Belfort.

About Belfort

Belfort was an aviso of the Arras class, also known as the Amiens class, that was operated by Aéropostale and served in the Second World War with the Free French Naval Forces. Designed as fast escorts, the ships had a primary armament of two 138.6-millimetre (5 in) guns and depth charges. Launched in 1919, the vessel underwent testing until 1922, being then sent to Cherbourg to act as a guard ship. In 1928, Belfort was one of six avisos that were selected to support the Aéropostale airmail service between France and Brazil. Each lent for the nominal amount of one franc, the ships were ultimately responsible for the entire Atlantic crossing until they were replaced in 1930 by dedicated vessels. Belfort was then transferred to Lorient as a seaplane tender, one of the main guns being removed to accommodate a crane to lift aircraft. In this capacity, the vessel assisted in the search for survivors of a crashed Saro Cloud flying boat in 1936. During the Second World War, Belfort participated in the evacuations of Dunkirk and Le Havre and was subsequently an accommodation ship in Greenock. After the conflict, the ship was retired and sold to be broken up in 1946.