French cruiser Colbert (1928)

The Colbert was a Suffren-class heavy cruiser of the French Navy, launched in 1928 and completed in 1930. She was named after Jean-Baptiste Colbert, the famous French statesman and Minister of Finance under Louis XIV. As one of four cruisers in her class, the Colbert, along with her sister ships Suffren, Foch, and Dupleix, represented an evolution of French cruiser design following the Washington Naval Treaty.

The Colbert displaced approximately 10,000 tons standard and was armed with eight 203mm/50 caliber guns arranged in four twin turrets, two forward and two aft. Secondary armament consisted of a mix of smaller caliber guns intended for anti-aircraft and anti-surface defense. She also carried torpedo tubes. The ship's protection included armor belts, decks, and turret protection, albeit considered relatively light compared to some contemporary designs.

Throughout the 1930s, the Colbert served primarily in the Mediterranean Sea, participating in exercises and fleet deployments. With the outbreak of World War II, she served in various patrol and escort duties. Following the Fall of France in 1940, the Colbert remained under the control of the Vichy French government.

In November 1942, following the Allied landings in North Africa, the Colbert was at Toulon. To prevent her from falling into the hands of the Axis powers, she was scuttled along with the majority of the French fleet stationed there. The wreck of the Colbert remained in Toulon harbor until it was salvaged after the war.

The Colbert was eventually raised and scrapped, marking the end of her career. She represents a class of cruisers that played a significant, albeit ultimately tragic, role in the naval history of France during a period of international tension and conflict.