Farfadet-class submarine

The "Farfadet"-class submarines were a group of submarines built for the French Navy at the beginning of the 20th century. There were four vessels in this class, of the Maugas type. They had little success in service and were converted to other use after the loss of two vessels in diving accidents. All were disposed of prior to the outbreak of the First World War.
Design and construction.
The "Farfadet"s were designed by Gabriel Maugas, an early French submarine engineer at the Rochefort Naval Dockyard. The "Farfadet"s were single-hulled, and powered by electric motors only, limiting their range and surface performance compared to the contemporary "Sirene" class. However they had variable-pitch propellers, developed by Maugas, obviating the need for a reversing engine.
Service history.
The "Farfadet"s were ordered as part of the French Navy's 1899 building programme, and were constructed over the next three years at the naval dockyards at Rochefort. However they were not successful in service; "Farfadet" was lost in a diving accident in July 1905, and "Lutin" in October 1906. "Farfadet" was raised and recommissioned as "Follet", remaining in service until 1911, but the other three vessels were disarmed and converted to other use.