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120 Mm Italian Naval Gun
Italian 120 millimetre naval guns were standard main armament on Italian destroyers and were widely used on various other ships and coastal artillery. The 50-calibre guns used a charge of of smokeless powder to push a projectile to a velocity of . Velocity was later reduced to , which gave a maximum range of at 45° elevation or at 35° elevation. Variants of similar designs were built by Ansaldo, OTO, Vickers, Schneider, Canet and Armstrong. Older and shorter-barreled guns have different ballistics as noted below. 40-caliber Armstrong 1889 and 1891 These were British QF Mark I and III guns used as coastal artillery and as star shell guns aboard ''Littorio''-class battleships. 50-calibre M1909 These guns formed the original secondary battery of ''Andrea Doria'' and ''Conte di Cavour''-class battleships and were later used for coastal artillery. They fired a projectile at . 45-caliber Armstrong 1918 These guns were developed from the older 40-calibre models a ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Italian World War II Destroyers
The Italian destroyers of World War II comprised a mix of old warship designs dating from World War I and some of the most modern of their type in the world. These destroyers (Italian: ''cacciatorpediniere'') also varied in size from enlarged torpedo-boats to ''esploratori'' (an Italian designation for large destroyers approaching light cruiser size). During the war, Italian destroyers were responsible for the safe flow of convoys to supply the Axis armies in North Africa and for the suppression of British submarines. 71 Italian destroyers served during World War II (including those captured from Yugoslavia and France). 43 of these were sunk during the war against the Allies. After Italy surrendered to the Allies, a further 15 destroyers were sunk by the Germans or scuttled to prevent capture. 13 destroyers survived the war, most of which were ceded to France and the Soviet Union. 5 were retained by the postwar Marina Militare. Design evolution The operational are ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Armed Merchant Cruiser
An armed merchantman is a merchant ship equipped with guns, usually for defensive purposes, either by design or after the fact. In the days of sail, piracy and privateers, many merchantmen would be routinely armed, especially those engaging in long distance and high value trade. In more modern times, auxiliary cruisers were used offensively as merchant raiders to disrupt trade chiefly during both World War I and World War II, particularly by Germany. While armed merchantmen are clearly inferior to purpose-built warships, sometimes they have scored successes in combat against them. Examples include East Indiamen mimicking ships of the line and chasing off regular French warships in the Battle of Pulo Aura in 1804, and the sinking the Australian light cruiser in their battle in 1941, although ''Kormoran'' was also destroyed and had to be scuttled. Pre-20th century East Indiamen of various European countries were heavily armed for their long journeys to the Far East. In part ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Navigatori Class Destroyer
The Navigatori class were a group of Italian destroyers built in 1928–1929 for the (Royal Italian Navy), named after Italian explorers. They fought in World War II. Just one vessel, ''Nicoloso Da Recco'', survived the conflict. Design These ships were built for the Regia Marina as a reply to the large ''contre-torpilleurs'' of the ''Jaguar'' and classes built for the French Navy. These ships were significantly larger than other contemporary Italian destroyers and were initially classed as ''esploratori'' or scouts. They were re-rated as destroyers in 1938. The main armament was a new model /50 gunCampbell, pp. 335–338 in three twin turrets which allowed for 45° elevation. The torpedo launchers consisted of two triple banks, each unusually comprising two separated by one . Two rangefinder positions were provided; one above the bridge and one in the after superstructure. Unit machinery was used comprising four boilers in two widely spaced boiler rooms and two turbine roo ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Rifled Breech Loader
A rifled breech loader (RBL) is an artillery piece which, unlike the smoothbore cannon and rifled muzzle loader (RML) which preceded it, has rifling in the barrel and is loaded from the breech at the rear of the gun. The spin imparted by the gun's rifling gives projectiles directional stability and increased range. Loading from the rear of the gun leaves the crew less exposed to enemy fire, allows smaller gun emplacements or turrets, and allows a faster rate of fire. Overview The major problem to be solved with breechloading artillery was obturation: the sealing of the breech after firing to ensure that none of the gases generated by the burning of the propellant (initially gunpowder) escaped rearwards through the breech. This was both a safety issue and one of gun performance – all the propellant gas was needed to accelerate the projectile along the barrel. The second problem was speed of operation – how to close the breech before firing and open it after firing as quickly ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Sella-class Destroyer
The ''Sella''-class destroyers were a group of four destroyers built for the (Royal Italian Navy) in the 1920s. Two of these ships fought in World War II and both were sunk after the Italian capitulation to the Allies. The two other ships were sold to the Swedish Navy in 1940 and were scrapped in the late 1940s. These ships formed the basis for most subsequent destroyers built by the Italians, but were disappointing in service with unreliable machinery. Design and description The ''Sella''-class destroyers were enlarged and improved versions of the preceding and . They had an overall length of , a beam of and a draft of . They displaced at standard load, and at deep load. Their complement was 8–9 officers and 144 enlisted men. The ''Sella''s were powered by two Parsons geared steam turbines, each driving one propeller shaft using steam supplied by three Yarrow boilers. The turbines were rated at for a speed of in service,Roberts, p. 298 although the ships reached speeds ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Turbine-class Destroyer
The ''Turbine''-class destroyer was a group of eight destroyers built for the (Royal Italian Navy) in the 1920s. The ships played a minor role in the Spanish Civil War of 1936–1937, supporting the Nationalists. All the ships of the class were lost during World War II. Design and description The ''Turbine''-class destroyers were enlarged and improved versions of the preceding . In an effort to improve their speed, they were lengthened and given more powerful propulsion machinery than the earlier ships. This provided more space for fuel oil which increased their endurance as well. They had an overall length of , a beam of and a mean draft of .Whitley, p. 161 They displaced at standard load, and at deep load. Their complement was 12 officers and 167 enlisted men. The ''Turbine''s were powered by two Parsons geared steam turbines, each driving one propeller shaft using steam supplied by three Thornycroft boilers. The turbines were rated at for a speed of in service,Roberts, ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Messina
Messina (, also , ) is a harbour city and the capital of the Italian Metropolitan City of Messina. It is the third largest city on the island of Sicily, and the 13th largest city in Italy, with a population of more than 219,000 inhabitants in the city proper and about 650,000 in the Metropolitan City. It is located near the northeast corner of Sicily, at the Strait of Messina and it is an important access terminal to Calabria region, Villa San Giovanni, Reggio Calabria on the mainland. According to Eurostat the FUA of the metropolitan area of Messina has, in 2014, 277,584 inhabitants. The city's main resources are its seaports (commercial and military shipyards), cruise tourism, commerce, and agriculture (wine production and cultivating lemons, oranges, mandarin oranges, and olives). The city has been a Roman Catholic Archdiocese and Archimandrite seat since 1548 and is home to a locally important international fair. The city has the University of Messina, founded in 1548 ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Submarine
A submarine (or sub) is a watercraft capable of independent operation underwater. It differs from a submersible, which has more limited underwater capability. The term is also sometimes used historically or colloquially to refer to remotely operated vehicles and Autonomous underwater vehicle, robots, as well as medium-sized or smaller vessels, such as the midget submarine and the wet sub. Submarines are referred to as ''boats'' rather than ''ships'' irrespective of their size. Although experimental submarines had been built earlier, submarine design took off during the 19th century, and they were adopted by several navies. They were first widely used during World War I (1914–1918), and are now used in many navy, navies, large and small. Military uses include attacking enemy surface ships (merchant and military) or other submarines, and for aircraft carrier protection, Blockade runner, blockade running, Ballistic missile submarine, nuclear deterrence, reconnaissance, conventio ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Balilla-class Submarine
The ''Balilla'' class were the first submarines to be built for the Italian navy following the end of World War I. They were large ocean-going cruiser submarines designed to operate in the Indian Ocean based in Italy's East African colonies. The design was double-hulled and based on the German Type UE 2 U-boats, one of which, was supplied to the Italians as a war reparation. A auxiliary diesel engine was installed as an extra generator. During the war, the boats were stationed in the Mediterranean in 1940 but proved too large to be effective patrol submarines. Their only success was the sinking of the British submarine by on 15 October 1940. After 1941 they were used as transport submarines to supply Italian forces in North Africa. The surviving boats were scrapped after the war. One submarine, , was built for the Brazilian Navy to a modified design. Design The design of the ''Ballila'' class consisted of a strong double-hull which gave the ships a maximum diving dept ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Italian Submarine Ettore Fieramosca
''Ettore Fieramosca'' was an Italian submarine which served with the Regia Marina in World War II. She was named after Ettore Fieramosca, an Italian '' condottiero'' of the 16th century. Design ''Ettore Fieramosca'' was designed by the firm Bernardis and was intended to be a cruiser submarine which carried a seaplane in a waterproof hangar and a gun; such a design was inspired by the similar (although bigger) , then under construction in France. Several prototype seaplanes were designed but not deployed and the hangar was removed in 1931. The deck gun was initially a 27-calibre OTO model of 1924, but this was later replaced by a 120 mm 45-calibre OTO model of 1931. However ''Ettore Fieramosca'' proved to be rather over-dimensioned for her armament, slower than intended—the intended speed of while surfaced was never achieved—with poor maneuverability, both surfaced and underwater, and rather poor endurance. Due to her huge cost and these shortcomings, plans to build mor ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Deck Gun
A deck gun is a type of naval artillery mounted on the deck of a submarine. Most submarine deck guns were open, with or without a shield; however, a few larger submarines placed these guns in a turret. The main deck gun was a dual-purpose weapon used to sink merchant shipping or shell shore targets, or defend the submarine on the surface from enemy aircraft and warships. Typically a crew of three operated the gun, while others were tasked with supplying ammunition. A small locker box held a few 'ready-use' rounds. With a well-drilled, experienced crew, the rate of fire of a deck gun could be 15 to 18 aimed shots per minute. Some submarines also had additional deck guns like auto-cannons and machine guns for anti-aircraft defense. While similar unenclosed guns are often found on surface warships as secondary or defensive armament (such as the US Navy's 5-inch (127 mm)/25 caliber gun which was removed from battleships to mount on submarines), the term "deck gun" normally r ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Sauro-class Destroyer
The ''Sauro '' class were a group of four destroyers built for the (Royal Italian Navy) in the late 1920s. They were based in the Red Sea Italian colony of Eritrea and all fought in World War II being sunk during the East African Campaign in 1941. Design and description The ''Sauro''-class destroyers were enlarged and improved versions of the preceding . They had an overall length of , a beam of and a mean draft of . They displaced at standard load, and at deep load. Their complement was 8–10 officers and 146 enlisted men. The ''Sauro''s were powered by two Parsons geared steam turbines, each driving one propeller shaft using steam supplied by three Yarrow boilers. The turbines were rated at for a speed of in service,Roberts, p. 298 although the ships reached speeds in excess of during their sea trials while lightly loaded. They carried enough fuel oil to give them a range of at a speed of .Whitley, p. 160 Their main battery consisted of four guns in two twin-gun tur ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
