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Hello everyone and welcome to this new feature.
Today I’m introducing you to a new ship from the French Navy, the Criquet (A761), a sea Gabare.
A barge is a ship designed for transporting goods. There are two main types: river barges for transporting goods on rivers and sea barges for transporting goods at sea. These ships originated in the Middle Ages, when they were used to transport goods up rivers to cities. Over time, these ships evolved, progressing from sail to steam power before adopting more modern propulsion methods.
In the early 1950s, France signed a contract with the United States, through the French military’s recovery plan, for the construction of several warships. Among them were five sea barges, intended to be assigned to French ports to assist with their recommissioning.
The Criquet was commissioned into the French Navy in 1955 and performed various support tasks for the Atlantic Fleet, which was then undergoing reconstruction. These tasks included recovering training equipment used by the fleet (mines, torpedoes, nets), but it also served other purposes, notably laying a submarine cable between France and the Netherlands. Transferred to Toulon as part of the Mediterranean Fleet, the Criquet saw significant service during the Suez Crisis, providing transport and logistical support for French troops. It even made several trips to the Indian Ocean to retrieve nets and moorings.
The ship was decommissioned in 1987 after 32 years of service and stored in Toulon. Its hull was later auctioned off for dismantling.
Characteristics
Length: 50.45 m
Width: 10.20 m
Draft: 3.20 m
The ship is powered by two SEMT Pielstick diesel engines and an electric motor, giving it a total power of 1600 hp, allowing it to reach a speed of 12 knots and a range of 5200 nautical miles at the same speed.
Equipment
Radar :
- DECCA Type 2 navigation radar
- DECCA 202 navigation radar (1st upgrade)
- DECCA RM 1226C navigation radar (2nd upgrade)
Weapons
Guns :
- 1 x 40mm Bofors (aft of bridge)
- 4 x 20mm Oerlikon (around the bridge)
This ship would be a very interesting addition to the French tech tree, providing a vessel with good close-quarters combat capabilities but limited mobility due to its size and engine. This would therefore bring a heavier combat ship to the French coastal tech tree.
Pictures
Sources
- GABARES DE MER : - CIGALE – CRIQUET – FOURMI – GRILLON - SCARABEE. GABARES type américain AN : - ARAIGNEE – LOCUSTE – SCORPION – TARENTULE. | Service historique de la Défense
- "Criquet (gabare). – Activité opérationnelle : journal de bord (juillet 1956 - janvier 1957), journal de navigation (août 1956 - février 1957) ; télécommunications : registres des communications (août 1956 - février 1957), registre des… | Service historique de la Défense
- ImagesDéfense - Prise de commandement sur la gabare de mer Criquet.
- Criquet
- * CRIQUET (1955/1987)
- Gabare Criquet - Présentation / Description