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 rooms. The forward unit drove the port shaft and the aft unit drove the starboard shaft. Trials were run light and with overloaded machinery leading to speeds of up to which were not achievable under service conditions.

The ships were fast, but were found to lack stability and were rebuilt with clipper bows, increased beam and reduced superstructure in the late 1930s.

During the war the torpedoes were replaced by triple 21-inch tubes and extra anti-aircraft guns were added.

Ships + Construction data Ship Named after Builder Commissioned Operational history Alvise CadamostoCNQ, Fiume15 March 1931Sunk by and near Tripoli, 1 December 1941, while escorting the tanker Iridio Mantovani Antonio da NoliCT, Riva Trigoso29 December 1929Sunk by mines in the Strait of Bonifacio on 9 September 1943 Nicoloso da ReccoCNR, Ancona20 May 1930Decommissioned on 15 July 1954 and scrapped Giovanni da VerrazzanoCNQ, Fiume25 September 1930Sunk 19 October 1942 by Lanzerotto MalocelloAnsaldo, Genoa18 January 1930Lost on 24 March 1943 to a mine north of Cape Bon Leon PancaldoCT, Riva Trigoso30 November 1929Bombed and sunk on 30 April 1943 Emanuele PessagnoCNR, Ancona10 March 1930Torpedoed and sunk by British submarine , 29 May 1942 Antonio PigafettaCNQ, Fiume1 May 1931Captured by the Germans after the Italian armistice with the Allies, served as TA44; sunk at Trieste by air raid on 21 February 1945 Luca TarigoAnsaldo, Genoa16 November 1929Sunk by British destroyers on 16 April 1941 Antoniotto UsodimareOdero, Sestri Ponente21 November 1929Sunk by the , 8 June 1942 Ugolino VivaldiOdero, Sestri Ponente6 March 1930Following the Italian Armistice, she was damaged by German coastal artillery in the Strait of Bonifacio and bombed by German aircraft while attempting to reach internment in Spain. Unable to reach Spain, she was scuttled by her crew on 10 September 1943. Nicolò ZenoCNQ, Fiume27 May 1930Scuttled in Trieste on 9 September 1943 to prevent capture by the Germans following the Italian Armistice

Notes

Bibliography

Shores, Cull & Malizia (1991). Malta: The Spitfire Year 1942. Grub Street.

Further reading

External links

"Navigatori class" from Uboat.net