Duquesne-class Heavy Cruiser

Ships in class: Duquesne, Tourville

The Duquesne-class heavy cruisers were essentially larger, upgunned versions of the Duguay-Trouin. The Duquesne-class featured eight 203mm guns the same sort of arrangement as the Duguay-Trouin and a matching number of torpedo launchers. The number of AA mounts was greatly increased. Like the Duguay-Trouins, they were efficient and long-legged vessels. Both ships in class spent much of their time in the Mediterranean, and were scuttled in the harbor at Alexandria shortly after the events at Mers-el-Kebir. Following Operation Torch, both ships were refloated, and refitted before being presented to the Free French Naval forces.