Cavallini:
a family of submarines

by Cristiano D'Adamo

	Main Page
Design and Construction	Propulsion Plan	Air Systems
Crew Quarters	Navigational Systems	Communication and Radio
Periscope	Controls	Weapons

Controls

When the “Cavallini” were on the surface, they operated like any other boat demonstrating good seaworthiness. 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. Also, there was a wheel in the cunning tower in an enclosed wheelhouse. On the “Mameli” the rudder had a total surface of 4.85 m2

Diving Planes

As standard on most submarines, the “Cappellini” 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 4.96 m2 (on the “Mameli”). The aft planes were fixed and placed below the waterline in line with the two propellers and their surface was 5.14 m2 (on the “Mameli”). 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.

Anchors

The “Archimede” were equipped with a primary anchor of the type Hall of 650 Kg and a smaller anchor type Admiralty of about 150 kg. There were two winches, one forward and one aft.