Navigatori class
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 The destroyer Nicolo Zeno
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| Technical specifications | |
| Ship type : | destroyer |
| Builders : |
Ansaldo , Sestri Ponente Odero , Sestri Ponente CN del Tirreno , Riva Trigoso CN Riuniti , Ancona CN del Quarnaro , Fiume |
| Displacement : | 1,935 , from 1940: 2125 ts standard 2,690 , from 1940: 2888 ts maximum |
| Length: | 107.2 m ( 1940: 109.3 m) |
| Width: | 10.2 m ( 1940: 11.2 m) |
| Draft : | 3.6 m ( 1940: 4.2 m) |
| Drive : | 4 steam boilers 2 steam turbines with single gear 55,000 HP (41,040 kW ) |
| Fuel supply: | 630 t heating oil |
| Speed : | 38 kn (70 km / h ) |
| Range : | 3,800 nm at 18 kn, 800 nm at 38 kn |
| Crew : | 173 to 225 men |
| Armament: | 6 × 120 mm L / 50 gun (3 × 2) 2 × 40 mm anti-aircraft guns - MK 8 × 13.2 mm anti-aircraft guns (3 × 2) 6 × 533 mm torpedo tube (2 × 3) 56 depth charges |
The Navigatori-class was a destroyer- class of the Italian Navy . The class consisted of twelve large destroyers named after Italian sailors, which were built in the late 1920s in response to the fast French ships of the Chacal and Guépard classes at five northern Italian shipyards. The ships completed between the end of 1929 and mid-1931 were initially referred to as "esploratóri" (explorers). In 1938 they were then reclassified to destroyers (Italian: cacciatorpediniere), as the reconnaissance tasks were now carried out by the Luftwaffe.
The ships were modernized in two phases until Italy entered the war in the summer of 1940 and were mainly used in escort protection during World War II. Only one ship, the Nicoloso da Recco , survived the war and was scrapped in 1954.
Technical specifications
The twelve ships of the class were relatively heavily armed with six 120 mm cannons of the 1926 model from Ansaldo , which were set up in three twin mounts. They were about the same height on the forecastle, about midships just before the rear chimney and at the stern behind the main mast on another deckhouse. The tubes could be increased up to 45 ° and the range of the guns was a maximum of 18,500 m. The twin mountings, which weighed over 20 t, pushed the ships' center of gravity far upwards. The anti-aircraft armament initially comprised two single 40 mm L / 39 guns of the Vickers Terni type similar to the British pom-pom on the side of the front funnel and four 13.2 mm anti-aircraft machine guns of the Breda type in twin mounts on the side of the bridge. As early as 1933/34, the destroyers received another pair of twin machine guns, which were placed behind the rear funnel. During the World War, this anti-aircraft armament was reinforced and the machine guns were replaced by up to nine 20 mm automatic cannons. From 1942 onwards, some units received a 37 mm L / 54 AA twin for the rear torpedo tube set. These automatic cannons were also developed by the Breda company.
Torpedo armament originally consisted of two 533 mm triplet sets. The temporary reduction to twin sets was lifted at the beginning of the war and a third, slightly raised launch tube was mounted on the sets. Except for Nicoloso da Recco , mine rails for up to 104 mines were also installed on all ships. For anti-submarine defense, the destroyers were equipped with two runways and two launchers for depth charges. The da Recco , completed as the eighth ship of the class, was completed as a lead ship and had a larger deckhouse aft with an admiral's cabin.
The ships of the class were originally fast up to 42 knots. The machine system consisted of two spatially separated sets of two steam boilers each with a steam turbine. The front drive set acted on the left propeller shaft, the rear on the right. This design was intended to prevent a hit in the engine room from rendering the ship propulsion and maneuverable. Water tube boilers of the Odero design were installed, only the four ships built in Fiume (now Rijeka) received Yarrow boilers . The Alvise da Mosto , Giovanni da Verrazzano , Antonio Pigafetta and Nicolo` Zeno , which were completed there, also received, unlike the other units, geared turbines of the Belluzzo design , which did not prove themselves and were soon replaced. While the six ships built on the west coast of Italy with Parsons turbines with simple gears were completed, the Emanuele Pessagno and da Recco built in Ancona received Tosi- type ships .
On November 16, 1929, the Luca Tarigo, built by Ansaldo in Genoa, was the first ship of the class to enter the service of the Regia Marina , which was followed by three more by the end of 1929. As the last ship of the class, the Pigafetta entered service with the Italian Navy on May 1, 1931 .
The biggest disadvantage of the Navigatori ships were the high, very heavy superstructures, which shifted the center of gravity too much upwards and thus caused a certain instability in unfavorable seas. In the 1930s this problem was rectified by renovations in two phases. The first changes in the years 1933 to 1934 shortened the superstructures and chimneys, removed existing side tanks and the middle 450 mm tube of the torpedo tube sets. The restriction to fuel oil tanks in the double floor reduced the fuel oil supply by 100 t and reduced the driving range. The second fundamental conversion of the ships took place in 1939/40. The ships were practically given a new outer skin, which they widened by 1 m. The bow was pulled higher and sloping to keep the forecastle drier. The overall length increased to 109.3 m and the draft to 4.6 m with a fuel oil supply of now 680 t. The armament was reinforced to two sets of torpedo tubes. There was also another pair of twin FlaMGs on board and two more depth charges. However, these measures led to a reduction in the maximum speed, they only reached maximum operational speeds of 28 to 29 knots and could no longer follow the heavy units. For this reason, the ships were mainly used during the Second World War to secure convoys to North Africa. The conversion work was completed when Italy entered the war on seven destroyers. With da Recco and Antonio Usodimare it was no longer carried out. The original displacement of 1935 t standard and 2580 t maximum increased due to the second conversion to 2125 t standard and 2888 t maximum. The dimensions and displacement of the various ships showed minor differences, as the five participating shipyards did not implement their construction lots ( series ) entirely according to a uniform standard.
Calls
The first big mission of the new class was the support of the formation flight Italo Balbos with fourteen Savoia Marchetti-SM-55TA double-hull flying boats from Italy to Brazil from December 17, 1930 to January 15, 1931 with eight units. The machines flew from Orbetello via Cartagena , Kenitra and Villa Cisneros to Bolama . There the machines started on January 5th to cross the South Atlantic to Natal . Two machines were lost in take-off accidents. The eight escort ships were distributed at intervals along the route. The lead ship da Recco was closest to the African coast, followed at intervals by Tarigo and the other six ships. Two planes had to make an emergency landing en route, first I-BAIS after a nine hour flight due to a radiator damage. The machine was found five hours later by the Pessagna trying to tow the flying boat to Fernando de Noronha . This turned out to be a significant problem, the tow rope tore several times and finally the machine was abandoned. I-DONA was more lucky with similar problems, as it landed about 750 km from Fernando de Noronha near the Leone Pancaldo , which it towed to the Brazilian island, from where the machine could rejoin the formation after its repair. The remaining eleven machines flew via Bahia to Rio de Janeiro. Shortly after the aircraft landed, the eight security ships entered the Bay of Rio.
When Italy joined the war in the summer of 1940, the twelve destroyers of the class formed the destroyer squadrons 14, 15 and 16 of the naval command in Taranto (1 a Squadra Navale ); however Tarigo , da Mosto and da Verrazzano were still under renovation.
Alvise Da Mosto
Built at the Quarnaro shipyard in Fiume , named after the navigator and explorer Alvise Cadamosto (1432-1488), put into service on March 15, 1931, the ship was from the British cruisers HMS Aurora and HMS Penelope on December 1, 1941 at Tripoli sunk.
- Association: 15th Destroyer Squadron, Taranto
- Identifier: DM
- Motto: In ogni rischio e con ogni poor
Antonio Da Noli
Built in Riva Trigoso near Genoa , named after the navigator and explorer Antonio da Noli (1419–1491), commissioned on December 29, 1929. From December 17, 1930 to January 15, 1931, the destroyer secured the formation flight Italo in the South Atlantic Balbos from Italy to Brazil. The British lost two destroyers in a mine lock off Cape Bon laid by the destroyer Da Noli .
On December 9, 1943 ran into mine off Bonifacio and sank.
- Association: 14th Destroyer Squadron, Taranto
- Identifier: DN
- Motto: Prendimi teco a l'ultima fortuna
Nicoloso Da Recco
Built at the CNR shipyard in Ancona , named after the Genoese navigator Nicoloso da Recco (14th century), put into service on May 20, 1930, decommissioned on July 15, 1954.
The destroyer secured the formation flight Balbos from Italy to Brazil from December 17, 1930 to January 15, 1931 in the South Atlantic. Involved in the Spanish Civil War from 1936 to 1938 . From 1940, mainly used for escort duties and for submarine hunting, shot down a number of British aircraft (four aircraft on June 21, 1942). Badly damaged on December 1, 1942 during an escort mission.
- Association: 16th Destroyer Squadron, Taranto
- Identifier: DR
- Motto: Ardisci e vinci
Giovanni Da Verrazzano
Built in Fiume, named after the navigator Giovanni da Verrazzano (1485–1528), commissioned on September 25, 1930, sunk by the British submarine HMS Unbending on October 19, 1942 near Lampedusa .
- Association: 15th Destroyer Squadron, Taranto
- Identifier: DV
- Motto: Ultra terminos ausus
Lanzerotto Malocello
Built at the Ansaldo shipyard in Genoa , named after the Genoese navigator Lancelotto Malocello (around 1300), commissioned on January 18, 1930, sunk north of Cape Bon on March 24, 1943 after being hit by a mine.
The destroyer secured the formation flight Balbos from Italy to Brazil from December 17, 1930 to January 15, 1931 in the South Atlantic. On June 28, 1935, during a nocturnal exercise, there was a collision with the Nicolò Zeno , with dead and injured and considerable property damage on both ships. The Lanzerotto Malocello took part in the Spanish Civil War from 1936 to 1938 . Shortly after Italy entered the war, the destroyer was involved in the naval battle near Punta Stilo , then it mainly secured convoys to North Africa. The ship has been attacked several times by British submarines and aircraft, some of which it was able to shoot down. In June 1942 it was used against the British Vigorous and Harpoon convoys and stood out in the defense of the damaged sister ship Ugolino Vivaldi . In autumn 1942 it was the only ship in its class to receive a German radar system. Used as a troop transport during the Battle of Tunisia , it ran into a mine near Tunis in the early morning of March 24, 1943 and sank.
- Association: 15th Destroyer Squadron, Taranto
- Identifier: MC (from 1942 MO)
- Motto: Impedimento non mi piega
Leone Pancaldo
Built in Riva Trigoso near Genoa, named after the navigator and participant in Magellan's circumnavigation León Pancaldo (1488–1538), put into service on November 30, 1929. The destroyer secured from December 17, 1930 to January 15, 1931 in the South Atlantic Formation flight Balbos from Italy to Brazil. Sunk by Allied warplanes on April 30, 1943 near Cape Bon.
In 1942 the ship received an Italian "EC3 Gufo" radar system .
- Association: 14th Destroyer Squadron, Taranto
- Identifier: PN
- Motto: D'aquila penne, ugne di leonessa
Emanuele Pessagno
Built by CNR in Ancona, named after the Genoese navigator Emanuele Pessagno (14th century), put into service on March 10, 1930. From December 17, 1930 to January 15, 1931, the destroyer secured the formation flight Balbos from Italy in the South Atlantic to Brasil. Sunk by the British submarine HMS Turbulent on May 29, 1942.
- Association: 16th Destroyer Squadron, Taranto
- Identifier: PE
- Motto: Superare e superarsi
Antonio Pigafetta
Built in Fiume, named after the Venetian navigator and participant in Magellan's circumnavigation Antonio Pigafetta (1491–1534), put into service on May 1, 1931. The destroyer secured the Balbos formation flight in the South Atlantic from December 17, 1930 to January 15, 1931 from Italy to Brazil.
The British submarine HMS Usk sunk west of Sicily on May 4, 1941 . After the armistice with the Allies on September 8, 1943, sunk by the crew in Fiume itself, lifted by the Germans and taken over as TA 44 . Sunk in the port of Trieste by Allied bombs on February 17, 1945.
- Association: 15th Destroyer Squadron, Taranto
- Identifier: PI
- Motto: L'onore più che la vita
Luca Tarigo
Built by Ansaldo in Genoa, named after the Genoese navigator and explorer Luca Tarigo (14th century), commissioned on November 16, 1929. From December 17, 1930 to January 15, 1931, the destroyer secured the Balbos formation flight in the South Atlantic from Italy to Brazil. The Luca Tarigo took part in the Spanish Civil War from 1936 to 1938 . Sunk by British destroyers during an escort mission on April 16, 1941, but still sunk the destroyer HMS Mohawk .
- Association: 16th Destroyer Squadron, Taranto
- Identifier: TA
- Motto: A voga arrancata, a spada tratta
Antoniotto Usodimare
Built at the Odero shipyard in Sestri Ponente near Genoa, named after the Genoese navigator and explorer Antoniotto Usodimare (15th century), commissioned on November 21, 1929. The destroyer secured from December 17, 1930 to January 15 In 1931 the formation flight Balbos from Italy to Brazil in the South Atlantic. Took part in the first sea battle in the Gulf of Syrte in December 1941 , sank the British submarine P38 on February 25, 1942 together with the torpedo boat Circe . Accidentally sunk by the Italian submarine Alagi on June 8, 1942 .
- Association: 16th Destroyer Squadron, Taranto
- Identifier: US
- Motto: Navigare necesse (Eng .: seafaring is necessary )
Ugolino Vivaldi
Built by Odero in Sestri Ponente, named after the Genoese navigator and explorer Ugolino Vivaldi (13th century), commissioned on March 6, 1930. The destroyer secured the formation flight in the South Atlantic from December 17, 1930 to January 15, 1931 Balbos from Italy to Brazil.
Rammed and sank the British submarine HMS Oswald on August 1, 1940 off Eastern Sicily , distinguished itself together with the Lanzerotto Malocello on June 15, 1942 at Pantelleria against a superior British destroyer formation, but was badly damaged. Was sunk by German fighter planes off Bonifacio after the armistice on September 10, 1943 .
- Association: 14th Destroyer Squadron, Taranto
- Identifier: VI
- Motto: Con la prora diritta a gloria ea morte
Nicolò Zeno
Built in Fiume, named after the Venetian navigator, explorer and cartographer Nicolò Zeno , put into service on May 27, 1930, lost on September 9, 1943.
On May 4, 1941, together with the Antonio Pigafetta, sank the British submarine HMS Usk west of Sicily.
- Association: 15th Destroyer Squadron, Taranto
- Identifier: ZE
- Motto: Più oltre
photos
Destroyer Zeno, 1941
Destroyer Zeno, around 1940
