Vincenzo Gioberti was one of four Oriani-classdestroyers built for the Regia Marina (Royal Italian Navy) in the mid-1930s and early 1940s. Completed in 1937, she served in World War II. She was sunk on 9 August 1943 by the Royal Navy submarine HMS Simoon, and was the last Regia Marina destroyer to be lost in the war against the Allies.
The Oriani-class destroyers were slightly improved versions of the preceding Maestrale class.[1] They had a length between perpendiculars of 101.6 meters (333ft 4in)[2] and an overall length of 106.7 meters (350ft 1in). The ships had a beam of 10.15 meters (33ft 4in) and a mean draft of 3.15 meters (10ft 4in) and 4.3 meters (14ft 1in) at deep load.[3] They displaced 1,700–1,750 metric tons (1,670–1,720 long tons) at normal load, and 2,400–2,450 metric tons (2,360–2,410 long tons) at deep load.[4] Their complement during wartime was 206 officers and enlisted men.[2]
The Orianis were powered by two Parsons geared steam turbines, each driving one propeller shaft using steam supplied by three Thornycroft boilers.[2] Designed for a maximum output of 48,000 shaft horsepower (36,000kW) and a speed of 32–33 knots (59–61km/h; 37–38mph) in service, the ships reached speeds of 38–39 knots (70–72km/h; 44–45mph) during their sea trials while lightly loaded. They carried enough fuel oil to give them a range of 2,600–2,800 nautical miles (4,800–5,200km; 3,000–3,200mi) at a speed of 18 knots (33km/h; 21mph) and 690nmi (1,280km; 790mi) at a speed of 33 knots (61km/h; 38mph).[4]
Vincenzo Gioberti blowing up after being hit by torpedoes from Simoom
Vincenzo Gioberti had conducted 216 war patrols, and had travelled some 74,071 nautical miles.[6]
On 9 August 1943, Vincenzo Gioberti was with the cruiser Italian cruiserGiuseppe Garibaldi along with several light cruisers and destroyers passing just west of Punta Mesco near the port of La Spezia. The Royal Navy submarine HMS Simoon spotted the Giuseppe Garibaldi and fired three torpedoes at her, but missed and instead two hit Vincenzo Gioberti. The stern magazine detonated and exploded, and the destroyer broke into two pieces. 105 officers and men died, while 171 were rescued. She was the last Regia Marina destroyer to be lost in the war against the Allies.[7]
The bow section went on and sank about one mile away from the impact, the wreck of which is located at a depth of about 600 metres.[6]
Akermann, Paul (2002). Encyclopaedia of British Submarines 1901–1955 (reprint of the 1989ed.). Penzance, Cornwall: Periscope Publishing. ISBN978-1-904381-05-1.
Brescia, Maurizio (2012). Mussolini's Navy: A Reference Guide to the Regina Marina 1930–45. Annapolis, Maryland: Naval Institute Press. ISBN978-1-59114-544-8.
Fraccaroli, Aldo (1968). Italian Warships of World War II. Shepperton, UK: Ian Allan. ISBN0-7110-0002-6.
Roberts, John (1980). "Italy". In Chesneau, Roger (ed.). Conway's All the World's Fighting Ships 1922–1946. New York: Mayflower Books. pp.280–317. ISBN0-8317-0303-2.
Rohwer, Jürgen (2005). Chronology of the War at Sea 1939–1945: The Naval History of World War Two (Third Reviseded.). Annapolis, Maryland: Naval Institute Press. ISBN1-59114-119-2.
Whitley, M. J. (1988). Destroyers of World War 2: An International Encyclopedia. Annapolis, Maryland: Naval Institute Press. ISBN1-85409-521-8.
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.
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Bersagliere 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.
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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.
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Corsaro 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 one of the second batch of seven ships.
Mitragliere was one of nineteen Soldati-class destroyers built for the Regia Marina in the late 1930s and early 1940s. Completed in early 1942, she was the first ship to be finished of the second batch of seven ships.
Legionario was one of nineteen Soldati-class destroyers built for the Regia Marina in the late 1930s and early 1940s. Completed in early 1942, she was one of the second batch of seven ships.
Velite 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 the last of the second batch of seven ships to be finished.
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.
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.
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