1937 BALISTE. Baliste was one of a class of 12 sub- 600 ton ships originally designated as escorts and intended for operation in the Mediterranean. She was to serve with three navies in the course of her very short life.
THE 600-TON CLASS
The London Naval Conference of 1930 allowed unlimited numbers of war ships of up to 600t standard displacement to be built for coastal defence, and the La Melpomne class of 12 ships was built under this provision between 1935 and 1937. Baliste was constructed by Chantiers de France and launched on 17 March 1937. She was the only vessel in the class to be powered by Parsons turbines; all the rest had engines built by Rateau Bretagne. After the fall of France in June 1940 the Bafiste was taken in charge by the Italian Navy as FR45 and employed in coastal waters. She was transferred to the Kriegsmarine as TA1 2 on 5 April 1943. She was sunk by Allied aircraft on 22 August 1944.
THE BAZJSTES WEAPONS
The ships of the class came off the slips overweight unstored displacement was up by 80t, and they seldom went to sea at less than around 860t. Their 22,000hp engines gave them a fair turn of speed, however, La Melpomene made 36.5 knots (67.6km/h) at a displacement of 680t during her trials. One of the causes of their being overweight was their weapons fit. In place of two 76mm (3m) guns they had two 40-calibre 100mm (3.9in) guns, and instead off our 400mm(15.7in)torpedotubes, twin 550mm (21 .7in) tubes. They were also fitted with four heavy machine guns. Their anti-submarine armament consisted of rack-launched depth charges.
TECHNICAL DATA
Type: Light destroyer
Machinery: 2-shaft Parsons geared turbines giving a total of 22,000shp
Dimensions (overall): length, 80. (264.75ff); beam, 7.96m (26ff)
Draught: 3.07m (l0ft) at full load
