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An item reported that on 15 September on board of the Italian battleship Francesco Morosini at the same times all her 4-43cm guns were fired each with a charge of 350 kilo to examine the effects of such a blow on the ship herself. The effects were disastrous while the ship suffered all over damage and the deck was over the whole length deformed. Decided was to scrap her and similar ships instead to use them again as coastal defence ships as was planned.(1)
Note
1.Of the Ruggiero di Lauria-class ironclads consisting of the Ruggiero di Lauria, Francesco Morosini and Andrea Doria, preceded by the Italia-class and succeeded by the Re Umberto-class. Laid down by the Venice Navy Yard on 4 December 1881, launched on 30 July 1885, completed on 21 August 1889, stricken in August 1909 and sunk while used as a target for torpedoes off La Speziz on 15 September 1909 and afterwards broken up. Main armament consisted of 2x2-43,2cm/17” guns.
