Generali-class destroyer

Generale Antonio Cantore photographed in 1941 in Kotor following the Axis invasion of Yugoslavia.
Class overview
Name	Generali class
Builders	Cantieri Odero
Operators	Regia Marina Kriegsmarine
Preceded by	Template:Sclass-
Succeeded by	Template:Sclass-
Planned	5
Completed	5
Lost	5
General characteristics
Type	Destroyer
Displacement	832 tons (normal) 890 tons (full load)
Length	73.2 m (240 ft 2 in)
Beam	7.3 m (23 ft 11 in)
Draught	3 m (9 ft 10 in)
Installed power	16,000 hp (12,000 kW)
Propulsion	4 boilers and 2 turbines, 2 axes
Speed	30 knots (56 km/h)
Range	2,000 nautical miles (3,700 km) at 14 kn (26 km/h)
Complement	105
Armament	3 × 102 mm (4 in)/45 guns 2 × 76 mm (3 in)/30 guns 4 450 mm (18 in) torpedo launchers

The Generali-class destroyer was a class of Italian destroyers, built as a development of the Template:Sclass-. They were the last ships of the Regia Marina (Italian Navy), fitted with three stacks. In 1929, being obsolete, units were reclassified as torpedo-boats, and in this role served during Second World War.

Origins

The class was built between 1921 and 1924, ordered from Cantieri Odero, Sestri Ponente. The ships were able to reach 30 knots (56 km/h; 35 mph) of top speed, an improvement respect the previous class Rosolino Pilo. Their displacement was 832 tons (normal) and 890 tons (full load). Their armament initially was composed of three 102-millimetre (4 in)/45 calibre guns (an Italian version of the QF 4 inch Mk V) and two 76 mm (3 in)/30 calibre guns, and four 450 mm (18 in) torpedo launchers. In 1936 ships were enabled with minesweeping equipment, and the 76 mm guns were replaced by twin cannons Breda Model 35.

Units

The class was known also by name of his first unit, Generale Antonio Cantore. All other ships were dedicated to Italian generals. None of them survived the war.

• Generale Antonio Cantore
• Generale Antonio Cascino
• Generale Antonio Chinotto
• Generale Carlo Montanari
• Generale Marcello Prestinari
• Generale Achille Papa