ARETUSA [AU]

ARETUSA

Hull Identification:

•AU.............1938-1953

•F556………1953-1958

Spica class Torpedo Boat /Escort Destroyer

Built by: Ansaldo Shipyard, Genoa

Launched: 6 February 1938

Completed: July 1938

Modernised and converted into a Fast Corvette: 1952-1953

Fate: Discarded 1958

 

GENESIS OF PROJECT DESIGN

In the early thirties for replacement of out-of-date torpedo boats the decision to build a series of new ships of such type was accepted, thus their standard displacement was limited by 600t. It allowed to take advantage of an opening in total documents of the London Naval Conference of 1930 according to which the ships with displacement under 600t did not fall under limitations and could be built in any number. According to naval shipbuilding experts, to create something except coastal torpedo boat with low seaworthiness and low endurance, it was impossible. For Italy, whose interests have been centred on Mediterranean sea with its rather small distances and good weather conditions, the endurance and seaworthiness paled into insignificance. It is clear to use desire of Italians this opening for the renewal torpedo fleets, not spending on it precious contractual tonnage and having left it on rigorous destroyers.

It is interesting, that determination to build the 600t ships had, besides economic also political underlying reason as Italy, after France, did not ratify total documents of the London conference and formally had the full right not to follow any limitations.

 

RM ARETUSA photographed in port in 1951

Own Collection : Photographer unknown

 

Done