REGIA MARINA / ITALIAN NAVY (ITALY)

Project history: Ordered in 1926 as the answer to new French leaders of Jaguar and Guépard classes. They have received names in honour of known Italian navigators, and all series is known as "Navigatori" type. At laying down they concerned to destroyers, but even before commission ships were re-rated as scouts ("esploratori"). Feature of "Navigatori" type became machinery arrangement en echelon, that theoretically raised battle immunity. Transition to new 120mm/50 guns became other important innovation. For the account of higher firing rate of new guns "Navigatori" with three twin mounts not only did not yield, but also exceeded previous Leone class with four twin mounts of the old model. Torpedo mounts on these ships were unusual enough on a construction: from three tubes central one was intended for 450mm torpedoes, and side tubes for 533mm torpedoes.

On trials, traditionally for Italy conducted at underload, ships have shown phenomenal speed under 40kts, and Da Mosto 43.5kts. But, as well as in a case with other Italian destroyers, at daily service "Navigatori" seldom could exceed 32kts.

Operating experience has opened significant miscalculations at stability definition on a design stage. For elimination of this lack in the early thirties all ships of this type have passed modernization in which course on one circle the superstructure has been dropped on one level, the height of funnels was moderated and side oil fuel tanks were liquidated, instead of them for fuel storage double bottom space was used. In completion of everything, both TTs lost central 450mm tube. The enumerated measures have allowed to improve a little a situation with stability, but have not removed other generic "Navigatori" lack: bad seaworthiness, especially strong deck wetness of a fore end in fresh weather.

In the late thirties, after 10 years of service "Navigatori" have passed the second modernization directed in basic on the improvement of seaworthiness. A hull beam have increased by 1m, and fore end have raised, having given to it yacht-shaped lines and appreciable rise to a stem. At the expense of usage of the increased hull volume a fuel stowage was increased to 680t. Also central torpedo tube was installed again, now also 533mm. Growth of displacement and hull dimensions has led to fall of speed to 27-28kts. In 1938 these ships were re-rated again as destroyers.

Modernizations: 1933 - 1934, all: oil stowage was decreased to 533t; - 2 x 3 - (1 - 450, 2 - 533) TT; + 2 x 2 - 13.2/76, 2 x 2 - 533 TT

1939 - 1940, all except Nicolosso da Recco and Antonio Usodimare: breadth was increased to 11.2 m, stem rebuilt (dimensions were 109.3x11.2x4.20m, displacement 2125/2888t, max speed 34kts, 680t of oil fuel); - 2 x 2 - 533 TT; + 2 x 2 - 13.2/76, 2 x 3 - 533 TT, 2 DCT

1939 - 1940, Nicolosso da Recco: - 56 mines; + 2 DCT

1939 - 1940, Antonio Usodimare: + 2 DCT

mid-1940 - late 1941, Alvise da Mosto, Giovanni di Verazzano, Lanzerotto Malocello, Emanuele Pessagno, Luca Tarigo, Antonio Usodimare, Ugolini Vivaldi, Nicoló Zeno: - 2 x 1 - 40/39, 4 x 2 - 13.2/76; + 7 x 1 - 20/65 Breda 1940

mid-1940 - late 1941, Antonio da Noli: - 2 x 1 - 40/39, 4 x 2 - 13.2/76; + 7 x 1 - 20/70 Scotti-Isotta Fraschini 1939

mid-1940 - late 1941, Nicolosso da Recco, Antonio Pigafetta: - 2 x 1 - 40/39, 4 x 2 - 13.2/76; + 2 x 1 - 20/70 Scotti-Isotta Fraschini 1939, 7 x 1 - 20/65 Breda 1940

mid-1940 - late 1941, Leone Pancaldo: - 2 x 1 - 40/39, 4 x 2 - 13.2/76; + 9 x 1 - 20/65 Breda 1940

1941-1942, some survived: + S-Gerät sonar

1942, Antonio da Noli, Nicolosso da Recco, Lanzerotto Malocello, Leone Pancaldo, Antonio Pigafetta, Ugolini Vivaldi, Nicoló Zeno: - 1 x 3 - 533 TT; + 2 x 1 - 37/54 Breda 1939

1942-1943, Leone Pancaldo, Nicolosso da Recco: + EC.3/ter radar

1943, Lanzerotto Malocello: + FuMO 39 radar

Naval service: Luca Tarigo 16.4.1941 was sunk by British destroyers Nubian, Jervis and Janus in Mediterranean sea. Alvise da Mosto 10.12.1941 was sunk by gunfire of British cruiser Penelope and destroyers Lance and Lively NW off Tripoli. Antonio Usodimare 8.6.1942 was wrongly sunk by Italian submarine Alagi in Sicilian channel. Giovanni di Varazzano 19.10.1942 was sunk by British submarine Unbending S off Pantelleria. Lanzerotto Malocello 24.3.1943 was sunk by mines laid by British minelayer Abdiel at coast of Tunisia. Leone Pancaldo 30.4.1943 was sunk by American aircraft at coast of Tunisia. Emanuele Pessagno 29.5.1943 was sunk by British submarine Turbulent in 75nm NW off Bengasi. Antonio da Noli 9.9.1943 was hard damaged by German coastal guns at N coast of Sardinia and has sunk in 5nm from a shore by a mine. Ugolini Vivaldi 9.9.1943 was hard damaged by German coastal guns and aircraft and has sunk 10.9.1943 at Sardinia. Nicoló Zeno 9.9.1943 was scuttled at Trieste where she passed repair after collision with destroyer da Noli. Antonio Pigafetta was captured by German troops in September, 1943, renamed TA44 and scuttled by crew at Trieste 17.2.1945.

Antonio da Noli 1942

Nicoloso da Recco 1953

© Ivan Gogin, 2009-15