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.

The machinery was rated at 11,500 ihp (8,600 kW), giving a speed of 19 kn (22 mph; 35 km/h).

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

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.