De Grasse
Revision as of 04:05, 17 June 2017 Added service history. | Revision as of 16:52, 19 June 2017 Overall polish and clean-up. | |||
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|Performance=<!-- write text about performance in battles below --> | |Performance=<!-- write text about performance in battles below --> | |||
+ | ''De Grasse'' is a Tier VI premium French cruiser that is a development of the ''[[La Galissonnière]]'' class. Both ships feature triple 152mm turrets in an AB-X configuration firing identical shells, though ''De Grasse'' has a higher rate of fire and slightly longer range. Given how quickly she puts shells downrange and the fire chance on her high explosive rounds, ''De Grasse'' is a superb fire-starter and a threat to burn down enemy capital ships at ranges that make her difficult to hit. | |||
? | + | Torpedo-wise, ''De Grasse'' features triple launchers instead of the twin launchers found on ''La Galissonnière'', and each mount has a longer reload time as a result. ''De Grasse''’s torpedoes are excellent long range harassment and area denial weapons, good for throwing around islands and into caps hoping to hit unsuspecting enemies; however, with only 3 fish on each side, captains shouldn't rely on them to devastate enemy battleships at close range. | ||
+ | ||||
+ | Both ships have unimpressive secondaries and weak AA. While ''De Grasse''’s anti-aircraft armament is sufficient for self-defense, her long range AA power is badly lacking even with [[Ship:Consumables#Defensive AA Fire|Defensive AA Fire]] active; she's not a ship that her teammates can rely on for anti-aircraft support. ''De Grasse'' is notably faster than ''La Galissonnière'', but has a longer rudder shift time and a wider turning circle. She retains ''La Galissonnière''’s access to the [[Ship:Consumables#Engine Boost|Engine Boost]] consumable, while adding access to a [[Ship:Consumables#Catapult Fighter|Catapult Fighter]] that ''La Galissonnière'' doesn't have. | |||
+ | ||||
+ | Captains who are veterans of ''La Galissonnière'' will feel right at home playing ''De Grasse'', and will find the slight improvements to her rate of fire and torpedoes to be welcome upgrades. | |||
'''[https://forum.worldofwarships.com/topic/128192-premium-ship-review-de-grasse LittleWhiteMouse's Premium Ship Review: De Grasse] from the NA forums.''' | '''[https://forum.worldofwarships.com/topic/128192-premium-ship-review-de-grasse LittleWhiteMouse's Premium Ship Review: De Grasse] from the NA forums.''' | |||
|Pros=<!-- write list of positive points below. use * as in ordinary wiki-list. --> | |Pros=<!-- write list of positive points below. use * as in ordinary wiki-list. --> | |||
? | *Faster reload time than other French cruisers with 152mm guns. | + | * Faster reload time than other French cruisers with 152mm guns. | |
? | *Main battery turrets traverse quickly, taking only 15 seconds for a full turn. | + | * Main battery turrets traverse quickly, taking only 15 seconds for a full turn. | |
? | *Torpedoes have a range of 9 km with 60 knot speed. | + | * Torpedoes have a range of 9.0 km with 60 knot speed. | |
? | *Wide torpedo launching angles. | + | * Wide torpedo launching angles. | |
? | *High top speed which can be increased further with the Engine Boost consumable. | + | * High top speed which can be increased further with the [[Ship:Consumables#Engine Boost|Engine Boost]] consumable. | |
|Cons=<!-- write list of negative points below. use * as in ordinary wiki-list. --> | |Cons=<!-- write list of negative points below. use * as in ordinary wiki-list. --> | |||
? | *While her reload time is faster than both [[ | + | * While her reload time is faster than both ''[[Émile Bertin]]''’s and ''[[La Galissonnière]]''’s, it is still slow compared to other cruisers carrying 152mm guns. | |
? | * | + | * Only only three torpedoes per side. | |
? | *The ship’s rudder can be incapacitated very easily. | + | * The ship’s rudder can be incapacitated very easily. | |
+ | * Anti-aircraft suite is woefully inadequate. | |||
|Research=<!-- write text about priority sequence of research below --> | |Research=<!-- write text about priority sequence of research below --> | |||
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|Consumables=<!-- write text about selection of Consumables below --> | |Consumables=<!-- write text about selection of Consumables below --> | |||
? | + | ''De Grasse'' has all the same consumables as ''[[La Galissonnière]]'' but has a Catapult Fighter in a 4th slot as well. The following consumables are available on ''De Grasse'': | ||
*[[Ship:Consumables#Damage_Control_Party|Damage Control Party]] | *[[Ship:Consumables#Damage_Control_Party|Damage Control Party]] | |||
*[[Ship:Consumables#Defensive_AA_Fire|Defensive Fire]] '''or''' [[Ship:Consumables#Hydroacoustic_Search|Hydroacoustic Search]] | *[[Ship:Consumables#Defensive_AA_Fire|Defensive Fire]] '''or''' [[Ship:Consumables#Hydroacoustic_Search|Hydroacoustic Search]] | |||
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*[[Ship:Consumables#Catapult_Fighter|Catapult Fighter]] | *[[Ship:Consumables#Catapult_Fighter|Catapult Fighter]] | |||
? | She basically has the same consumables as [[ | + | She basically has the same consumables as ''[[Algérie]]'' and ''[[Charles Martel]]'', but with the Catapult Fighter and Engine Boost consumables in switched positions. | |
It is highly recommended to mount premium Engine Boost II to maximize the usage of the ship's speed, and to mount premium Damage Control Party II if the player finds the rudder is incapacitated frequently. Premium Defensive Fire and Hydroacoustic search are optional, and the choice between the two is up to the player. Premium Catapult Fighter is '''not''' recommended. | It is highly recommended to mount premium Engine Boost II to maximize the usage of the ship's speed, and to mount premium Damage Control Party II if the player finds the rudder is incapacitated frequently. Premium Defensive Fire and Hydroacoustic search are optional, and the choice between the two is up to the player. Premium Catapult Fighter is '''not''' recommended. | |||
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File:DeGrassePort.png | File:DeGrassePort.png | |||
File:DeGrassePort2.png|''De Grasse'' comes with her originally planned 152mm main battery. | File:DeGrassePort2.png|''De Grasse'' comes with her originally planned 152mm main battery. | |||
? | File:DeGrasseAirAttack3.png| ''De Grasse'' is stalked by torpedo bombers from an enemy [[ | + | File:DeGrasseAirAttack3.png| ''De Grasse'' is stalked by torpedo bombers from an enemy ''[[Ranger]]''. | |
? | File:DeGrasseAirAttack2.jpg|[[ | + | File:DeGrasseAirAttack2.jpg|''[[Ranger]]''’s dive bombers land hits on ''De Grasse'' while she maneuvers to evade a torpedo attack. | |
File:DeGrasseSalvo.jpg | File:DeGrasseSalvo.jpg | |||
File:DeGrassePretty.jpg | File:DeGrassePretty.jpg | |||
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===Design=== | ===Design=== | |||
? | By 1936, the ''Marine Nationale'' was looking for the next generation of cruisers to succeed the then-modern ''[[La Galissonnière]]''-class | + | By 1936, the ''Marine Nationale'' was looking for the next generation of cruisers to succeed the then-modern ''[[La Galissonnière]]''-class of ships. Still adhering to the limitations imposed by the 1936 London Naval Treaty, France sought to construct a new type of light-cruiser under the 8,000 ton benchmark. Rationally, as successors to the 7,500 ton ''[[La Galissonnière]]''-class cruisers, the new light cruiser ''De Grasse'' would use the extra displacement to improve on the deficiencies discovered on the preceding light cruisers: specifically, the aviation facilities, the armament suite, and propulsion. | |
? | Originally designed in 1936, the cruiser was planned to have no less than two aircraft catapults, and the facilities to carry up to three individual aircraft. Furthermore, a series of lifts and tracks between the hangar and catapults were implemented to | + | Originally designed in 1936, the cruiser was planned to have no less than two aircraft catapults, and the facilities to carry up to three individual aircraft. Furthermore, a series of lifts and tracks between the hangar and catapults were implemented to automate the process of launching aircraft. By positioning the dual-hangar amidships, ''De Grasse'' would use a single-funnel design, as opposed to her predecessor. The space on top of the hangars was used to install light AA and secondary fire directors. However, it was discovered that the aviation facilities were very cramped and she would be top heavy in this configuration. Therefore, by the 1938 design proposal, she was limited to a single hangar, which meant a rearrangement of light AA and fire control. | |
? | De | + | ''De Grasse''’s main armament was of particular concern (due to the underperformance of her predecessors). After a few design proposals, it was decided to use the same rifles and configuration as ''[[La Galissonnière]]''-class, but the turrets themselves would be modified triple-gun versions of the dual-purpose guns mounted on battleship ''Richelieu''. Although they were heavier, these new mounts would have the ability to engage both surface and air threats, as they could elevate the guns up to +70˚. Additionally, these new mounts had the ability to reload at any elevation, offering a significant increase in rate of fire. Since the hoists for the shells and power were displaced off to the side of the guns, the turret could fit the smaller dimensions of a cruiser. | |
? | + | |||
? | + | Similarly, there was a revision of the AA suite of the ''De Grasse'' class. They would mount the completely novel twin 100mm Mle 1933 DP guns in fully-enclosed pseudo turrets – type ''avisos-dragueurs''. Not only were they better protected, but they could also be directed via centralized fire control. Unfortunately, due to weight and necessary space for dedicated magazines, only a few could be fitted. The three guns were all placed aft, which gave excellent rear cover but poor front cover. To compensate for this weakness in her AA arrangement, four (4) twin 37mm Mle 1933 AA guns were positioned forward. Another improvement from the ''[[La Galissonnière]]'' class, ''De Grasse'' mounted 2 triple 550mm torpedo tubes, one on each side, amidships. | ||
? | + | To ensure there was not any loss of performance due to the increase in displacement, an improvement in main propulsion was required. While the internal layout was similar to her predecessors, new machinery was installed in place of the old. Boilers that were akin to the models used in ''contre-torpilleurs'' – which would operate at higher-pressure loads – and turbines that could be configured for multi-pressure work were installed. Ultimately, her designers were able to increase ''De Grasse''’s power from 100,000 to 110,000 shaft horsepower, resulting in a top speed above 32 knots. | ||
? | + | In the end, ''De Grasse'' was a cruiser that shared design characteristics of the ''[[La Galissonnière]]'' class and cruiser ''[[Algérie]]''. Her hull was superficially similar to her predecessors, albeit with a more flared and narrow bow to increase sea keeping. Her superstructure was akin to the heavy cruiser: built around a central tower and a single funnel amidships. ''De Grasse'' used a combination of high tensile steel and duralumin – on the hull and superstructure, respectively – to decrease displacement and top weight. To save design time, a similar armor profile as the ''[[La Galissonnière]]'' class was used on ''De Grasse'' as well. | ||
? | With her design finalized | + | With her design finalized, ''De Grasse'' was laid down on 28 August 1939 at the Lorient Naval Dockyards. The commencement of the Second World War in September 1939 halted her construction, and she was not launched until 11 September 1946. In 1951, she was towed to Brest Naval Yard and was finally completed as an anti-aircraft cruiser with a radically different main battery configuration. She was commissioned into the ''Marine Nationale'' on 10 September 1956. | |
===Service=== | ===Service=== | |||
? | Despite being laid down nearly two decades earlier | + | Despite being laid down nearly two decades earlier, ''De Grasse'' finally entered service in 1956, becoming the flagship of the French Mediterranean Squadron. Her service in the Mediterranean was largely uneventful, serving there from 1956 until she was taken out of service momentarily in 1964. Following two years of conversions, she re-entered the ''Marine Nationale'' as the flagship of the Nuclear Testing fleet, bound for the French Polynesia. There she would remain until she was decommissioned in 1973, and sold for scrap in 1974. | |
+ | ||||
+ | ===Historical Accuracy=== | |||
+ | * ''De Grasse'' is represented in World of Warships in the configuration she would have had if she had been completed using her original design. Her as-built armament in 1956 was reminiscent of the ''[[Atlanta]]''-class light cruisers of the U.S. Navy, comprised of eight (8) twin 127mm dual-purpose turrets. | |||
|HistoricalGallery=<!-- write below list of files with description (if necessary) separated with | --><gallery> | |HistoricalGallery=<!-- write below list of files with description (if necessary) separated with | --><gallery> |
Revision as of 16:52, 19 June 2017
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[[Ship:|]] — N/A special premium Tier N/A.
According to the draft design in 1938, the light cruiser De Grasse was developed from the La Galissonnière-class ships, and shared their main advantages: improved armor and good main battery guns. She had distinctive AA armament, increased speed, and slightly reinforced torpedo tubes.
Modules
Compatible Upgrades
Slot 1 |
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Slot 2 |
Damage Control System Modification 3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Slot 3 |
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Slot 4 |
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Slot 5 |
Torpedo Tubes Modification 3 |
Reinforced Bulkheads | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Slot 6 |
Player Opinion
Performance
De Grasse is a Tier VI premium French cruiser that is a development of the La Galissonnière class. Both ships feature triple 152mm turrets in an AB-X configuration firing identical shells, though De Grasse has a higher rate of fire and slightly longer range. Given how quickly she puts shells downrange and the fire chance on her high explosive rounds, De Grasse is a superb fire-starter and a threat to burn down enemy capital ships at ranges that make her difficult to hit.
Torpedo-wise, De Grasse features triple launchers instead of the twin launchers found on La Galissonnière, and each mount has a longer reload time as a result. De Grasse’s torpedoes are excellent long range harassment and area denial weapons, good for throwing around islands and into caps hoping to hit unsuspecting enemies; however, with only 3 fish on each side, captains shouldn't rely on them to devastate enemy battleships at close range.
Both ships have unimpressive secondaries and weak AA. While De Grasse’s anti-aircraft armament is sufficient for self-defense, her long range AA power is badly lacking even with Defensive AA Fire active; she's not a ship that her teammates can rely on for anti-aircraft support. De Grasse is notably faster than La Galissonnière, but has a longer rudder shift time and a wider turning circle. She retains La Galissonnière’s access to the Engine Boost consumable, while adding access to a Catapult Fighter that La Galissonnière doesn't have.
Captains who are veterans of La Galissonnière will feel right at home playing De Grasse, and will find the slight improvements to her rate of fire and torpedoes to be welcome upgrades.
LittleWhiteMouse's Premium Ship Review: De Grasse from the NA forums.Pros:
- Faster reload time than other French cruisers with 152mm guns.
- Main battery turrets traverse quickly, taking only 15 seconds for a full turn.
- Torpedoes have a range of 9.0 km with 60 knot speed.
- Wide torpedo launching angles.
- High top speed which can be increased further with the Engine Boost consumable.
Cons:
- While her reload time is faster than both Émile Bertin’s and La Galissonnière’s, it is still slow compared to other cruisers carrying 152mm guns.
- Only only three torpedoes per side.
- The ship’s rudder can be incapacitated very easily.
- Anti-aircraft suite is woefully inadequate.
Research
Optimal Configuration
Upgrades
As a Tier VI cruiser with four upgrade slots, the following upgrades are recommended on De Grasse:
Slot 1
- Main Armaments Modification 1, as De Grasse's anti-air capabilities are not very good and it relies mainly on its main batteries to deal damage.
Slot 2
- Aiming Systems Modification 1, as aforementioned, her anti-air capabilities are not very good and the decrease in dispersion will help a little bit more.
Slot 4
- Steering Gears Modification 1, as she is a French light cruiser with a very weak rudder (easily incapacitated).
Slot 5
- Steering Gears Modification 2, to help with the already poor rudder shift time on the cruiser; she has the worst rudder shift out of all the Tier VI cruisers (with Budyonny second-worst at 8.6 seconds [top hull]).
Commander Skills
Recommended Commander Skills | ||||||||
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Cost (points) |
Endurance | Attack | Support | Versatility | ||||
1 |
★★★ |
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|
|
|
|
★ |
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2 |
★ |
★ |
★ |
|
|
|
★★★ |
★★ |
3 |
★ |
|
|
|
★ |
★★ |
★★★ |
|
4 |
|
|
★★★ |
|
★★ |
|
★ |
★★★ |
Key: ★★★ - Extremely Useful ★★ - Frequently Useful ★ - Occasionally Useful No stars - Meh Χ - Not recommended |
Consumables
De Grasse has all the same consumables as La Galissonnière but has a Catapult Fighter in a 4th slot as well. The following consumables are available on De Grasse:
She basically has the same consumables as Algérie and Charles Martel, but with the Catapult Fighter and Engine Boost consumables in switched positions.
It is highly recommended to mount premium Engine Boost II to maximize the usage of the ship's speed, and to mount premium Damage Control Party II if the player finds the rudder is incapacitated frequently. Premium Defensive Fire and Hydroacoustic search are optional, and the choice between the two is up to the player. Premium Catapult Fighter is not recommended.
Camouflage
As a premium ship, De Grasse comes included with Type 10 camouflage that lowers her detection radius, reduces the accuracy of incoming shells, and increases the amount of experience she earns.
Signals
Like other French cruisers, De Grasse benefits significantly from signal flags that increase HE fire chance. Juliet Charlie may be used to mitigate the increased risk of detonation gained when mounting India X-Ray flags. November Foxtrot reduces the cool-down timer for consumables which is especially useful for the engine boost consumable. Sierra Mike is also highly recommended to increase the ship’s top speed. Special and Economic signal flags can be mounted to increase the experience and credit gain per battle.
Recommended Signal Flags | |||||
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Combat | |||||
★★ |
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★ |
|
★★★ |
★★ |
|
|
★★ |
★★★ |
★★★ |
|
|
|
Note: Use of the Juliet Charlie signal makes detonation impossible.
Gallery
De Grasse is stalked by torpedo bombers from an enemy Ranger.
Ranger’s dive bombers land hits on De Grasse while she maneuvers to evade a torpedo attack.
Historical Info
Historical Gallery
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