The Battleship That Became A Carrier : Béarn
Béarn : The Evolution and Service of France’s Pre-WWII Aircraft Carrier
Origins and Conversion
Béarn, initially conceptualized as a Normandie-class battleship, was repurposed into an aircraft carrier for the French Navy during the 1920s. Originally designed as part of an ambitious battleship class, her construction was interrupted by World War I, and she was subsequently converted into an aircraft carrier as naval aviation began to rise in prominence.
Entry into Service and Early Role
Béarn without her armament fitted Unknown official photographer – https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205282195 This photograph Q 48219 comes from the collections of the Imperial War Museums.
Entering service in 1928, Béarn was the only aircraft carrier produced by France until after World War II. Her initial role was pivotal in developing tactics and techniques for carrier aviation within the Marine nationale. Despite her strategic importance, her early years were primarily spent in training exercises and pilot development in home waters.
World War II and the Gold Transport Mission
photograph (Q 48220) French Aircraft Carrier BEARN. Copyright: © IWM. Original Source: http://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205282196
As World War II unfolded, Béarn’s role shifted dramatically. In May 1940, she embarked on a crucial mission to transport gold to the United States to purchase aircraft. However, the rapidly changing war situation led to a significant detour. When France signed an armistice with Germany in June 1940, Béarn was directed to Martinique in the French West Indies to prevent her from falling into German hands. Under pressure from the United States, which feared German control over the ship, Béarn remained in Martinique for the next four years. To ease American concerns, the local commander agreed to immobilize her in mid-1942. Following Vichy France’s orders, Béarn was deliberately run aground in May 1943 to further ensure she would not be used by Axis powers.
Conversion to an Aircraft Transport
Béarn before her conversion into an aircraft transport U.S. Navy – U.S. Navy All Hands magazine January 1948, p. 12.
After the Free French Forces took control of Martinique, Béarn was refloated and towed to Puerto Rico for preliminary repairs in 1944. These repairs enabled her to travel under her own power to New Orleans, Louisiana, where she underwent conversion into an aircraft transport. This conversion was completed in early 1945. Her first mission post-conversion was marred by an accident; Béarn collided with another ship and required emergency repairs in French Morocco, delaying her return to service by nearly six months.
Post-War Operations and Final Years
Béarn in Colombo Harbor, British Ceylon, October 1945. Sub Lt G. Hales – https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205161950 This photograph A 30871 comes from the collections of the Imperial War Museums. Wiki
Following World War II, Béarn was engaged in transporting personnel and equipment between France and French North Africa. In October 1945, she was dispatched to French Indochina, carrying aircraft, materials, and supplies as France sought to reassert control over its former colony. Béarn remained in Indochina for a year before returning to France, where she was placed in reserve.
In 1948, Béarn was reactivated and served as the flagship for the French Navy’s submarine and anti-submarine warfare group. Additionally, she functioned as a submarine tender. By 1960, Béarn had been repurposed into a barracks ship due to her advanced age and the escalating costs of her maintenance. Eventually, in 1966, it was deemed more economical to construct a new barracks facility, leading to Béarn’s decommissioning and sale for scrap in 1967. Throughout her extensive service life, Béarn never launched her aircraft in combat, highlighting the varied and often secondary roles she played during her operational history.
Béarn’s Design and Specifications
Initially laid down as a Normandie-class battleship, Béarn’s transformation into an aircraft carrier involved significant modifications. Her dimensions included a length of 175 meters at the waterline and an overall length of 176.4 meters. She featured a beam of 27 meters and a mean draft of 8.84 meters at full load. Designed to displace 25,250 metric tons at normal load and up to 28,270 metric tons at deep load, Béarn’s propulsion system was a mix of Parsons steam turbines and vertical triple-expansion steam engines, allowing for a maximum speed of 21.5 knots.
Armament and Armor
Béarn’s initial armament configuration as a battleship was heavily revised during her conversion. She was equipped with eight 155 mm guns for defense against surface attacks and a variety of anti-aircraft guns for air defense. Her armor, while not as robust as originally planned for a battleship, was adapted to suit her new role, including a thinner, deeper belt and modifications to enhance protection against air and torpedo attacks.
Aviation Facilities
As an aircraft carrier, Béarn featured a 180-meter-long flight deck and could carry up to thirty-two aircraft. She was equipped with three elevators to transfer aircraft between her flight deck and hangar decks. The ship also had significant storage for aviation fuel and utilized a mix of French and American aircraft throughout her service.
Conclusion
Béarn’s journey from an incomplete battleship to a pioneering aircraft carrier and, eventually, a transport and barracks ship, underscores the adaptability and evolving strategies of the French Navy throughout the first half of the 20th century. Despite her limited combat role, Béarn played a crucial part in the development of French naval aviation and served various strategic functions during her long career.
