How do HMS Gannet and the French Forbin class compare?
Short answerThey look comparable, but Gannet had a clearer imperial-presence purpose while Forbin reflected different and less coherent French priorities.
NotesGannet is presented as a clear imperial-presence cruiser with a recognizable British mission. The French Forbin design emerged from a more muddled mix of purposes under Jeune École influence. Britain might have employed a Forbin-like ship as a larger Gannet, but that was not the role French policy had in mind. The comparison shows why similar-looking hulls cannot be understood without the strategic ideas and imperial requirements behind them.