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Hello everyone, and welcome to this new suggestion.
Today, I’m talking to you about a ship with a unique history: the minelayer Pollux.
The Pollux is an atypical minelayer of the French Navy, whose career extended from 1915 to 1963. Originally, it was the Russian ship Ilya Muromets, built during the First World War for the Imperial Russian Navy. Following the political upheavals in Russia and the transfers of ships in the immediate post-war period, the ship was acquired by France and integrated into the fleet under the name Pollux, in line with the astronomical names given to French minelayers (reference to the star in the constellation Gemini). Designed to quickly lay vast minefields, the Pollux had large holds and anchoring rails, and light secondary armament for its protection. Its characteristics made it a specialized but indispensable ship for defensive and offensive naval warfare in the early 20th century.
Flying the French flag from the interwar period onwards, the Pollux served primarily as a strategic minelayer, capable of protecting maritime approaches or sealing off certain crossing points. During the Second World War, it was mobilized for coastal defense and securing sensitive areas, despite the rapid evolution of naval warfare and the rise of aviation and submarines. After 1945, despite already having a long career behind it, it remained in service, used for instruction, mine warfare training, and logistical support missions. It was not finally decommissioned until 1963, after nearly half a century of service under the French flag. The Pollux thus illustrates the exceptional longevity of certain specialized vessels, often little known, but which played a discreet and fundamental role in the defensive strategy of the French Navy.
Characteristics
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Length : 64.20 m
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Width : 15.50 m
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Draft : 6 m
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Mass : 2450 tons
The ship is powered by two coal-fired engines (367 tons in bunkers) giving a power of 4000 hp. Its maximum speed is 14 knots with a maximum range of 2300 nautical miles at a speed of 8 knots. Its crew is 162 sailors.
Weapons
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Guns :
- 4 x 100mm canons
- 2 x 37mm canons
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Other :
- 236 mines
In game this minelayer would be an extremely interesting addition to the French tree, bringing a large minelayer with enough armament to defend against enemy ships.
Pictures
