Italian cruiser Saetta

{{main|Folgore-class cruiser}}

{{lang|it|Saetta}} was {{convert|56.7|m|sp=us}} long overall and had a beam of {{convert|6.31|m|ftin|abbr=on}} and an average draft of {{convert|2.15|m|ftin|abbr=on}}. She displaced {{convert|364|LT|lk=on}} normally. Her propulsion system consisted of a pair of horizontal double-expansion steam engines each driving a single screw propeller, with steam supplied by four coal-fired locomotive boilers. {{lang|it|Saetta}} could steam at a speed of {{convert|17|kn|lk=in}} from {{convert|2130|ihp|lk=in}}. She had a crew of between 57 and 70.{{sfn|Fraccaroli 1979|p=347}}

The primary armament for {{lang|it|Saetta}} was three {{convert|14|in|abbr=on|0}} torpedo tubes. For defense against torpedo boats, she was also equipped with two QF 6 pounder Nordenfelt /43 guns and four {{convert|37|mm|abbr=on|1}} /25 guns, all mounted singly. The ship carried no armor protection.{{sfn|Fraccaroli 1979|p=347}}

File:Italian cruiser Saetta.jpg

{{lang|it|Saetta}} was built at the {{lang|it|Regio Cantiere di Castellammare di Stabia}} (Royal Dockyard in Castellammare di Stabia). She was launched on 30 May 1887, and was completed on 16 February 1888.{{sfn|Fraccaroli 1979|p=347}} That year, she took part in the annual fleet maneuvers, along with five ironclads, a protected cruiser, the torpedo cruisers {{ship|Italian cruiser|Tripoli||2}}, {{ship|Italian cruiser|Goito||2}}, and {{ship|Italian cruiser|Folgore||2}}, and numerous smaller vessels. The maneuvers consisted of close-order drills and a simulated attack on and defense of La Spezia. Later that year, the ship was present during a naval review held for the German Kaiser Wilhelm II during a visit to Italy.{{sfn|Brassey|p=453}} In 1892, the {{lang|it|Regia Marina}} used {{lang|it|Saetta}} to conduct experiments with oil-fired boilers.{{sfn|Fraccaroli 1979|p=347}}

In 1893, {{lang|it|Saetta}} was laid up in Naples for the year; at the time, the Italian fleet mobilized only a handful of vessels for the annual training maneuvers, preferring to keep the most modern vessels in reserve to reduce maintenance costs.{{sfn|Garbett 1893|p=567}} The following year, {{lang|it|Saetta}} was commissioned for two months to take part in the annual fleet maneuvers; she spent the rest of the year in reserve.{{sfn|Garbett 1894a|p=565}} She took part in the annual fleet maneuvers in the Reserve Division, along with the ironclad {{ship|Italian ironclad|Italia||2}} and {{ship|Italian ironclad|Andrea Doria||2}} and the torpedo cruiser {{ship|Italian cruiser|Urania||2}}.{{sfn|Garbett 1894b|p=776}} {{lang|it|Saetta}} was stationed in La Spezia in the 1st Maritime Department, along with her sister ship {{ship|Italian cruiser|Folgore||2}} in 1895,{{sfn|Garbett 1895|p=90}} though the latter had been badly damaged in a collision and was decommissioned.{{sfn|Fraccaroli 1979|p=347}}

From 1897 to 1900, the ship served as a torpedo training ship. The following year, she was transferred to the gunnery school, where she train gunners for the fleet. In 1902, her gun armament was expanded to increase the types of weapons available for training.{{sfn|Fraccaroli 1979|p=347}} These included one QF 12-pounder 12 cwt naval gun gun, four 57 mm guns, two QF 3-pounder Hotchkiss guns, one 37 mm gun, and one 37 mm revolving Hotchkiss gun.{{sfn|Fraccaroli 1985|p=257}} That year, the gunnery school also included the old ironclads {{ship|Italian ironclad|Regina Maria Pia||2}} and {{ship|Italian ironclad|Affondatore||2}}; {{lang|it|Saetta}} was used only for target practice at sea.{{sfn|Garbett 1902|p=1075}} She was still serving in this capacity in 1904–1905, along with the old ironclad {{ship|Italian ironclad|Enrico Dandolo||2}}.{{sfn|Garbett 1904|p=1429}} {{lang|it|Saetta}} was ultimately discarded on 14 May 1908 and subsequently broken up for scrap.{{sfn|Fraccaroli 1979|p=347}}

{{reflist|20em}}

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|publisher=J. J. Keliher

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• {{cite journal

|editor-last=Garbett

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|journal=Journal of the Royal United Service Institution

|publisher=J. J. Keliher

|location=London

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}}

• [https://www.marina.difesa.it/noi-siamo-la-marina/mezzi/mezzi-storici/Pagine/Incrociatori.aspx Incrociatori] Marina Militare website

{{Portal bar|Italy|Engineering}}

{{Folgore-class cruiser}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Saetta}}

Category:Folgore-class cruisers

Category:Ships built in Castellammare di Stabia

Category:1887 ships