Jeanne d'Arc
Quite a unique ship, Jeanne d'Arc was a purpose-built training cruiser. Built to operate as a normal light cruiser, but with additional space for 156 students giving her the look of a cruiser/passenger ship hybrid!
From Wikipedia:
In 1931, she 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. The Jeanne d'Arc then went to the French West Indies, to stay harboured in the Martinique until July 1943.
In 1943, the Jeanne d'Arc joined the Free French. In December, she took part in operations in Corsica and in Operation Dragoon. She was mentioned in despatches at the order of the Army for services rendered during the war.
She later resumed her service as school cruiser with 27 cruises around the world, before being decommissioned in 1964.
Top speed: 27 knots
Displacement: 6500t
Armament:
4x 2x155mm
4x 75mm
37mm AA
Torpedo tubes
Aircraft:
2x CAMS 33 Scout
Crew:
28 officers
120 petty officers
424 quarter-masters and sailors
156 student officers
![[ img ]](http://www.netmarine.net/m/bat/jeanne/ancien02.jpg)
![[ img ]](http://i473.photobucket.com/albums/rr97/jtabbott/SBucket/WIP1.png)
She's not quite 100% yet...
