JeffroK
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Back to the original question about the ship's name I find
Ship Builder Laid Down Launched Completed Fate
Pluton Lorient Navy Yard 16 Apr 28 10 Apr 29 1 Oct 31 Lost 13 Sep 39
Displacement: 4,773 tons/4,849 tonnes (standard); 6,500 tons/6,604 tonnes (full load).
Length: 500ft 3in/152.5m, (ca); 472ft 6in/144m (pp).
Beam: 51ft 3in/15.6m; Draught: 17ft/5.18m (mean).
Machinery: 2-shaft Breguet SR geared turbines; 4 boilers.
Performance: 57,000shp=30kts; Bunkerage: 1,200 tons oil fuel.
Range: n/k.
Protection: nil.
Guns: four 5.5in (4xl); four 75mm (4xl); two 37mm (2xl); twelve 13.2mm MGs (4x3).
Mines: 290. Torpedoes: nil.
Aircraft: not equipped.
Complement: 424.
Authorised under the 1925 programme, this ship was designed as a dedicated minelaying cruiser very much in the concept of the British Adventure, of which she was a slightly smaller version. Like her British contemporary, whilst classified as a cruiser she was given the firepower of a destroyer or contre-torpilleur and, although she was faster than Adventure, did not quite have the speed of a true cruiser. The machinery arrangement, a twin-screw geared turbine layout, developed 57,000shp for a designed maximum speed of 30kts. Her main armament was the standard 138.6mm (5.45in) M1927 pattern also fitted in the Aigle and Cassard classes of contre-torpilleurs. Up to 290 mines could be carried, accommodated on the spacious mine deck, where there were four separate mine tracks. No aircraft or torpedo fittings were included in the design. From the start this ship was intended to have a dual role, as she was also equipped as a troop transport. However, in 1933 she was also designated for use as a gunnery training ship (to replace thc worn out Gueydon) and fitted out for this role as well, despite strong objections from her current CO, who feared an adverse effect on the main role of minelaying. These fears were well founded, and may well have contributed to her tragic loss Finally, it was decided in 1939 to refit her as a seagoing training ship for sub-lieutenants, in which role she was to start duty on 1 June 1940 with the new name of La Tour d'Auvergne. In the event, her loss occurred before either the change in role or change of name could be effected.
Modifications
By 1936, shields had been fitted to the secondary guns, and she later had a modified crane fitted. Aerial supports were added to the after funnel, and a new, taller, director was fitted atop the bridge.
Service
Pluton joined the Training Division of the 1st Squadron, based at Toulon, when she finally entered service in 1932. In 1933 she became gunnery training ship, remaining in this duty until her loss. Fears of the appearance of German Panzerschiffe off Africa as a result of increased political tensions led to the despatch of the minelayer to Casablanca, the ship sailing on 2 September. Unfortunately, plans were altered on her arrival, and while armed mines were being disembarked on 13 September a huge explosion took place which destroyed the ship and caused many casualties.
This is at the excellent site http://www.world-war.co.uk/ which has emphasis on WW2 Cruisers but also covers BB & BC. Thousands of pictures are on the site.
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