Sail brig-avisos (6 guns)

ZEPHYR class (launched 1848)
FABERT class (launched 1848)
RUSE class (launched 1848)


ZEPHYR class sail brig-avisos (6 guns)

Displacement:  300t
Dimensions: 98ft 5in wl x 29ft 10in mld x 10ft 3in mean
Same, meters: 30.00 x 9.10 x 3.12m
Masts: As Agile
Armament: 6-16cm shell
Complement: 92

Name           Builder     Laid down Launched  Commiss.  Fate         
ZEPHYR Chaigneau 8.47 13.3.48 10.48 Stk. 29.5.58
LYNX Chaigneau 8.47 6.48 12.48 Stk. 29.5.58

Class. Plans for this and the Fabert and Rusé classes were requested on 10.7.45 to provide ships for the West African patrol. The minister specified that they were to be of a new type optimized for speed in order to catch slavers, and that the designers were to be left free to choose their dimensions and lines. They were, however, to be as light as possible. The original specifications also called for installing a 30nhp steam engine in several instead of some ballast and a third of their provisions as an experiment, but this was not done. Chedeville completed the plans for these two in 9.45. No commissioning dates are recorded. All six ships were built under contracts awarded 12.4.47, these two by Chaigneau, Bordeaux.



FABERT class sail brig-avisos (6 guns)

Displacement:  298t
Dimensions: 98ft 5in wl x 28ft 3in mld x 11ft 2in mean
Same, meters: 30.00 x 8.60 x 3.40m
Masts: As Agile
Armament: 6-16cm shell
Complement: 92

Name           Builder     Laid down Launched  Commiss.  Fate         
FABERT Guibert 5.47 20.5.48 2.4.49 Stk. 30.12.54
INCONSTANT Guibert 6.47 17.5.48 27.3.49 Stk. 20.4.57

Class. The origins of these two ships were as the Zéphyr class. Roger completed plans for them in 8.45, and they were built by Guibert at Nantes. Inconstant was in reduced commission (commission de port) from 27.3.49 to 9.11.50 but may never have been in full commission.

Disposals. Fabert became a service craft at Toulon and was BU 1871. Inconstant became a hulk and was BU 1868.



RUSE class sail brig-avisos (6 guns)

Displacement:  295t
Dimensions: 95ft 2in wl x 27ft 7in mld x 11ft 4in mean
Same, meters: 29.00 x 8.40 x 3.45m
Masts: As Agile
Armament: 6-16cm shell
Complement: 92

Name           Builder     Laid down Launched  Commiss.  Fate         
RUSE Baudet 6.47 3.6.48 16.8.49 Stk. 20.4.57
RAILLEUR Pivert 7.47 16.8.48 20.8.57 Lost 11.61

Class. The origins of these two ships were as the Zéphyr class. Prétot completed plans for them in 9.45. Rusé was built by Baudet at Paimboeuf and Railleur by Pivert at St. Malo. Railleur was reclassified as a 150-ton transport 27.5.57.

Disposal. Railleur was lost at Mooréa in the Society Islands.

Three other brig-avisos were scheduled to be begun under contract in 1849. The names Curieux, Alerte, and Silène were assigned to them 20.12.47 but they were cancelled in a budget cutback in 1848.