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| {{short description|Destroyer of the Regia Marina}} | |||
| {{other ships|Italian ship Espero}} | {{other ships|Italian ship Espero}} | ||
| {|{{Infobox ship begin}} | {|{{Infobox ship begin}} | ||
| {{Infobox ship image | {{Infobox ship image | ||
| |Ship image=Espero |
|Ship image=Destroyer Espero in Taranto.jpg | ||
| |Ship caption= | |Ship caption=''Espero'', passing through ] | ||
| }} | }} | ||
| {{Infobox ship career | {{Infobox ship career | ||
| Line 9: | Line 11: | ||
| |Ship flag={{shipboxflag|Kingdom of Italy}} | |Ship flag={{shipboxflag|Kingdom of Italy}} | ||
| |Ship name= ''Espero'' | |Ship name= ''Espero'' | ||
| |Ship namesake= |
|Ship namesake= Westerly wind | ||
| |Ship ordered= | |Ship ordered= | ||
| |Ship awarded= | |Ship awarded= | ||
| |Ship builder=], ] | |Ship builder=], ]-] | ||
| |Ship original cost= | |Ship original cost= | ||
| |Ship yard number= | |Ship yard number= | ||
| |Ship way number= | |Ship way number= | ||
| |Ship laid down=29 April 1925 | |Ship laid down=29 April 1925 | ||
| |Ship launched= |
|Ship launched= 31 August 1927 | ||
| |Ship sponsor= | |Ship sponsor= | ||
| |Ship christened= | |Ship christened= | ||
| |Ship completed= |
|Ship completed= | ||
| |Ship commissioned= | |Ship commissioned=30 April 1928 | ||
| |Ship identification= |
|Ship identification=ES | ||
| ⚫ | |Ship fate=Sunk by gunfire, 28 June 1940 | ||
| |Ship motto= | |||
| |Ship nickname= | |||
| |Ship honours= | |||
| ⚫ | |Ship fate=Sunk, 28 June 1940 | ||
| |Ship notes= | |Ship notes= | ||
| |Ship badge= | |||
| }} | }} | ||
| {{Infobox ship characteristics | {{Infobox ship characteristics | ||
| |Header caption=(as built) | |||
| |Ship class={{sclass |
|Ship class={{sclass|Turbine|destroyer}} | ||
| |Ship displacement=*{{convert|1073|LT|t}} (])<ref name=Jane>{{cite book|last=McMurtrie |first=Francis |title=Jane's Fighting Ships: 1937 |year=1937 |page=280 }}</ref> | |||
| |Ship displacement=*{{cvt|1090|t|LT|lk=on}} (]) | |||
| * |
*{{cvt|1700|t|LT|-1}} (]) | ||
| |Ship length={{convert|307|ft|6|in|m|1|abbr=on}}<ref name=Jane/> | |||
| |Ship |
|Ship length= {{convert|93.2|m|ftin|abbr=on}} | ||
| |Ship |
|Ship beam= {{convert|9.2|m|ftin|abbr=on}} | ||
| |Ship |
|Ship draught= {{convert|3|m|ftin|abbr=on}} | ||
| * |
|Ship power=*3 ]s | ||
| *{{Cvt|40000|shp|lk=on}} | |||
| |Ship propulsion=2 shafts |
|Ship propulsion=2 shafts; 2 geared ]s | ||
| |Ship speed={{convert|36|kn|lk=in}}<ref name=Jane/> | |||
| |Ship |
|Ship speed={{convert|33|kn|lk=in}} | ||
| |Ship range= {{convert|3200|nmi|abbr=on|lk=in}} at {{convert|14|kn}} | |||
| |Ship complement=*145 (6 officers + 139 non-officers and sailors) peacetime | |||
| |Ship complement=179 | |||
| *179 (12 officers + 167 non-officers and sailors) wartime | |||
| |Ship armament=* 2 × twin ] | |||
| |Ship sensors= | |||
| * 2 × single ] ]s | |||
| * |
* 1 × twin ] | ||
| * 2 × triple {{convert|533|mm|in|0|abbr=on}} ]s | * 2 × triple {{convert|533|mm|in|0|abbr=on}} ]s | ||
| * 52 ] |
* 52 ] | ||
| |Ship notes= | |||
| }} | }} | ||
| |} | |} | ||
| '''Italian destroyer ''Espero''''' was |
'''Italian destroyer ''Espero''''' was one of eight {{sclass|Turbine|destroyer|2}}s built for the {{lang|it|]}} (Royal Italian Navy) during the 1920s. She was named after a westerly wind, Espero, or Ponente, common in summer in the ]. Completed in 1928, ''Espero'' was sent to ] after the ] on 28 January 1932. After encountering heavy seas, she had to stop at ], ], then stayed in the Far East even after a truce had been negotiated between China and Japan. | ||
| After Italy entered ] on 10 June 1940, ''Espero'' was part of the 2nd Destroyer Squadron, based at ]. Only seventeen days after Italy's entry into the war, ''Espero'' was sunk during the ] as she covered the convoy's retreat, the first surface engagement between ] and ] warships. The ship was the first Italian destroyer to be lost in World War II. | |||
| ==Description and Construction== | |||
| {{sclass-|Turbine|destroyer|0}} warships were built in 1927-1928 and contained characteristics that can be described as transitional between the ships of the post-World War I period and those built in 1930s. Compared to both of their predecessors, {{sclass-|Sauro|destroyer|0}} and {{sclass-|Sella|destroyer|0}} vessels, their hull was elongated to accommodate a more powerful propulsion system to gain about 10% more power and increase their speed by 1 knot. Additional side fuel tanks were added which allowed to increase fuel stowage to 446 tons of fuel oil. | |||
| ==Design and description== | |||
| ''Espero'' like all other Turbine-class boats had a significant overload: their design standard displacement was {{convert|1073|LT|t}} but in practice it was around {{convert|1220|LT|t}}. Her ] was {{convert|1670|LT|t}} as designed, and ended up being {{convert|1715|LT|t}} as built. The ship had an ] of {{convert|307.5|ft|m|1}}, a ] of {{convert|30.5|ft|m|1}} and a ] of {{convert|10.75|ft|m|1}}. She was powered by 2 ] geared ]s, driving two shafts, which developed a total of {{convert|40000|shp|lk=in}} and gave a maximum speed of {{convert|36|kn|lk=in}}.<ref name=Jane/> During the trials the contract speed was exceeded, ''Espero'' was clocked at {{convert|38.4|kn|lk=in}} during trials,<ref name=Jane/> but at full load the vessel could reach no more than {{convert|33|kn|lk=in}}. Steam for the turbines was provided by three ] ]s. ''Espero'' carried a maximum of {{convert|446|LT|t}} of ] that gave her a range of {{convert|3800|nmi|lk=in}} at {{convert|20|kn}}. | |||
| The ''Turbine''-class destroyers were enlarged and improved versions of the preceding {{sclass|Sauro|destroyer|4}}. They had an ] of {{convert|93.2|m|ft|0|sp=us}}, a beam of {{convert|9.2|m|ftin|sp=us}} and a mean ] of {{convert|3|m|ftin|sp=us}}.<ref name=w9>Whitley, p. 161</ref> They displaced {{convert|1090|t|LT|sp=us|lk=on}} at ] load, and {{convert|1700|t|LT|sp=us|-1}} at deep load. Their complement was 12 officers and 167 enlisted men.<ref name=f8/> | |||
| The ''Turbine''s were powered by two ] geared ]s, each driving one propeller shaft using steam supplied by three ]s. The turbines were rated at {{convert|40000|shp|lk=on}} for a speed of {{convert|33|kn|lk=in}} in service,<ref name=g0>Roberts, p. 299</ref> although ''Espero'' reached a speed of {{convert|38.4|kn}} during her ]s while lightly loaded.<ref>McMurtrie, p. 280</ref> They carried enough ] to give them a range of {{convert|3200|nmi|lk=in}} at a speed of {{convert|14|kn}}.<ref name=w9/> | |||
| The ship mounted four 45-] ] in twin mounts. For ] (AA) defense, three ] cannons in single mounts were deployed at the time of launching. In early 1930s one of the ] guns was removed, and a single mount twin ] machine guns were installed. She was fitted with two above-water triple {{convert|533|mm|in|0|abbr=on}} ] mounts, and could also carry 52 mines. | |||
| Their ] consisted of four ] guns in two twin-]s, one each fore and aft of the ].<ref name=f8>Fraccaroli, p. 47</ref> ] for the ''Turbine''-class ships was provided by a pair of ] ]s in single mounts ] and a twin-gun mount for ]. They were equipped with six {{convert|533|mm|in|adj=on|sp=us|0}} ]s in two triple mounts amidships.<ref name=g0/> The ''Turbine''s could carry 52 ].<ref name=f8/> | |||
| ''Espero'' was built at the ] shipyard in ]. She was laid down on 29 April 1925 and launched on 4 April 1927. The ship was completed on 31 August 1927 and after sea trials officially entered the service with ]. | |||
| ==Construction and career== | |||
| ==Service== | |||
| ] | |||
| ''Espero'' was ] by ] at their ]-] ] on 29 April 1925, ] on 31 August 1927 and ] on 30 April 1928.<ref name=w9/> Together with {{ship|Italian destroyer|Ostro|1928|2}}, {{ship|Italian destroyer|Zeffiro|1927|2}} and {{ship|Italian destroyer|Borea|1927|2}}, after completion ''Espero'' was assigned to the 1st Squadron of the I Destroyer Flotilla, based in ].<ref name=rm1>{{cite web | title = La Regia Marina Tra le due Guerre Mondiali | author = Pier Paolo Ramoino | page=74 |url = http://www.marina.difesa.it/conosciamoci/editoria/marivista/Documents/2011/09_settembre/La_Regia_Marina.pdf | accessdate = 2017-12-18 }}</ref> | |||
| After the ] of January 1932 which led to hostilities between China and Japan, Italy decided to send two warships and the San Marco Battalion to protect their colony in ]. {{ship|Italian cruiser|Trento||2}} and ''Espero'' were selected for the mission. Both vessels departed from ] on 5 February 1932 under command of Admiral ].<ref name=t1>{{cite web |url=http://www.trentoincina.it/mostrapost.php?id=67 |title=''Trento'' and ''Espero'' trip to Shanghai in 1932 |accessdate=2018-03-22}}</ref> ''Trento'' reached Shanghai on 4 March, while ''Espero'', slowed down by rough weather, had to stop at Saigon before reaching China three days later. After a truce was negotiated between Japan and China, ''Trento'' left Shanghai on 14 May 1932 for the return journey to Italy, while ''Espero'' stayed behind for a year to complement and strengthen Italian naval squadron in the Far East.<ref name=t2>{{cite web |url=http://www.trentoincina.it/mostrapost.php?id=68 |title=''Trento'' and ''Espero'' route to Shanghai in 1932 |accessdate=2018-03-22}}</ref> In 1934 ''Espero'', along with ''Ostro'', ''Zeffiro'' and ''Borea'' formed the 4th Destroyer Squadron, part of the 2nd Naval Division.<ref name=rm3>{{cite web | title = La Regia Marina Tra le due Guerre Mondiali | author = Pier Paolo Ramoino | page=84 |url = http://www.marina.difesa.it/conosciamoci/editoria/marivista/Documents/2011/09_settembre/La_Regia_Marina.pdf | accessdate = 2017-12-18 }}</ref> | |||
| ===World War II=== | ===World War II=== | ||
| At the time of ] entrance into ] on 10 June 1940, ''Espero'' together with sister |
At the time of ]'s entrance into ] on 10 June 1940, ''Espero'' together with ]s {{ship|Italian destroyer|Zeffiro|1927|2}}, {{ship|Italian destroyer|Ostro|1928|2}} and {{ship|Italian destroyer|Borea|1927|2}} formed 2nd Destroyer Squadron based at ].<ref>Brescia, p. 44</ref> | ||
| ====Battle of the Espero Convoy==== | |||
| ⚫ | On 27 June 1940 ''Espero'', commanded by |
||
| {{Main|Battle of the Espero Convoy}} | |||
| ⚫ | On 27 June 1940 ''Espero'', commanded by ] ], sailed from Taranto at 22:45 for the first war mission, along with ''Ostro'' and ''Zeffiro''. The three vessels were to transport to ] two light anti-aircraft ], {{convert|120|ST|t|abbr=on}} of ammunition (450,000 rounds) and 162 members of the ].<ref name="oh">O'Hara, p. 32</ref> | ||
| On 28 June 1940 at 12:10, about {{convert|50|mi|nmi km|lk=on|abbr=on}} west of ], the convoy was sighted by a British reconnaissance ] plane.<ref name=" |
On 28 June 1940 at 12:10, about {{convert|50|mi|nmi km|lk=on|abbr=on}} west of ], the convoy was sighted by a British reconnaissance ] plane.<ref name="g3">Green & Massignani, p. 63</ref> As they were within striking range of the British 7th Cruiser Squadron, composed of light cruisers {{HMS|Liverpool|C11|2}}, {{HMS|Orion|85|2}}, {{HMS|Neptune|20|2}}, {{HMS|Gloucester|62|2}} and {{HMAS|Sydney|D48|2}}, Admiral John Tovey ordered them to intercept the Italians. The Italian column was sighted by the Allied ships around 18:30, about 100 miles north of Tobruk, and at 18:36 ''Liverpool'' opened fire from {{convert|22000|yd|m|abbr=on}} at the surprised Italian flotilla.<ref name="oh1">O'Hara, p. 33</ref> At 18:59 ''Orion'' also opened fire from {{convert|18000|yd|m|abbr=on}}. The Italian destroyers were theoretically faster than the British cruisers, but due to their age and heavy cargo on board their speed advantage was nullified. In addition, ''Espero'''s third boiler turned out to be defective, limiting the destroyer's speed to just {{convert|25|kn|lk=in}}.<ref name=oh1/> Captain Baroni, therefore, decided to sacrifice his ship in order to cover the escape of ''Zeffiro'' and ''Ostro'', and ordered them to disengage and sail for ] at full speed. ''Espero'' laid smokescreens and conducted evasive maneuvers, engaging Liverpool's division with guns, and simultaneously firing three torpedoes at ''Orion''.<ref name=oh1/> | ||
| While ''Liverpool'' and ''Gloucester'' took on ''Espero'', the other three cruisers tried to get around the smokescreens to attack the fleeing ''Ostro'' and ''Zeffiro'', but were ordered to abandon their pursuit and concentrate on ''Espero'' instead. Due to zigzagging ''Espero'' managed to avoid being hit, but by 19:20 the range between her and ''Liverpool'' had shortened to {{convert|14000|yd|m|abbr=on}}. In fact, Italians drew first blood, when an Italian {{convert|4.7|in|mm|abbr=on}} shell hit ''Liverpool'' just 3 ft above the waterline, with splinters penetrating the warheads of two torpedoes, but caused little damage otherwise.<ref name="g1">Green & Massignani, p. 65</ref><ref name=oh1/> Despite heavy firing, ''Espero'' was not hit until 20:00, when her engine rooms were struck bringing the vessel to a stop. The 7th Squadron expended about 5,000 shells, more than 1,600 of main caliber, before the Italian destroyer was sunk, after 130 minutes of fierce fighting. ''Sydney'' rescued 47 out of 225 men from the Italian destroyer, and thirty six more escaped on rafts, but only six of them were later found alive by Italian submarine {{ship|Italian submarine|Topazio||2}} almost 20 days later.<ref name="g2"/> Captain Baroni died aboard his ship, and was ]ly awarded the ].<ref name="g2">O'Hara, p. 34</ref> | |||
| From a total of 255 crew and troops aboard ''Espero'', ''Sydney'' picked up 47 survivors, three of whom later died of wounds; an unknown number of survivors boarded liferafts after the sinking, but only one of these rafts was eventually rescued by the Italian submarine ] after two weeks adrift, with only six survivors from the original 36 occupants. Overall, 205 men were lost, with fifty survivors.<ref></ref> | |||
| == Notes == | == Notes == | ||
| {{reflist|30em}} | {{reflist|30em}} | ||
| == |
==Bibliography== | ||
| * {{cite book|last=Brescia|first=Maurizio|title=Mussolini's Navy: A Reference Guide to the Regina Marina 1930–45|year=2012|publisher=Naval Institute Press|location=Annapolis, Maryland|isbn=978-1-59114-544-8}} | |||
| *Greene, Jack & Massignani, Alessandro: ''The Naval War in the Mediterranean, 1940–1943'', Chatam Publishing, London, 1998. {{ISBN|1-86176-057-4}}. | |||
| *{{cite book |last1=Fraccaroli |first1=Aldo |title=Italian Warships of World War II |date=1968 |publisher=Ian Allan |location=Shepperton, UK |isbn=0-7110-0002-6}} | |||
| *De la Sierra, Luis: ''La Guerra Naval en el Mediterráneo'', Editorial Juventud, Barcelona, 1976. {{ISBN|84-261-0264-6}}. {{es icon}} | |||
| *{{cite book| |
*{{cite book|last1=Greene|first1=Jack|last2=Massignani|first2=Alessandro|title=The Naval War in the Mediterranean, 1940–1943|publisher=Chatham Publishing|location=London|year=1998| name-list-style=amp|isbn=1-86176-057-4}} | ||
| *{{cite book|last= |
*{{cite book|last=Gustavsson |first=Hakan |title=Desert Prelude 1940-41: Early Clashes |year=2010 |publisher=Casemate Publishers |isbn= 978-8389450524}} | ||
| *{{cite book |editor1-last=McMurtrie |editor1-first=Francis E. |title=Jane's Fighting Ships 1937 |date=1937 |publisher=Sampson Low |location=London |oclc=927896922}} | |||
| *{{cite book|last=O'Hara|first=Vincent P.|year=2009|title=Struggle for the Middle Sea: The Great Navies at War in the Mediterranean Theater, 1940–1945|publisher=Naval Institute Press| location=Annapolis, Maryland|isbn=978-1-59114-648-3}} | |||
| *{{cite book|title=Conway's All the World's Fighting Ships 1922–1946|editor1-last=Chesneau |editor1-first=Roger |publisher=Mayflower Books|location=New York|year=1980|isbn=0-8317-0303-2 |chapter=Italy |last1=Roberts |first1=John|pages=280–317}} | |||
| * {{cite book|last=Rohwer|first=Jürgen|title=Chronology of the War at Sea 1939–1945: The Naval History of World War Two|publisher=Naval Institute Press|location=Annapolis, Maryland|year=2005|edition=Third Revised|isbn=1-59114-119-2|authorlink=Jürgen Rohwer}} | |||
| * {{cite book|first=M. J.|last=Whitley|title=Destroyers of World War 2: An International Encyclopedia |year=1988|publisher=Naval Institute Press|location=Annapolis, Maryland|isbn=1-85409-521-8 |authorlink=Michael J. Whitley}} | |||
| ==External links== | ==External links== | ||
| * Marina Militare website | |||
| * | |||
| {{Portal bar|Italy|Engineering}} | |||
| {{Turbine class destroyer}} | {{Turbine class destroyer}} | ||
| {{June 1940 shipwrecks}} | {{June 1940 shipwrecks}} | ||
| {{coord missing}} | {{coord missing|Mediterranean}} | ||
| {{DEFAULTSORT:Espero}} | {{DEFAULTSORT:Espero}} | ||
| ] | ] | ||
| ] | |||
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Latest revision as of 07:46, 3 February 2024
Destroyer of the Regia Marina For other ships with the same name, see Italian ship Espero. Espero, passing through Taranto
| |
| History | |
|---|---|
 Kingdom of Italy | |
| Name | Espero |
| Namesake | Westerly wind |
| Builder | Ansaldo, Genoa-Sestri Ponente |
| Laid down | 29 April 1925 |
| Launched | 31 August 1927 |
| Commissioned | 30 April 1928 |
| Identification | ES |
| Fate | Sunk by gunfire, 28 June 1940 |
| General characteristics (as built) | |
| Class and type | Turbine-class destroyer |
| Displacement | |
| Length | 93.2 m (305 ft 9 in) |
| Beam | 9.2 m (30 ft 2 in) |
| Draught | 3 m (9 ft 10 in) |
| Installed power |
|
| Propulsion | 2 shafts; 2 geared steam turbines |
| Speed | 33 knots (61 km/h; 38 mph) |
| Range | 3,200 nmi (5,900 km; 3,700 mi) at 14 knots (26 km/h; 16 mph) |
| Complement | 179 |
| Armament |
|
Italian destroyer Espero was one of eight Turbine-class destroyers built for the Regia Marina (Royal Italian Navy) during the 1920s. She was named after a westerly wind, Espero, or Ponente, common in summer in the Mediterranean. Completed in 1928, Espero was sent to Shanghai after the Shanghai Incident on 28 January 1932. After encountering heavy seas, she had to stop at Saigon, French Indochina, then stayed in the Far East even after a truce had been negotiated between China and Japan.
After Italy entered World War II on 10 June 1940, Espero was part of the 2nd Destroyer Squadron, based at Taranto. Only seventeen days after Italy's entry into the war, Espero was sunk during the Battle of the Espero Convoy as she covered the convoy's retreat, the first surface engagement between Allied and Italian warships. The ship was the first Italian destroyer to be lost in World War II.
Design and description
The Turbine-class destroyers were enlarged and improved versions of the preceding Sauro class. They had an overall length of 93.2 meters (306 ft), a beam of 9.2 meters (30 ft 2 in) and a mean draft of 3 meters (9 ft 10 in). They displaced 1,090 metric tons (1,070 long tons) at standard load, and 1,700 metric tons (1,670 long tons) at deep load. Their complement was 12 officers and 167 enlisted men.
The Turbines were powered by two Parsons geared steam turbines, each driving one propeller shaft using steam supplied by three Thornycroft boilers. The turbines were rated at 40,000 shaft horsepower (30,000 kW) for a speed of 33 knots (61 km/h; 38 mph) in service, although Espero reached a speed of 38.4 knots (71.1 km/h; 44.2 mph) during her sea trials while lightly loaded. They carried enough fuel oil to give them a range of 3,200 nautical miles (5,900 km; 3,700 mi) at a speed of 14 knots (26 km/h; 16 mph).
Their main battery consisted of four 120-millimeter (4.7 in) guns in two twin-gun turrets, one each fore and aft of the superstructure. Anti-aircraft (AA) defense for the Turbine-class ships was provided by a pair of 40-millimeter (1.6 in) AA guns in single mounts amidships and a twin-gun mount for 13.2-millimeter (0.52 in) machine guns. They were equipped with six 533-millimeter (21 in) torpedo tubes in two triple mounts amidships. The Turbines could carry 52 mines.
Construction and career
Espero was laid down by Gio. Ansaldo & C. at their Genoa-Sestri Ponente shipyard on 29 April 1925, launched on 31 August 1927 and commissioned on 30 April 1928. Together with Ostro, Zeffiro and Borea, after completion Espero was assigned to the 1st Squadron of the I Destroyer Flotilla, based in La Spezia.
After the Shanghai Incident of January 1932 which led to hostilities between China and Japan, Italy decided to send two warships and the San Marco Battalion to protect their colony in Shanghai. Trento and Espero were selected for the mission. Both vessels departed from Gaeta on 5 February 1932 under command of Admiral Domenico Cavagnari. Trento reached Shanghai on 4 March, while Espero, slowed down by rough weather, had to stop at Saigon before reaching China three days later. After a truce was negotiated between Japan and China, Trento left Shanghai on 14 May 1932 for the return journey to Italy, while Espero stayed behind for a year to complement and strengthen Italian naval squadron in the Far East. In 1934 Espero, along with Ostro, Zeffiro and Borea formed the 4th Destroyer Squadron, part of the 2nd Naval Division.
World War II
At the time of Italy's entrance into World War II on 10 June 1940, Espero together with sister ships Zeffiro, Ostro and Borea formed 2nd Destroyer Squadron based at Taranto.
Battle of the Espero Convoy
Main article: Battle of the Espero ConvoyOn 27 June 1940 Espero, commanded by Captain Enrico Baroni, sailed from Taranto at 22:45 for the first war mission, along with Ostro and Zeffiro. The three vessels were to transport to Tobruk two light anti-aircraft batteries, 120 short tons (110 t) of ammunition (450,000 rounds) and 162 members of the Voluntary Militia for National Security.
On 28 June 1940 at 12:10, about 50 mi (43 nmi; 80 km) west of Zakynthos, the convoy was sighted by a British reconnaissance Short Sunderland plane. As they were within striking range of the British 7th Cruiser Squadron, composed of light cruisers Liverpool, Orion, Neptune, Gloucester and Sydney, Admiral John Tovey ordered them to intercept the Italians. The Italian column was sighted by the Allied ships around 18:30, about 100 miles north of Tobruk, and at 18:36 Liverpool opened fire from 22,000 yd (20,000 m) at the surprised Italian flotilla. At 18:59 Orion also opened fire from 18,000 yd (16,000 m). The Italian destroyers were theoretically faster than the British cruisers, but due to their age and heavy cargo on board their speed advantage was nullified. In addition, Espero's third boiler turned out to be defective, limiting the destroyer's speed to just 25 knots (46 km/h; 29 mph). Captain Baroni, therefore, decided to sacrifice his ship in order to cover the escape of Zeffiro and Ostro, and ordered them to disengage and sail for Benghazi at full speed. Espero laid smokescreens and conducted evasive maneuvers, engaging Liverpool's division with guns, and simultaneously firing three torpedoes at Orion.
While Liverpool and Gloucester took on Espero, the other three cruisers tried to get around the smokescreens to attack the fleeing Ostro and Zeffiro, but were ordered to abandon their pursuit and concentrate on Espero instead. Due to zigzagging Espero managed to avoid being hit, but by 19:20 the range between her and Liverpool had shortened to 14,000 yd (13,000 m). In fact, Italians drew first blood, when an Italian 4.7 in (120 mm) shell hit Liverpool just 3 ft above the waterline, with splinters penetrating the warheads of two torpedoes, but caused little damage otherwise. Despite heavy firing, Espero was not hit until 20:00, when her engine rooms were struck bringing the vessel to a stop. The 7th Squadron expended about 5,000 shells, more than 1,600 of main caliber, before the Italian destroyer was sunk, after 130 minutes of fierce fighting. Sydney rescued 47 out of 225 men from the Italian destroyer, and thirty six more escaped on rafts, but only six of them were later found alive by Italian submarine Topazio almost 20 days later. Captain Baroni died aboard his ship, and was posthumously awarded the Medaglia d´oro al valor militare.
Notes
- ^ Whitley, p. 161
- ^ Fraccaroli, p. 47
- ^ Roberts, p. 299
- McMurtrie, p. 280
- Pier Paolo Ramoino. "La Regia Marina Tra le due Guerre Mondiali" (PDF). p. 74. Retrieved 2017-12-18.
- "Trento and Espero trip to Shanghai in 1932". Retrieved 2018-03-22.
- "Trento and Espero route to Shanghai in 1932". Retrieved 2018-03-22.
- Pier Paolo Ramoino. "La Regia Marina Tra le due Guerre Mondiali" (PDF). p. 84. Retrieved 2017-12-18.
- Brescia, p. 44
- O'Hara, p. 32
- Green & Massignani, p. 63
- ^ O'Hara, p. 33
- Green & Massignani, p. 65
- ^ O'Hara, p. 34
Bibliography
- 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.
- Fraccaroli, Aldo (1968). Italian Warships of World War II. Shepperton, UK: Ian Allan. ISBN 0-7110-0002-6.
- Greene, Jack & Massignani, Alessandro (1998). The Naval War in the Mediterranean, 1940–1943. London: Chatham Publishing. ISBN 1-86176-057-4.
- Gustavsson, Hakan (2010). Desert Prelude 1940-41: Early Clashes. Casemate Publishers. ISBN 978-8389450524.
- McMurtrie, Francis E., ed. (1937). Jane's Fighting Ships 1937. London: Sampson Low. OCLC 927896922.
- O'Hara, Vincent P. (2009). Struggle for the Middle Sea: The Great Navies at War in the Mediterranean Theater, 1940–1945. Annapolis, Maryland: Naval Institute Press. ISBN 978-1-59114-648-3.
- Roberts, John (1980). "Italy". In Chesneau, Roger (ed.). Conway's All the World's Fighting Ships 1922–1946. New York: Mayflower Books. pp. 280–317. ISBN 0-8317-0303-2.
- 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.
- Whitley, M. J. (1988). Destroyers of World War 2: An International Encyclopedia. Annapolis, Maryland: Naval Institute Press. ISBN 1-85409-521-8.
External links
- Espero (1927) Marina Militare website
| Turbine-class destroyers | |
|---|---|
 Regia Marina | |
 Kriegsmarine |
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| Shipwrecks and maritime incidents in June 1940 | |
|---|---|
| Shipwrecks |
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| Other incidents |
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1939  1940  1941 May 1940 July 1940 | |
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