During her initial trials, Descartes sailed to Cherbourg for Tsar Nicholas II's August 1896 visit. France wanted its newest and best ships visible because Russia was an important ally. The cruiser served as a diplomatic symbol before her stability and funnel problems had been resolved. Her construction schedule had to accommodate the practical demands of the Franco-Russian Alliance.
Notable Point · 24:09-24:21
Descartes represents France during Nicholas II's Cherbourg visit
Before her trials were complete, the new cruiser was displayed for Russia's tsar as France put its newest warships behind an important alliance.