French cruiser Duquesne (1925)

The Duquesne was the lead ship of her class of heavy cruisers built for the French Navy in the mid-1920s. She was one of the first cruisers built under the terms of the Washington Naval Treaty, which limited cruiser displacement and gun caliber. The Duquesne-class cruisers were designed to be fast and well-armed, prioritizing speed and offensive power over heavy armor.

Launched in 1925 and commissioned in 1928, Duquesne was armed with eight 203mm (8-inch) guns in four twin turrets, along with a number of smaller caliber guns for anti-aircraft defense. She also carried torpedo tubes. Her high speed was achieved through a powerful propulsion system.

Throughout the interwar period, Duquesne participated in numerous fleet exercises and represented France in various international naval events. At the outbreak of World War II, she served in the Mediterranean Sea. After the Fall of France in 1940, Duquesne remained under the control of the Vichy French government.

In 1942, following Operation Torch, the Allied landings in North Africa, German forces moved to occupy the remaining parts of France. To prevent Duquesne and other French warships from falling into German hands, the French crews scuttled their ships in Toulon on November 27, 1942. Duquesne was heavily damaged during the scuttling.

The wreck of Duquesne remained in Toulon harbor until after the war. It was eventually raised by the Italians in 1943, who intended to repair her for their own use, but this never happened. She was ultimately scrapped after the war, marking the end of her career. The Duquesne is remembered as a representative example of early treaty cruisers and for her role in the scuttling of the French fleet at Toulon.