Melilla 1938
| Name | No | Yard No | Builder | Laid down | Launched | Comp | Fate |
| Melilla (ex-Falco, ex-Viscol) | Pattison, Naples, Italy | 3.1914 | 26.7.1916 | 2.1917 // 10.1937 | stricken 11.1950 | ||
| Ceuta (ex-Aquila, ex-Vifor) | Pattison, Naples, Italy | 8.1916 | 16.8.1919 | 1.1920 // 10.1937 | stricken 4.1948 |
|
Displacement standard, t |
1410 |
|
Displacement full, t |
1820 |
|
Length, m |
94.3 wl 94.7 oa |
|
Breadth, m |
9.47 |
|
Draught, m |
3.35 normal 3.60 max |
|
No of shafts |
2 |
|
Machinery |
2 Tosi steam turbines, 5 Thornycroft boilers |
|
Power, h. p. |
40000 |
|
Max speed, kts |
34 |
|
Fuel, t |
oil 270 |
|
Endurance, nm(kts) |
1700(15) |
|
Armament |
2 x 2 - 120/45 Schneider-Canet-Armstrong 1918-19, 2 x 1 - 76/40 Ansaldo 1917, 4 x 1 - 6.5/80, 2 x 2 - 450 TT, 50 mines, 1 DCR |
|
Complement |
160 |
Project history: Former Italian destroyers, ordered in Italy by Romania in number of four in 1913, after
joining of Italy into the First World War
they were requisitioned by Italian Government 5.6.1915 and completed for Italian
Navy as "esploratori" ("scouts"). In 1920 two ships were redeemed by Romania, two
(Aquila, ex-Vifor) and (Falco, ex-Viscol) remained Italian. In September, 1937
they were bought by Government of Spanish Nationalists and transferred to Spanish crews 10.10.1937. For concealment of fact of purchase both ship up to termination of Civil war stood out for
Nationalists destroyer Velasco, in this connection till 1939 they carried fictitious double
names Velasco-Melilla and Velasco-Ceuta and for similarity with
Velasco false fourth funnel was installed. They were officially stricken by
Italian Navy only 6.1.1939.
By the moment of acquisition by Nationalists both ships were in bad technical condition and had worn out
machinery in which constantly there were accidents.
They differed also by small endurance.
Modernizations: 1938, both: + 4 x 1 - 20/65 C/30
Naval service: After 1939 both served mainly as TSs.
© Ivan Gogin, 2011-15