FN Dunkerque (full interrior)

FN Dunkerque was the lead ship of France’s Dunkerque-class fast battleships, launched in 1935 and commissioned in 1937. She was 215 meters (705 feet) long and had a full-load displacement of about 26,500 tons. Powered by steam turbines, she could hit speeds of 29.5 knots (55 km/h or 34 mph), making her one of the faster capital ships of her time.


Her main battery consisted of eight 330 mm (13-inch) guns in two quadruple turrets, all mounted forward. She also carried sixteen 130 mm dual-purpose guns and numerous anti-aircraft weapons. Her armor protection was solid for her size, with up to 283 mm on the belt.


Dunkerque was designed to counter German “pocket battleships” and saw limited combat early in WWII. In 1940, after France’s surrender, she was damaged during the British attack at Mers-el-Kébir to prevent her from falling into Axis hands. She was later scuttled by her own crew in 1942 at Toulon to avoid German capture.