Strategic Mobility

Speed is not so important in tactical situations, but for strategic mobility. The best example of a high-speed ship type is the Italian Capitani Romani class. These were ships like the Attilio Regolo, the Pompeo Magno, and Scipione Africano. Their dimensions were: 469ft x 47.25ft x 16ft. Their initial armament was 8-5.3in (135mm)45, 8-37mm/54 AA, and 8-20mm AA. They had a 110,000 SHP power plant. Their normal displacement was 5,035 tons. Their nominal speed was 40 knots, but in service they were able to sustain as much as 43 knots! They carried 1,400 tons of fuel and had a nominal range of 4,352 miles at 18 knots. The only ships even close to these in their speed-range combination were the British Abdiel class minelayers. They were much smaller ships, with a standard displacement of 2,600 tons. They only had 6-4in guns, and had a nominal speed of 40 knots. They were very overweight (about 3,450 tons), so that 35 knots was a more realistic speed with 73,000 SHP. Even that speed, with their ample internal volume allowed them to be fast supply carriers to Malta. The Italian vessels were much superior ships. They were really the precursors of the large destroyers built postwar, especially by the USN. They were flush-decked and had a flared bow, and were decent seaboats. Their guns were rather unsatisfactory, as 13cm (5.1in) would have been a better choice, but if their opponents had been the French contre-torpilleurs, they might well have had need for a gun as big as 135mm.