SAN GIORGIO

San Giorgio was an Italian armored cruiser of both world wars. The keel for this unit was laid in 1905, and the launch took place in July 1908. The total length of the ship at the time of launching was 140.9 m and a width of 21 meters. Full displacement reached approx. 11,500 tons, and the maximum speed was approx. 23 knots. The armament at the time of the launch consisted of: 4 254 mm guns, 8 190 mm guns and 18 76 mm guns. The San Giorgio was the lead unit of the cruiser class with two units: himself and the San Marco. San Giorgio type armored cruisers were built as an extension of the Pisa forest units. The shape of the superstructures was changed, the seaworthiness of the ships was slightly improved, and innovative - for those times - solutions in the engine room were used. The unit, shortly after entering service, was on patrol during both Balkan wars (in 1912 and 1913). During World War I, the ship served primarily in the Adriatic Sea, cooperating with French and British units. In the years 1925-1926, the unit served in the Indian Ocean, supporting operations in the Italian Somaliland region. In the period 1930-1935 she was a training ship. In the period 1937-1938, the unit underwent modernization and its anti-aircraft armament was significantly strengthened. On the other hand, the most famous action of the San Giorgio cruiser during World War II was participation in the defense of Tobruk in the period 1940-1941. In January 1941, the unit was damaged by British bombers, and on January 23 of the same year - sunk by its own crew.