NAVYPEDIA

Photo

Domenico Millelire 1928

Ships

Name	No	Yard No	Builder	Laid down	Launched	Comp	Fate
Balilla			OTO, Muggiano	1.1925	20.2.1927	7.1928	hulk 4.1941
Domenico Millelire			OTO, Muggiano	1.1925	19.9.1927	8.1928	hulk 4.1941
Antonio Sciesa			OTO, Muggiano	10.1925	12.8.1928	4.1929	scuttled 12.11.1942
Enrico Toti			OTO, Muggiano	1.1925	14.4.1928	9.1928	laid up 4.1943

Technical data

Displacement standard, t	1368
Displacement normal, t	1427 / 1874
Length, m	86.5
Breadth, m	7.80
Draught, m	4.70
No of shafts	2
Machinery	2 Fiat diesels + 1 auxiliary Fiat diesel / 2 Savigliano electric motors
Power, h. p.	4900 + 425 / 2200
Max speed, kts	16 / 7
Fuel, t	diesel oil 140
Endurance, nm(kts)	13000(7) / 110(3)
Armament	1 x 1 - 120/27 OTO 1924, 2 x 1 - 13.2/76, 6 - 533 TT (4 bow, 2 stern, 16), 4 mines Antonio Sciesa: 1 x 1 - 120/27 OTO 1924, 2 x 1 - 13.2/76, 6 - 533 TT (4 bow, 2 stern, 16)
Electronic equipment	presumably hydrophone
Complement	77
Diving depth operational, m	90

Graphics

Project history

Cruiser submarines for service in Red sea and Indian ocean. Design was developed by builder on the basis of ex-German submarine U120, received by Italy after First World War. Double-hulled. For endurance increase auxiliary 425hp diesel was entered into machinery structure for battery recharging and cruising speed. Originally the gun was placed on CT. In 1934 for raise of stability the gun was moved from CT to a deck. To lacks of this class it is possible to refer low stability and inability to reach a designed speed (17.5/8.9kts).

Modernizations

1934, all: - 1 x 1 - 120/27, 2 x 1 - 13.2/76; + 1 x 1 - 120/45 OTO 1931, 2 x 2 - 13.2/76

Naval service

Too large for service in Mediterranean sea Balilla and Domenico Millelire in April, 1941 were disarmed and used as oil hulks. Enrico Toti and Antonio Sciesa since 1942 served as transport submarines for supply of troops in Africa. Antonio Sciesa was damaged 6.9.1942 at Tobruk by American aircraft and scuttled by crew 12.11.1942. Enrico Toti was disarmed 1.4.1943.