The Atlantic Ghost Fleet – Battle Ships, France

Ghost Ships - War Ships

The mothballed Atlantic Fleet consists of a number of warships, moored in a bay. The fleet includes an anti-aircraft missile cruiser with weaponry in tact.

Visited October 2014  France France Mothballed

Somewhere along the coast of France, Proj3ct M4yh3m and I make our descent down the near sheer cliffs surrounding a large bay. Out of the darkness we catch a glimpse of the ghost ships – a fleet of warships silhouetted against the night sky. Overwhelmed with excitement and nerves we know we still have to get to the fleet, moored in three clusters around 100 metres from the shore. Focus! We have to keep our gear dry, avoid the regular Gendarmerie Maritime patrols and most importantly fight the strong currents. In the water, emotions run high as we approach the gigantic vessels, we are dwarfed by the imposing hulks looming above us.

Atlantic Ghost Fleet - Some of the ships moored offshore
Atlantic Ghost Fleet – Some of the ships moored offshore

Our target is the largest of the fleet – a huge anti-aircraft missile cruiser. The ship was the flagship of the French Navy for many years after it was built in the 1950s, and was in operation until the 1990s. The warship was built with 16 x 127mm Anti Aircraft guns and 20 x 57mm mod51 guns. The battleship was later upgraded to become a missile cruiser and was fitted with MM-38 Exocet systems, 4 x Masurca Missile system, various anti aircraft guns, and could carry one helicopter. The cruiser is now mothballed so spare parts can be salvaged when needed.

After boarding the ship we begin to look around. The vast array of radar systems tower above us, we pass by the huge anti aircraft guns and make our way inside. The very first thing we discover is one of the huge Masurca missiles, suspended in it’s launching system ready to be fired.

Atlantic Ghost Fleet - Exocet Missile suspended in launching system
Atlantic Ghost Fleet – Exocet Missile suspended in launching system
Atlantic Ghost Fleet - Masurca launch system
Atlantic Ghost Fleet – Masurca launch system
 
Atlantic Ghost Fleet - Missile launcher
Atlantic Ghost Fleet – Missile launcher
Atlantic Ghost Fleet - Exocet Missile Launching and Guidance Control Desk
Atlantic Ghost Fleet – Exocet Missile Launching and Guidance Control Desk

Continuing the explore we make our way deeper into the bowels of the ship. The silence of the night is broken by the incessant screeching and creaking noises of metal on metal as the rusting vessel rubs along the smaller ships moored at either side of it. As we make our way below the waterline the surface of the sea can clearly be heard sloshing against the sides and we realise we are now deep inside. A maze of doors and tight spaces, a quick glance around and we wonder which way we came from, we need to keep our wits about us otherwise we could be lost for a long time in there.

Atlantic Ghost Fleet - Room full of sinks
Atlantic Ghost Fleet – Room full of sinks
Atlantic Ghost Fleet - Machinery
Atlantic Ghost Fleet – Machinery
 
Atlantic Ghost Fleet - Corridor
Atlantic Ghost Fleet – Corridor
Atlantic Ghost Fleet - Briefing room
Atlantic Ghost Fleet – Briefing room
Atlantic Ghost Fleet - Mess room
Atlantic Ghost Fleet – Mess room
 
Atlantic Ghost Fleet - Kitchen
Atlantic Ghost Fleet – Kitchen

We’d been exploring the systems down below for a while, but realised there was something big we hadn’t seen yet…. The bridge! Heading up we make our way towards the front and soon discover the radio room. We must be close, so stop off to photograph the multitude of receivers and transmitters. Up further and woah!! we’re in the radar room. Just behind the bridge, for me this was probably the most impressive room, crammed full of screens and monitoring equipment, along with weapons tracking and firing systems.

Atlantic Ghost Fleet - Transmitters and Receivers in the Radio Room
Atlantic Ghost Fleet – Transmitters and Receivers in the Radio Room
Atlantic Ghost Fleet - Radio equipment
Atlantic Ghost Fleet – Radio equipment
 
Atlantic Ghost Fleet - Control Panel
Atlantic Ghost Fleet – Control Panel
Atlantic Ghost Fleet - Vast amount of equipment in the radar room
Atlantic Ghost Fleet – Vast amount of equipment in the radar room
Atlantic Ghost Fleet - Radar Room
Atlantic Ghost Fleet – Radar Room
Atlantic Ghost Fleet - Console
Atlantic Ghost Fleet – Console
 
Atlantic Ghost Fleet - Chair at radar console
Atlantic Ghost Fleet – Chair at radar console
Atlantic Ghost Fleet - Chair in front of many radar consoles
Atlantic Ghost Fleet – Chair in front of many radar consoles
Atlantic Ghost Fleet - Equipment in the radar room
Atlantic Ghost Fleet – Equipment in the radar room

As the night goes on we can feel the movement of the boat increase to alarming levels. Checking out of the windows we can see the rain is coming down heavily, so we venture outside to check on the weather. Just opening the door against the gale force winds that have picked up was a struggle! This isn’t good – there is no way we can get back to shore while this storm persists and the Chunnel train won’t wait for us!

Atlantic Ghost Fleet - The Bridge
Atlantic Ghost Fleet – The Bridge
Atlantic Ghost Fleet - Bridge
Atlantic Ghost Fleet – Bridge
 
Atlantic Ghost Fleet - Captains seat
Atlantic Ghost Fleet – Captains seat
Atlantic Ghost Fleet - View across the bridge
Atlantic Ghost Fleet – View across the bridge

As the sun rises and the rain pours we venture out onto the deck to grab some externals. The vast array of weaponry becomes apparent and we discover the huge Exocet missiles mounted on the stern. We grab a few shots and miraculously, right at the last moment before we have to leave, the storm clears just enough for us to head back to shore – bursting the dinghy as we hit the shore and missing the early morning patrol boat by minutes. One high-five later and we’ve finished the best explore we’ve ever been on!

Atlantic Ghost Fleet - On the deck viewed from the front of the ship
Atlantic Ghost Fleet – On the deck viewed from the front of the ship
Atlantic Ghost Fleet - Chain on deck
Atlantic Ghost Fleet – Chain on deck
 
Atlantic Ghost Fleet - On the deck
Atlantic Ghost Fleet – On the deck
Atlantic Ghost Fleet - Anchor
Atlantic Ghost Fleet – Anchor
Atlantic Ghost Fleet - Anti Aircraft Guns
Atlantic Ghost Fleet – Anti Aircraft Guns
Atlantic Ghost Fleet - Masurca Missiles on deck
Atlantic Ghost Fleet – Masurca Missiles on deck
Atlantic Ghost Fleet - Masurca Missiles
Atlantic Ghost Fleet – Masurca Missiles
 
Atlantic Ghost Fleet - Twin missiles
Atlantic Ghost Fleet – Twin missiles
Atlantic Ghost Fleet - Side view of two of the four Masurca Missiles
Atlantic Ghost Fleet – Side view of two of the four Masurca Missiles
Atlantic Ghost Fleet - Vast array of weaponry on board
Atlantic Ghost Fleet – Vast array of weaponry and radar systems on board
Further Reading
If you liked this report please also see Proj3ct M4yh3m's Atlantic Ghost Fleet report on his website
Author: Andy Kay | Facebook | Flickr | Instagram

13 thoughts on The Atlantic Ghost Fleet – Battle Ships, France

    • We didn’t get any kind of authorisation, but that is not say you are allowed on board. They patrol the waters and check the ships regularly to keep people away.

    • Thanks for your answer! In Potugal is not allowed too, and that’s why my question. You did a really good job, and this work turns in one of my favorites. Congrats!

  1. This missiles on board twin launchers are not Exocets… This is Marusca (moreless same with RIM67 (SM-1ER or SM-2ER)).

    • Thank you for the info. I had read up on the ships weaponry but confused Exocet and Marsurca when titling the images. I’ve corrected the report.

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