SMS Novara (1912)

SMS "Novara" [In German language for ship names, "SMS" means "Seiner Majestät Schiff" (in English: "His Majesty's Ship"). See more at: "Kaiserliche Marine".] was a "Novara" class light cruiser that served in the Austro-Hungarian Navy during World War I. "SMS Novara, Austrian Postal History" (mail ship & postmark), Stamp Domain, 2001-09-30, StampDomain.com webpage: [http://www.stampdomain.com/country/austria/novara.htm StampDom-Novara] . ]

Construction

In 1912, the cruiser "Novara" was constructed for the Austro-Hungarian Navy, of the improved "Spaun" class design. As a smaller cruiser, the four-funnel "Novara" had a displacement of 3,500 tons, a length of 424 feet, beam 42 feet, and a complement of 318 crew. It carried armament of nine 3.9 inch and one 47mm landing gun, plus four 17.7 inch torpedoes. Its power/speed was 25000 hp/27 knots, and it had an armour belt of 2.5 inches and deck armour of 0.75 inches.

ervice history

"Novara" was the flagship of Admiral Miklós Horthy, later regent of Hungary. The vessel took part in the attack on the Otranto Barrage on May 14/15, 1917, during which 14 Allied trawlers were sunk. "Novara" was slightly damaged when an Allied shell fractured one of its steam pipes, leading to a loss of power. She limped home. [Kemp, Peter, "The Otranto Barrage", in "History of the First World War", BPC Publishing Ltd., Bristol, 1971, p.2269.]

"Novara" was given to France following the end of World War I. The ship was renamed "Thionville" and incorporated into the French fleet. The ship was scrapped in 1942.

See also

* See SMS Novara for ships of the same name.

Notes