Squalo-class submarine

Cantieri Riuniti dell'Adriatico

Industry	Shipbuilding
Headquarters	Monfalcone , Italy

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The Squalo-class submarines consisted of four vessels constructed for the Royal Italian Navy (Regia Marina) throughout the 1930s. These submarines were produced at the Cantieri Riuniti dell'Adriatico (CRDA) shipyard located in Monfalcone and were designed by Curio Bernardis.

Design and description

Essentially an iteration of the earlier , the Squalo class inherited the same challenges regarding Ship stability and seakeeping, necessitating hull modifications that included outward bulging to enhance performance. Their surfaced displacement was approximately 920 tonnes (910 long tons), increasing to around 1,125 tonnes (1,107 long tons) when submerged. Measuring 69.8 metres (229 ft) in length, these submarines had a beam of 7.21 metres (23 ft 8 in) and a draft of 5.19 metres (17.0 ft). They were capable of operating at depths up to 90 metres (300 ft), with a complement consisting of 53 personnel including officers and enlisted crew.

For propulsion while surfaced, each vessel was equipped with two diesel engines delivering a combined output of roughly 3,000 brake horsepower (2,200 kW), each connected to its own propeller shaft. When submerged, propulsion switched to electric motors rated at about 1,300 brake horsepower (970 kW) total power. These submarines could achieve speeds up to 15.1 knots (28.0 km/h; 17.4 mph) on the surface and approximately 8 knots (15 km/h; 9.2 mph) underwater. Their operational range extended to nearly 5,650 nautical miles (10,460 km; 6,500 mi) cruising at 8 knots (15 km/h; 9.2 mph) surfaced, while submerged endurance was roughly 100 nautical miles (190 km; 120 mi) at a speed of 3 knots (5.6 km/h; 3.5 mph).

Armament included eight internal torpedo tubes sized at 533 millimetres (21.0 in), evenly divided between bow and stern positions, carrying a total complement of twelve torpedoes. Surface combat capabilities were supported by a single deck gun of 102 millimetres (4.0 in), specifically the Cannon 102/35 Model 1914. Additionally, defensive anti-aircraft weaponry consisted of two single-mounted Breda Model 1931 machine guns chambered in 13.2 millimetres (0.52 in) caliber.

Ships

• Delfino (Italian submarine, 1930) – Known in English as Dolphin, this vessel sank following a collision near Taranto on 23 March 1943.
• Narvalo (Italian submarine, 1930) – Referred to as Narwhal in English, it was destroyed by British destroyers Pakenham and Hursley, alongside RAF aircraft, in the Mediterranean Sea at coordinates 34°08′N 16°04′E on 14 January 1943.
• Squalo (Italian submarine, 1930) – Translated as Shark in English, this submarine was retired from active duty on 9 September 1943.
• Tricheco (Italian submarine, 1930) – The English name is Walrus. It was sunk by the British submarine Upholder off the coast of Brindisi in the Adriatic Sea at 40°45′N 17°56′E on 18 March 1942.

See also

Italian submarines of World War II

References

• Bagnasco, Erminio. Submarines of World War Two. Annapolis, Maryland: Naval Institute Press, 1977. ISBN 0-87021-962-6.
• Brescia, Maurizio. Mussolini's Navy: A Reference Guide to the Regina Marina 1930–45. Annapolis, Maryland: Naval Institute Press, 2012. ISBN 978-1-59114-544-8.
• Chesneau, Roger (ed.). Conway's All the World's Fighting Ships 1922–1946. Greenwich, UK: Conway Maritime Press, 1980. ISBN 0-85177-146-7.
• Fraccaroli, Aldo. Italian Warships of World War II. Shepperton, UK: Ian Allan, 1968. ISBN 0-7110-0002-6.
• Frank, Willard C. Jr. "Question 12/88." Warship International, vol. XXVI, no. 1 (1989), pp. 95–97. ISSN 0043-0374.
• Rohwer, Jürgen. Chronology of the War at Sea 1939–1945: The Naval History of World War Two. Third Revised Edition. Annapolis, Maryland: Naval Institute Press, 2005. ISBN 1-59114-119-2.

External links

• Sommergibile "DELFINO" (2°)
• Classe Squalo — Official Marina Militare website