Formes de radoub de l'arsenal

English translation

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History

Three forms of dry dock, masonry basins serving for the construction and repair of ship hulls, were established in the arsenal. The oldest, called the "old Form", is the first of this type built in France on an English model, and that as early as the 1670s, by engineer Le Vau. The second, consisting of two basins and called the "Double Form", was built between 1683 and 1725 a few hundred metres from the first. Two innovations are introduced there: it is closed by a caisson gate and the walls are no longer straight but in steps, so as to facilitate work inside. In the 18th century, a hydraulic machine comprising three bucket chains, operated by a horse-powered mill, emptied the water contained in the basins after the closing of the gates. Finally, the third form, called Napoleon III, was built from 1853 to 1861 to accommodate and repair the large warships manufactured at that time. It was also closed by a caisson gate. These three basins, which form a remarkable ensemble, have recently been de-silted and restored.