Liuzzi-class submarine

The launch of Console Generale Liuzzi
The launch of Console Generale Liuzzi in 1939
Class overview
BuildersTosi Taranto
Operators
Built1939–1940
In service1939–1944
In commission1939–1944
Completed4
Lost4
General characteristics
TypeSubmarine
Displacement
  • 1,030 long tons (1,047 t) surfaced
  • 1,484 long tons (1,508 t) submerged
Length253 ft (77 m)
Beam25 ft (7.6 m)
Draught14 ft (4.3 m)
Propulsion
Speed
  • 18 knots (33 km/h; 21 mph) surfaced
  • 8 knots (15 km/h; 9.2 mph) submerged
Complement50
Armament
Notes[1]

The Liuzzi class was a class of four submarines built by Tosi in Taranto for the Royal Italian Navy (Italian: Regia Marina). The submarines were built in 1939 and began their Second World War service in the Mediterranean Sea, where Liuzzi was sunk. The three surviving boats were transferred to the BETASOM Atlantic submarine base at Bordeaux in 1940. After Tarantini was sunk, Bagnolini and Giuliani were selected for conversion to "transport submarines" in order to exchange rare or irreplaceable trade goods with Japan. Cargo capacity of 160 tons reduced reserve buoyancy from between 20 and 25% to between 3.5 and 6%; and armament was reduced to defensive machine guns.[2] The submarines saw action in the Second World War during which they collectively sunk 5 freighters and 1 light cruiser and were eventually either sunk or captured.

  1. ^ Kafka & Pepperburg p. 790
  2. ^ Brice pp. 129, 131