Generali-class destroyer

{{Short description|Destroyer class Warship of the Italian Navy}} {{More citations needed|date=January 2017}} {{Infobox ship | sclass = 2 |section1={{Infobox ship/image | image = Bundesarchiv Bild 101I-185-0116-02A, Bucht von Kotor (-), jugoslawische Schiffe.jpg | image_caption = ''Generale Antonio Cantore'' photographed in 1941 in Kotor following the Axis invasion of Yugoslavia. }}

|section2={{Infobox ship/class overview | name = Generali class | builders = Cantieri navali Odero | operators = *{{navy|Kingdom of Italy}} *{{navy|Nazi Germany}} | class_before = {{sclass|Rosolino Pilo| destroyer|4}} | class_after = {{sclass|Curtatone|destroyer|4}} | subclasses = | cost = | built_range = | in_service_range = | in_commission_range = | total_ships_planned = 6 | total_ships_completed = 6 | total_ships_lost = 6 }}

|section3={{Infobox ship/characteristics | hide_header = | header_caption = | type = Destroyer | displacement = *832 tons (normal) *890 tons (full load) | length = {{convert|73.2|m|ftin|abbr=on}} | beam = {{convert|7.3|m|ftin|abbr=on}} | height = | draught = {{convert|3|m|ftin|abbr=on}} | power = {{convert|16,000|hp|kW|abbr=on}} | propulsion = 4 boilers and 2 turbines, 2 axes | speed = {{convert|30|kn|km/h}} | range = {{convert|2,000|nmi|km}} at {{convert|14|kn|km/h|abbr=on}} | complement = 105 | sensors = | EW = | armament = * 3 × {{convert|102|mm|in|abbr=on|0}}/45 guns * 2 × {{convert|76|mm|abbr=on}} L30 guns * 4 {{convert|450|mm|in|abbr=on|0}} torpedo launchers | armour = | armor = | aircraft = | aircraft_facilities = | notes = }} }}

The '''Generali-class destroyer''' was a class of Italian destroyers, built as a development of the {{sclass|Rosolino Pilo|destroyer}}. They were the last ships of the ''Regia Marina'' (Italian Navy) fitted with three stacks. In 1929, being obsolete, the 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 navali Odero, Sestri Ponente. The ships were able to reach {{convert|30|kn}} 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 {{convert|102|mm|in|adj=on|0}}/45 calibre guns (an Italian version of the QF 4 inch Mk V) and two {{convert|76|mm|abbr=on}} L30 guns, and four {{convert|450|mm|in|abbr=on|0}} torpedo launchers. In 1936 ships were enabled with minesweeping equipment, and the 76 mm guns were replaced by twin cannons Breda Model 35.

thumb|Generale Marcello Prestinari - 1923

==Units== The class was known also by name of his first unit, ''Generale Antonio Cantore''. All other ships were dedicated to Italian generals. All ships were built by Cantieri navali Odero at Sestri Ponente. None of them survived the war.

{| class="wikitable" |- ! Ship !! Launched !! Fate |- | {{ship|Italian destroyer|Generale Antonio Cantore||2}} || 23 April 1921 || Sunk by a mine off Ras el Tin Libya, 22 August 1942 |- | {{ship|Italian destroyer|Generale Antonio Cascino||2}} || 18 March 1922 || Scuttled 9 September 1943 |- | {{ship|Italian destroyer|Generale Antonio Chinotto||2}} || 7 Aug 1921 || Sunk by mines off Palermo, 28 March 1941 |- |{{ship|Italian destroyer|Generale Carlo Montanari||2}} || 4 October 1922 || Captured by the Germans, scuttled 25 April 1944 |- | {{ship|Italian destroyer|Generale Marcello Prestinari||2}} ||4 July 1922 || Sunk by a mine near Sicily, 31 January 1943 |- | {{ship|Italian destroyer|Generale Achille Papa||2}} || 8 December 1921 || Captured by the Germans, sunk 25 April 1945 |}

==References== {{Reflist}}

==Bibliography== * {{cite book |last=Fraccaroli |first=Aldo |chapter=Italy |pages=252–290 |editor-last=Gray |editor-first=Randal |title=Conway's All the World's Fighting Ships 1906–1921 |year=1985 |location=Annapolis |publisher=Naval Institute Press |isbn=978-0-87021-907-8}}

==External links== * [https://www.marina.difesa.it/noi-siamo-la-marina/mezzi/mezzi-storici/Pagine/EFGHI/gen_cantore.aspx Classe Generali] Marina Militare website

Category:Generali-class destroyers Category:Destroyer classes