Forges et Chantiers de la Gironde
| Company type | Shipbuilding company |
|---|---|
| Industry | Shipbuilding |
| Predecessor | Usine de construction navale Chaigneau et Bichon, Chantiers et Ateliers de la Gironde S.A. Ets Schneider |
| Fate | Renamed Construction Navale de Bordeaux (CNB) |
| Headquarters | Lormont , France |
| Products | Naval vessels (ironclads, cruisers, destroyers, avisos) |
Forges et Chantiers de la Gironde—translating to Forges and shipyards of the Gironde—was a French shipbuilding firm based in Lormont, close to Bordeaux along the Gironde estuary. The enterprise originated from the merger of Usine de construction navale Chaigneau et Bichon and Chantiers et Ateliers de la Gironde S.A. Ets Schneider, eventually adopting the name Forges et Chantiers de la Gironde. Today, it operates under the name Construction Navale de Bordeaux (CNB).
Ships
This shipbuilder focused primarily on naval vessels, delivering ships to various international clients such as the Ottoman Navy and the French Navy. Among its significant constructions were Ottoman ironclads like Lütf-ü Celil and Hifz-ur Rahman, the Japanese cruiser Unebi launched in 1886, as well as Ottoman destroyers from the Samsun class: Basra, Samsun, Taşoz, and Yarhisar built in 1907. For France, notable builds included the World War I era sloop Dédaigneuse (1916), several Bougainville class avisos such as the lead ship Bougainville (1931), followed by Rigault de Genouilly (1932) and the vessel Gloire (1933).
In June 1939, the shipyard launched another member of the Bougainville class, named Beautemps Beaupré. At the time of the Fall of France, this ship was incomplete and was deliberately sunk on 24 June 1940 to avoid enemy seizure. Another aviso, called La Pérouse, had been commissioned but was subsequently cancelled.
On 11 November 1939, the French authorities placed an order for twelve s, three of which were assigned to Forges et Chantiers de la Gironde. Following France’s defeat, work ceased on two vessels named La Rieuse and La Sérieuse, while construction on a third ship—initially designated as La Preneuse—was paused. After 1945, this third vessel was renamed Commandant Ducuing, but ultimately its building was discontinued in 1948.