Former French torpedoboat "Bouclier"

La Melpomène-class torpedoboat

This torpedoboat was one of the many smaller vessel captured by the Royal Navy after France surrendered to Germany in June, 1940. The Netherlands Navy was asked to provide a crew and put her into active service, but she never became fully operational; the Bouclier suffered from engine breakdowns, a characteristic not uncommon to the class. This fact is illustrated by the ships' service histories.

Bouclier was finally returned to the Royal Navy and replaced by Hr.Ms. Campbeltown.

Bouclier in French service (source photo unknown)

Construction details

Name Bouclier

Dockyard At. et Ch. de la Seine Maritime, Rouen

Laid down October 10, 1934

Launched August 7, 1937

Commissioned August 6, 1938 (French Navy)
August 31, 1940 (RNN)*

Pennants 114 (French navy)
H.20 (Royal Navy/Royal Netherlands Navy)

* Vermeulen (see sources) mentions the date August 14, 1940.

Specifications

Displacement 610 tons standard

Crew 92

Dimensions 80,7 (oa) 76 (pp) x 7,96 x 3,07 m

Armament 2 x 100 mm Model 1930
2 x 37 mm
4 x 13.2 mm MG

Torpedo 2 x 55 cm tubes

Propulsion details

Boilers 2 Indret boilers

Machinery 2 sets Parsons turbines

Performance 22.000 shp

Shafts 2

Range 1700 nm @ 14 knots
1000 nm @ 20 knots

Bunkerage 170 metric tons oil

Max Speed 34,5 knots

History

Before transfer to the Netherlands Navy, the Bouclier had been part of the 14th Division de Torpilleurs. She was part of the Dunkirk evacuation force. In the course of the evacuation, she had been heavily damaged in a collision with an unknown vessel. Seized by the Royal Navy on July 3, 1940. Transferred to the Netherlands Navy in August, 1940 *. Damaged in collision during trials August, 1940. Under repair August-December, 1940. Returned to the Free French Navy on January 12, 1941 and used as an asdic training ship.

Decommissioned from the French Navy August 31, 1950.

* M.J. Whitley "Zerstörer im Zweiten Weltkrieg" mentions that Bouclier served a short spell with the Polish Navy. This is not correct.

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Construction details
Name	Bouclier
Dockyard	At. et Ch. de la Seine Maritime, Rouen
Laid down	October 10, 1934
Launched	August 7, 1937
Commissioned	August 6, 1938 (French Navy) August 31, 1940 (RNN)*
Pennants	114 (French navy) H.20 (Royal Navy/Royal Netherlands Navy)
* Vermeulen (see sources) mentions the date August 14, 1940.

Specifications
Displacement	610 tons standard
Crew	92
Dimensions	80,7 (oa) 76 (pp) x 7,96 x 3,07 m
Armament	2 x 100 mm Model 1930 2 x 37 mm 4 x 13.2 mm MG
Torpedo	2 x 55 cm tubes

Propulsion details
Boilers	2 Indret boilers
Machinery	2 sets Parsons turbines
Performance	22.000 shp
Shafts	2
Range	1700 nm @ 14 knots 1000 nm @ 20 knots
Bunkerage	170 metric tons oil
Max Speed	34,5 knots

History
Before transfer to the Netherlands Navy, the Bouclier had been part of the 14th Division de Torpilleurs. She was part of the Dunkirk evacuation force. In the course of the evacuation, she had been heavily damaged in a collision with an unknown vessel. Seized by the Royal Navy on July 3, 1940. Transferred to the Netherlands Navy in August, 1940 *. Damaged in collision during trials August, 1940. Under repair August-December, 1940. Returned to the Free French Navy on January 12, 1941 and used as an asdic training ship. Decommissioned from the French Navy August 31, 1950.
* M.J. Whitley "Zerstörer im Zweiten Weltkrieg" mentions that Bouclier served a short spell with the Polish Navy. This is not correct.

Related links
Navweaps.com - description of Bouclier's main 100 armament (including photo of Bouclier) Ministère de la Défense - plans and photos of Bouclier in the service of the French Navy