Name Émeraude-class Preceded by Oméga Built 1903–10 | Operators French Navy Succeeded by Circé class In commission 1908–21 | |
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The Émeraude-class submarines was a group of six submarines built for the French Navy during the first decade of the 20th century. One boat was sunk and another captured during the First World War and the survivors were scrapped after the war.
General characteristics
The Émeraude class were built as part of the French Navy's 1903 building programme to a Maugas design. They had a single hull, and a displacement of 392 tons surfaced (425 tons submerged). For surface propulsion the Émeraude class had petrol engines, and electric motors for when submerged, giving an surface endurance of 200 miles at 7.3 knots and a submerged endurance of 100 miles at 5 knots, with a maximum surface speed of 11.5 knots, and a submerged speed of 9.2 knots. Their armament was six torpedo tubes (4 forward and 2 aft). Topaze and Turquoise had a single 37mm gun, and were manned by crews of 21 men (later increased to 23 men).