Curtatone-class destroyer

The Curtatone class were a group of destroyers built for the Royal Italian Navy.

They were the first destroyers to be built in Italy after the end of World War I, and were the first ships of this type to use twin rather than single mountings.

The ships were originally ordered at the same time as the Palestro-class destroyers, but were postponed due to steel shortages. The opportunity was taken to modify the design to incorporate experience and lengthen the ships by 4.5 metres (14 ft 9 in).

The ships were later modernized for escort duties with the twin guns being replaced by singles and the triple 450-millimetre (18 in) torpedo tubes replaced by twin 533 mm (21.0 in) torpedo tubes. Extra light anti-aircraft guns were also fitted and the 76 mm (3.0 in)/40 caliber guns removed.

All four ships were built by Orlando yard in Livorno.

• Fraccaroli, Aldo (1985). "Italy". In Gray, Randal (ed.). Conway's All the World's Fighting Ships 1906–1921. Annapolis: Naval Institute Press. pp. 252–290. ISBN 978-0-87021-907-8.
• Whitley, M.J. (1988). Destroyers of World War 2. Cassell Publishing. ISBN 1-85409-521-8.

• Curtatone Marina Militare website