Italian destroyer Vittorio Alfieri

Vittorio Alfieri was one of four Oriani-class destroyers built for the Regia Marina (Royal Italian Navy) in the mid-1930s. Completed in 1937, she served in World War II. She was sunk at the battle of Matapan on 28 March 1941 with the loss of 211 of her 246 crew including her commanding officer, Captain Salvatore Toscano.

Design and description
The Oriani-class destroyers were slightly improved versions of the preceding Maestrale-class destroyer. They had a length between perpendiculars of 101.6 m and an overall length of 106.7 m. The ships had a beam of 10.15 m and a mean draft of 3.15 m and 4.3 m at deep load. They displaced 1700 - 1750 t at normal load, and 2400 - 2450 t at deep load. Their complement during wartime was 206 officers and enlisted men.

The Orianis were powered by two Parsons geared steam turbines, each driving one propeller shaft using steam supplied by three Thornycroft boilers. Designed for a maximum output of 48000 shp and a speed of 32 - 33 kn in service, the ships reached speeds of 38 - 39 kn during their sea trials while lightly loaded. They carried enough fuel oil to give them a range of 2600 - 2800 nmi at a speed of 18 kn and 690 nmi at a speed of 33 kn.

Their main battery consisted of four 50-caliber 120 mm guns in two twin-gun turrets, one each fore and aft of the superstructure. Amidships were a pair of 15-caliber 120-millimeter star shell guns. Anti-aircraft (AA) defense for the Oriani-class ships was provided by four 13.2 mm machine guns. The ships were equipped with six 533 mm torpedo tubes in two triple mounts amidships. Although they were not provided with a sonar system for anti-submarine work, they were fitted with a pair of depth charge throwers. The ships could carry 56 mines.