Design and description
The ships were designed as scout cruisers (esploratori), essentially enlarged versions of contemporary destroyers. They were initially ordered in 1917, but postponed due to steel shortages, and re-ordered in 1920. [1] They had an overall length of 113.41 meters (372 ft), a beam of 10.36 meters (34 ft) and a mean draft of 3.1 meters (10 ft 2 in). [2] They displaced 2,195 long tons (2,230 t ) at standard load, and 2,289 long tons (2,330 t) at deep load. Their complement was 10 officers and 194 enlisted men. [1]
The Leones were powered by two Parsons geared steam turbines, each driving one propeller shaft using steam supplied by four Yarrow boilers. The turbines were rated at 42,000 shaft horsepower (31,000 kW ) for a speed of 33 knots (61 km/h; 38 mph) in service, although Tigre reached 33.5 knots (62.0 km/h; 38.6 mph) from 46,272 shp (34,505 kW) during her sea trials. The ships carried enough fuel oil to give them a range of 2,000 nautical miles (3,700 km; 2,300 mi) at a speed of 15 knots (28 km/h; 17 mph). [1]
Their main battery consisted of eight 120-millimeter (4.7 in) guns in four twin-gun turrets, one each fore and aft of the superstructure and the remaining turrets positioned between the funnels and the torpedo tube mounts amidships. [3] Anti-aircraft (AA) defense for the Leone-class ships was provided by a pair of 76 mm (3 in) AA guns in single mounts amidships. They were equipped with six 450-millimeter (17.7 in) torpedo tubes in two triple mounts. The Leones could also carry 60 mines. [1]
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 Sauro class were a group of four destroyers built for the Regia Marina 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.
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.
The Leone class were a group of destroyers built for the Italian Navy in the early 1920s. Five ships were planned and three completed. All three ships were based at Massawa, Eritrea during World War II and were sunk during the East African Campaign.
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.
Euro was one of eight Turbine-class destroyers built for the Regia Marina during the 1920s. She was named after Euro, weak winter easterly wind bringing rain and storms to the Mediterranean.
Fulmine was one of four Folgore-class destroyers built for the Regia Marina in the early 1930s. Completed in 1932, she served in World War II.
Lampo was one of four Folgore-class destroyers built for the Regia Marina in the early 1930s. Completed in 1932, she served in World War II.
Dardo was one of four Freccia-class destroyers built for the Regia Marina in the early 1930s. Completed in 1932, she served in World War II. The ship was captured by the Germans after the Italian armistice in September 1943 and used by the Kriegsmarine under the name TA31 until she was sunk in April 1945.
Emanuele Pessagno was one of a dozen Navigatori-class destroyers built for the Regia Marina in the late 1920s. Completed in 1930, she served in World War II.
Lanzerotto Malocello was one of a dozen Navigatori-class destroyers built for the Regia Marina in the late 1920s. Completed in 1930, she served in World War II.
Francesco Nullo was one of four Sauro-class destroyers built for the Regia Marina in the 1920s. Completed in 1927, she served in World War II.
Cesare Battisti was one of four Sauro-class destroyers built for the Regia Marina in the 1920s. Completed in 1927, she served in World War II.
Daniele Manin was one of four Sauro-class destroyers built for the Regia Marina in the 1920s. Completed in 1927, she served in World War II.
Nazario Sauro was the lead ship of her class of four destroyers built for the Regia Marina in the 1920s. Completed in 1926, she served in World War II.
Quintino Sella was the lead ship of her class of four destroyers built for the Regia Marina in the 1920s. Completed in 1926, she served in World War II.
Francesco Crispi was one of four Sella-class destroyers built for the Regia Marina in the 1920s. Completed in 1927, she served in World War II.
Pantera was one of three Leone-class destroyers built for the Regia Marina in the early 1920s.
Leone was the lead ship of her class of three 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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