Spica class Torpedo Boat (1935)

Regia Marina 1934-36: Airone, Alcione, Aldebaran, Altair, Andromeda, Antares, Aretusa, Ariel, Astore, Calipso, Calliope, Canopo, Cassiopea, Castore, Centauro, Cigno, Circe, Climene, Clio, Libra, Lince, Lira, Lupo, Pallade, Partenope, Perseo, Pleiadi, Polluce, Sagittario, Sirio, Spica, Vega.

The Spica class were the first ald largest class of torpedo boats in the Regia Marina before World War II. They resulted from a well known loophole in the the Washington Naval Treaty, stating ships with a tonnage of less than 600 could be built “in unlimited numbers”. Thus of all belligerents, Italy profited the most of it, not only by keeping active WW1 destroyers that matched tha tonnage and should have been scrapped after a torpedo boat reclassification, and brand new ships: In all thirty-two Spica class TBs (inc. two sub-classes) were built between 1934 and 1937. They recalled Italian destroyers by some measure like the Maestrale-class but were mostly optimized for ASW work and AA escort. In the end, they still paid a heavy price, with 22 lost in action or for other reasons, and the first two had been sold to Sweden (Romulus class) in 1940. Those which survived (7) saw a long cold war service as destroyers until 1953 and then corvettes, completely rebuilt and modernized.

Development

Article 8 loophole

The Spica-class were fast and successful torpedo boats designed to give a boost to escort assets of the Regia Marina alongside the Gabbiano class corvettes. They were planned in 1929 already following the known Article 8 of the Washington Naval Treaty ships precised ships under 600 tons are exempt from limitation. The London Conference of 1930 conference might had closed it, but it was negociated out, and as a result, France, Italy, Germany and Japan all embarked on more or less extensive torpedo boat construction programmes. Of these, France made a single class, its second one beeing caught under construction in 1940, the Japanese made two classes at geat cost due to grave construction weakness by playing around the tonnage on an overarmed, top-heavy ship (See the Tomozuru incident) and the Germans also exploited fully this category with six classes, only three built, but all plagued by machinery issues.

RMS Albatros, a 1932 ASW ship and progenitor of the Spica class in many ways

Only Italy fully embraced the concept, with the simple idea of freeing fleet destroyers for fleet escort only (Battleships and Cruisers), by having numerous torpedo boats for merchant, supplies and troopship convoys. These 600t ships (that is standard, so fully loaded, by playing around numbers, they could reach 800+ tonnes fully loaded), and proved valuable to dea with naval, air and submarine threats. The initiator of these class is now widely recoignized by authors as “Albatros”, in part inspiring the Gabbiano class corvettes and the first Italian torpedo boats.

Albatros was a submarine chaser of the Regia Marina that saw action during the war. The type branched out later to the smaller and simpler Gabbiano class Corvettes. She was reclassified as a torpedo boat, most likely purely for administrative purposes, but influenced the design of modern Italian torpedo Boats. She took part in World War II, sank by HMS Upright on 27 September 1941.

Launch of Antares (AT)

A resulting, larger development in 1930, was somewhat delayed into orders for two reasons: One, budgetary constraints and competing services, and Second, dicussions by Italian delegates at the London Naval Treaty. The latter was to confirm or infirm the Washington Naval Treaty’s “unlimited number” of warhships with a displacement of less than 600 tons. But It seems if the british recoignized the loophole and wanted to close it, it seems France counted it by arguing it was also interested by that clause for its own needs, by then in rivalry with Italy and fully aware on its advance in light ships. Unlike Italy, France scrapped all its prewar destroyer classes and started anew. France also waited the result of the London Conference to see if it’s was worthwile to start construction of its own class of torpedo boats, the Melpomène class TBs ((12 units, 1935-37) and 12 of the larger Le Fier class under construction in 1939.

Thus as the new treaty still put no limit on vessels of 600 long tons (610 t) or under, design work started in 1932, after discussions and proposals in 1931, supervised by the general engineer Gustavo Bozzoni. The Regia Marina General Staff tasked General Gustavo Bozzoni of the Naval Engineering Committee (Comitato Progetto Navi) to study a new class of “escort vessels” to replace the oldest WW1 destroyers, now dsignated torpedo boats, the whole “tre pipe” series and later Curtatone/Palestro nearing the end of their service life. This was the budgetary justification anyway towards the Parliament, as the country was still a Unitary parliamentary constitutional monarchy despite being under a fascist dictatorship from 1925 to 1943. Instead, all these vintage ships were retained in 1939.

Once the new class, which was to be given part of the armaments and design features of the Albatros, part of the more modern Matestrale design, was approved, the Spica class (named after stars & constellation) were about to be built in large numbers as a result of the late 1932 approval and order of the first two prototypes, Spica and Astore at BSN, Naples, at the same time on May, 24 1933. The first was indeed launched on 11 March 1934, and completed in May 1935 and Astore was launched on 22 April 1934 and completed in June 1935, making Spica the class leader and name bearer. Their sea trials in this summer of 1935 revealed many points to correct, but were satisfactory enough that the remainder of the class were laid down as early as May 1934.

An Impossible Displacement

The Spica-class were designed to provide a worthy replacement for these former WW1 destroyer, essentially serving as second-line vessels. So they needed an armament on par, but with an emphasis on ASW that the ships they replaced lacked. Italy also had torpedo boats in the last war, like the first series of “PN”-class, but they were more than twenty years old in design. So engineers under Bozzoni had to start with a blank plate, taking a base the best destroyer at the time, the Maestrale class, and being instructed to scale down the design and swap the armament. To makr the class cheap and fat to produce it was decided to retain two engine rooms for a smaller funnel, like Albatros, but unlike the Gabbiano class.

The General Staff instructed the engineers not to exceed this limit, yet considering the armament, speed, and range required by the Navy. This proved just impossible. The displacement simply could not be kept below 600 tons. The Comitato Progetto Navi proposed for these prototypes removing one 100mm/47 gun turret but despite this, the two prototypes Spica and the Astore, which had a standard nominal displacement of 630 tons unofficial, 600 official. The denunciation of the London Treaty by Berlin and Tokyo ultimately led to the abandonment of the 600-ton limit also by Italy. The next Alcione-class torpedo boats would reach a standard displacement of 679 tons, but the reality was that the two prototypes ended to be 795 long tons (808 t) standard. They still “looked the part”, with a seaworthy, elegant hull, robust and aggressive, but in reality no that mich, as well as its poor range. These would be “short legged ships”.

Construction batches:

ONI depiction of the class

-Six ships of the Climene group, Canopo, Cassiopea, Castore, Centauro, Cigno and Climene entered service from 1936 to 1937.

-Eight Perseo group comprised Aldebaran, Altair, Andromeda and Antares, Perseo, Sagittario, Sirio and Vega followed.
-Sixteen Alcione group (Alcione, Airone, Aretusa, Ariel, Calliope, Calipso, Clio, Circe, Libra, Lince, Lira, Lupo, Pallade, Partenope, Pleiadi and Polluce) arrived last in 1938.

The Alcione grpup vessels had two twin torpedo-tubes on the centre line. Libra, Lince, Lira, Lupo had four single tubes instead until 1941, before two twin tubes were installed the same.
In total, thirty-two Spica-class torpedo boats, divided into three series (6 Climene series, 8 Perseo series, 16 Alcione plus two prototypes) were built in five shipyards between 1933 and 1938.

In Service (Evaluation):

The two prototypes Spica and the Astore, completed their endurance cruise in the Dodecanese in 1936 and in the summer of 1937, took part in the blockade of Spanish Republicans ports, from their bases in Sicily. They were then assigned to the 9th Torpedo Boat Squadron at La Maddalena. On June 2, 1939, they escorted with Canopo, the ship Città di Palermo carrying the Prince of Piedmont for a naval review. On March 27, 1940, they were sold to Sweden as Romulus (ex Spica) and Remus (ex Astore), interned by the British (Psilander Affair) and modernized postwar and until 1958.

The 30 remaining torpediniere (torpedo boats) were quite active for the Regia Marina, escorting convoys to North Africa, Balkans, Aegean Sea, sinking six submarines (HMS Grampus, Triton, Union, Tempest, and P-38, Greek Proteus), damaged seven others. However of this total, more than a third (23) were lost. The seven ships that survived the war were modernized between 1950 and 1953 and remained in service in the Marina Militare until the end of the 1950s, Sagittario being the last decommissioned in 1964.

As for the evaluation proper, the Spicas were well-regarded by their crews at least, if not comfortable, they were fast and efficient, but practical speed was much slower in service than trials speed, also lower than true destroyers, which to boot had a better range and seaworthiness. However they still were well adapted enough for Open Mediterranean, and narrower Adriatic, Ionian, Thyrrenian seas conditions, and had a very intense career indeed. 23 out of 30 ships lost in class until the armistice was a not enviable record.

-In October 1940, Airone and Ariel were sunk by the HMS Ajax at the Battle of Cape Passero.
-In October 1941, Aldebaran and Altair were sunk by mines laid by HMS Rorqual.
Lupo, which (Capt. Mimbelli) in contrast was of the luckiest, having the most successful convoy escort missions.
Overall, the Spicas retrospectively are considered perhaps too light for their own good. They were capable of operating as medium-range attack ships, but proved a failure against the RN, which retained the initiative at night, thanks to radar and their partial mastery of the sky. These ships made up for it, in part by laying minefields, providing reliable, of now stellar anti-submarine escort, but overall, their initial design was compromised and they were overtaken by events. They should be considered within the frame of their primary mission, escort safely convoys between Italy and North Africa, to support the efforts of the Afrika korps, a mission they duly performed with the heavy losses to show for it, as best as the circumstances of the time allowed. In fact, one of these ships even defied common sense, in great part due to the bravery and skills of its captain, Aliseo’s epic fight against much larger German Forces (Operation Achse) entering the hall of fame of the later Marina Militare.

Design of the class

The performance of the Spica-class torpedo boats generally met the Navy’s expectations upon commissioning. Their hull shape was good enough for them to exceed the contractual speed of 34 knots, and up to 37.5 knots, with an average displacement of 730 tons. Compared to the two prototypes, the Climene group however needed to be lengthened by approximately one meter so their displacement increased by 20 tons. They were pros and cons of the design overall:
Their clean, well-proportioned lines ensured good maneuverability, easy and safe handling in moderate to high seas.
The compartmentalization and logistical facilities were appreciated as rational and functional
However crew comfort was very limited.

Their seakeeping was not stellar: Their speed feel quickly against the wind, to avoid significant hull vibrations.
When sailing with a stern wind, they were prone to “yawning” hampering their course and causing roll.
The engines were initially well-suited to the initial displacement, but latter armament additions robbed them from their initial power margin.
These ships underwent their trials with an average displacement of 740 tons, but in wartime it far exceeded 1,000 tons. This not only impacted speed, but also their range, a crucial factor for convoy escort missions across the Mediterranean, given their need to zip in and out of the convoy when in attack.

As mentioned earlier, the displacement rose, due to the urgent need to strengthen their armament.
They were indeed found deficient for both anti-aircraft and anti-submarine warfare.
From 1939 onward, the Breda 0.5 in (13.2 mm) heavt machine guns were replaced by Breda 20mm/65s AA guns and extra Breda 8 mm light machine guns were also added later.

The configuration of the 450 mm torpedo tubes changed several times: On the prototypes, they had one axial twin mount and two single ones on the sides. On the Climene class, they had two single tubes per side. On the Alcione class, they ended with two twin axial banks, albeit initially, only the four Alcione-class built in Fiume retained the Climene configuration. Between 1939 and 1941, the torpedo configuration of the Alcione was standardized on all Spica-class. Last point, their original two Modelo 1934/37 pneumatic anti-submarine grenade launchers were found inadequate and replaced from 1941 by explosive Mod. G grenade launchers, four to boot.

Construction

launch of Spica
Thirty-two vessels were built, of which the first two prototype, from Bacini & Scali Napoletani shipyards, entered service with the Royal Navy on May 30, 1935. But they were sold to Sweden as seen above, along two older Quintino Sella-class destroyers. Transferred to Sweden in 1940, Spica and Astore arrived after months of delays, called the “Psilander affair” (from the name of the Sella ship when renamed), notably a long trip to avoid combat areas controlled by the British, only to be interned anyway. They eventually arrived home and were reclassified by the Swedish Navy as destroyers, renamed Romulus (27) and Remus (28). They inspired their next destroyer escort ships, the Mode class.
After them, construction of the remaining thirty were in three series started in 1934, differing only by minor variations in size, displacement, and anti-aircraft and anti-submarine armament, as seen above, sixteen “Alcione” group, six 6 “Climene” group and 8 “Perseo” group.

The main difference between them was notably the arrangement of the four torpedo tubes: The first two, a meter shorter, had a twin mount on the axis plus two single tubes on the sides and as they were the only ones still caring about the treaty limits, one 100mm/47 mount was eliminated. However Supermarina considered it was an unncceptable loss of firepower so it was decided to build the remainder ships without overly restrictive displacement limitations. If the first Spica were offocially 600 tonnes for real 630 tons, subsequent constructions, to be ordered yearly from various shipyards, the displacement limit was abolished. Notably to improve the design. It was on par with the tendency in 1934-35 to disregard clauses of the Treaty of London, leading to a full denunciation by the Germans and Japanese. The first Spica-derived series were designed around 650 tons (Climene and Perseo groups) but reached 680 tons for the last, Alcione group, later developed into the even larger Ariete-class.

Hull and general design

The Spica class was 81.4 meters long overall (267 ft 1), but 65.72 m (215 ft 7 in) between parallels, for a beam of 8.1 m (27 ft), draught of 2.55 m (8 ft 4 in). This was for a displacement of around 789.31 up to 799.29 tonnes (776.84–786.67 long tons or 870.07–881.07 short tons) and 982 up to 1,054.665 t (966.491–1,038.008 long tons; 1,082.470–1,162.569 short tons) standard, rather than the 600 t (590 long tons; 660 short tons) permitted by the treaty and for a complement of six to nine officers and 110 crew.

Whatever the sub-class, and arrangement of torpedoes, these ships had the same appearance, with elegant lines, a compact “island” forward admiship where the forecastle ended, with the latter being slanted forward for betetr seakeeping, a bow with a lot of flare and moderate clipper stem. The aft deck was still relatively low, dotted with a long “flying bridge” from the aft funnel, raked and capped, down to the small quesrtedeck house that supported the aft “X” gun. For stability reasons, the forecastle had only one deck gun, “A”, sporting a light shield. X and Y were superfiring aft.

There two masts, one taller mainmast, raked, supporting a spotting top and lights, as well as backing the small lattice for the searchlight platform. The aft mast was smaller, supporting wireless radio cables. The rounded poop had three anti-collisison bars, with the side propeller guards, two side sponsons paravanes, which could be lowered and dropped, winched to do their magic against mines, and two overhanging depth charge racks. The bridge was streamlined, with an almost rounded face, enclosed and open bridge above. On top of it was the fire control tower with its rangefinder for the main guns. The amidship section and its “flying bridge” was to ensure the torpedo tubes, whatever their configuration, had an almost unrestricted field of fire either side and even cross-deck.

Lead Vessel	Climene	Perseo	Alcione
Standard Disp.	652 t	642 t	679 t
Fully Loaded	1010 t (1940) 1200 t (1942)	1000 t (1940) 1200 t (1942)	975 t (1940) 1200 t (1942)
Lenght	81,40 m	81,95 m	81,42 m
Beam	8,2 m	8,2 m	7,92 m
Draught	3,05 m	3,01 m	3,09 m
Propulsion	2 shafts turbines, 2 boilers 19,000 hp
Top speed	32 kts service 26-29 kts 1942
Range	620-700 nm/30 kts 1750-1900 nm/15 kts
Armement	3 x100mm/47 6-8 13,2 mm LMGs on 3-4 twin mounts 1939-1940) 7x 20mm/65 on 3x twin+ 1x simple my 1941-1942 4x 450 mm TTs, either 2×2 or 4×1 2 DCR, 2-4 ASW DCT, 20 DCs, 18+ mines
Crew	6-9 officers, 110 NCOs and sailors

Powerplant

The Spica class TBs had an installed power of 19,000 hp (14,000 kW), for 2-shaft with bronze fixed-pitch three bladed propellers, driven by geared turbines, themselves fed by two boilers. It seems the Turbines were from Tosi for all, and the Boilers from Yarrow. It was shaky when the last ships were built in 1937-38 given the degraded relations of Italy with Britain and France, notably because of its colonial wars and predatory behaviour in the Spanish Civil War. Next destroyer class needed Italian boilers. Thus powerplant, roughly half as powerful as a destroyer, still procured a top speed of 34 knots in early service (63 km/h; 39 mph), albeit with wartime additions, wear and tear, the average fell to 30-31 kts. Range was function of the 207 tonnes of fuel oil carried, enough for a range between 1900 and 1960 nautical miles at 15 knots, albeit this varied widly between sources.

Armament

It was different compared to an average destroyers. Much lighter than 120 mm (4.7 in), they had only three 4-in (100 mm) guns from OTO Melara, plus initially three or four twin 13.2 mm (0.52 in) Breda anti-aircraft machine guns and then four 450 mm (18 in) torpedo tubes, with a management that depended of the groups (see above). In the end, the axial two twin solution was standardized. This notably freed the sides for potentially longer mines rails. By the way, they also carried paravanes as standard minelaying equipment, with deck rails long enough for twenty mines.

OTO 100mm/47 Mod. 1931

The gun armament consisted of three 100 mm (4 in)/47 caliber dual-purpose guns in single mountings in ‘A’, ‘X’, and ‘Y’ positions. These OTO 100/47 Mod. 1931 guns were in single mounts and shielded (light 6 mm one). Replaced in WW2 when psosible with the modello 35. More The Alcione group had the 100mm/47 OTO modello 1937 instead of the modello 1931.

⚙ Specs

Gun Length 196.3 in (4.985 m), bore 185.0 in (4.700 m), mass 6.2 tons (6.3 mt)
elevation of 45° (No AA fire possible).
Shell: HE: 31.3 lbs. (14.2 kg).
Muzzle velocity 2,953 fps (900 mps)*
Range: 31.3 lbs. (14.2 kg) HE shell/45° 16,840 yards (15,400 m).
Rate of fire: 8 rounds per minute.
Storage: c250 rounds and 60 starshell (by analogy to the Gabbiano)
*reduced later to 2,805 fps (855 mps) for dispersion.

Breda 13.2 mm

The anti-aircraft armament consisted of eight 13.2 mm machine guns initially, in four twin Breda Mod. 31 mounts.

⚙ Specs (Modello 1931)

Gun Weight: 104.5 lbs. (47.5 kg), Bore Length 39.4 in (1 m).

500 rounds per minute cyclic.
5.4 in (13.7 cm) 0.28 lbs. (0.125 kg) rounds at 2,592 fps (790 mps)
Effective range: 2,200 yards (2,000 m).

Breda 20 mm

breda twin 20mm
Later partially or totally these 13.2 mm twins were replaced with twin Breda 20/65 Mod. 1935 machine guns during modernization work between 1939 and 1941 and regular maintenance cycles.
Ubiquitous piece of ordnance present on virtually all Regia Marina ships. Some ships were rearmed with allied 40 mm Bofors and 20 mm Oerlikon/70 in the co-belligerence.

⚙ specifications Breda 20 mm AA

Weight: 330 kg twin, 72 kg single barrel mount
Dimensions 1,87 m oa, 1.3 m barrel
Traverse/elevation 360°, -10° a +80° (Mod. 39)
Powder charge 38 g
Round 20 × 138 mm B 0,34 kg, gas-operation, 12 rds clips
rate of fire: 240 rpm cyclic max, 150-120 rpm practical
Muzzle Velocity 840 m/s, crew 2-4.

SIF 20mm/70

Between 1942 and 1943, the remaining twin 13.2 mm mounts on surviving ships were replaced with four single Scotti-Isotta-Fraschini 20/70 mounts. These were single mounts. The 20mm/70 Scotti-Isotta Fraschini 1939 models were called the Cannone-Mitragliera da 20/77 (Scotti) and only required a crew of two with “flying loaders” bringing out new clips. This was a good AA defense but did not prevented a few losses due to air raids. The Scotti is closer in design to the Oerlikon, with a +85° levation, 250 rpm cyclic, 830 m/s (2,700 ft/s) Muzzle velocity and 2.1 km (6,900 ft) range max.
By the way, the first two Spica prototypes had two twin 40mm/39 Vickers-Terni 1917 AA guns.

450 mm Torpedoes

These Naples (Silurificio Italiano) torpedoes, were a MAS compatible 450 mm or 17.7 inches model. Might be either the Si 200 or W 200. Configuration as described above (1×2 +2×1 or 4×1 or 2×2). Even if there were large open spaces, cross-deck fire was not even tried. In practice, they could only fire two torpedoes on either sides. The small warhead was 110 kg, so sinking a ship remained the exception, especially aginst cruisers.

⚙ Specs Si 200/450 x 5.36

Weight 2,050 lbs. (930 kg) for 17 ft. 7 in. (5.750 m)
Explosive Charge 441 lbs. (200 kg).
Range/Speed 2,200 yards (2,000 m)/44 knots vy Wet-heater

⚙ Specs W 200/450 x 5.25

Weight 1,896 lbs. (860 kg) for 17 ft. 2.5 in. (5.250 m)
Explosive Charge 441 lbs. (200 kg).
Range/Speed 4,400 yards (4,000 m)/46 knots with Wet-heater.

Depth Charge Racks and Throwers

There were modello Modelo 1934/37 pneumatic launchers (from 1941 Mod. G throwers) and depth charge racks aft, with two side DCTs, but initially no poop racks.
B TG Monc. 50/1936: 141 lbs. (64 kg), 110 lbs. (50 kg) charge. Unknown sink Rate or Terminal Velocity or Settings. Designed and fired by the 30 cm (11.8 in) DC Throwers.
The B TG Scot. 100: larger model weighting 282 lbs. (128 kg) with a 220 lbs. (100 kg) intended for 43 cm (16.9 in) DC Throwers.
B TG Monc. 50/1917: 110 lbs. (50 kg), single setting
B TG Monc. 50/1927 4 Reg.: 110 lbs. (50 kg), 20, 40, 70 and 100 m (65, 130, 230 and 330 feet) settings
B TG Monc. 100/1927 4 Reg.: 220 lbs. (100 kg), 25, 50, 75 and 100 m (80, 165, 250 and 330 feet) settings

Mines

According to ONI records, they could carry either 28 Bollo, Elia or French Satter-Harlé mines or 18 P200 models, on their short aft deck rails. They did performed many minelaying missions during the war, making them truly jacks of all trades. These ships apparently did not carried the Ginocchio Towed Torpedo.

Hydrophones

All ships had a baseline Italian hydrophone but before 1943, it’s well possible these ships received German sonars, S-Gerät sonar when available. By the end of 1941, Orsa, Castore, Sagittario and Lince had it and until Sept. 1943, 18 TBs had this model, however it’s unknown how many of the Spica class.

Top: Cutaway src regiamarina.net, below src italie1935-45.com

⚙ specifications
Displacement	795 long tons (808 t) standard, 1,020 long tons (1,040 t) full load
Dimensions	81.4 x 8.1 x 2.55 (267 ft 1 in x 26 ft 7 in x 8 ft 4 in)
Propulsion	2 shaft steam turbines, 2 boilers: 19,000 hp (14,000 kW)
Speed	Speed 34 kn (63 km/h; 39 mph)
Range
Armament	3× 100 mm 100/47 DP, 4×2 13.2 mm Breda AA*, 4× 450 mm TTs, 20 mines
Sensors	Hydrophones but no sonar or radar.
Crew	6–9 officers, 100 crew

*6–11 × 20 mm Breda 20/65 mod. 35 AA guns

Appearance

src ww2-weapons.com (corrected)

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Modernization and Cold War Service

Modernization

Sagittario (F557) before modernization

After the outbreak of the war in Sept. 1939, their two original DC throwers were replaced with two or four German Tyoe G explosive launchers, which had a much higher firing rate. Many were also equipped with German or Italian-made sonars. However, modifications added weight, which combined with wear and tear from near-continuous use, led to top speed dropping, with some ships barely able to do 26 knots in 1943. The main problem was the limited space for the crew, exacerbated by long escort missions, instead of the short night patrols for which they were initially designed.

In 1939-1941, surviving shops were armed with three tandem 20mm/65 Breda 1935 AA guns, a single twin 13.2mm/76 Breda HMG mount, two twin 450mm TTs and two DCT, and mines. In 1941-1942, they all obtained G-type DC throwers with 40 DC at all. In 1942-1943, survivors lose their twin 13.2mm HMG for four single 20mm/70 Scotti-Isotta Fraschini 1939.

Cold War Sagittario class Corvettes

Aretusa (F556) after modernization

The seven surviving ships were modernized between 1950 and 1953, reclassified as corvettes: Aretusa, Calliope, Cassiopea, Clio, Sirio, Libra, and Sagittario.
Sagittario, was the first vessel in class to be modernized in 1949, as prototype. She was among the best of the whole class for her war records. The armament saw the replacement of one or two 100mm/47mm guns with twin 40mm/56mm Bofors/Breda AA guns, four single 40mm/56mm guns Mark III, for six total, 24x 178mm Hedgehog Mk 10 ASWRL, two grenade launchers, two grenade racks. Sagittario was the last decommissioned in 1964. Unlike the others she retained one 100mm/47mm gun in place of the twin 40mm/56mm gun. Cassiopea and Libra were among the ships present at the return of Trieste to Italy in 1954.

The list:
Calliope “CP” F 551 Struck off August 1, 1958
Libra “LB” F 552 Struck off 1959
Cassiopea “CS” F 553 Struck off 1959
Sirio “SI” F 554 Struck off 1959
Clio “CL” F 555 Struck off 1959
Aretusa “AU” F 556 Struck off August 1, 1958
Sagittario “SG” F 557 Struck off 1964

Specs as ASW corvettes mod. 1951-53

Full load displacement: 1030 tonnes, for 81.4 x 8.2 x 3.5 m
Propulsion, same: 2 steam turbines and boilers for 19,000 hp but 26 knots (48.15 km/h)
Range: 1,728 miles at 16 knots
Crew: 6 officers, 99 petty officers and ratings.
Armament: 1x 100mm/47 mm guns*, 4x 40mm/56 mm guns*, Hedegehog, 2 DCT, 2 DCR.
*Sagittario no main gun, 3 x twin 40mm/56 Breda-Bofors.

Alcione Group

ariel
The Alcione group torpedo boats constituted the largest subclass, sixteen vessels, four still around in the cold war as frigates. Eight were built at Ansaldo, Genoa, four at Cantieri del Quarnaro (CNT), Fiume, Adiatic, and four at Bacini & Scali Partenopei shipyard in Naples. execpt for those built in Fiume, they had twin torpedo launchers in the axis. Airone, Ariel, Alcione, and Aretusa were assigned to the 1st Squadron, 2nd Torpedo Boat Flotilla in Messina. Part of the 1st TBF comprised Circe, Clio, Calliope, and Calipso, to the XIII Squadron. Pallade, Partenope, Pleiadi, and Polluce were assigned to the XIV TBS. Remaining Lince, Libra, Lira, and Lupo were under the Aegean Naval Command, VIII TBS Rhodes.

Lupo and Libra torpedoed the large British oil tanker Desmoulea, on January 31, 1941. Lupo in May 21-22, 1941, Battle of Crete, faced along three Royal Navy cruisers and five destroyers, and yet managed to hold her ground, saving half her convoy mostly of German troopships. For this action, commander Francesco Mimbelli was awarded the Gold Medal for Military Valor, and its battle ensign awarded the Silver Medal for Military Valor. She was still sunk on December 2, 1942, by HMS Jervis, Javelin, Janus, and Kelvin while rescuing survivors of a cargo ship. The first lost were Airone and Ariel, in the night of October 11-12, 1940, near Cape Passero in th hand of HMS Ajax. The destroyer Artigliere was also hit, later finished off by HMS York and Swordsfish torpedo bombers. Commander Carlo Margottini, was killed at the helm, like XO Corrado Del Greco.

Circe (and Clio) sank the British submarine HMS Grampus, laying mines near Augusta on June 16, 1940. She doubled down with HMS Tempest on February 13, 1942, in the Gulf of Taranto. On the 21-23rd in Operation K7, she successfully escorted a convoy (Lerici, Monginevro, tanker Giordani) from Corfu to Tripoli. With Antoniotto Usodimare, she sank HMS P 38. On November 2 she assisted the motor vessel Zara (not the cruiser) hit by Swordfish, she sank but she saved the crew. On the 27th she sank after a collission at Castellammare del Golfo with the liner Città di Tunisi. Clio on December 18 sank HMS Triton in the Strait of Otranto.

Pleiadi, while docked in Tripoli, was hit by CANT Z.501 seaplane on May 31, 1941 after a failed maneuver when taking off, at her stern. The impact was enough to detonate her DCs, the wholle poop blew up, and her structures destroyed later by a violent fire. Towed out of the harbor, since she was stil loaded with ammunitions, she was transferred to the outer harbor, but sank a few hours later. Later while salvage was made, she was hit by a bomb during an air raid on October 13th. Heavy sea aggravated the situation until she was abandoned, after stripping her out. Partenope and Lira were caught by the armistice of 8 September 1943, captured by the Germans while in dry dock in Naples, on September 11th. Never repaired they were scuttled and sank at Castellammare di Stabia, as found in 1945. Lira was scuttled on September 9th but recovered by the Germans, partially repaired and became Ta 49, but never operational, she was sunk in a air raid on November 4th, 1944. Postwar service for Calliope, Clio, Libra, and Aretusa started as ASW frigates. Aretusa was struck August 1, 1958 as Calliope. Clio was struck off in 1959 as Libra

Losses were as follows: Airone October 12, 1940 by HMS Ajax, Alcione on December 11, 1941 by HMS Truant, Ariel also on October 12, 1940 by HMS Ajax, Calipso on December 5, 1940 by a mine east of Tripoli, Circe due to a collision on November 27, 1942, Lince on August 28, 1943 by HMS Ultor at Punta Alice, near Cirò Marina, Lira was sctulled after the armistice on September 9, 1943. Lupo was Sunk on December 2, 1942, Pallade on August 5, 1942 during an raid over Naples, Partenope Scuttled on September 11 1943, Pleiadi Sunk October 14, 1941 in the Tripoli air raid, and Polluce by a torpedo on September 4, 1942.

Airone (AO) (1938)

Airone was laid down at Ansaldo, Sestri Ponente, launched on 10 May 1938. She was sunk 12 October 1940 in the Battle of Cape Passero by cruiser HMS Ajax. She had three hits from her main guns on the British cruiser before being disabled; 59 men lost. Ajax hit by seven shells that destroyed one of her whalers, caused severe damage to the bridge and radar installation and 35 casualties, including 13 killed. See more details below.

Alcione (AC) (1938)

Alcione was ordered and built at AC Ansaldo, Sestri Ponente, launched 10 May 1938. In August she took part in a training off Elba Is. In June 1940 she was in the 1st Torpedo Boat Squadron (TBS) based in Messina, with Airone, Aretusa, and Ariel and trained in mine-laying duties. By July 29, she took part in the Operation “Trasporto Veloce Lento” with Circe, Clio, Climene, and Centauro, XIII TBS, with a convoy with the troopship liner Marco Polo, auxiliary cruisers Città di Palermo, Città di Napoli from Naples to Benghazi. On September 5–6, Alcione laid a barrage of 56 mines off Valletta with Aretusa, Ariel, and Altair. On October 10 Alcione and the Airone with seaplanes from the 89th Squadron made an ASW sweep off Syracuse, claimed HMS Triad (but she was sunk by Toti in the Gulf of Taranto). Next she took part in her most famous action:

During the night of October 11-12, Alcione, under Cdr. Luigi Bonatti was in patrol with Airone, Ariel and the XI Destroyer Squadron (Aviere, Artigliere, Geniere, Camicia Nera) east of Malta at 12 knots heading 270° and 4 nm (7.4 km) apart. Alcione was first and northernmost whe at 1:38 a.m. she spotted the light cruiser HMS Ajax, 18km SSE without being spotted, in a formation returning to Alexandria after escorting a convoy to Malta. She gave a signal and attacked followed by the rest of the line, lasting about 20 minutes at 1:57 AM. Alcione then fired two torpedoes from just 1,800 meters, port side of HMS Ajax but missed. Airone, which had also launched four, turned around, opened fire in a close quarter battle, but she blocke dthe path of Alcione for more torpedoes, so she also opened fire before losing contact at 2:03 AM. Airone was hit and reduced to a burning wreck, Ariel exploded and sank. The XI DS was notified and Alcione returned, colliding with the floating wreck of Airone, rescuing the crew and set course for Augusta.

On November 27, she departed Trapani with Vega, Sirio, and Sagittario for a night patrol in the Strait of Sicily (Operation Collar, later Battle of Cape Teulada) and at 00:33 AM on the 28th, launched an unsuccessful torpedo attack. From December she was in convoy escort missions, Libyan shipping lanes, Adriatic and Aegean Seas. On March 6, 1941, Alcione left Naples with the freighters Andrea Gritti and Sebastiano Venier to Palermo and then with Pallade and Polluce from Palermo, then Centauro and Clio to Tripoli. From March 28-30, Alcione, Circe, Sagittario and two MAS escorted to safety the German steamer Ruhr, torpedoed by HMS Utmost while sailing in convoy to Libya, back to Tripoli alsong the torpedoed Galilea. Later she was modernized.

By the afternoon of December 10, Alcione left Piraeus in escort for the tankers Arca and Ellis to Souda and arrived at Akrotiri then at 2:50 PM, in the mouth of Souda Bay, axis seaplanes spotted air bubbles off Cape Liman indicating the launch of two torpedoes. These were from HMS Truant at 1:20 PM, which spotted the convoy 9 nautical miles (17 km) away off Cape Drepano, fired at 2:32 PM from 3,200 m. The aircraft attacked, dropped bombs and fired flares to warn ships around. Alcioned only saw the last of the flares and soon spotted two torpedo trailed. She dodged the first but was too late for the second, obliterating her stern in a colossal blast due to her depth charges exploding. She then started to sink by the stern. Ellis attempted to tow her towards Souda, but this was futile, so she tried to run her aground near Marathi but it was too late when she capsized at 3:35 pm heeling on her port side and sank in shallow water with 17 killed and 14 wounded.

Aretusa (AU) (1938)

Arestusa modernized 1950s
Aretusa was laid down at Ansaldo, Sestri Ponente and launched on 1 July 1938. On 2 December 1942, while escorting a three-ship convoy, Aretusa shot down one of three Albacores that torpedoed the merchant ships south of Kerkennah Islands. One of the ships in the convoy was sunk by the aircraft and Lupo was sunk by British destroyers while recovering survivors at night. The remaining ships reached destination next morning. Severely damaged by bombing on 13 April 1943, repaired a few months later. She survived the war and served in the post war Marina Militare; completely modernized. Decommissioned on 1 August 1958.

Ariel (AE) (1938)

Ariel was laid down at Ansaldo, Sestri Ponente, launched on 1 July 1938. At the start of the war, she was based in Messina, 1st TBS with Aretusa, Alcione, and Airone under command of Lieutenant Commander Mario Ruta. She operated in Sicilian waters in mine-laying, surveillance, ASW patrol then convoy escort missions to Tripoli or Benghazi. On July 29 she was part of the operation “Trasporto Veloce Lento” for example (see above). On September 5–6 she laid down mines off Valletta. On October 11-12, she took part of the battle of Cape Passero against HMS Ajax (see above) by night, Ariel being the last of the three to spot the cruiser, launched her attack, firing two torpedoes at the starboard side after those of the port side when Ajax opened fire on her. She veered starboard and only launched a single torpedo, deflected by the wake of Airone, fire two salvos from 4,000 m.

However Ajax had eight 152 mm (6-in) guns and secondary 4-in DP guns on range, and she completely blasted the TB’s deck, hull, peppered her waterline, causing heavy fire. Commander Ruta was mortally wounded and died but ordered the fighting to continue under XO Paolo Dall’Orso, also killed. She ship then detonated when ammunition was hit and sank in minutes at 2:05 or 2:14 AM southeast of Cape Passero with 2/3 of her crew. 41 survivors were recovered and Commander Ruta was awarded the Medaglie D’Oro posthumously and XO Dall’Orso the Silver Medal for Military Valor. Airone shared the same fate.

Astore (AS) (1935)

Astore was laid down at BSN, Naples, launched on 30 May 1935. In 1939–1940, she was based in Cagliari in the 9th TBS, along with Spica, Canopo, and Cassiopea. In December 1939, a Swedish commission visited Italy to assess the purchase of Italian ships and like Spica she was chosen, sold on March 27, 1940, to the Svenska marinen and renamed HSwMS Remus, sailing out on April 14, from La Spezia to Naples and then on 18th Puke and Psilander collided, forcing them for repairs in Cartagena on April 23. From then, the trip resumed on 19 June buy Italy entered war in between, and this became the “Psilander Affair” when she was interned for a while in the Faeroe Is. by the British, until released. She resumed her trip and had a long service, being decommissioned in 1958.

Calipso (CI) (1938)

Calipso was laid down at Ansaldo, Sestri Ponente, launched on 16 November 1938. She was sunk on 5 December 1940, by mines from submarine mine-layer HMS Rorqual east of Tripoli.

Calliope (CP) (1938)

Calliope was laid down at Ansaldo, Sestri Ponente on 28 October 1938. In September 1943, escorted 117 convoys and took part in 21 combats steaming 77,500 nmi (143,500 km; 89,200 mi). Shot down six British aircraft on convoy escort to Libya. Survived the war and served in the post war Marina Militare. Decommissioned 1 August 1958.

Circe (CC) (1938)

Circe was laid down at Ansaldo, Sestri Ponente on 4 October 1938. She attempted (with Vega) to ambush a British convoy south of Pantelleria in January 1941. Vega was sunk and the cruiser HMS Bonaventure was damaged. Sank submarines HMS Grampus, HMS Union, HMS P38 and HMS Tempest.[23] Sunk by collision 27 November 1942.

Clio (CL) (1938)

Clio was laid down at Ansaldo, Sestri Ponente, launched on 2 October 1938. Clio shot down a Swordfish torpedo bomber from HMS Illustrious while escorting a four ship convoy off Sfax on 21 December 1940. Participated in the Battle of Skerki Bank, on 2 December 1942. Survived the war and served in the post-war Marina Militare. Decommissioned 1959.

Libra (LB) (1939)

Libra was laid down on CNQ, Fiume and launched on 19 January 1939. She assisted Lupo in the attack on Convoy AN 14 on the night of 31 January 1941 in the Kasos Strait. On 13 March 1943, while escorting a four-ship convoy, Libra participated in the hunt of submarine HMS Thetis (HMS Thunderbolt), carrying out seven depth charge attacks. The submarine was sunk by the corvette Cicogna the following day. Survived the war and served in the post war Marina Militare. Decommissioned 1964.

Lince (LC) (1938)

Lince was laid down at CNQ, Fiume, launched on 1 April 1938. Along with Lupo, she landed troops during Operation Abstention, the re-conquest of Kastelorizo, in February 1941. Grounded and later torpedoed and destroyed on 28 August 1943 by submarine HMS Ultor.

Lira (LR) (1938)

Lira was laid down at CNQ, Fiume, and launched on 1 January 1938. She was scuttled 9 September 1943, recovered by the Germans, renamed TA49, sunk by bombing 4 November 1944.

Lupo (LP/LU) (1938)

Lupo was ordered from CNQ, Fiume, launched on 28 February 1938. Along with Libra, torpedoed the British tanker Desmoulea (8,120 GRT) in the Kasos straits on 31 January 1941 at 35°33′32″N 25°34′14″E disabling her for the rest of the war.[29] The tanker was part of Convoy AN 14 and had departed Alexandria for Piraeus. Captained by Francesco Mimbelli during Operation Abstention, the reconquest of Kastelorizo and the Battle of Crete, where she survived a battle against three cruisers and five destroyers, saving half of a small ships convoy. Sunk 2 December 1942 by destroyers HMS Jervis, Javelin, Janus and Kelvin and torpedo bombers, while rescuing survivors from the Italian cargo ship Veloce, en route to Tripoli.

Pallade (PD) (1938)

Pallade was laid down at BSN, Naples, launched on 5 October 1938. She was sunk 5 August 1943 by air attack in Naples.

Partenope (PN) (1938)

Partenope was laid down ar BSN, Naples, launched on 26 November 1938. She shot down two Blenheims while escorting two steamers from Tripoli to Benghazi on 11 July 1941; damaged by a mine off Preveza on 26 July 1943. Scuttled in dry dock at Naples during Four days of Naples on 11 September 1943 when German forces occupied the city.

Pleiadi (PL) (1938)

Pleiadi was laid down at BSN, Naples, launched on 4 July 1938. She was wrecked on 31 May 1941 outside Tripoli harbour after a fire on board, definitively lost on 14 October 1941 to bombing while being refloated.

Polluce (PC) (1938)

Polluce was laid down at BSN, Naples, launched on 8 August 1938. She sank submarine HMS Grampus in June 1940, in company with Circe, Clio and Calliope. Sunk by torpedo bombers, 4 September 1942.

Sirio (SI) (1936)

Sirio SI was laid down at CNQ, Fiume. She was launched on 1 March 1936. She was the first Italian unit to spot the enemy in the Battle of Cape Spartivento; on 16 February 1943 Sirio led the escort of a four-ship convoy that detected by sonar and fought off MTB-77, MTB-82 and MTB-62 south of Marettimo. Served in the Marina Militare. Decommissioned 1959.

Spica (SP) (1935)

Spica was laid down at BSN (Bacini & Scali Napoletani shipyard) in Naples, laid down in 1933, launched on April 22, 1934, completed and commissioned on May 30, 1935. Like Astore, completed shortly after Spica, she was a prototype and class leader. Thus she had plenty of performance trials, along the Italian coast and then from 1936, in the Dodecanese, revealing mediocre seaworthiness but good speed on light for their sea trials, so the Admiraklty confirmed further orders. In 1937, she took part in the Spanish Civil War, trying to intercept vessels smuggling supplies for the Spanish Republicans and blockading ports. On June 2, 1939, along with Canopo, she escorted the liner Città di Palermo with the Princes of Piedmont for the spring naval review. In 1939 she was based in Cagliari, 9th Torpedo Boat Squadron, along with Astore, Canopo, and Cassiopea.

By December 1939, a Swedish commission visited Italy assessing purchases of Italian destroyers to bolster its own fleet and a contract was signd to acquire Spica and Astore, as well as the older Giovanni Nicotera and Bettino Ricasoli of the Sella class. On March 27, the transfer was agreed and paid for the Svenska marinen. Spica becaùe HSwMS Romulus, reclassified as a destroyer. Astore were renamed Remus, but their transfer was quite a stiry by itself, see the Psilander affair and Romulus class for more.

Sub-Class Climene

Climene Camouflaged
The Climene group was built at Riva Trigoso and Ancona. Canopo and Cassiopea at Riva Trigoso, the other four units at Ancona. They had the same navigation system as the “Perseo” group, and kept the same fuel level. Cassiopea and Canopo entered the IX TBS at La Maddalena, and Climene, Castore, Cigno and Centauro were placed under the Naval Command of Libia, XI TBS and XI TBS in Tripoli. Canopo was the first losst aftrer the 3rd July 1941 raid on Tripoli. Centauro was attacked on November 4, 1942 in Bengasi. Cigno arrived on April 16, 1943 southeast of Marettimo and crossed path with HMS Paladin and HMS Pakenham same as Cassiopea. Castore fought on 2 giugno 1943 HMS Jervis and Vasilissa Olga. Climene fought on April 28, 1943, HMS Unshaken off Marettimo. Cassiopea survived and joined the Marina Militare, providing service as cargo vessel until struck in 1959. Of all these, only Cassiopea survived until 1959.

Canopo (CA) (1937)

Canopo was built at CT, Riva Trigoso and launched on 31 March 1937. She was sunk on 3 May 1941 by British bombers at Tripoli.

Cassiopea (CS) (1937)

Cassiopea was laid down at CT, Riva Trigoso and launched on 26 April 1937. She was sank HMS Pakenham in the Battle of the Cigno Convoy, south-east of Marettimo island, 16 April 1943, escorting a merchant ship to Tunis. Severely damaged, towed by Climene. Survived the war and served in the post war Marina Militare. Decommissioned 1959.

Castore (CT) (1937)

Castore was ordered from CT CNR, Ancona and launched on 16 January 1937. On 13 January 1942, she led a convoy from Tripoli to Taranto that outmanoeuvred British destroyers HMS Jaguar, Lance, Lively and Zulu. The convoy, with Monginevro and Monviso, had been spotted and attacked by Swordfish of 830 Squadron. Castore defeated British motor boats and small vessels attempting to land at Tobruk in Operation Agreement. She later rounded up a number of British survivors and small amphibious craft from the sea. Sunk 2 June 1943 by destroyers HMS Jervis and Vasilissa Olga in the Battle of the Messina Convoy while defending a small convoy of two coasters, which reached their destination.

Centauro (CO) (1936)

Centauro was laid down at CNR, Ancona, launched on 16 June 1936. She was sunk 4 November 1942, bombed in Benghazi harbour.

Cigno (CG) (1937)

Cigno was laid down at CNR, Ancona, launched on 15 March 1937. She was part of the screen of destroyers and torpedo boats escorting a four-freighter convoy to Tripoli on 26 May 1941. Two Blenheims were shot down. Cigno rescued hundreds of survivors after the Battle of Cape Bon, where she dodged four torpedoes launched by the Dutch destroyer HNLMS Isaac Sweers. Sunk in the Battle of the Cigno Convoy, 16 April 1943, south-east of Marettimo Island, by HMS Paladin and HMS Pakenham, while escorting a transport ship to Tunis; Pakenham was repeatedly hit by Cigno and Cassiopea and was scuttled.

Climene (CE) (1936)

Climene was laid down on CNR, Ancona, launched on 24 April 1936. She took part in the shooting down of three Beaufort torpedo-bombers and a Beaufighter while escorting a convoy, 20–21 August 1942. Climene was part of the escorting force that sank submarine HMS Triton on 24 April 1943. Sunk 28 April 1943 by submarine HMS Unshaken.

Perseo Group

The Perseo sub-class consisted of eight ships, four built in Genoa, four in Fiume. Like those of the Climene group, they had four single torpedo tubes. Altair, Antares, Aldebran, and Andromeda were assigned to the XII TBS, II TBF Messina. Vega, Sagittario, Perseo, and Sirio were assigned to the X TBS in La Spezia. Sagittario was the longest in service, modenrized and remaining with the Marina Militare until 1964. Sagittario was present at the Battle of Crete, protecting a German troopship convoy against a British formation of three cruisers and four destroyers, and she managed to even sink the cruiser Gloucester and damage the destroyer Kingston. Lieutenant Giuseppe Cigala Fulgosi was awarded the Gold Medal for Military Valor for this.

On 19 October 1942, she was engaged in escort, with the DD Da Verrazzano, when torpedoed by the submarine HMS Unbending, after an unsuccessful towing attempt, crew saved. She survived an air attack on 10 April 1943, and on 27 April while escort of a steamer to Bizerte, by some 25 fighter-bombers (3 killed, 20 wounded). She also fought MTB 633, MTB 637 and MTB 639 which just sank the auxiliary minesweeper R 32 Impero. She destroyed MTB 639 and repelled the others two, both damaged, reaching port unscathed. She was in Pola on 9 September 1943 and managed to reach Malta, while underway she attacked by a German U-boat trying to ambush Italian battleships. She made a ramming run, forcing the sub to abort. Her torpedoes missed. Vega, Andromeda, Aldebaran, and Altair were lost in 1941, either in combat with British destroyers, by British Swordfish torpedo bomber, and by mines laid by British submarines. Perseo was lost in 1943 after a duel with British destroyers. The two surviving ships, Sirio and Sagittario, joined the col-belligerent Italian Navy and served with the MM until 1959-1964.

Aldebaran and Altair were sunk on October 20, 1941 by mines from HMS Rorqual
Andromeda was sunk March 17, 1941
Antares was Sunk on May 28, 1943 but she managed so sink the Greek submarine Proteus on December 29, 1940.
Perseo was Sunk on May 4, 1943 by mines from HMS Rorqual and finished off by HMS Nubian, HMS Petard, and HMS Paladin
Sagittario survived and joined the MM until 1964.
Sirio also joined the MM until 1959.
Vega was sunk by the British destroyer HMS Hereward on January 10, 1941.

Aldebaran (AL) (1936)

PERSEO
Aldebaran was ordered from Ansaldo, Sestri Ponente and launched on 6 December 1936. She was sunk 20 October 1941 in the Saronic Gulf, by mines laid by the mine-laying submarine HMS Rorqual.

Altair (AT) (1936)

PERSEO
Altair was ordered from Ansaldo, Sestri Ponente, launched on 23 December 1936. She was sunk 20 October 1941 in the Saronic Gulf, by mines laid by submarine mine-layer HMS Rorqual.

Andromeda (AD) (1936)

PERSEO
Andromeda was built at Ansaldo, Sestri Ponente, launched on 6 December 1936. Sge was sunk on 17 March 1941 at Valona, Albania, by British torpedo-bombers.

Antares AN (1936)

PERSEO
Antares was ordered from Ansaldo, Sestri Ponente, 23 December 1936. She Sank the Greek submarine Protefs (sometimes Proteus) by ramming 40 nmi (74 km; 46 mi) east of Brindisi, 29 December 1940. She met her end on 28 March 1943 at Livorno by USAAF bombers.

Perseo (PS) (1936)

Perseo was laid down at CNQ, at Fiume and she was launched on 1 February 1936. She was sunk on 4 May 1943 off Cape Bon by HMS Nubian, Petard and Paladin, in the Battle of the Campobasso Convoy escorting the freighter Campobasso, also sunk in this action. Convoy, escort by the Ciclone-class torpedo boat Tifone, Perseo and Campobasso sunk but Tifone was able to outrun the British destroyers and reached Tunis.

Sagittario SG (1936)

Sagittario was laid down CNQ, Fiume and was launched on 8 October 1936. She defended a German convoy of caïques during the Battle of Crete against three British cruisers and four destroyers, claimed minor damage to the destroyer HMS Kingston. Sank British MGB 639 off Tunis, on 28 April 1943 whilst escorting a steamer off Kelibia. Served in the Marina Militare, decommissioned 1964.

Vega VG

Vega was laid down at CNQ, Fiume, launched on 12 October 1936. She Shot down a Swordfish from Illustrious off Sfax on 21 December 1940 after two steamers she was escorting were torpedoed and sunk by HMS Hereward 10 January 1941 in the Strait of Sicily while attempting to ambush a British convoy to Malta.

To be Updated with the full career of all ships