The MN Jeanne d'Arc was a school cruiser of the French Navy, the second ship to bear the name.
She was built in Saint-Nazaire in only two years, on plans by engineer Antoine. She was designed both as a school ship, and a fully capable warship.
In 1931, the Jeanne d'Arc departed for her first cruise under capitaine de vaisseau André Marquis. As a prestige ship, she toured countries of South America where France wanted to increase her influence. The cruiser visited some of the Black Sea states in 1932.
During the Second World War, the Jeanne d'Arc was affected to the West Atlantic Naval Division, taking part in blockading German cargo ships in neutral harbours. In late May 1940, along with the Émile Bertin, she departed from Brest for Canada with a cargo of gold from the Bank of France, under the command of Rear Admiral Rouyer. After an Atlantic rendezvous with the aircraft carrier Béarn, the flotilla reached Halifax safely.
Specifications[]
- Type: Light Cruiser
- Service Period: 1931-1964
- Characteristics:
- Length: 560 feet (170.69 meters)
- Beam: 58.1 feet (17.71 meters)
- Draught: 21.3 feet (6.49 meters)
- Displacement: 7,165 tons (Standard)
- Crew: 728 (28 officers, 120 petty officers, 424 quartermasters and sailors, 156 students)
- Propulsion: fuel boilers and turbines, 32,500 shp
- Range: 5,000 nautical miles (9,260 kilometers) at 14.5 knots
- Speed: 25 knots (46.3 km/h)
- Armament:
- 8 x 155mm/50-caliber Modele 1920 naval guns (4x2)
- 4 x 75mm/50-caliber Modele 1927 anti-aircraft guns (4x1)
- 11 x 37mm/50-caliber Modele 1933 anti-aircraft guns (11x1)
- 12 x 13.2mm/76-caliber Modele 1929 anti-aircraft machine guns (6x2)
- 2 x torpedo tubes
- Aircraft Carried: 2 x seaplanes
- Aviation Facilities: 1 x catapult, 2 x hangars