We have been reading about the exploits of the guys who rode the ‘chariots’ of the Italian submarine Navy into combat and how they created such havoc with the Royal Navy, but we have read little of the submarine that brought them to the beginning of each sortie.

Much of this column in KTB #165 was devoted the exploits of the ‘Charioteers’ and their mother ship, SCIRÉ – and as we have read, SCIRÉ was sunk off Haifa Harbor and rests at 33º 00’N x 34º 00’E even today, broken in half just forward of the conning tower. Here is the information sent to us by VINCENT.

Years after the conclusion of World War II, the Italian Navy searched for the wreckage of SCIRÉ in 1960, 1963 and 1984. They found the wreckage in just 30 meters (less than 100 feet) at Haifa Harbor. From what the divers learned, we can deduct:

1. the sub. is in two sections, possibly connected at the keel,
2. the forward part is at a slight angle to the after section,
3. the after section is complete but with great damage,
4. the anterior portion of the turret is deformed by the blast,
5. the periscopes are at their maximum extension,
6. some torpedoes are gone from the forward tubes.

Obviously, even though she rests in shallow water, SCIRÉ is a war grave and divers are not encouraged to dive this wreck, and are forbidden to penetrate the wreck.

A large portion of what appears to be the conning tower has been brought up and is preserved as a memorial at the Naval Technical Museum at La Spezia and also in another small memorial at the Italian Navy Base at Augusta (Syracuse).

Some SLC’s can also be seen at the Naval Technical Museum in La Spezia and also in the Naval Historical Museum in Venice. In America, there are some of these ‘chariots’ in the Historic Ship & Submarine Force Museum at the Naval Submarine Base in Groton, New London. CT.

The Seaman’s Prayer

This prayer is read aboard every Italian Navy ship during navigation at sunset when the Flag is lowered. This is an old tradition, coming from the 19th century and usually, the youngest officer aboard has the duty to read this aloud.

To you, O great eternal God,
Lord of the sky and the abyss,
To whom winds and waves obey,
We men of sea and war,
Seamen and officers of Italy,
From this sacred ship,
Armed by the country,
Raise our hearts!
Save and praise,
In your faith O great God,
Our Country.
Give right glory and power to our Flag.
Let storms and swells serve her;
Lay terror of her upon the foe,
Let chests of iron,
Stronger than the iron that girds this ship,
Protect her forever
And forever grant her victory.
Bless, O God,
Our distant homes,
The beloved kin.
Bless in the upcoming night,
People’s rest Bless us who, in arms,
Watch over for them at sea.
Bless!

It would appear that, no matter what flag is flying at the stern, the men who sail the seas and fight thereon all have pretty much the same concerns, loyalty and honor.

Thanks VINCENT – great stuff, as always.