Italian destroyer Saetta

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
Saetta, date unknown
History
Kingdom of Italy
NameSaetta
Builder
Riva Trigoso
Laid down27 May 1929
Launched17 January 1932
Completed10 May 1932
FateSunk by mine, 3 February 1943
General characteristics (as built)
Class and typeFreccia-class destroyer
Displacement
Length96.15 m (315 ft 5 in)
Beam9.75 m (32 ft 0 in)
Draught3.15 m (10 ft 4 in)
Installed power
  • 3
    Thornycroft boilers
  • 44,000 
    kW
    )
Propulsion2 shafts; 2 geared steam turbines
Speed30 knots (56 km/h; 35 mph)
Range4,600 nmi (8,500 km; 5,300 mi) at 12 knots (22 km/h; 14 mph)
Complement185
Armament
  • 2 × twin
    120 mm (4.7 in) guns
  • 2 × single
    AA guns
  • 2 × twin
    13.2 mm (0.52 in) machine guns
  • 2 × triple 533 mm (21 in) torpedo tubes
  • 2 × depth charge throwers
  • 54 mines

Saetta was one of four Freccia-class destroyers built for the Regia Marina (Royal Italian Navy) in the early 1930s. Completed in 1932, she served in World War II. She played a minor role in the Spanish Civil War of 1936–1939, supporting the Nationalists.

Design and description

The Freccia-class destroyers were enlarged and improved versions of the preceding Turbine class.[1] They had an overall length of 96.15 meters (315 ft 5 in), a beam of 9.75 meters (32 ft 0 in) and a mean draft of 3.15 meters (10 ft 4 in).[2] They displaced 1,225 metric tons (1,206 long tons) at standard load, and 2,150 metric tons (2,120 long tons) at deep load.[3] Their complement during wartime was 185 officers and enlisted men.[4]

The Freccias were powered by two

kW) and a speed of 30 knots (56 km/h; 35 mph) in service, although the ships reached speeds of 38–39 knots (70–72 km/h; 44–45 mph) during their sea trials while lightly loaded. They carried enough fuel oil to give them a range of 4,600 nautical miles (8,500 km; 5,300 mi) at a speed of 12 knots (22 km/h; 14 mph).[1]

Their

13.2-millimeter (0.52 in) machine guns.[4] They were equipped with six 533-millimeter (21 in) torpedo tubes in two triple mounts amidships. Although the ships were not provided with a sonar system for anti-submarine work, they were fitted with a pair of depth charge throwers.[1] The Freccias could carry 54 mines.[3]

Construction and career

Saetta was

French Tunisia, on 11 August 1937.[5]

Citations

  1. ^ a b c Brescia, p. 116
  2. ^ a b Whitley, p. 165
  3. ^ a b c Fraccaroli, p. 51
  4. ^ a b c Roberts, p. 299
  5. ^ Frank, p. 96

Bibliography

  • Brescia, Maurizio (2012). Mussolini's Navy: A Reference Guide to the Regina Marina 1930–45. Annapolis, Maryland: Naval Institute Press. .
  • Fraccaroli, Aldo (1968). Italian Warships of World War II. Shepperton, UK: Ian Allan. .
  • Frank, Willard C. Jr. (1989). "Question 12/88". Warship International. XXVI (1): 95–97. .
  • Roberts, John (1980). "Italy". In Chesneau, Roger (ed.). Conway's All the World's Fighting Ships 1922–1946. New York: Mayflower Books. pp. 280–317. .
  • .
  • .

External links