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Motoscafo Armato Silurante
MAS 15
Introduction
The MAS 15 was one of the class of small and agile boats developed by the Italian Regia Marina around 1916, during the First World War.
These vehicles proved to be particularly effective for surprise attacks and patrolling, taking advantage of their speed and low profile.The MAS 15 belonged to the first series of MAS (including those from 3 to 22), designed by engineer Attilio Bisio and built in the yards SVAN (Società Veneziana Automobili Navali) of Venice. Initially, the acronym “MAS” was just for “Motobarca Armata SVAN”.
The main features of the MAS 15 were: wooden hull to ensure lightness and speed; small size, resulting in a compact and maneuverable boat; a mixed engine, equipped with petrol engines Isotta-Fraschini, while for manoeuvres of stealth approach to the target, it also had electric motors, which allowed a quieter navigation. This hybrid system was a strength, allowing to exploit the speed for escape after attack.
As for the armament, the MAS 15 was equipped with torpedoes, mounted on “pincer” systems for the launch, and Colt machine guns. It could also carry depth bombs for anti-submarine combat.
In history, in particular, this model became known for the daring enterprise of 10 June 1918 when, under the command of Lieutenant Luigi Rizzo, he sank the Austro-Hungarian battleship SMS Szent István off Premuda, in Croatian waters. This action demonstrated the effectiveness of the MAS as apparently asymmetric weapons and consolidated their fame.
Today, the MAS 15 is preserved as a ship museum at the Sacrario delle Bandiere al Vittoriano in Rome, testifying to his work in the Italian naval history of the twentieth century.
Specifications
Hull
- Length: 16 meters
- Width: 2,63 meters
- Height: 0,7 meters
- Draft: 1,2 meters
- Full displacement: 12,3 tons
- Hull materials: mainly wood; steel, brass and bronze for mechanical parts; also rarely cast iron was used
- Armor: absent
- Crew: 8
Propulsion
- Main propulsion system: 2 petrol engines Isotta-Fraschini L56
- Single main engine power: 225 HP
- Compression ratio: 5,7:1
- Secondary propulsion system: 2 electric engines Rognini & Balbo for sneaky and silent attacks
- Single secondary engine power: 7,35 kW (10 HP)
Transmission
- Transmission system: reversing/reduction gearbox
- Forward gears: 1, named “direct gear”
- Reverse gears: 1
- Maximum velocity: 24 knots (44,4 km/h)
Armament
Main armament specifications
- Main armament: 2x Colt-Browning M1895 machine guns
- Mass: 16 kg
- Fire ratio: around 450 rounds per minute
- Magazine capacity: 250 rounds
- Ammunition type: 6,5 x 52 mm Carcano
- Maximum elevation: +70°
- Maximum depression: -10°
- Maximum horizontal guide: ±180°
Secondary armament specifications
Torpedoes
- Maximum capacity: 2
- Model: Whitehead A 110/450 (450 mm)
- Caliber: 450 mm
- Length: 5 meters
- Total mass: 936 kg
- Type of explosive: TNT
- Explosive mass: 110 kg
- Depth stroke: around 1 meter
- Type of engine: Closed-cycle steam engine
- Max travel distance: 6km
- Maximum speed in water: 30 knots (56 km/h)
- Arming distance: 50 meters
Depth charges
- Maximum capacity: 4
- Model: b.g.t (bomba a getto tattico)
- Caliber: 500 mm (due to their cylindrical form)
- Length: around 0,5 meters
- Total mass: 37,5 kg
- Type of explosive: TNT
- Explosive mass: around 20 kg
Sources
- MAS 15 general history
- Impresa di Premuda (Sinking of the Szent István)
- MAS 15 designing
- Colt-Browning M1895 machine gun
- Colt-Browning M1895 specifications
- Colt-Browning M1895 specifications
- Italian technical data image about the MAS 15
- The SMS Szent István
- Film of the sinking of the Szent Istvan
The MAS 15 Is between Austro-Hungarian warships.