The French destroyer Cassard was a Vauquelin-class contre-torpilleur built for the French Navy in the early 1930s. She measured approximately 129.3 meters in length, with a beam of 11.8 meters and a draft of 4.97 meters, displacing around 2,441 metric tons at standard load and up to 3,120 metric tons at deep load. Powered by two Rateau-Breguet steam turbines and four du Temple boilers, she achieved a maximum speed of 41 knots during sea trials, surpassing her designed speed of 36 knots, and had a range of 3,000 nautical miles at 14 knots. Her main armament comprised five 138.6 mm Modèle 1927 guns, with a combination of superfiring mounts fore and aft, and a fifth gun positioned abaft the aft funnel. For anti-aircraft defense, she was equipped with four 37 mm guns and two twin 13.2 mm machine guns. Cassard also carried two twin 550 mm torpedo tube mounts, one on each broadside, and a triple mount aft. She was fitted with depth charge chutes and throwers, initially carrying sixteen 200 kg depth charges, later increased to twenty-four, along with other anti-submarine equipment, including a British ASDIC system installed in December 1941. Laid down in November 1930, launched in November 1931, and commissioned in October 1932, Cassard served predominantly in the Mediterranean. She participated in patrols during the Spanish Civil War, enforcing non-intervention, and later in various operations during World War II, including escort duties, patrols for German raiders, and the bombardment of Italian coastal facilities after Italy entered the war. Following France’s surrender in 1940, she became part of the Vichy French forces. When Toulon was occupied by Germans in November 1942, Cassard was scuttled by her crew to prevent capture. The wreck was minimally salvaged and eventually broken up in 1950. Her service highlights her role in France’s naval operations during a turbulent period marked by war, political upheaval, and strategic reassignments.

This description has been generated using GPT-4.1-NANO based on the Vessel's wikidata information and then modified by ShipIndex.org staff.