Yugoslav gunboat Beli Orao
| History | |
|---|---|
 Kingdom of Yugoslavia | |
| Name: | Beli Orao |
| Namesake: | White Eagle |
| Laid down: | 23 December 1938 |
| Launched: | 3 June 1939 |
| Commissioned: | 29 October 1939 |
| Out of service: | 1941 |
| Fate: | Captured by Italy |
_crowned.svg.png){kind=small} Italy | |
| Name: |
|
| Acquired: | April 1941 |
| Out of service: | September 1943 |
| Fate: | Handed back to Yugoslavia |
| Kingdom of Yugoslavia | |
| Name: | Beli Orao |
| Acquired: | December 1943 |
| Fate: | Transferred to Yugoslav Navy post-war |
 Federal People's Republic of Yugoslavia | |
| Name: |
|
| Acquired: | post-World War II |
| Struck: | 1978 |
| General characteristics | |
| Displacement: | |
| Length: | |
| Beam: | 8.08 m (26 ft 6 in) |
| Draught: | 2.84 m (9 ft 4 in) |
| Propulsion: | 2 × shafts |
| Speed: | 18.5 knots (34.3 km/h; 21.3 mph) |
Beli Orao (White Eagle) was a royal yacht and gunboat built for the Royal Yugoslav Navy in 1939–1940. She was captured by the Italians during the World War II Axis invasion of Yugoslavia in April 1941, and saw service in the Royal Italian navy as Alba then Zagabria. After the September 1943 Italian armistice with the Allies, she was handed back to the Royal Yugoslav Navy-in-exile. After the war she remained in Yugoslav hands, serving as a yacht for President of Yugoslavia Josip Broz Tito under the names Biokovo then Jadranka. She was stricken in 1978.[1]
Description and construction
Beli Orao had a length between perpendiculars of 60.08 metres (197 ft 1 in) and a length overall of 65 m (213 ft 3 in), a beam of 8.08 m (26 ft 6 in) and a draught of 2.84 m (9 ft 4 in). She was powered by two Sulzer diesel engines driving two propellers. Her engines were rated at 1,900 brake horsepower (1,400 kW) and designed to reach a top speed of 18 knots (33 km/h; 21 mph). She was armed with two 40-millimetre (1.6 in) anti-aircraft guns and two machine guns.[1] Built by Cantieri Riuniti dell'Adriatico at San Marco in Italy, she was laid down on 23 December 1938, launched on 3 June 1939, and completed on 29 October of that year.[2][3]
Footnotes
- 1 2 Chesneau 1980, p. 358.
- ↑ Haworth 2016.
- ↑ Jane's Information Group 1989, p. 314.
References
- Chesneau, Roger, ed. (1980). Conway's All the World's Fighting Ships, 1922–1946. London, England: Conway Maritime Press. ISBN 978-0-85177-146-5.
- Haworth, R.B. (2016). "Bjeli Orao". Miramar Ship Index. New Zealand: R.B. Haworth. 6110710. Retrieved 5 December 2016. (subscription required (help)).
- Jane's Information Group (1989) [1946/47]. Jane's Fighting Ships of World War II. London, England: Studio Editions. ISBN 978-1-85170-194-0.
- Niehorster, Dr. Leo (2016). "Balkan Operations Order of Battle Royal Yugoslavian Navy Coastal Defense Command 6th April 1941". Dr. Leo Niehorster. Retrieved 5 December 2016.