Service French_ironclad_La_Galissonnière

fuzhou , min river defenses.

la galissonnière laid down @ brest on 22 june 1868 , launched on 7 may 1872. while exact reason such prolonged construction time not known, budget french navy cut after franco-prussian war of 1870–71 , french dockyards had not been reformed working practices more suitable industrial age. ship began sea trials on 20 april 1874 , not commissioned until 18 july 1874. became flagship of pacific squadron on 16 may 1874 under command of rear admiral perigot. return brest on 19 march 1877, having circumnavigated world via suez canal. ship placed in reserve upon return until recommissioned on 15 august 1878 in preparation commission flagship of caribbean squadron began on 6 october under rear admiral peyron. 2 years later sailed cherbourg , reduced reserve on 13 may 1880.

la galissonnière became flagship of levant squadron (french: division navale du levant) under rear admiral alfred conrad on 27 may 1881. shortly afterward bombarded tunisian port of sfax in july 1881 part of french occupation of tunisia. in 1882 la galissonnière present in alexandria shortly before british bombarded before beginning of 1882 anglo-egyptian war. ship remained in mediterranean through 1883.

la galissonnière relieved half-sister victorieuse in april 1884 flagship of far east squadron, under command of vice admiral amédée courbet, in time participate in sino-french war of 1884–85. ship fought in late stages of battle of fuzhou in august 1884 when tried pass chinese fort (known french fort kimpaï) defending entrance min river. la galissonnière failed destroy fort , lightly damaged shell struck bow. damaged steam capstan , killed 1 man. ship supplied landing parties during battle of tamsui in october 1884, forced retreat chinese troops, although 9 men killed. nothing known of further participation la galissonnière in war. ordered home in february 1886 , laid last time in cherbourg upon return. ship condemned on 24 december 1894.