The szent István was a significant vessel within the Austro-Hungarian Navy. This large ship weighed approximately 22,000 tons and was equipped with 42 guns, supported by a total of 1,352 crew members. On the evening of June 9th, 1918, the vessel departed from the port of Pula.
At 3:31 p.m., disaster struck when it was targeted by torpedoes launched by an Italian torpedo boat. Following the explosions, water rapidly flooded the ships interior, causing it to list severely. At 6:02 a.m.
the following morning, the szent István succumbed to the damage and sank. Tragically, 89 members of the crew perished in the event. Adding to the story’s significance is the account of surviving Slovenian sailor Potop Szent Istvána, a narrative captured on film by a crew attached to the nearby ship Tegetthoff – a remarkable coincidence.
This incident is widely regarded as the most notable military achievement of any MAS torpedo boat. The sinking of the szent ships holds exceptional importance in Italian history, and a commemorative ceremony is held annually on June 10th to honor the event.
Topics: #szent #ships #crew
Wrecks of ships, planes and other valuables rest concealed beneath the Adriatic Sea.