Wednesday, 7 September 2011

Italian battleship Roma 1937-1943

Computer line drawing by Enrico of the 1942 appearance



Of the Vittorio Veneto-class. Ordered in 1937, laid down at the Cantieri Riuniti dell’Adriatico yard at Trieste 18 September 1938 with as yard number 1223, launched 9 June 1940, not earlier commissioned as 14 June 1942, in actual service 21 August 1942 and sunk 9 September 1943 by German aircraft attacks in the Strait of Bonifacio causing the death of 1,253 men.

With a displacement of 38,820 long tons or 38,430 tons light, 40,723 long tons/41,376 tons standard, 43,797 long tons/44,500 tons normal and finally 45,773 long tons/46,508 tons full load and as dimensions 787.78 (over all)-734.07 (between perpendiculars) x 108.10 (maximum) x 34.25. The 8 Yarrow boilers and engines supplied 138,035 shaft hp allowing a speed of 30 knots and with 20 knots a range of 3,920 nautical miles. Her crew numbered 1,920 men. The armament consisted of 3x3-15.0”guns, 4x3-6.0”guns, 12x3.5” anti aircraft guns, 20x1.5” guns, 32x0.79” guns, 6x0.31”guns and 3 MAM R.43 or Reggiane Re.2000 aeroplanes.