Design and description
The Maestrale-class destroyers were a completely new design intended to rectify the stability problems of the preceding Folgore class. [1] They had a length between perpendiculars of 101.6 meters (333 ft 4 in) and an overall length of 106.7 meters (350 ft 1 in). The ships had a beam of 10.15 meters (33 ft 4 in) and a mean draft of 3.31 meters (10 ft 10 in) [2] and 4.3 meters (14 ft 1 in) at deep load. [1] They displaced 1,640 metric tons (1,610 long tons ) at standard 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 Parsons geared steam turbines, each driving one propeller shaft using steam supplied by 3 three-drum boilers. [4] The turbines were designed to produce 44,000 shaft horsepower (33,000 kW ) and a speed of 32–33 knots (59–61 km/h; 37–38 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 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 main battery consisted of four 120-millimeter (4.7 in) guns in two twin-gun turrets, one each fore and aft of the superstructure. [3] Amidships were a pair of 15-caliber 120-millimeter star shell guns. Anti-aircraft (AA) defense for the Maestrale-class ships was provided by four 13.2 mm (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]
During World War II, Grecale's 40 mm guns and 13.2 mm machine guns were replaced with eight 20-millimeter (0.79 in) cannon, the addition of another pair of depth charge throwers, and the replacement of aft torpedo tubes and midships rangefinder with two single 37-millimeter (1.5 in) cannon. [4] In 1949, her bridge was rebuilt and its design resembled British destroyers bridge. She also fitted with a lattice mast, new radars, and her light anti-aircraft guns now consisted of three 37 mm/54 guns. In 1952–1953, her 37 mm guns were replaced with six Bofors 40 mm (1.6 in) guns and the remaining torpedo tubes were removed. Grecale was converted into command ship in 1959–1960 and all of her armaments, saved for two Bofors 40 mm guns, were removed. [5]
The Maestrale class were a group of destroyers built for the Regia Marina and served in World War II. They formed the basis for subsequent Italian destroyer designs; the Oriani and Soldati classes.
The Sella-class destroyers were a group of four destroyers built for the Regia Marina 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.
Strale was one of four Freccia-class destroyers built for the Regia Marina in the early 1930s. Completed in 1932, she played a minor role in the Spanish Civil War of 1936–1939 supporting the Spanish Nationalists and served in World War II.
The Italian destroyer Audace was originally ordered by Japan from Yarrow Shipbuilders in Scotland under the name of Kawakaze, but was transferred to Italy in 1916 while still under construction. She served as the command ship for the radio-controlled target ship San Marco in 1937–1940 and then was rearmed for convoy escort and patrolling duties when World War II began. Audace was captured by the Germans in 1943 and used by them as a minelayer and escort ship in the Adriatic Sea until she was sunk by a pair of British destroyers in late 1944.
Alpino was one of nineteen Soldati-class destroyers built for the Regia Marina in the late 1930s and early 1940s. Completed in early 1939, she was one of the last of the first batch of a dozen ships to enter service.
Artigliere was one of nineteen Soldati-class destroyers built for the Regia Marina in the late 1930s and early 1940s. Completed in 1938, she was one of the last of the first batch of a dozen ships to enter service.
Corazziere was one of nineteen Soldati-class destroyers built for the Regia Marina in the late 1930s and early 1940s. Completed in mid-1939, she was the last of the first batch of a dozen ships to enter service.
Fuciliere was one of nineteen Soldati-class destroyers built for the Regia Marina in the late 1930s and early 1940s. Completed in early 1939, she served in World War II.
Geniere was one of nineteen Soldati-class destroyers built for the Regia Marina in the late 1930s and early 1940s. Completed in 1938, she was one of the first of the first batch of a dozen ships to enter service.
Grantiere was one of nineteen Soldati-class destroyers built for the Regia Marina in the late 1930s and early 1940s. Completed in early 1939, she was one of the last of the first batch of a dozen ships to enter service.
Lanciere was one of nineteen Soldati-class destroyers built for the Regia Marina in the late 1930s and early 1940s. Completed in early 1939, she was one of the last of the first batch of a dozen ships to enter service.
Bombardiere was one of nineteen Soldati-class destroyers built for the Regia Marina in the late 1930s and early 1940s. Completed in mid-1942, she was part of the second batch of seven ships.
Vittorio Alfieri was one of four Oriani-class destroyers built for the Regia Marina in the mid-1930s. Completed in 1937, she served in World War II. She was sunk at the battle of Matapan on 28 March 1941 with the loss of 211 of her 246 crew including her commanding officer, Captain Salvatore Toscano.
Giosuè Carducci was one of four Oriani-class destroyers built for the Regia Marina in the mid-1930s and early 1940s. Completed in 1937, she served in World War II.
Vincenzo Gioberti was one of four Oriani-class destroyers built for the Regia Marina in the mid-1930s and early 1940s. Completed in 1937, she served in World War II.
Alfredo Oriani was the lead ship of her class of four destroyers built for the Regia Marina in the mid-1930s. Completed in 1937, she served in World War II. Alfredo Oriani took part of the battle of Matapan and the attack on Harpoon convoy.
Scirocco was one of four Maestrale-class destroyers built for the Regia Marina in the early 1930s. Completed in 1934, she served in World War II.
Libeccio was one of four Maestrale-class destroyer built for the Regia Marina in the early 1930s. Completed in 1934, she served in World War II.
Pantera was one of three Leone-class destroyers built for the Regia Marina in the early 1920s.
Maestrale was the lead ship of her class of four destroyers built for the Regia Marina in the early 1930s. Completed in 1934, she served in World War II.
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