Explosive boat MAT
 The MAT
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The explosive vessel MAT (MAT = Motoscafo Avia Transporto) was, next to the explosive vessel MA , the second prototype of a light explosive vessel of the Italian Navy , which was commissioned by the Italian Naval Office in 1935 to test the effectiveness of small and faster operating small combat units against larger naval units . After the end of the Abyssinian War , however, this project was pursued only half-heartedly. After an extensive series of tests, there were no military deployments. However, this prototype formed the basis for further developments of Italian explosive devices.
Specifications
The specifications of the explosive vessel MAT are almost identical to those of the explosive vessel MA. The hull, which was again made of wood, was supplied by the Baglietto shipyard in Varazze . However, the side height of the boat was increased by 10 cm to 1.05 m in order to be able to maneuver the boat more smoothly in stronger seas. The engines were again supplied by the company CABI from Milan . As before, both companies had only been instructed by the Italian Navy about the technical specifications and dimensions of the boat. With regard to the intended use, the boat was still subject to military secrecy. After completion and delivery of the hull and the technical components, the explosive boat was finally assembled by the Italian Navy. According to its purpose, 330 kg of Trilolital explosives were installed in the bow of the boat . It was launched in November 1936. The steering position of the explosive vessel was located in the stern area in order to ensure even weight distribution between the explosive charge (bow), pilot and machine (stern). In front of the pilot, all the operating and control instruments of the explosive device were also housed. In addition, the pilot had a magnetic compass and paddles, which should allow a noiseless stalking of the enemy.
Intended use
The purpose of the explosive device was that the pilot should slowly approach his target and, from a certain distance or his discovery, should race towards it at full load. Between 100 and 200 meters before the impact, the pilot should block all command devices of the blasting boat and unlock the explosive charge. Immediately afterwards he was to be catapulted out with a small detonator with a floating raft lying on the boat. If this failed, he had to jump off. If the bomb hit its target, an ignition mechanism (palmola) attached to the bow was triggered. This in turn triggered a small explosive belt that ran through the boat amidships. The boat should break in two. The bow of the ship in which the explosives were located was delayed by a water pressure detonator set to a depth of one meter. With this, the attacked enemy ship should be maximally damaged or sunk.
Individual evidence
- ↑ Harald Fock: Naval small weapons. Manned torpedoes, small submarines, small speedboats, explosives yesterday - today - tomorrow. Nikol, Hamburg 1996, ISBN 3-930656-34-5 , pp. 109-110.
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