Length |
Between 65 metres and 75 metres |
Wide |
9 metres to 10 metres |
Draught |
4 metres to 5 metres |
Tonnage |
1049 |
Propulsion |
Probably triple-expansion steam engine |
Armour |
– |
Armament |
1 small-caliber gun |
Steamship Mauro Croce |
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The Mauro Croce, a dry cargo vessel built in 1898 by Cantieri Orlando with the name Gallipoli. Originally constructed as a general cargo transport, the ship is initially owned VAP Puglia. In 1929 it is sold to NAV Florio and again in 1932 to Tirrenia Di Navigazione SPA. In 1940 it is sold to the ship owner F. Italo Croce S.p.A. By that time, the Second World War has broken out and the ship is operating under the Italian merchant fleet, continuing its duties amid the increased risks posed by wartime naval operations.
H.M.S. Olympus Attack |
On November 9th, 1941, British submarine H.M.S. Olympus sights a darkened ship displaying dimmed navigation lights at 03:25 hours, bearing 190° and approximately 9.3 kilometres away off Rosas Bay. The submarine closes in to investigate. By 0415 hours, the vessel is identified as the Italian merchant ship Mauro Croce, and H.M.S. Olympus begins shadowing the target.
At 05:45 hours, the gun crews are ordered to prepare, and torpedo tubes are readied for engagement. At 06:00 hours, the crew of the Mauro Croce is hailed and ordered to stop, but no response is received. Five minutes later, a warning shot is fired across the bow of the vessel to prompt compliance.
At 06:10 hours, the H.M.S. Olympus opens fire from a range of 2,300 metres, firing 12 rounds, but none hit the target. By 06:15 hours, the Mauro Croce is believed to have entered Spanish territorial waters, prompting H.M.S. Olympus to cease fire to avoid a diplomatic incident.
At 06:17 hours, positioned 130° from Cape Bear and 9.3 kilometres away, H.M.S. Olympus launches a single torpedo from a range of 1,460 metres, but the torpedo misses its target. As daylight begins to break at 06:42 hours, H.M.S. Olympus dives to avoid detection, concluding the engagement. Despite the crew’s efforts, the Mauro Croce escapes without damage.
Xa Flottiglia MAS |
In July 1942, the Mauro Croce assists with a Gamma men mission targeting Gibraltar in Operation G.G. 1. Twelve operators are sent to Spain, half traveling overland from Betasom via St. Jean de Luz and mountain trails guided by Italian Navy personnel, and the other half arriving aboard the merchant ship Mauro Croce in Barcelona. Disguised as deserting sailors, they transfer to the Fulgor and then to the tanker Olterra in Algeciras on July 11th, 1942 and July 12th, 1942, in preparation for the raid on July 14th, 1942.
In September 1942, in preperation of Operation G.G. 2, two operators arrive in Barcelona aboard the Mauro Croce, again posing as deserters, and are transported to the Olterra. Meanwhile, three additional operators, detained by Spanish authorities after “G.G. 1,” are replaced in custody by three sailors from the Fulgor, allowing them to join the mission.
H.M.S. Sickle Attack |
On the morning of April 23rd, 1943, the Mauro Croce, is intercepted by the British submarine H.M.S. Sickle five days into the submarine’s second war patrol. The H.M.S. Sickle, commanded by Lieutenant J.R. Drummond, DSC, RN, receives intelligence at 07:04 hours indicating that the Mauro Croce is scheduled to depart Valencia at 07:00 hours. Shortly thereafter, the submarine positions itself to intercept the vessel outside Spanish territorial waters.
At 08:32 hours, the Mauro Croce is sighted leaving Valencia harbor. H.M.S. Sickle commences its attack. By 09:10 hours, in position 39°31’N, 00°14’20″E and at a range of approximately 370 metres, the submarine launches two torpedoes. However, both torpedoes pass beneath the target, likely due to the short firing range preventing the torpedoes from reaching their intended depth.
At 09:17 hours, H.M.S. Sickle surfaces and begins a gun engagement using its 3-inch deck gun and Oerlikon. Hits are achieved almost immediately, with 15 of the 19 rounds fired striking the target. Despite the damage inflicted, the Mauro Croce alters course, heading towards Spanish territorial waters to escape further attack.
At 09:22 hours, the deck gun jams, rendering it inoperable and forcing H.M.S. Sickle to abandon the action. The submarine dives at 09:30 hours, concluding the engagement.
According to the Italians the Mauro Corce fights back during the assault. Captain Caesar Rosasco faced with an attack by a submerged submarine undertakes decisive action. Through skilled maneuvering, he successfully evaded two torpedoes. Despite the ship being armed with only a small-caliber gun, Rosasco immediately prepares it for combat. When the submarine surfaces, he orders the steamer to engage at close range.
Under sustained machine-gun fire and cannon strikes, the Mauro Croce sustains heavy damage. With the helmsman and lookout incapacitated and the steering transmission failing, Captain Rosasco, though seriously wounded in one leg, takes direct control of the steering gear from below deck. Focused on saving his ship and crew, he leads them in continuing the engagement.
According to the Italians the steamer’s resistance inflicts damage on the submarine, forcing it to retreat. Despite his injuries, he successfully navigates his ship to safety, heading for the Spanish port of Sagunto. In the attack the Mauro Croce is seriously damaged and suffers three killed and four wounded. In recognition of his extraordinary courage and leadership, Captain Caesar Rosasco is awarded the Medaglia d’Oro al Valor Militare (Gold Medal for Military Valour) by Royal Decree on May 28th, 1943. The only Gold Medal awarded to a captain from the merchant navy.
The Italians later report the incident and claim that the attack had occurred within Spanish territorial waters, a violation of Spain’s neutrality during the war.
According to records the Mauro Croce becomes in war casualty in September 1943. There is no clear evidence what happened. She might have been scuttled after the armistice on September 8th, 1943.
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