Iéna

History: Iéna was a pre-dreadnought battleship built for the French Navy (Marine Nationale). Completed in 1902, Iéna was assigned to the Mediterranean Squadron and remained there for the duration of her career, frequently serving as a flagship. She participated in the annual fleet manoeuvres and made many visits to French ports in the Mediterranean. In 1907, while docked for repairs, 120 people died and Iéna was badly damaged by a magazine explosion that was probably caused by the decomposition of old Poudre B propellant. Multiple investigations were launched afterwards and the ensuing scandal forced the Navy Minister to resign. While it was possible to repair her, the ship was not thought worth the time or expense. Her salvaged hulk was used as a gunnery target in 1909 before it was sold for scrap in 1912.

Type: Battleship

SubType: Pre-Dreadnought

Primary Country: France is one of Europe’s largest countries. It is bordered by six countries other nations: Germany, Belgium and Luxembourg to the northeast, Switzerland and Italy to the southeast and Spain to the southwest. The United Kingdom borders France via the English Channel. The country is considered to be the gateway to Europe as there are several large international airports (two of these can be found in Paris), ferry terminals and the French rail service.

In 486, Frankish tribes unified under Merovingian kingship. In 843, Western Francia was established from the division of the Carolingian Empire. In 1789, the French monarchy was overthrown, and in 1792, the First French Republic was founded. In 1958, the Fifth French Republic was established.