Italian and three French destroyers) for the British light cruiser Dublin on a patrol off the Albanian coast intended to destroy Austro-Hungarian light naval forces. Despite the strong escort, the Austro-Hungarian submarine U-4 managed to torpedo Dublin, killing 13 of the British cruiser's crew, but the escort managed to drive away several more suspected submarine attacks, and Dublin successfully reached Brindisi without further damage.[7]
On 12 July, Magon and sister ship Bisson raided the island of Lastovo off the Austrian coast of the Adriatic (now part of Croatia), destroying oil stores and the telegraph station. This attack was simultaneous with the Italian occupation of Palagruža.[8] She remained based at Brindisi in September 1915, but on 6 December was recorded as being at Nantes.[9]
Dunkirk flotilla
From December 1916 Magon served in the Dunkirk flotilla, operating in the English Channel and Dover Straits.ref name="Couhat p115">Couhat 1974, p. 115</ref>[2]
References
- ^ a b c Couhat 1974, p. 111
- ^ a b c d Gardiner & Gray 1985, p. 203
- ^ Couhat 1974, p. 101
- ^ Prévoteaux 2017a, pp. 27, 55–56
- ^ Prévoteaux, I 2017, pp. 111, 113.
- ^ Naval Staff Monograph No. 21 1923, p. 147
- ^ Naval Staff Monograph No. 21 1923, p. 152
- ^ Naval Staff Monograph No. 21 1923, pp. 176–177
- ^ Naval Staff Monograph No. 21 1923, pp. 192, 248
Bibliography
- Couhat, Jean Labayle (1974). French Warships of World War I. London: Ian Allan. ISBN 0-7110-0445-5.
- Fock, Harald (1989). Z-Vor! Internationale Entwicklung und Kriegseinsätze von Zerstörern und Torpedobooten 1914 bis 1939 (in German). Herford, Germany: Koehlers Verlagsgesellschaft mBH. ISBN 3-7822-0207-4.
- Gardiner, Robert & Gray, Randal (1985). Conway's All The World's Fighting Ships 1906–1921. London: Conway Maritime Press. ISBN 0-85177-245-5.
- Halpern, Paul G. (1984). A Naval History of World War I. London: UCL Press. ISBN 1-85728-498-4.
- Karau, Mark K. (2014). The Naval Flank of the Western Front: The German MarineKorps Flandern 1914–1918. Barnsley, UK: Seaforth Publishing. ISBN 978-1-84832-231-8.
- Monograph No. 21: The Mediterranean 1914–1915 (PDF). Naval Staff Monographs (Historical). Vol. VIII. The Naval Staff, Training and Staff Duties Division. 1923.
- Newbolt, Henry (1928). History of the Great War: Naval Operations: Volume IV. London: Longmans, Green & Co.
- Prévoteaux, Gérard (2017). La marine française dans la Grande guerre: les combattants oubliés: Tome I 1914–1915 [The French Navy during the Great War: The Forgotten Combatants, Book I 1914–1915]. Collection Navires & Histoire des Marines du Mond. Vol. 23. Le Vigen, France: Éditions Lela presse. ISBN 978-2-37468-000-2.
- Prévoteaux, Gérard (2017). La marine française dans la Grande guerre: les combattants oubliés: Tome II 1916–1918 [The French Navy during the Great War: The Forgotten Combatants, Book II 1916–1918]. Collection Navires & Histoire des Marines du Mond. Vol. 27. Le Vigen, France: Éditions Lela presse. ISBN 978-2-37468-001-9.
- Roberts, Stephen S. (2021). French Warships in the Age of Steam 1859–1914: Design, Construction, Careers and Fates. Barnsley, UK: Seaforth Publishing. ISBN 978-1-5267-4533-0.