The ''Etna'' class were two

cruiser A cruiser is a type of warship. Modern cruisers are generally the largest ships in a fleet after aircraft carriers and amphibious assault ships, and can usually perform several roles. The term "cruiser", which has been in use for several hu ...

s originally ordered in Italy for the Thai Navy in 1938 and subsequently requisitioned for service by the

Italian Navy "Fatherland and Honour" , patron = , colors = , colors_label = , march = ( is the return of soldiers to their barrack, or sailors to their ship after a ...

on the outbreak of World War II, neither ship was completed and the damaged hulls were scrapped after the war.

Design

The Thai government ordered two light cruisers from CRDA, Trieste in 1938. The ships were to displace 5,500 tons and be armed with six guns in three twin turrets. Work on the vessels continued after Italy entered the war at a slowed pace until the Italian government took over the contract in late 1941. The Italians modified the design to have guns as main armament and guns as anti-aircraft armament. The aircraft equipment and torpedo tubes were also deleted and the

superstructure A superstructure is an upward extension of an existing structure above a baseline. This term is applied to various kinds of physical structures such as buildings, bridges, or ships. Aboard ships and large boats On water craft, the superstruct ...

modified. Extra cargo space comprising four holds of total volume, was also included to enable the ships to act as fast transports to North Africa. Collapsible crane derricks were fitted to access the cargo space. Extra accommodation was fitted in the former seaplane hangar and on the main deck.

Ships

When Italy surrendered to the

Allies An alliance is a relationship among people, groups, or states that have joined together for mutual benefit or to achieve some common purpose, whether or not explicit agreement has been worked out among them. Members of an alliance are called ...

in September 1943 the hulls of the ships were 53% complete. Although both vessels were sabotaged before being captured by the Germans, they were able to continue some construction work before abandoning the project. The ships were scuttled in Trieste harbour in 1945. The hulls were re-floated and scrapped in the late 1950s.

References

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External links

Etna (1941)
Marina Militare website {{DEFAULTSORT:Etna-class cruiser Cruiser classes World War II cruisers of Italy Cruisers of the Regia Marina Cruisers of the Royal Thai Navy Ships built in Trieste Ships of the Royal Thai Navy Ships built by Cantieri Riuniti dell'Adriatico Italy–Thailand relations