View source for Italian submarine Turchese

{{Short description|Italian submarine}}
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{{Infobox ship career
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|Ship country= [[Kingdom of Italy]]
|Ship flag={{shipboxflag|Kingdom of Italy|naval}}
|Ship name= ''Turchese''
|Ship namesake= [[Turquoise]]
|Ship ordered= 
|Ship awarded=
|Ship builder=[[Cantieri Riuniti dell' Adriatico|CRDA]], [[Monfalcone]]
|Ship original cost=
|Ship laid down= 28 September 1935
|Ship launched= 19 July 1936 
|Ship completed= 
|Ship acquired=
|Ship commissioned= 21 September 1936
|Ship in service=
|Ship fate= Struck, 1 February 1948
|Ship notes=
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{{Infobox ship characteristics
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|Header caption= 
|Ship class={{sclass|Perla|submarine|3}}
|Ship displacement=*{{convert|626.115|t|LT|0}} standard
*{{convert|700.54|t|LT|0}} normal (surfaced)
*{{convert|859.69|t|LT|0}} normal (submerged)
|Ship length={{convert|60.18|m|ftin|abbr=on}}<ref name=ISI/>
|Ship beam={{convert|6.454|m|ftin|abbr=on}}<ref name=ISI/>
|Ship draft={{convert|4.709|m|ftin|abbr=on}}<ref name=ISI/>
|Ship power=*{{convert|1350|hp|lk=in|abbr=on}} (diesels) <ref name=m2/>
*{{convert|800|hp|abbr=on}} (electric motors)<ref name=m2/>
|Ship propulsion=*[[Diesel-electric]]
*2 × [[Cantieri Riuniti dell'Adriatico|CRDA]] [[diesel engine]]s
*2 × [[Cantieri Riuniti dell'Adriatico|CRDA]] electric engines
|Ship speed=*{{convert|14|kn|lk=in}} surfaced<ref name=ISI/>
*{{convert|7.5|kn}} submerged<ref name=ISI/>
|Ship range=*{{convert|5200|nmi|abbr=on|lk=in}} at {{convert|8|kn}} surfaced<ref name=ISI/>
*{{convert|74|nmi|abbr=on}} at {{convert|4|kn}} submerged<ref name=ISI/>
|Ship endurance=
|Ship test depth={{convert|80|m|ft|abbr=on}}<ref name=ISI/>
|Ship complement=44 (4 officers + 40 non-officers and sailors)
|Ship armament=*6 × {{convert|533|mm|in|0|abbr=on}} [[torpedo tube]]s (4 bow, 2 stern)<ref name=ISI/>
*1 × [[Škoda 10 cm K10#OTO 100.2F47 History|{{convert|100|mm|in|abbr=on|0}} / 47&nbsp;caliber]] [[deck gun]]<ref name=ISI/>
*2 x 1 – [[Breda Model 1931 Machine Gun|{{convert|13.2|mm|in|abbr=on}}]] [[anti-aircraft gun]]s<ref name=ISI/>
|Ship notes=
}}
|}

'''Italian submarine ''Turchese''''' was a {{sclass|Perla|submarine|2}} built for the [[Royal Italian Navy]] (''Regia Marina'') during the 1930s. She was named after a gemstone [[Turquoise]].

==Design and description==
The ''Perla''-class submarines were essentially repeats of the preceding {{sclass|Sirena|submarine|4}}. The modifications that were made compared to the boats of the previous series were mostly of upgrade nature. Among them there was the enlargement of the conning tower at the top, more modern engines, installation of a radiogoniometer that could be controlled from inside the boat. Improvements and the installation of new air conditioning equipment meant a slight increase in displacement, and increase in the fuel stowage also increased the autonomy of these boats compared to the previous series.<ref name=ISI1>Pollina, p.155</ref> Their designed full load [[Displacement (ship)|displacement]] was {{convert|695|t|LT|sp=us}} surfaced and {{convert|855|t|LT|sp=us}} submerged, but varied somewhat depending on the boat and the builder. The submarines were {{convert|197|ft|6|in|m|sp=us}} long, had a [[beam (nautical)|beam]] of {{convert|21|ft|m|sp=us}} and a [[draft (hull)|draft]] of {{convert|15|ft|m|sp=us}} to {{convert|15|ft|5|in|m|sp=us}}.<ref name=b4>Bagnasco, p. 153</ref><ref name=ISI/>

For surface running, the boats were powered by two [[diesel engine]]s, each driving one [[propeller shaft]] with overall power of {{convert|675|-|750|hp|abbr=on|lk=in|0|adj=on}}.<ref name=b4/> When submerged each propeller was driven by a {{convert|400|hp|0|adj=on}} [[electric motor]]. They could reach {{convert|14|kn|lk=in}} on the surface and {{convert|7.5|kn}} underwater. On the surface, the ''Perla'' class had a range of {{convert|5200|nmi|lk=in}} at {{convert|8|kn}}, submerged, they had a range of {{convert|74|nmi|abbr=on}} at {{convert|4|kn}}.<ref name=b4>Bagnasco, p. 153</ref><ref name=ISI/>

The boats were armed with six internal {{convert|53.3|cm|in|1|abbr=on|sp=us}} [[torpedo tube]]s, four in the bow and two in the stern. One reload torpedo was carried for each tube, for a total of twelve. They were also armed with one [[Škoda 10 cm K10#OTO 100.2F47 History|{{convert|100|mm|in|abbr=on|0}}]] [[deck gun]] for combat on the surface. The light anti-aircraft armament consisted of one or two pairs of [[Breda Model 1931 Machine Gun|{{convert|13.2|mm|in|abbr=on}}]]  machine guns.<ref name=ISI/>

==Construction and career==
''Turchese'' was built by [[Cantieri Riuniti dell' Adriatico|CRDA]] at their shipyard in [[Monfalcone]], laid on 28 September 1935, [[Ship naming and launching|launched]] on 19 July 1936, and completed on 21 September 1936.<ref name=ISI>Pollina, pp.152-153</ref>

After delivery, ''Turchese'' was assigned to the 34th Squadron (III Submarine group) based at [[Messina]].<ref name="m2">[http://www.mucamonfalcone.it/aspx/ViewProspettazioneNave.aspx?idCon=1223&idAmb=149&idMenu=-1&liv=0&order=0&tp=vArchivioNavi&cosaCerca=turchese ''Turchese'' at Monfalcone Naval Museum]{{Dead link|date=September 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> After brief training, she carried out a long endurance cruise in the [[Dodecanese]] in the fall of 1936.  In 1937 she carried out a training campaign in the [[Dodecanese]] and the [[Mediterranean]], followed by another one in 1938. On October 15, 1938, she was temporarily assigned to Flotilla Submarine school.<ref name=m2/> In 1939 ''Turchese'' returned to active duty, and formed the 72nd Squadron (VII Submarine Group) based at [[Cagliari]] together with {{ship|Italian submarine|Diaspro||2}}, {{ship|Italian submarine|Corallo||2}} and {{ship|Italian submarine|Medusa|1931|2}}. ''Turchese'' remained assigned to this Squadron until the end of her career.<ref name=m2/>

After the outbreak of hostilities ''Turchese'' was under command of Gustavo Miniero. She carried out her first war mission in patrol off [[Cap de Creus]] June 17–19, 1940 without sighting any enemy ships.<ref name=m2/>
[[File:Turchese smg.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.35|''Turchese'' at Monfalcone]]
During her war career ''Turchese'' conducted many uneventful patrols in the [[Strait of Sicily]] and near the North African coast.

On July 7, 1940 ''Turchese'' together with 5 other submarines, including {{ship|Italian submarine|Ascianghi||2}} and {{ship|Italian submarine|Axum||2}}, was assigned to patrol and area south of [[Sardinia]]. On July 12, 1940, on her return journey to [[Cagliari]], she sighted an enemy ship which appeared to be laying mines, and launched three torpedoes at the target. One torpedo missed, and the other two passed under the hull of the ship without exploding, while the ship moved away at full speed.<ref name=m2/>

On August 1, 1940 ''Turchese'' together with {{ship|Italian submarine|Scirè|1938|2}}, {{ship|Italian submarine|Argo|1936|2}}, {{ship|Italian submarine|Neghelli||2}}, ''Medusa'' (later replaced by {{ship|Italian submarine|Luciano Manara||2}}), {{ship|Italian submarine|Axum||2}} and {{ship|Italian submarine|Diaspro||2}} was sent to form a barrier north of Cape Bougaroun following departure from [[Gibraltar]] of the British Force H. There were ongoing British operations "Crush" and "Hurry" in progress at this time. Italian submarines stayed on patrol until August 9, however, Force H passed north of the area patrolled by Italian submarines, and they were not able to detect it.

December 31, 1940 – January 12, 1941 ''Turchese'' was deployed on patrol in the Strait of Otranto along with {{ship|Italian submarine|Ambra||2}} and {{ship|Italian submarine|Filippo Corridoni||2}} to protect traffic between Italy and Albania.

In September 1941 during British operation "Halberd" she was deployed south-southwest of [[Ibiza]] along with {{ship|Italian submarine|Adua||2}} and {{ship|Italian submarine|Dandolo||2}}.<ref name=g4>Giorgerini, p. 299</ref>

On October 17, 1941, along with the {{ship|Italian submarine|Serpente||2}}, {{ship|Italian submarine|Alagi||2}} and {{ship|Italian submarine|Diaspro||2}} she was deployed to patrol an area north of Cap de Fer.

On November 10, 1941, she was sent to patrol the waters east of [[Gibraltar]], along with {{ship|Italian submarine|Aradam||2}}, {{ship|Italian submarine|Squalo|1930|2}}, {{ship|Italian submarine|Narvalo|1930|2}}, {{ship|Italian submarine|Onice||2}} and {{ship|Italian submarine|Fratelli Bandiera||2}}.

In the morning of October 28, 1942 ''Turchese'' was deployed along with {{ship|Italian submarine|Brin||2}}, {{ship|Italian submarine|Corallo||2}}, {{ship|Italian submarine|Emo||2}}, {{ship|Italian submarine|Topazio||2}} and {{ship|Italian submarine|Axum||2}}
south of the [[Balearic Islands]] with the task of intercepting part of Force H which left [[Gibraltar]] participating in British Operation "Baritone". Submarines did not, however, sight any British vessels that took a different path and then returned to the base.

On November 8, 1942 [[Operation Torch]] was launched: more than 500 British and American vessels escorted by 350 warships began landing 107,000 troops on the coasts of [[Algeria]] and [[Morocco]], thus opening the second front in [[North Africa]]. Together with many other Italian and German submarines ''Turchese'' was immediately dispatched to the southern [[Mediterranean]].

On September 7, 1943, under the provisions of Zeta Plan, many Italian submarines were deployed in the [[Tyrrhenian Sea]] to intercept an anticipated Anglo-American landing in southern Italy. ''Turchese'' patrolled in an area between the [[Gulf of Gaeta]] and the Gulf of Paola.<ref name=g5>Giorgerini, p. 364</ref>

The following day, following the proclamation of the [[Armistice of Cassibile|Armistice]], ''Turchese'' was instructed to sail to [[Bona, Algeria]] to surrender to the Allies.<ref name=m2/> At 21:27 on September 11, however, she was attacked by a German aircraft and hit, sustaining serious damage, so that she had to be towed by a British vessel. She arrived in tow at Bona on September 13, 1943.<ref name=m2/>

After doing temporary repairs, she left [[Annaba|Bona]] in the afternoon of September 27, but shortly thereafter her engines stopped working and the submarine had to turn back and arrived at [[Annaba|Bona]] at 7:30 the following day. From there ''Turchese'' went to [[Bizerta]] and then to [[Malta]], where she arrived on October 6.

On November 27, 1943 ''Turchese'' left [[Malta]] towed by corvette {{ship|Italian corvette|Chimera|1943|2}}, first coming to [[Augusta, Sicily|Augusta]] then to [[Taranto]], and finally to [[Brindisi]].

''Turchese'' never returned to service and spent the rest of the conflict disarmed in [[Brindisi]]. She was struck on February 1, 1948, and subsequently scrapped.

== Notes==
{{reflist|30em}}

== References ==
*{{cite book|last=Bagnasco |first=Erminio |title=Submarines of World War Two |year=1977 |publisher=Naval Institute Press |location=Annapolis, Maryland |isbn=0-87021-962-6}} 
*{{cite book|title=Conway's All the World's Fighting Ships 1922–1946|editor1-last=Chesneau|editor1-first=Roger|publisher=Conway Maritime Press|location=Greenwich, UK|year=1980|isbn=0-85177-146-7}}
*{{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|last=Giorgerini|first=Giorgio|title=Uomini sul fondo. Storia del sommergibilismo italiano dalle origini ad oggi|publisher=Mondadori|year=2002|edition=Second|isbn=8804505370}}
*{{cite book|last=Pollina|first=Paolo|title=I Sommergibili Italiani 1895–1962|publisher=SMM|year=1963|location=Rome, Italy}}

==External links==
* [https://www.regiamarina.net Regia Marina] The Italian Navy in World War II


{{Portal bar|Italy|Engineering}}
{{Perla-class submarine}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Turchese}}
[[Category:Perla-class submarines]]
[[Category:World War II submarines of Italy]]
[[Category:1936 ships]]
[[Category:Ships built by Cantieri Riuniti dell'Adriatico]]
[[Category:Ships built in Monfalcone]]