Italian auxiliary cruiser Ramb III

Ramb III

Industry	Shipbuilding / Naval operations
Predecessor	Ramb I, Ramb II, Ramb IV (sister ships)
Founded	1938
Headquarters	Genoa , Italy

The Italian auxiliary cruiser known as Ramb III was constructed in Genoa by the Ansaldo company in the year 1938.

As the third vessel among a quartet of sister ships sharing the same blueprint, Ramb III belonged to a series that included Ramb I, Ramb II, and Ramb IV. These four vessels were commissioned by the Royal Banana Monopoly Business (Regia Azienda Monopolio Banane). Initially designed as refrigerated cargo ships—commonly referred to as "banana boats"—their primary function was to transport chilled bananas from Italian East African territories such as Somaliland and Eritrea to European markets.

Nevertheless, the design of Ramb III incorporated features that permitted conversion into a commerce raider if wartime conditions arose. The ship displaced approximately 3,667 tons, was powered by oil engines, and could reach speeds up to 18.5 knots.

Convoy escort

At the onset of Italy's war declaration on 10 June 1940, she was the sole vessel of her class present in Italian waters. Following her requisition by the Italian Royal Navy (Regia Marina), Ramb III was assigned convoy escort duties. Similar to Ramb I and Ramb II, she underwent modifications, being equipped with two 4.7-inch (120 mm) guns and eight 13.2 mm anti-aircraft weapons.

During the raid on Taranto on 12 November 1940, a British Royal Navy cruiser division, supported by destroyers, conducted a swift operation through the southern Adriatic Sea. This British task force encountered a small Italian convoy consisting of four merchant vessels under the protection of Ramb III and the torpedo boat Nicola Fabrizi. The convoy was en route from Vlorë to Brindisi. In defense, Ramb III launched 19 salvos and managed to disengage without damage. Meanwhile, the Fabrizi remained with the merchantmen and engaged closely with the British force. She sustained immediate heavy hits and significant impairment but continued to resist until cruiser fire rendered her inoperative. Following the disabling of Fabrizi, the British sank all four Italian merchant ships. This encounter occurred near the Strait of Otranto.

With a cargo capacity of 2,418 tons—either refrigerated or general goods—Ramb III participated actively in convoy missions during the winter of 1940–1941, transporting supplies to both the Dodecanese islands and North Africa in her armed transport role.

On 10 May 1941, while docked in Benghazi harbour, Ramb III was struck by a torpedo from the British submarine Triumph. The Italians later salvaged her and towed her back to Trieste for repairs.

Kiebitz

On 9 September 1943, German forces captured Ramb III at Trieste. Converted into a minelayer for use by the Kriegsmarine, she received the new name Kiebitz. In this capacity, she deployed over 5,000 mines throughout the Adriatic Sea. However, after striking one of her own mines near Ancona, she reversed course and reached Rijeka without further harm. In November 1944, Allied air raids sank her there. During firefighting efforts, two Rijeka firefighters, Mario Zele and Ulff Angelo Fuzini, lost their lives.

Galeb

Main article: Galeb (yacht)

Following the conclusion of the war, the vessel known as Kiebitz was salvaged by Brodospas. In 1952, she underwent transformation in Pula to serve as a training ship, receiving the new name Galeb ("seagull"). Eventually, the Galeb was designated as the presidential yacht for President Josip Broz Tito. Throughout her tenure in this role, her appearance was significantly modified from the original design of Ramb III. She remained in active use for four decades and is now preserved as a museum exhibit at the Port of Rijeka.

Bibliography

• Alton, Dave (2006). "Question 15/03: Italian Warship Losses". Warship International. XLIII (1): 32–33. ISSN 0043-0374.
• Freivogel, Zvonimir (2006). "Into History Under Three Names: Ramb III – Kiebitz – Galeb". Warship International. XLIII (2): 169–182. ISSN 0043-0374.

External links

• Ramb III Marina Militare website