 Charles Martel was laid down in January April 1891 and launched in August 1893 . After completing fitting @-@ out work , she was commissioned into the French Navy in June 1897 . She was delayed in completing her sea trials , as her boiler tubes had to be replaced with a safer , weld @-@ less design , following an accident aboard Jauréguiberry with her welded tubes . Following her commissioning for service , she was assigned to the Mediterranean Squadron . In 1900 , she became the flagship of Rear Admiral Roustan , the commander of the Second Division of the Mediterranean Squadron . The Mediterranean Squadron , including Charles Martel , conducted an extensive cruise with the Northern Squadron in June – July 1900 , which culminated in a Grand Review of the fleet in Cherbourg at the end of July . During the 1901 maneuvers , Charles Martel was hit by a training torpedo fired by the submarine Gustave Zédé , which created an uproar in the press . 
