Service History
Bouvet was laid down in Lorient on 16 January 1893, and launched on 27 April 1896. After completing fitting-out work, she was commissioned into the French Navy in June 1898. In 1903, Bouvet was replaced in the Mediterranean Squadron by the new battleship Suffren; she in turn replaced the old ironclad battleship Dévastation in the Northern Squadron. The Squadron remained in commission for only six months of the year. During the annual fleet maneuvers in July–August 1903, Bouvet served as the flagship of Admiral Gervais, the neutral observer for the simulated battles. During the maneuvers off Golfe-Juan, the battleship Gaulois accidentally rammed Bouvet on 31 January 1903, though both vessels emerged largely undamaged.
By 1906, Bouvet had returned to the Mediterranean Squadron, which was under the command of Vice Admiral Touchard. Following the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in Naples in April 1906, Bouvet and the battleships Iéna and Gaulois aided survivors of the disaster. The annual summer fleet exercises were conducted in July and August; during the maneuvers, Bouvet nearly collided with the battleship Gaulois again. She was assigned to the Second Squadron of the Mediterranean Squadron by 1908; she was retained on active service for the year, but with a reduced crew.
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