Thursday - The armored frigate Messina is radiated from the framework of the Regio Naviglio. Born as a propeller pyro-frigate, during the works, with the application of 110 mm iron plates, it was classified as a 1st-order armored pyro-frigate then, on 1 July 1877, a 2nd class armored frigate, belonged to the class Prince of Carignano; built in the shipyard of Castellammare di Stabia, the 20 December 1864 had been launched and entered into service in February of the 1867.

It had a displacement of 4313 tons with 6 cylindrical boilers that developed a nominal HP 600 power for a speed of 12 knots.

The unit during its existence performed a normal team service; was present in Civitavecchia in September of the 1870 during the Rome liberation campaign.

With the rapid evolution of the armored ship, it was not convenient to think of a possible modernization to prolong its existence, this explains the short life it had between the Navy of the Regia Marina.

Source: Military Navy