Émeraude-class submarine

The Émeraude class submarines were built for the French Navy prior to World War I. There were six vessels in the class, built to a Maugas design.

The six boats of the Émeraude class saw action during the First World War.

General characteristics
The Émeraude class were built as part of the French Navy's 1903 building programme to a Maugas design. They had a single hull, and a displacement of 392 tons surfaced (425 tons submerged). For surface propulsion the Émeraude class had petrol engines, and electric motors for when submerged, giving an surface endurance of 200 miles at 7.3 knots and a submerged endurance of 100 miles at 5 knots, with a maximum surface speed of 11.5 knots, and a submerged speed of 9.2 knots. Their armament was six torpedo tubes (4 forward and 2 aft). Topaze and Turquoise had a single 37mm gun, and were manned by crews of 21 men (later increased to 23 men).