30) (designated Torpilleurs Vedettes) from the British company Thornycroft, which were followed by a further four similar boats (Nos.

[3][4] In 1890, it was decided to built a replacement for Japon,[5] and the new ship, originally to be named Seine,[5] was laid down on 9 June 1892 at the Forges et Chantiers de la Gironde shipyard at Bordeaux.

[3] Two triple expansion engines were fed by 24 coal-fired boilers and drove two propeller shafts.

A float-equipped Canard Voisin seaplane was bought by the navy for this purpose in December 1911.

Experiments at sea started with the Foudre in July 1912 during tactical exercises in the Mediterranean.

During the exercises, in which a wargame simulated the fight of two rival navies, the use of the Nieuport allowed the discovery of a surprise attack by the "adversary".

During the summer of 1912 many flights of the Canard Voisin from the Foudre were accomplished in the bay of Saint-Raphaël.

During World War I her roles were numerous, ranging from submarine tender to seaplane/aircraft transport, and headquarters ship in 1916.