Redoubtable Central Battery Ship.   The Redoutable was different to all previous Central battery ships,  She had only 4 main armament guns,  and the beam was increased and the draught reduced.  For the first time steel was used  in large quantities for the Hull but The Redoubtable still used wrought iron for the armour.  Built at Lorient and laid down in August 1873, launched September 1876 and Completed December 1878. The Redoutable had poor arcs of fire from the main armament meant that in most angles there would only be one battery gun could be used. to hit a target.   She was re armed when she had another four 10.8 inch 18cal M1970. when another one of her 10.8 inch guns was replaced due to a cracked tube.  a number of other changes to the smaller armour took place but it made her heavy for the ship design  and the strain would have been immense if all eight main armament guns were fired at the same time. In 1894 she was reboilered  with  8 cylinder boilers. the Reboubtable was finally stricken in 1910. 

Displacement: 9224 tons,  Speed: 14.7 knots.  Crew 705.  armament: four  then increased to Eight 10.8 inch guns  Six 5.5 in M1870,.  twelve 1 pdr revolvers. and two 14 inch torpedo Tubes (AW)

Redoutable, 1880s

A large image size 10" x 7" approx, is available.  Reproduced from the original negative / photo under license from MPL, the copyright holder.  A signed numbered certificate is supplied. Price £25.   Order photograph here   Order Code  XMP5282

Redoutable, 1890s.

A large image size 10" x 7" approx, is available.  Reproduced from the original negative / photo under license from MPL, the copyright holder.  A signed numbered certificate is supplied. Price £25.   Order photograph here   Order Code  XMP5283

Redoutable.  Photographed c.1900

Redoutable.

The French battleship Redoubtable was launched in 1876. The photograph, taken in 1897, shows seaman being drilled for a landing operation, they are accompanied by their tambour and clairon (drum and bugle).

Gun Shield on the Redoutable.