GIUSEPPE MIRAGLIA. 1923

[john sefton]

GIUSEPPE MIRAGLIA. Aircraft Carrier. Built in 1923 as CITTA DI MESSINA. Launched 20th December 1923. Converted to a seaplane carrier at La Spezia 1924/27. 4960tn. L377'oa. B49'. Dr17'. Eight Yarrow boilers. Parsons geared turbines. 12000ihp. 21.5kn. Oil fuel capacity 440tn. Armed with Four 4" AA. One MG. Complement 180. Carried 4 large and 16 smaller aircraft. Catapults either end of the deck. The superstructure was built in flush with the sides and extended fore and aft to form hangars. Aircraft catapults were mounted above the forecastle and poop. The planes were recovered by gantries mounted above the doors in the hangar sides. During WWII she was used mainly for training duties in Home waters. Surrendered at Malta in 1943 and served as a depot ship for Italian submarines and auxiliary warships. - Paraguay 1982. 2gns. NC. 1983. 2g. NC (LB 13/341. 25/6)