Otraria was one of two Argo-class submarines ordered by the Portuguese government, but taken over and completed for the Regia Marina (Royal Italian Navy) during the 1930s. She played a minor role in the Spanish Civil War of 1936–1939 supporting the Spanish Nationalists.
| History | |
|---|---|
 Kingdom of Italy | |
| Name | Otraria |
| Builder | Cantieri Riuniti dell'Adriatico, Trieste |
| Launched | 20 March 1935 |
| Fate | Discarded, 1 February 1948 |
| General characteristics | |
| Type | Submarine |
| Displacement | |
| Length | 73 m (239 ft 6 in) |
| Beam | 7.2 m (23 ft 7 in) |
| Draft | 5.12 m (16 ft 10 in) |
| Installed power | |
| Propulsion |
|
| Speed |
|
| Range |
|
| Test depth | 90 m (300 ft) |
| Crew | 58 |
| Armament |
|
Design and description
editThe Glauco-class submarines were improved versions of the preceding Squalo class. They displaced 1,071 metric tons (1,054 long tons) surfaced and 1,326 metric tons (1,305 long tons) submerged. The submarines were 73 meters (239 ft 6 in) long, had a beam of 7.2 meters (23 ft 7 in) and a draft of 5.12 meters (16 ft 10 in).[1] They had an operational diving depth of 90 meters (300 ft).[2] Their crew numbered 58 officers and enlisted men.[1]
For surface running, the boats were powered by two 1,500-brake-horsepower (1,119 kW) diesel engines, each driving one propeller shaft. When submerged each propeller was driven by a 600-horsepower (447 kW) electric motor. They could reach 17 knots (31 km/h; 20 mph) on the surface and 8 knots (15 km/h; 9.2 mph) underwater. On the surface, the Glauco class had a range of 9,760 nautical miles (18,080 km; 11,230 mi) at 8 knots (15 km/h; 9.2 mph); submerged, they had a range of 110 nmi (200 km; 130 mi) at 3 knots (5.6 km/h; 3.5 mph).[2]
The boats were armed with eight internal 53.3-centimeter (21 in) torpedo tubes, four each in the bow and stern for which they carried a total of 14 torpedoes. They were also armed with two 100-millimeter (3.9 in) deck guns, one each fore and aft of the conning tower, for combat on the surface. Their anti-aircraft armament consisted of one or two 13.2-millimeter (0.52 in) machine guns.[1]
Construction and career
editOtraria was laid down by CRDA in its Trieste shipyard. The submarine had initially been ordered in 1931, but was acquired by the Italians when Portugal cancelled the order. She was launched on 20 March 1935 and entered service in January 1936.[1] During the Spanish Civil War she attempted to torpedo a Republican destroyer in Cartagena, but missed with the torpedo detonating against a mole.[3] Otraria survived the Second World War and was discarded on 1 February 1948.[1]
Notes
editReferences
edit- Bagnasco, Erminio (1977). Submarines of World War Two. Annapolis, Maryland: Naval Institute Press. ISBN 0-87021-962-6.
- Brescia, Maurizio (2012). Mussolini's Navy: A Reference Guide to the Regina Marina 1930–45. Annapolis, Maryland: Naval Institute Press. ISBN 978-1-59114-544-8.
- Chesneau, Roger, ed. (1980). Conway's All the World's Fighting Ships 1922–1946. Greenwich, UK: Conway Maritime Press. ISBN 0-85177-146-7.
- Frank, Willard C. Jr. (1989). "Question 12/88". Warship International. XXVI (1): 95–97. ISSN 0043-0374.
- Rohwer, Jürgen (2005). Chronology of the War at Sea 1939–1945: The Naval History of World War Two (Third Revised ed.). Annapolis, Maryland: Naval Institute Press. ISBN 1-59114-119-2.
External links
edit- Otaria (1935) Marina Militare website
