NAVYPEDIA

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Guglielmo Marconi 1941  

Ships

Name	No	Yard No	Builder	Laid down	Launched	Comp	Fate
Maggiore Baracca			OTO, Muggiano	3.1939	21.4.1940	7.1940	sunk 8.9.1941
Michele Bianchi			OTO, Muggiano	2.1939	3.12.1939	4.1940	sunk 7.8.1941
Leonardo da Vinci			CRDA, Monfalcone	9.1938	16.9.1939	4.1940	sunk 23.5.1943
Alessandro Malaspina			OTO, Muggiano	3.1939	18.2.1940	6.1940	sunk 21.9.1941
Guglielmo Marconi			CRDA, Monfalcone	9.1938	30.7.1939	2.1940	sunk perhaps 11.1941
Luigi Torelli			OTO, Muggiano	2.1939	6.1.1940	5.1940	captured by Japan 10.9.1943 (German UIT25)

Technical data

Displacement standard, t	1036
Displacement normal, t	1175 / 1465
Length, m	76.5
Breadth, m	6.81
Draught, m	4.72
No of shafts	2
Machinery	2 CRDA diesels / 2 Marelli electric motors
Power, h. p.	3600 / 1500
Max speed, kts	17.8 / 8.2
Fuel, t	diesel oil 118
Endurance, nm(kts)	10500(8) / 110(3)
Armament	1 x 1 - 100/47 OTO 1938, 2 x 2 - 13.2/76, 8 - 533 TT (4 bow, 4 stern, 12)
Electronic equipment	hydrophone
Complement	57
Diving depth operational, m	90

Standard scale images

Graphics

Project history

Development of Marcello class. Single-hulled, with external bulges. For raise of submerged speed the hull was made narrower and longer, than at Marcello, with the same purpose more powerful electric motors were installed, however a speed increment was appeared insignificant. The fuel stowage was besides, a little increased. In order to avoid decrease of stability because of smaller hull beam the number of 100mm/47 guns was shrunk to one and the sizes of CT were moderated.

In 1943 Luigi Torelli was converted to transport for routes to Japan.

Modernizations

1942, Leonardo da Vinci: - 1 x 1 - 100/47; + 1 CA midget submarine (tests only)

1943, Luigi Torelli: was converted to transport.

Naval service

Michele Bianchi was sunk 7.8.1941 W of Gibraltar by British submarine Severn. Maggiore Baracca was sunk 8.9.1941 by ramming of British escort destroyer Croome NE of Azores. Alessandro Malaspina was lost in September, 1941 in Atlantic, probably sunk by British destroyer Vimy. Guiglielmo Marconi was lost in October, 1941 in Atlantic. Leonardo da Vinci was sunk 23.5.1943 NE of Azores by British destroyer Active and frigate Ness. Luigi Torelli was captured by Japanese 10.9.1943 at Singapore, transferred to Germany and renamed UIT25. Subsequently she was transferred to Japanese, receiving name I504, and scuttled after war by Americans.