CRDA 60 t motor torpedo boat

MS 473 (ex MS 31, now on display at the Museo Storico Navale) after the 1950s upgrades
Class overview
BuildersCantieri Riuniti dell'Adriatico, Monfalcone
Operators
Built1942–43
In commission1942–1970s
Completed36
Lost22
Preserved2
General characteristics
TypeMotor torpedo boat
Displacement63–66 tons
Length28 m (92 ft)
Beam4.3 m (14 ft)
Draught1.6 m (5 ft 3 in)
Installed power3,450 brake horsepower (2,570 kW)
Propulsion3 × Isotta Fraschini Asso 1000 petrol engines
Speed35 knots (65 km/h; 40 mph)
Armament

The Motosilurante CRDA 60 t (also known as MS boat) was a type of motor torpedo boat built for the Regia Marina during World War II. It was designed on the pattern of German S-boats — some early examples of which were captured by the Italians from Yugoslav Navy — to complement the faster but less seaworthy MAS boats.

It was two Motosiluranti CRDA that scored the single biggest success by fast torpedo craft in the Second World War, the sinking of British light cruiser HMS Manchester.[1] After the conflict surviving boats remained in service with the Marina Militare—the last ones being ultimately dismissed after almost 40 years of service, in the late 1970s.[2]

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference regiamarina was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ Bagnasco, Erminio (January 2011). "Le "Nazionali"" (PDF). Marinai d'Italia. LV (1–2). Associazione Nazionale Marinai d'Italia: 16–19. Retrieved 6 April 2016.