The CRDA 60t is a big family of italian motor torpedo boats, anti-submarine boats and patrol boats designed by CRDA (Cantierei Riuniti dell'Adriatico), these boats were used by the Regia Marina during WW2 and by Italian Navy after the war.
The Italian Motosiluranti (MS) are medium-sized ships, with good manoeuvrability, speed and with the property of carrying torpedoes to destroy ships, particularly large ones.
The Italian designers and admirals tried to obtain the design plans of the Lürseen motor torpedo boats, that is S-38, S-38b and S-100. They did not succeed and therefore decide to reverse-engineer the vehicles, adapting the new hulls to tested construction techniques and using three Isotta Fraschini "ASSO" engines that guaranteed a speed of not more than 32.5 knots.
In 1941, the 1st Group was created with 18 units of 62 Tons boats ordered from CRDA of Monfalcone. These boats were armed with two torpedo launchers of 533 mm, two 20 mm cannons and depth charges. The boats were numbered MS-11 in groups of 6 and every 6 units was a squadron of torpedo motorboats delivered in 1942.
In the unit formed by MS-16 and MS-22, they are well known for sinking the British light cruiser HMS Manchester during the battle in mid-August 1942
In 1942-1943, the 2nd Group was created with 18 new units, starting from MS-51 onwards. These boats were larger, armed with 2 x 533 mm and 2 x 450 mm torpedo launchers, with more depth charges and 2 x 20 mm guns.
After WW2, the surviving MSs in the years 1960-1962 were refitted with new armaments such as 40 mm Bofors and other armaments. These upgraded versions were designated the MS-472, MS-473 and others.
They were retired from service in 1975 and eventually disbarred in 1979.
Abbrevations:
- MS - Moto Silurante (Motor Torpedo boat)
- MV - Moto Vedetta (Patrol boat)
The CRDA designed MS (also known as CRDA 60t), are divided into two series during World War II.
After World War II some were modernized after were converted into a new type, the Convertibile, in which the ship had the ability to change armament quickly with configurations already provided.
The Convertible type can change the configuration in these version:
- Minelayer Configuration, one 40/56 cannon and 8 mines
- Motor Gun Boat Configuration, two 40/56 cannons and 8 x deep charges
- Motor Torpedo Boat Configuration, one 40/56 cannon, 2 Torpedo launchers and 8 x deep charges
- MS-15 - 1°Serie, 1942
- MS-53 - 2°Serie, 1943
- MS-472 - MS Convertibile, 1965 - ex-MS 24 during WW2
- MV-611 - MV, 1949 ex-MS 11, 1°Serie, 1942
- MS-473 - MS Convertibile, 1965 - ex-MAS 31 during WW2