The Boats of the Early
Bernardis Type

by Cristiano D'Adamo

	Main Page
Design and Construction	Propulsion Plan	Air Systems
Crew Quarters	Navigational Systems	Communication and Radio
Periscope	Controls	Weapons
Technical Specifications	Operational Activity	List of all Boats

Controls

When the "Bernardis" were on the surface, they operated like any other boat demonstrating mediocre seaworthiness due to the known problems with the design of the hull. Maintaining the various ballast tanks full of air provided buoyancy.

Rudder

The rudder (semi-compensated) was controlled electrically from the control room, or manually for the aft torpedo room. On the "Pisani" the rudder had a total surface of 6.445 m3 (69.37 ft2).

The Rudder

Diving Planes

As standard on most submarines, the "Bernardis" were equipped with two sets of diving planes. The forward planes were collapsible (folded upward) for surface navigation and were placed above the waterline; their total surface was 4.796 m2 (on the "Pisani"). The aft planes were fixed and placed below the waterline in line with the two propellers and their total surface was the same 4.796 m2 (51.62 ft2). The forward planes were used to control depth, while the aft ones were used to control the angle of the boat. The planes were controlled electrically from the control room, but could also be manually operated from the torpedo rooms.

The aft planes

Anchors

The "Bernardis" were equipped with an anchor placed portside forward.



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The Boats of the Early Bernardis Type