TimelineMapsSearch QuotationsSearch Images

Follow us through the World War I centennial and beyond at Follow wwitoday on Twitter

Voltaire

The French battleship "Voltaire" at full speed
Text:
513. Le Cuirassé "Voltaire" à toute vitesse — The French battleship "Voltaire" at full speed
Collection F. C ???
Reverse:
O.A.S. (On Active Service). I hope you are both well and enjoying some fine weather. I expect you have been bothered lately with some nocturnal visitors. I hope Stewart is fit. I am settling down in la belle France. Joan is 4 on Wednesday. I expect there will be some excitement. How time flies. I am now in the 3rd (S) Co[mpan]y. ? R.G.B Suffolk Regt. A.R.O. S/50 France. Weather keeps fine. With kindest [?] regards. I'm yrs v. sincerely. G. ?
Stamped: Passed Field Censor 5168
Postmarked Army Post Office 1917

The French battleship "Voltaire" at full speed
Text:
513. Le Cuirassé "Voltaire" à toute vitesse — The French battleship "Voltaire" at full speed
Collection F. C ???

Image text

513. Le Cuirassé "Voltaire" à toute vitesse — The French battleship "Voltaire" at full speed

Collection F. C ???

Other views: Larger, Larger, Back, LargerBack

A French semi-dreadnought battleship of the Danton class, Voltaire spent the war in the Mediterranean Sea patrolling the Dardanelles and the mouth of the Adriatic Sea to prevent Turkish and Austro-Hungarian ships from entering the Mediterranean.

In August 1914, Voltaire patrolled off Sicily during the hunt for Goeben and Breslau as they made their way to Turkish waters.

Length (waterline): 145m/475ft 9in; Beam: 25.83m/84ft 9in

Maximum speed: 20.7 knots

Armament: 4 305mm/12in, 50 caliber; 12 240mm/9.4in, 50 caliber; 16 12pdr; 10 3 pdr; 2 45.72cm/18in torpedo tubes

Armor: waterline: 270mm/10.6in; main battery and conning tower: 300mm/11.8in

Crew: 681

Voltaire is a battleship.