De Grasse

0.6.9.1.1

De Grasse

Cruiser | France | Tier VI

Tech Tree Position

General

Purchase pricepromo

Hit Points31 200

Aircraft

Main Battery

152 mm/55 Mle 19363 х 3 pcs.

Rate of Fire7.41 shots/min.

Reload Time8.1 sec.

Rotation Speed12 deg./sec.

180 Degree Turn Time15 sec.

Firing Range16.17 km.

Maximum Dispersion144 m.

HE Shell152 mm HE OEA Mle 1937

Maximum HE Shell Damage2200

Chance of Fire on Target Caused by HE Shell12 %

Initial HE Shell Velocity870 m./s.

HE Shell Weight55 kg.

AP Shell152 mm AP OPfK Mle 1937

Maximum AP Shell Damage3300

Initial AP Shell Velocity870 m./s.

AP Shell Weight57.1 kg.

Secondary Armament #1

100 mm/45 Mle 19333 х 2 pcs.

Firing Range5 km.

Rate of Fire15 shots/min.

Reload Time4 sec.

HE Shell100 mm HE OEA Mle 1928

Maximum HE Shell Damage1400

Initial HE Shell Velocity780 m./s.

Chance of Fire on Target Caused by HE Shel6 %

Torpedo Tubes

550 mm tube lance-torpilles2 х 3 pcs.

Rate of Fire0.67 shots/min.

Reload Time90 sec.

Rotation Speed25 deg./sec.

180 Degree Turn Time7.2 sec.

Torpedo550 mm 23DT

Maximum Damage14 833

Torpedo Speed60 knot

Torpedo Range9 km.

AA Defense

152 mm/55 Mle 19361 х 3 pcs.

. . . Average Damage per Second8.3

. . . Firing Range5.01 km.

152 mm/55 Mle 19362 х 3 pcs.

. . . Average Damage per Second16.6

. . . Firing Range5.01 km.

37 mm/50 Mle 19334 х 2 pcs.

. . . Average Damage per Second9.2

. . . Firing Range3 km.

13.2 mm/76 CAD Mle 19292 х 2 pcs.

. . . Average Damage per Second7

. . . Firing Range1.2 km.

13.2 mm/76 CAQ Mle 19291 х 4 pcs.

. . . Average Damage per Second5

. . . Firing Range1.2 km.

100 mm/45 Mle 19333 х 2 pcs.

. . . Average Damage per Second20.4

. . . Firing Range5.01 km.

Maneuverability

Maximum Speed33.5 knot

Turning Circle Radius690 m.

Rudder Shift Time8.8 sec.

Concealment

Surface Detectability Range13.32 km.

Air Detectability Range7.71 km.

Battle Levels

12345678910

0.6.9.1.1

De Grasse

Cruiser | France | Tier VI

Tech Tree Position

General

Purchase pricepromo

Hit Points31 200

Aircraft

Main Battery

152 mm/55 Mle 19363 х 3 pcs.

Rate of Fire7.41 shots/min.

Reload Time8.1 sec.

Rotation Speed12 deg./sec.

180 Degree Turn Time15 sec.

Firing Range16.17 km.

Maximum Dispersion144 m.

HE Shell152 mm HE OEA Mle 1937

Maximum HE Shell Damage2200

Chance of Fire on Target Caused by HE Shell12 %

Initial HE Shell Velocity870 m./s.

HE Shell Weight55 kg.

AP Shell152 mm AP OPfK Mle 1937

Maximum AP Shell Damage3300

Initial AP Shell Velocity870 m./s.

AP Shell Weight57.1 kg.

Secondary Armament #1

100 mm/45 Mle 19333 х 2 pcs.

Firing Range5 km.

Rate of Fire15 shots/min.

Reload Time4 sec.

HE Shell100 mm HE OEA Mle 1928

Maximum HE Shell Damage1400

Initial HE Shell Velocity780 m./s.

Chance of Fire on Target Caused by HE Shel6 %

Torpedo Tubes

550 mm tube lance-torpilles2 х 3 pcs.

Rate of Fire0.67 shots/min.

Reload Time90 sec.

Rotation Speed25 deg./sec.

180 Degree Turn Time7.2 sec.

Torpedo550 mm 23DT

Maximum Damage14 833

Torpedo Speed60 knot

Torpedo Range9 km.

AA Defense

152 mm/55 Mle 19361 х 3 pcs.

. . . Average Damage per Second8.3

. . . Firing Range5.01 km.

152 mm/55 Mle 19362 х 3 pcs.

. . . Average Damage per Second16.6

. . . Firing Range5.01 km.

37 mm/50 Mle 19334 х 2 pcs.

. . . Average Damage per Second9.2

. . . Firing Range3 km.

13.2 mm/76 CAD Mle 19292 х 2 pcs.

. . . Average Damage per Second7

. . . Firing Range1.2 km.

13.2 mm/76 CAQ Mle 19291 х 4 pcs.

. . . Average Damage per Second5

. . . Firing Range1.2 km.

100 mm/45 Mle 19333 х 2 pcs.

. . . Average Damage per Second20.4

. . . Firing Range5.01 km.

Maneuverability

Maximum Speed33.5 knot

Turning Circle Radius690 m.

Rudder Shift Time8.8 sec.

Concealment

Surface Detectability Range13.32 km.

Air Detectability Range7.71 km.

Battle Levels

12345678910

VI

promo

De Grasse — French promo premium Tier VI cruiser.

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.

De Grasse first went on sale on 19 June 2017 on the NA servers, and on 9 June 2017 on the EU servers.

Modules

	Rate of Fire (shots/min)	180 Degree Turn Time (sec)	Maximum Dispersion (m)	Maximum HE Shell Damage (HP)	Chance of Fire on Target Caused by HE Shell (%)	Maximum AP Shell Damage (HP)		Research price (exp)	Purchase price ()
152 mm/55 Mle 1930 en una montura Mle 1936	7,4	15	144	2200	12	3300		0	0

	Hit Points (HP)	Armor (mm)	Armor (mm)	Main Turrets (pcs.)	Secondary Gun Turrets (pcs.)	AA Mounts (pcs.)	Torpedo Tubes (pcs.)	Hangar Capacity (pcs.)		Research price (exp)	Purchase price ()
De Grasse	31 200	6	100	3	3	4/1/2/3/3	2			0	0

	Rate of Fire (shots/min)	Torpedo Tubes Reload Time (sec)	180 Degree Turn Time (sec)	Maximum Damage (HP)	Torpedo Speed (knot)	Torpedo Range (km)		Research price (exp)	Purchase price ()
550 mm 23DT	0,7	90	7,2	14 833	60	9		0	0

	Firing Range Increase (%)	Maximum Firing Range (km)		Research price (exp)	Purchase price ()
PCA n° 6 Mle 1	0	16,2		0	0

	Maximum Speed (knot)		Research price (exp)	Purchase price ()
Propulsión: 110 000 CV	33,5		0	0

Compatible Upgrades

Slot 1	[[File:wows icon_modernization_PCM030_MainWeapon_Mod_I_bb1e79efbcc73dfa03a6dd5ae173566ee691b77e3a6587389d6f7ea07eb03588.png", "local": "{\"default\": \"gui|44px|Modificación 1 del armamento principal|link=Ship:Upgrades#Modificaci.C3.B3n.C2.A01_del.C2.A0armamento_principal]]	[[File:wows icon_modernization_PCM031_SecondaryWeapon_Mod_I_5369d8b071df59a515906433ea1fff10a55841495258bcd04d3365467e61e4af.png", "local": "{\"default\": \"gui|44px|Modificación 1 del armamento auxiliar|link=Ship:Upgrades#Modificaci.C3.B3n.C2.A01_del.C2.A0armamento_auxiliar]]	[[File:wows icon_modernization_PCM032_PowderMagazine_Mod_I_9607d8ec91ddcca4a95443845b888fbd9de4cd81df5a30a199d400657a552017.png", "local": "{\"default\": \"gui|44px|Modificación 1 de la santabárbara|link=Ship:Upgrades#Modificaci.C3.B3n.C2.A01_de_la.C2.A0santab.C3.A1rbara]]
Slot 2	[[File:wows icon_modernization_PCM006_MainGun_Mod_II_bffc35efc4e090487fd6110a10a2be1f5d51b7918303f724194817e698055412.png", "local": "{\"default\": \"gui|44px|Modificación 2 de la batería principal|link=Ship:Upgrades#Modificaci.C3.B3n.C2.A02_de_la.C2.A0bater.C3.ADa_principal]]	[[File:wows icon_modernization_PCM012_SecondaryGun_Mod_II_c87da07dc4aebb94da59f3df3f8c2934279decb9677334a1a7e4b1f1c9f9ad04.png", "local": "{\"default\": \"gui|44px|Modificación 1 de la batería secundaria|link=Ship:Upgrades#Modificaci.C3.B3n.C2.A01_de_la.C2.A0bater.C3.ADa_secundaria]]	[[File:wows icon_modernization_PCM018_AirDefense_Mod_III_d3f357c6dc4e5e627a86e17a16432cb38da32bb1b7999b4a7852371491511770.png", "local": "{\"default\": \"gui|44px|Modificación 1 de los cañones AA|link=Ship:Upgrades#Modificaci.C3.B3n.C2.A01_de_los.C2.A0ca.C3.B1ones_AA]]	[[File:wows icon_modernization_PCM033_Guidance_Mod_I_10c7521afe2d577c42618dd04cf6834f2be78cf6b64503844cf87793a5816484.png", "local": "{\"default\": \"gui|44px|Modificación 1 de los sistemas de tiro|link=Ship:Upgrades#Modificaci.C3.B3n.C2.A01_de_los.C2.A0sistemas_de_tiro]]	[[File:wows icon_modernization_PCM070_Torpedo_Mod_IV_9e34ebc4f1a15656201b4148e32870eb1c67ddb2fb1a0bc410406236b472d1dd.png", "local": "{\"default\": \"gui|44px|Modificación 1 de los tubos de torpedo|link=Ship:Upgrades#Modificaci.C3.B3n.C2.A01_de_los.C2.A0tubos_de_torpedo]]
Slot 4	[[File:wows icon_modernization_PCM020_DamageControl_Mod_I_bbc708467bc8f1e6264ac88fb8999ea40660e4b0b94b59ab7b3f1a8b60539ed8.png", "local": "{\"default\": \"gui|44px|Modificación 1 del sistema de control de daños|link=Ship:Upgrades#Modificaci.C3.B3n.C2.A01_del.C2.A0sistema_de_control_de_da.C3.B1os]]	[[File:wows icon_modernization_PCM069_Movement_Mod_I_ca8429dcc45fdad36cdd474a13e5a289d6f7cf27ae32c9f30d42b72b9db493af.png", "local": "{\"default\": \"gui|44px|Protección de la sala de máquinas|link=Ship:Upgrades#Protecci.C3.B3n_de_la_sala_de_m.C3.A1quinas]]
Slot 5	[[File:wows icon_modernization_PCM023_DamageControl_Mod_II_3c6aea0c5bccc94f1d8f1fa52662232afa007d784638ce6e981c8ad3457c63fa.png", "local": "{\"default\": \"gui|44px|Modificación 2 del sistema de control de daños|link=Ship:Upgrades#Modificaci.C3.B3n.C2.A02_del.C2.A0sistema_de_control_de_da.C3.B1os]]	[[File:wows icon_modernization_PCM024_Engine_Mod_II_4b4f4c217cf5cf580f47ccbbf76ecede110c5143055c55ab45a82d19e87423fb.png", "local": "{\"default\": \"gui|44px|Modificación 1 de la propulsión|link=Ship:Upgrades#Modificaci.C3.B3n.C2.A01_de_la.C2.A0propulsi.C3.B3n]]	[[File:wows icon_modernization_PCM025_SteeringGear_Mod_II_523c86ce4c7d228e73ee3d2cb406f4d78a205aa2453fec45b0925dec519bf7c5.png", "local": "{\"default\": \"gui|44px|Modificación 1 del aparato de gobierno|link=Ship:Upgrades#Modificaci.C3.B3n.C2.A01_del.C2.A0aparato_de_gobierno]]	[[File:wows icon_modernization_PCM087_AirSupport_Mod_I_d26ea96903bf2c47669142777cfa61b0285e652ce26304ed9502bc8de35d0ded.png", "local": "{\"default\": \"gui|44px|Modificación 1 del ataque aéreo|link=Ship:Upgrades#Modificaci.C3.B3n.C2.A01_del_ataque_a.C3.A9reo]]

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 Plantilla:Defensive AA Fire 1 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 Plantilla: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 three torpedoes per side.
• The ship’s rudder can be incapacitated very easily.
• Anti-aircraft suite is woefully inadequate.

Research

As a premium ship, De Grasse doesn't have any upgrades to research.

Optimal Configuration

Upgrades

The recommended upgrades for De Grasse are as follows:

• Slot 1: Main Armaments Modification 1 as De Grasse's anti-air capabilities are not very good and she relies mainly on her main batteries to deal damage.
• Slot 2: Aiming Systems Modification 1 because 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).

Commander Skills

Recommended Commander Skills
Cost (points)	Endurance		Attack		Support		Versatility
1	Priority Target Situational Awareness indicator will show the number of opponents currently aiming at you with main battery guns. ★★★	Preventative Maintenance -30% to the risk of incapacitation of modules.	Expert Loader -50% to reload time when shell type is switched.	Aircraft Servicing Expert +5% to HP of carrier-based aircraft. -10% to servicing time of carrier-based aircraft.	Direction Center for Catapult Aircraft +1 catapult aircraft. -20% to the speed of catapult aircraft. ★	Dogfighting Expert +10% to average damage per second of fighter for each tier of difference between them. +10% to fighters ammunition.	Incoming Fire Alert Indicator of long-range enemy artillery fire. ★	Evasive Maneuver -20% to detectability of strike aircraft when returning to the carrier. +75% to HP of strike aircraft when returning to the carrier. -30% to airspeed of strike aircraft when returning to the carrier.
2	High Alert -10% to reload time of Damage Control Party consumable. ★	Jack of All Trades -5% to reload time of all consumables. ★	Expert Marksman +2.5 deg/sec to traverse speed of guns with a caliber up to 139mm. +0.7 deg/sec to traverse speed of guns with a caliber above 139mm. ★	Torpedo Acceleration +5 knots to torpedo speed. -20% to torpedo range.	Smoke Screen Expert +20% to the radius of the smoke screen.	Expert Rear Gunner +10% to average damage per second of self-defense armament for aircraft with rear gunners.	Adrenaline Rush -0.2% to reload times of all types of armament for each 1% of total health lost. ★★★	Last Stand The ship remains able to move and maneuver while the engine or steering gears are incapacitated. ★★
3	Basics of Survivability -15% to time of repair, fire extinguishing, and recovery from flooding. ★	Survivability Expert +350 HP for each ship tier.	Torpedo Armament Expertise -10% to reload time of torpedo tubes. -20% to servicing time of torpedo bombers.	Emergency Takeoff Makes it possible to launch and recover aircraft while the ship is on fire. +100% to aircraft servicing time while aircraft carrier is on fire.	Basic Firing Training -10% to reload time of main battery guns with a caliber up to and including 139mm and all secondary battery guns. +20% to average damage per second of AA defense. ★	Superintendent +1 additional charge to all consumables mounted on a ship. ★★	Demolition Expert +2% to chance of fire on a target caused by a main caliber shell, secondary shell, or bomb. ★★★	Vigilance +25% to detection range of enemy torpedoes.
4	Manual Fire Control for Secondary Armament -15% to the maximum dispersion of shells for the secondary armament of Tier I-VI ships. -60% to the maximum dispersion of shells for the secondary armament of Tier VII-X ships.	Fire Prevention -7% to the risk of fire. The maximum number of fires on a ship is reduced to three.	Inertia Fuse for HE Shells +30% to the armor penetration capacity of HE shells. -3% to chance of fire on target caused by HE shells. ★★★	Air Supremacy +1 fighter per squadron. +1 bomber per squadron.	Advanced Firing Training +20% to firing range of main battery guns with a caliber up to 139mm and all secondary battery guns. +20% to AA defense firing range. ★★	Manual Fire Control for AA Armament +100% to average damage per second of AA guns with a caliber exceeding 85mm against a designated target. ★	Radio Position Finding Shows the direction to the nearest enemy ship (that isn't an aircraft carrier). The enemy player is alerted that a bearing has been taken on their ship. ★	Concealment Expert -10% to the detection radius of destroyers. -12% to the detection radius of cruisers. -14% to the detection radius of battleships. -16% to the detection radius of aircraft carriers. ★★★
Key: ★★★ - Extremely Useful       ★★ - Frequently Useful       ★ - Occasionally Useful      No stars - Not Useful

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:

• Slot 1: Damage Control Party 
• Slot 2: Defensive AA Fire Plantilla:Defensive AA Fire 1 or (
• Slot 3: Engine Boost 
• Slot 4: Plantilla:Catapult Fighter

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 Plantilla:Engine Boost II to maximize the usage of the ship's speed, and to mount premium Plantilla:Damage Control Party II if the player finds the rudder is incapacitated frequently. Premium Plantilla:Defensive AA Fire II and Plantilla:Hydroacoustic Search II are optional, and the choice between the two is up to the player. Premium Plantilla:Catapult Fighter II 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 (Plantilla:Juliet Charlie) may be used to mitigate the increased risk of detonation gained when mounting India X-Ray (Plantilla:India X-Ray) flags. November Foxtrot (Plantilla:November Foxtrot) reduces the cool-down timer for consumables which is especially useful for the engine boost consumable. Sierra Mike (Plantilla: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
Combat
November Echo Setteseven +10% average damage per second of all anti-aircraft mounts. +10% average damage per second of self-defense armament for aircraft with rear gunners. ★★	Mike Yankee Soxisix +5% to secondary battery maximum firing range. -5% to maximum dispersion of secondary battery shells. -5% to secondary battery loading time.	India X-Ray +1% chance of causing a fire for bombs and shells with a caliber above 160mm. +0.5% chance of causing a fire for bombs and shells with a caliber below 160mm. +5% to the risk of your ship's magazine detonating. ★★	Juliet Whiskey Unaone +15% chance of causing flooding. +5% to the risk of your ship's magazine detonating.	Victor Lima +1% chance of causing a fire for bombs and shells with a caliber above 160mm. +0.5% chance of causing a fire for bombs and shells with a caliber below 160mm. +4% chance of flooding (against your ship). ★★★	Hotel Yankee -20% to damage received when ramming the enemy. +50% to damage dealt when ramming the enemy.
November Foxtrot -5% reload time on all consumables. ★★★	Sierra Mike +5% to the ship's maximum speed. ★★★	India Delta +20% to the amount of HP recovered when the Repair Party consumable is used.	Juliet Yankee Bissotwo -20% to flooding duration.	India Yankee -20% to fire duration. ★	Juliet Charlie -100% to the risk of your ship's magazine detonating. ★★
Economic
Zulu +20% credits earned for the battle. ★★★	India Bravo Terrathree -10% to the cost of the ship's post-battle repair. ★	Equal Speed Charlie London +50% XP earned for the battle. ★★★	Zulu Hotel +50% Commander XP earned for the battle. ★★	Papa Papa +300% Free XP earned for the battle. ★
Special
Wyvern +50% credits earned for the battle. ★★	Red Dragon +100% XP earned for the battle. +100% Commander XP earned for the battle. ★★★	Dragon Flag +333% Commander XP earned for the battle. ★★★	Ouroboros +777% Free XP earned for the battle. ★★	Hydra +50% XP earned for the battle. +150% Commander XP earned for the battle. +250% Free XP earned for the battle. ★
Key: ★★★ - Extremely Useful       ★★ - Frequently Useful       ★ - Occasionally Useful      No stars - Not Useful

Gallery

• 
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  De Grasse comes with her originally planned 152mm main battery.

• 

  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

De Grasse, 1938

Construction

Construction begun at Lorient Naval Dockyard; Lorient, France

Laid down: 28 August 1939

Launched: 11 September 1946

Construction completed at Brest Naval Dockyard; Brest, France

Commissioned: 10 September 1956

---

Specifications

8,000 tons displacement, standard

176.3m length

18.1m beam

5.54m draft

---

Machinery

4 Indret boilers, 2 Rateau-Bretagne turbines

---

Performance

33 knots at 110,000 shaft horsepower

---

Armor

Main belt: 100mm

Torpedo bulkhead: 18mm

Armoured Deck: 38mm

Transverse Bulkheads: 60mm

Turrets: 40-100mm

Conning tower: 95mm

---

Armament

Main

Nine (3 x 3) 152mm/50 Mle 1936

Secondary

Six (3 x 2) 100mm/45 Mle 1933

Anti-Aircraft

Eight (4 x 4) 37mm/50 Mle 1933

Eight (2 x 2, 1 x 4) 13.2mm Mle 1929

Torpedoes

Six (2 x 3) 550mm tubes

---

Aircraft

Float Planes

1 Loire 130 reconnaissance plane

1 Loire 210 fighter plane

2 Catapults

---

Complement

690 men

Design

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 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 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, 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

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.

Historical Gallery

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  De Grasse as completed.

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  A bow view of De Grasse.

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  De Grasse, date and location unknown.

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  Colbert, sister ship to De Grasse. She retains her armament as completed.

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  Colbert post-modernization.

Ships of France

Cruisers