THE CRUISER BARTOLOMEO COLLEONI

The origins of the light cruiser can be easily traced back to the so-called "protected cruisers" of the late nineteenth century. These designers of these vessels implemented a new feature - they came to the decision to eschewe side armour in favour of a protective deck at about waterline level over the machinery department as well as other spaces that were considered vital for the vessel, and although they tended to be smaller than the regular armoured cruisers, there were so many examples of very large protected cruisers, like the British Powerful and Terrible at fourteen thousand tons.

Simultaneously, much smaller cruisers were being built for use as fleet scouts and leaders of destroyer flotillas and at first these vessels had some deck protection but later classes adopted limited side armour as well. The readers will definitely see a true Italian touch in the design, construction and arrangement of Bartolomeo Colleoni - this can be felt even looking at the accommodation drawings. The remarkable research work performed by the duet of expert authors, Franco and Valerio Gay, is wonderful, taking into account the outstanding level of drawings and details provided even down to the sidearms...