Maestrale-class destroyer
 | This article includes a list of general references, but it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations. (January 2013) |
 Scirocco at anchor
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| Class overview | |
|---|---|
| Name | Maestrale class |
| Operators | |
| Preceded by | Folgore class |
| Succeeded by | Oriani class |
| Built | 1931–1934 |
| In commission | 1934–1965 |
| Completed | 4 |
| Lost | 3 |
| Scrapped | 1 |
| General characteristics (as built) | |
| Type | Destroyer |
| Displacement | |
| Length | 106.7 m (350 ft 1 in) |
| Beam | 10.15 m (33 ft 4 in) |
| Draught | 3.31–4.3 m (10 ft 10 in – 14 ft 1 in) |
| Installed power |
|
| Propulsion | 2 shafts; 2 geared steam turbines |
| Speed | 32–33 knots (59–61 km/h; 37–38 mph) |
| Range | 2,600–2,800 nmi (4,800–5,200 km; 3,000–3,200 mi) at 18 knots (33 km/h; 21 mph) |
| Complement | 7 officers and 166 men |
| Armament |
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The Maestrale class were a group of destroyers built for the Regia Marina (Royal Italian Navy) and served in World War II. They formed the basis for subsequent Italian destroyer designs; the Oriani and Soldati classes.
Design and description
The Maestrale-class destroyers were a completely new design intended to rectify the
deep load.[1] They displaced 1,640 metric tons (1,610 long tons) at normal load, and 2,243 metric tons (2,208 long tons) at deep load.[3] Their complement during wartime was 190 officers and enlisted men.[4]
The Maestrales were powered by two
kW) and a speed of 32–33 knots (59–61 km/h; 37–38 mph) in service, although they reached speeds of 38–39 knots (70–72 km/h; 44–45 mph) during their sea trials while lightly loaded. The ships carried enough fuel oil to give them a range of 2,600–2,800 nautical miles (4,800–5,200 km; 3,000–3,200 mi) at a speed of 18 knots (33 km/h; 21 mph) and 690 nmi (1,280 km; 790 mi) at a speed of 33 knots (61 km/h; 38 mph).[1]
Their
13.2-millimeter (0.52 in) machine guns. 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 Maestrales could carry 56 mines.[3]
Ships
- Maestrale (North-West wind)
- Built by CT Riva Trigoso,
- completed 2 September 1934.
- Damaged by a mine on 9 January 1943, she was scuttled on 9 September 1943 during the Italian Armisticewhile being repaired in Genoa.
- Grecale (North-East wind)
- Built by CNR Ancona,
- completed 15 November 1934.
- She survived the war and served in the Marina Militareuntil 1964.
- Libeccio (South-West wind)
- Built by CNR Ancona,
- Laid down 29 Sep 1931
- Launched 4 July 1934
- completed 23 November 1934.
- She was sunk on 9 November 1941 by the British submarine Upholder.
- Scirocco (South-East wind)
- Built by CT Riva Trigoso,
- Completed 21 October 1934.
- Sunk in a storm following the Second Battle of Sirte on 23 March 1942, with only two survivors among the 236-strong crew.
Notes
Bibliography
- Brescia, Maurizio (2012). Mussolini's Navy: A Reference Guide to the Regina Marina 1930–45. Annapolis, Maryland: Naval Institute Press. ISBN 978-1-59114-544-8.
- Campbell, John (1985). Naval Weapons of World War Two. Annapolis, Maryland: Naval Institute Press. ISBN 0-87021-459-4.
- Fraccaroli, Aldo (1968). Italian Warships of World War II. Shepperton, UK: Ian Allan. ISBN 0-7110-0002-6.
- 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. ISBN 0-8317-0303-2.
- ISBN 1-59114-119-2.
- Smigielski, Adam (1995). "Italy". In Chumbley, Stephen (ed.). Conway's All the World's Fighting Ships 1947-1995. Annapolis, Maryland: Naval Institute Press. pp. 195–218. ISBN 1-55750-132-7.
- ISBN 1-85409-521-8.
External links
- page from Uboat.net
- Maestrale-class destroyer Marina Militare website
 Regia Marina | |
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 Marina Militare | |
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Italian destroyers, frigates and corvette classes post-1945 | ||
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| Destroyers |  | |
| Frigates | ||
| Corvettes | ||