I. međunarodna konferencija u povodu 150.

obljetnice
tvornice torpeda u Rijeci i očuvanja riječke industrijske baštine 201

THE “ITALIAN PERIOD” OF THE WHITEHEAD TORPEDO

FACTORY OF FIUME (RIJEKA) AND THE FOUNDATION
IN LIVORNO OF WHITEHEAD MOTO FIDES (WMF - 1945)
AND OF WHITEHEAD ALENIA SISTEMI SUBACQUEI
(WASS –1995)

Benito Petrucci, ing.

Livorno, Italia

FOREWORD
The “italian period” of the Whitehead Torpedo Factory of Fiume, goes from 24th
January 1924 to 3rd May 1945, lasting altogether, a bit more than 21 years. As
compared to the period of 150 years (associated to the celebration of the foundation
of the Fonderia Metalli), or even to the period of 128 years (associated to the
foundation of the Whitehead Torpedo Factory), it appears to be quite short and could
give the idea of not being sufficiently significant and important for the Company.
But if we take a look to other aspects than simply to the duration of the period
during which the Company was under the italian laws, was property of italian
capitals and managed by italian staff, it may be noticed that the italian influence
has been present in the life of the Company for a much longer period than that
associated to the simple material property, and has deeply permeated its character
and attitude.
As a confirmation of what hereby asserted, it may be considered the fact that the
first name of the company today under celebration was Fonderia Metalli, changed
later in Stabilimento Tecnico in Fiume (currently Stabilimento Tecnico Fiumano),
both italian names, and its statute was published in italian language (figgs.1a, 1b).
Furthermore, the letter sent to the Chamber of Commerce of Fiume on 24th
January 1875 to inform about the acquisition of the Stabilimento Tecnico was hand-
written, in good italian language of those days, personally by Robert Whitehead
who, in specifying the new name of the Company as Fabbrica Torpedini di Roberto
Whitehead, even italianized his name from Robert in Roberto (fig. 2). The
document by which Robert Whitehead was given the Fiume honorary citizenship,
(fig. 3) was written in aulic italian, and in current italian was published the circular
letter informing about the transformation of the Company as from co-partnership
202 B. Petrucci, The “italian period” of the Whitehead Torpedo...

Fig.1a: Statute of 1870 of the Stabilimento

Tecnico in Fiume (Stabilimento Tecnico
Fiumano), in italian language (Historical
Archive of Fiume).

Fig. 1b: First page of the Statute of the

Stabilimento Tecnico in Fiume, in italian
language (Historical Archive of Fiume).
I. međunarodna konferencija u povodu 150. obljetnice
tvornice torpeda u Rijeci i očuvanja riječke industrijske baštine 203

Fig. 2: Letter, in italian, by which Robert

Whitehead informs the Chamber of
Commerce of Fiume about the acquisition
of the Stabilimento Tecnico Fiumano and its
conversion in Torpedo Factory of Roberto
Whitehead (Historical Archive of Fiume).
Note the italianization of the name from
Robert in Roberto. “Lo stabilimento tecnico
sito nel sottocomune di Plasse venne
acquistato da me sottoscritto e verra da qui
inanzi da me condotto sotto la
denominazione “Fabbrica Torpedini di
Roberto Whitehead” ovvero in tedesco
“Torpedo Fabrik von Robert Whitehead”, il
quale cangiamento fu da me in oggi
insinuato all'Autorita politica pel rilascio del
certificato industriale pell'esercizio di tale
industria soggetta a concessione. Divisato
avendo di chiedere presso il locale R.
Tribunale la protocollazione della firma cosi
onde poterla corredare dei prescritti
documenti ne faccio debita insinuazione perché questa Spettabile Camera di Commercio
si compiacesse riportare questo cangiamento nel registro degl'industrianti rilasciandomi se
possibile entro la giornata il prescritto certificato a quale effetto compiego qui la marca da
bollo di soldi 50. Robert Whitehead” (Historical Archive of Fiume).

Fig.3: Document by which the Mayor of

Fiume Giovanni De Ciotta confers the
honorary citizenship to Roberto Cavaliere
Whitehead (Historical Archive of Fiume).
The document is in aulic italian language.
204 B. Petrucci, The “italian period” of the Whitehead Torpedo...

company in joint stock company (fig. 4). As a matter of fact the italian language
was quite popular in the area in that period and many official acts and document
were edited in such idiom.
As to the internal working environment of the Company it must be indicated that
many of the workers were of italian origin and/or italian speaking and that the
italian language was very commonly used.
Looking at the very first drawings produced in the Company, when it was not yet
adopted a specific criteria to comment and complete them, it can be seen that the
majority of the few notes and specifications present in the documents were given
in italian language (tabs. 1, 2, 3, 4); after some years, when the content of the
notes started to be a bit more complete, it can be verified that in many cases, also
in drawings prepared for nations different than Italy, including
Austria, the comments were expressed in italian (tabs. 5, 6, 7, 8, 9). This is
applicable also for drawings produced when the management of the plant was
under the responsibility of the Vickers-Armstrong group (1906-1924).
After 1911, when in each drawing it was impressed a stamp suitable to identify its
main elements, the terminology of the stamp was always expressed in italian
language, even for drawings produced when the Company was transferred to Saint
Polten (1915-1918) and independently from the customer for which the drawing
was prepared.(tabs. 10, 11, 12, 13, 14).

1) – STATUS OF THE COMPANY AT THE END OF THE 1ST WORLD WAR.

Even if the city of Fiume had not directly suffered the tragedies of the trench war,
its political and economical situation, at the end of the 1st world war, far from
being satisfactory, was almost close to the collapse and bankruptcy. The
occupation of the town by the troupes of Gabriele D’Annunzio during the period
september 1919 – December 1920 (fig. 5), which was terminated by the military
intervention of the italian governmental troupes, known as the 1920 “bloody
Christmas”, was cause of frictions and contrasts among the parties, and certainly
not an event foreboding peace and progress in the area. Also the period of
autonomy and independence following the treaty of Rapallo (fig. 6) between the
Reign of Italy and the Reign of Serbs, Croats and Slovenians of 12 November
1920, was characterised by instability and disorders, with political fights among the
parties of Grossich, Zanella and Depoli, with serious disadvantage for the
economy of the town and for the welfare of the people.
Stability, even if not immediate prosperity, was achieved after the treaty of Rome
of 27 January 1924 between the Italian and the Yugoslavian Governments, treaty
which assigned the City of Fiume to the Reign of Italy and ruled the political
status of the town up to the end of the 2nd world war.
But which was the status of the Whitehead Torpedo Factory within this political
contour? And which was the situation of the Company after the enormous
I. međunarodna konferencija u povodu 150. obljetnice
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Fig. 4: Circular letter by which the Whitehead & Co. informs about the transformation of
the Company as from copartnership company in joint stock company (Historical Archive
of Fiume). The document is in italian language.

Fig. 5: The military occupation of the city of Fig. 6: Treaty of Rapallo of 12th November
Fiume by the “legionari” of Gabriele 1920, between the Reign of Italy and the
D'Annunzio. Fiume, September 1919 Reign of Serbs, Croats and Slovenians
(Historical Archive of Societa di Studi (Historical Archive of the Ministero Affari
Fiumani Roma). Esteri Roma).
206 B. Petrucci, The “italian period” of the Whitehead Torpedo...

Tab. 1: Torpedo type W64 x

356/4,985, supplied to France
in 235 units. Period of deliv-
ery 1892 - 1895. 3 cylinders
motor. Speed: 27 knots for a
distance of 200 m., 26,8 knots
for a distance of 400 m. Let-
ter F stands for France.
Date, name of client, n° of
units and comments in ital-
ian language (WASS Histor-
ical Archive)
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Tab. 2: Torpedo type W55

x 450/3,68, supplied to
Argentina in 23 units, to
Brazil in 47 units, to Nor-
way in 34 units, to Japan in
12 units. Period of delivery
1893 - 1897. 3 cylinders
motor. Speed: 29 knots for
a distance of 400 m. Let-
ters "Ar" stands for
Argentina, letters "Br"
stands for Brazil, letter "N"
stands for Norway, letter
"J" stands for Japan.
Date and comments in
italian language (WASS
Historical Archive)
208 B. Petrucci, The “italian period” of the Whitehead Torpedo...

Tab. 3: Torpedo type W100 x

450/5, supplied to Japan in
84 units. Period of delivery
1896 - 1899. 3 cylinders
motor. Speed: 29,1 knots for
a distance of 400 m., 28,9
knots for a distance of 600
m., 27,8 knots for a distance
of 800 m. Letter "J" stands
for Japan. Date and com-
ments in italian language
(WASS Historical Archive).
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Tab. 4: Torpedo type W60 x

450/5, supplied to Austria in
15 units and to Argentina in
50 units. Period of delivery
1895 - 1897. Last deliveries
equipped with gyro control. 3
cylinders motor. Speed: 29,4
knots for a distance of 400
m., 29,2 knots for a distance
of 800 m. Letter "A" stands
for Austria, letters "Ar"
stands for Argentina. Date,
n° of units and comments in
italian language (WASS His-
torical Archive).
210 B. Petrucci, The “italian period” of the Whitehead Torpedo...

Tab. 5: Torpedo type W60 x

380/5,68, supplied to France
in only 1 prototype. Period of
delivery 1901. Equipped with
gyro control. 3 cylinders
motor. Speed: 31,7 knots for
a distance of 400 m., 30,3
knots for a distance of 600 m.
Letter "F" stands for France.
All detailed comments are in
italian language (WASS His-
torical Archive).
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Tab. 6: Torpedo type W60 x

450/5, supplied to Chile in 10
units. Period of delivery
1902. Launchable by cage.
Equipped with gyro control.
3 cylinders motor. Speed:
31,3 knots for a distance of
400 m., 25,9 knots for a dis-
tance of 1.000 m., 25,2 knots
over a distance of 2.000 m.
Letter "C" stands for Chile.
All detailed comments are in
italian language (WASS His-
torical Archive).
212 B. Petrucci, The “italian period” of the Whitehead Torpedo...

Tab. 7: Torpedo type W60 x

450/5. Supplied to Holland in
26 units. Period of delivery
1902 - 1904. Equipped with
gyro control (as all other tor-
pedoes indicated hereafter).
3 cylinders motor. Speed:
30,4 knots for distance of 400
m., 28,5 knots for distance of
800 m., 27,7 knots for dis-
tance of 1.000 m. Letter "O"
stands for Olanda (Holland).
All detailed comments are in
italian language (WASS His-
torical Archive).
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Tab. 8: Torpedo type W100 x

450/5. Supplied to Austria in
90 units. Period of delivery
1905. 4 cylinders motor. Let-
ter "A" stands for Austria.
All detailed comments are in
italian language (WASS His-
torical Archive).
214 B. Petrucci, The “italian period” of the Whitehead Torpedo...

Tab. 9: Torpedo type W95 x

450/5,2. Supplied to Russia
in 40 units. Period of delivery
1910. 4 cylinders motor and
heater. Letter "R" stands for
Russia. All detailed com-
ments are in italian language
(WASS Historical Archive).
I. međunarodna konferencija u povodu 150. obljetnice
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Tab.10: Torpedo type W100

x 450/5,3. Supplied to Nor-
way in 100 units. Period of
delivery 1912. 4 cylinders
motor with heater (as all tor-
pedoes indicated hereafter).
Letter "N" stands for Nor-
way. All detailed comments
are in english language while
the stamp is in italian
(WASS Historical Archive).
216 B. Petrucci, The “italian period” of the Whitehead Torpedo...

Tab.11: Torpedo type W100

x 450/5,3. Supplied to Ruma-
nia in 44 units. Period of
delivery 1914. 4 cylinders
motor. Letters "RU" stands
for Rumania. All detailed
comments are in french lan-
guage while the stamp is in
italian (WASS Historical
Archive).
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tvornice torpeda u Rijeci i očuvanja riječke industrijske baštine 217

Tab.12: Torpedo type W110

x 450/5,5. Supplied to Aus-
tria in 341 units. Period of
delivery 1912 - 1914. 4 cylin-
ders motor. Letter "A" stands
for Austria. All detailed
comments are in german lan-
guage while the stamp is in
italian (WASS Historical
Archive).
218 B. Petrucci, The “italian period” of the Whitehead Torpedo...

Tab.13: Torpedo type W182

x 450/5,568. Supplied to Aus-
tria in 32 units. 4 cylinders
motor. War head equipped
with exploder with net-cutter
mechanism. Letter "A"
stands for Austria. All
detailed comments of the
drawing, which refers to the
Saint Polten period, are in
german language, while the
stamp is in italian (WASS
Historical Archive).
I. međunarodna konferencija u povodu 150. obljetnice
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Tab.14: Torpedo type W245

x 533,4/7,580. Company test
torpedo. 2 cylinders motor
(horizontally placed). All
detailed comments of the
drawing, which refers to the
Saint Polten period, are in
german language, while the
stamp is in italian (WASS
Historical Archive).
220 B. Petrucci, The “italian period” of the Whitehead Torpedo...

productive effort of the war period and after the military defeat of the country for
which the productive effort had been performed?
Let us examine how the position of the Whitehead Torpedo Factory appeared
shortly before the start of the war.
The majority of the share capital (51 %) was in the hands of the british group
Vickers – Armstrong Whitworth, which, after the death of Robert Whitehead (14
November 1905), following the suggestion and the pressure of the British
Government, had taken over, in 1906, the majority of the property as well as the
full control of the management of the Company. The group was also in control of
the house branch of Weymouth (opened in 1891 by Robert Whitehead) and of the
affiliated companies “Societé des Torpille Whitehead”, opened in 1913 in Saint
Tropez (France), (fig. 7) and “Societŕ Anonima Italiana Whitehead” (SAIW),
opened in 1914 in Naples (Italy).
At the start of the war (July 1914) the Fiume factory was requisitioned and
militarised by the Austro-Hungarian Authorities, depriving Vickers-Armstrong of
power. Furthermore all contracts which the Company had stipulated with foreign
countries were suspended and the torpedoes ready to be delivered or under
construction, were diverted for the use of the Austro-Hungarian or German
Armed Forces. The same behaviour was applied also to the italian supplies,
notwithstanding Italy was formally still part of the “Triple Alliance” together with
Austria and Germany (Italy will enter the war one year later, in may 1915).
As a consequence of this line of conduct from the austrian side, the French
Government started to use the torpedo factory of Saint Tropez for its own needs
and the Italian Government made the same with the Naples plant.
When the war was over, the Vickers-Armstrong group, pushed and stimulated by
the british authorities, initially tried to keep the property of the Torpedo Factory
of Fiume, and to buy, in addition, the “Danubius” shipyard of the “Ganz”
company of Budapest, shipyard which was physically located next door to the
Whitehead plant. But the D’Annunzio raid and the consequent period of violence
and disorders, convinced the group to change their mind and to give up any sort
of initiative in the area.
The three industrial units (main plant of Fiume and the two affiliated companies
of Saint Tropez and Naples), which started to represent a tough problem for the
group, were set into liquidation: the french site was gradually transferred to french
capitals which, in 1925, had the complete control of the plant which was given the
name of “Societé des Torpilles Saint Tropez”; the Naples plant was taken over, at
the end of 1921, by an italian group headed by the “Banca Commerciale Italiana”
and was given the name of “Silurificio Italiano”; the situation of the Fiume plant
was a bit more complicated and needs to be better explained in its details.
In 1920, Mr. Giuseppe Orlando (fig. 8), at that time chairman of the “Acciaierie
Terni” (steel producer) of Terni (Italy) and of the “Cantieri Navali Luigi
I. međunarodna konferencija u povodu 150. obljetnice
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Fig. 7: Societé des Torpille Whitehead, opened in Saint Tropez in 1913 by the Torpedo
Factory of Fiume, when the management was in the hands of the Vickers Armstrong
Whitworth group (Private collection of Mr. Michel Le Dard, of DCNI of Saint Tropez).

Fig. 8: Giuseppe Orlando, first President of the refunded Whitehead Torpedo Factory
(“italian period”). The first title of the factory was Stabilimenti Whitehead - Societa di
Esercizio Anonima. Since 10th May 1928 the title will be Silurificio Whitehead di Fiume
(Private collection of Mrs. Luciana Orlando Bonetti).
222 B. Petrucci, The “italian period” of the Whitehead Torpedo...

Fig. 9: Giuseppe Toeplitz, Managing Director of the Banca Commerciale Italiana who had
the merit of the acquisition of the Societa Anonima Italiana Whitehead (SAIW) of Naples
at the end of the 1st world war and who hardly tried to compete with Giuseppe Orlando for
the control of the Whitehead plant of Fiume (Historical Archive of Banca Commerciale
Italiana).

Fig. 10: Telegram sent by Giuseppe Orlando to the Prime Minister Benito Mussolini,
informing about the reactivation of the Whitehead Torpedo Factory (Historical Archive of
the Ministero Affari Esteri Roma).
I. međunarodna konferencija u povodu 150. obljetnice
tvornice torpeda u Rijeci i očuvanja riječke industrijske baštine 223

Orlando” of Livorno (Italy), had finalized the acquisition of the Danubius

shipyard of Fiume which were renamed “Cantieri Navali del Quarnaro”. The
transaction was strongly supported by the Italian Government, who was trying to
overrule the similar action which the British Government had tried to impose to
the Vickers-Armstrong group. After having got the Danubius shipyard, Orlando
was negotiating with Vickers the possible acquisition of the torpedo factory, being
supported, in the operation, by the military Governor of the city of Fiume,
General Gaetano Giardino. The proposal was brought to the attention of the very
recently nominated head of the Italian Government Benito Mussolini, who agreed
with the proposal.
But the Managing Director of the Banca Commerciale Italiana, Giuseppe
Toeplitz (fig. 9), who was the main personality involved in the acquisition of the
SAIW of Naples and in its transformation in Silurificio Italiano, was also strongly
interested in getting the property of the former Whitehead Torpedo Factory of
Fiume, having, to this respect, the support of the Minister of the Navy Adm.
Thaon di Revel. Both parties had good arguments in their favour: the Banca
Commerciale was sustaining the convenience to unify the two torpedo factories of
Fiume and Naples to create only one powerful torpedo industry, suitable to cover
all the Italian Navy needs, operation which could possibly require the transfer of
the Fiume plant to Naples; the Orlando group, fully supported by Gen. Giardino,
was stressing the convenience for the economical recovery and industrial
revitalisation of the city of Fiume, to maintain the plant where it was, improving
and completing its organisation and structure. The thesis of Orlando prevailed in
the end, fact which caused the presence in Italy of two independent and
competing torpedo factories.
Due to the bankruptcy position of the Whitehead Torpedo Factory, it was not
possible for Mr. Orlando to finalise immediately the acquisition of the Company;
it was however reached an agreement with the liquidator which allowed the
Orlando group to reactivate and operate the factory on the basis of a lease
contract up to the moment of the definition of the bankruptcy procedure. It was
therefore set up a new company, by the name of Stabilimenti Whitehead - Societŕ
di Esercizio Anonima” which took over the operation and the management of the
plant, giving new life to the old factory founded by Robert Whitehead 49 years
before. It was the 24th January 1924.
The promoting partners were: the Banca Nazionale di Credito, the Cantieri
Navali del Quarnaro, Mr. Giuseppe Orlando and Mr. Arturo Ciano. Giuseppe
Orlando was elected President. The event was celebrated on the same day inside
the plant, and at 8 p.m. Mr. Orlando sent a telegram to the Prime Minister Benito
Mussolini saying: “Fulfilling engagement taken for revival main industry of Fiume
and thanks to directions of Governor taken in favour of industries, have honour
to inform of occurred constitution of Society which, giving new life to Whitehead,
will bring back to activity the humble but valiant workers who much contributed
to raise the fame of the Fiume factory. Regards. Giuseppe Orlando” (fig. 10).
224 B. Petrucci, The “italian period” of the Whitehead Torpedo...

The following day, at 1.35 p.m., it was the turn of General Giardino, Governor of
Fiume, to send the following cable to Mussolini: “Yesterday evening was signed
the constitution act of the Societŕ di Esercizio Stabilimenti Whitehead and this
morning, with excellent result, was performed a sea trial of a new torpedo.
Generale Giardino” (fig. 11).
This new torpedo of 450 mm. of diameter, was the result of studies performed by
the Whitehead Company during the last period of war, when the plant was
transferred to Saint Polten. The drawings of this torpedo were supposed to form
part of the documentation included in the sale transaction, but they were never
found.
Three days after the constitution of the new company, on 27th January 1924, with
the “Treaty of Rome” between Italy and Yugoslavia, the city of Fiume was
definitely assigned to Italy.

2) – THE NEW START.

The efforts of the new management were concentrated mainly on two lines of
action:
the immediate revival of the design activity, facilitated by the presence of the
former technical Director, Eng. Karl Hassenteufel (fig. 12);
the approach to old and new customers, starting from the Italian Navy, which the
events of the war had taken closer to the Silurificio Italiano of Naples.
As to the design and technical activity, in addition to the resumption of the design
of the above mentioned new 450 mm. torpedo (of which were produced two
samples), the Company realised, utilising internal funds, also two 533,4 mm.
prototype torpedoes, intensively tested at sea. The Italian Navy showed interest in
the product and the Director General of Artillery and Ammunition, General
Gambardella, paid a first visit to the Company during July 1924, to attend some
sea trials (fig. 13). However the first contract, stipulated with the Italian Navy on
October 1924, was for only fifty 450 mm. torpedoes to be used on board MAS
(light torpedo boats). The fact was that, as a consequence of the Washington
conference of 1921-22, all nations were subject to significant reductions of their
naval forces, so that the necessity of naval weapons was not a priority matter. Only
in 1925, the Italian Government approved a new quinquennial naval plan which
took, between 1928 and 1933, to the construction of several important units, both
surface ships and submarines, for which a massive plan of torpedoes production
was thereafter requested.
As to new foreign customer, the company started immediate negotiations with
Spain and the Reign of Serbs, Croats and Slovenians (hereinafter indicated as
Yugoslavia). As a matter of fact, negotiations with the two nations were already
started years back directly by the liquidators of the Company (as it may be
I. međunarodna konferencija u povodu 150. obljetnice
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Fig. 11: Telegram sent by the Governor of Fiume, General

Giardino to the Prime Minister to inform about the
constitution of the Societa di Esercizio Stabilimenti
Whitehead and of the execution of a torpedo sea trial
(Historical Archive of the Ministero Affari Esteri Roma).

Fig. 12: Eng. Karl Hassenteufel, technical Director of the

Whitehed Torpedo Factory during the “italian period”. He
had covered the same position during the administration
of the Company by the british group Vickers Armstrong
Whitworth (WASS Historical Archive).

Fig. 13: Gen. Gambardella, of the Italian Navy (with the white hat), visits the torpedo
factory (21 July 1924). With him Giuseppe Orlando (at his left) and Eng. Hassenteufel
(extreme left) (WASS Historical Archive).
226 B. Petrucci, The “italian period” of the Whitehead Torpedo...

deducted by the drawing of tab. 15, dated 24/12/1921 clearly referring to Spain –
letters SP), who, however could not finalise the transaction. The new management
took over the responsibility of both negotiations and, as a first result, on 30th June
1924, it took place the signature of a contract for the supply of 25 torpedoes and
10 launching tubes to Yugoslavia (fig. 14), which then, happened to be the first
foreign customer of the Stabilimenti Whitehead Societŕ di Esercizio, being at the
same time, the 29th nation to have purchased torpedoes from the company
originally founded by Robert Whitehead. The torpedoes sold were not of new
type, but pertained to a previous sale to the Russian Navy finalised in 1912-13,
referring to 248 torpedoes of 450 mm. of diameter, 5,5 m. of length, warhead with
100 Kg. of trotyl explosive and exploder with net-cutter, two horizontal cylinders
propulsion motor, air heater with water injection, speed of 43 knots over a
distance of 2.000 m. and 31 knots for a distance of 6.000 m. (tab. 16). Even if not
brand new, the torpedoes were of very good characteristics. The sale to the
Russian Navy, started in 1912, was not completed because, as mentioned before,
with the start of the war all supplies to foreign nations were suspended; at the
suspension time a quantity of approximately 40 torpedoes were still to be
delivered to Russia.
The negotiation with Spain, started by the liquidator in 1921 (tab. 15), took a
much longer time but the contract, finalised on 27th July 1925, was referring to the
production of 150 newly designed 533,4 mm torpedoes, and was therefore, of basic
importance for the Company. The same Prime Minister Mussolini, who was at the
same time also Minister of Foreign Affairs, took personal interest in the matter,
sending a telegram to the Italian Ambassador in Madrid (fig. 15) asking for his
support. Spain, which had never before acquired Whitehead torpedo, resulted
therefore the 30th nation in the Whitehead customers list. The contract included
the supply of 100 torpedo 7,5 m. long, with a war head with 250 Kg. of explosive
charge, speed of 42 knots over a distance of 4.000 m. and 24 knots over a distance
of 15.000 m.. The other 50 torpedoes were 6,5 m. long, had a war head with 240
kg. of charge and developed a speed of 40 knots over a distance of 4.000 m. and
27 knots over a distance of 10.000 m.(tab. 17).
Many foreign delegations, coming from Japan, U.S.A., Great Britain, Holland,
France, Argentina, Siam, asked to visit the factory, thus confirming that the name
of Whitehead was still much known all over.
The untimely death of President Giuseppe Orlando (27th January 1926)
represented a bad blow for the Company; he had really played a leading role in
the reconstruction of the firm, taking advantage of his strong personality and his
possibility of contact at the highest levels, and there could have been the danger
of a loss of confidence in the diversified world of the customers. Luckily his oldest
sun Luigi (fig. 16), who was member of the Board of Directors and who was
appointed President, showed good management attitude, succeeding in
minimising the consequences of the sad event.
I. međunarodna konferencija u povodu 150. obljetnice
tvornice torpeda u Rijeci i očuvanja riječke industrijske baštine 227

Tab. 15: This drawing, not

executed with the rules nor-
mally adopted by an organ-
ised technical office, con-
firms the information avail-
able in other documents, that
the curator of the bankruptcy
started negotiations with
Spain in 1921. The letters
"SP" indicated near the num-
ber of the drawing, confirm
that the drawing was pre-
pared for Spain (WASS His-
torical Archive).
228 B. Petrucci, The “italian period” of the Whitehead Torpedo...

Tab.16: Torpedo type W100

x 450/5,550 (Originally pro-
duced for Russia during the
period 1913 -1914). 2 cylin-
ders motor (horizontally
placed) with air heater and
water injection. Speed: 43
knots for a distance of 2.000
m. , 31 knots for a distance of
6.000 m. Sale to Russia not
completed for starting of 1st
world war. Design and avail-
ing material utilised for sale
to Yugoslavia in 1924 when
Whitehead Torpedo Factory
was reopened under the
management of Giuseppe
Orlando (WASS Historical
Archive).
I. međunarodna konferencija u povodu 150. obljetnice
tvornice torpeda u Rijeci i očuvanja riječke industrijske baštine 229

Tab.17: Torpedo type W240

x 533,4/6,5. Supplied to Spain
in 50 units. Period of delivery
1926 - 1929. 2 cylinders
motor (horizontally placed).
Speed: 40 knots for a dis-
tance of 4.000 m., 27 knots
for a distance of 10.000 m.
(WASS Historical Archive).
230 B. Petrucci, The “italian period” of the Whitehead Torpedo...

Fig. 14: Abstract of “Verbali delle

sedute del Consiglio di Ammini-
strazione” of the Stabilimenti
Whitehead Societa di Esercizio,
indicating the signature of a
contract with the Navy of the
Reign of Serbs, Croats, Slovenians
for the supply of 25 450mm
torpedoes and 10 launching tubes
(WASS Historical Archive).

Fig. 15: Telegram sent, on 8th July

1923, by the Prime Minister and
Minister of Foreign Affair Benito
Mussolini to the italian
Ambassador in Madrid, asking for
a sustaining action towards the
Spanish Government in favour of
the Fiume factory (Historical
Archive of Ministero Affari Esteri
Roma).

Fig. 16: Eng. Luigi Orlando, senior sun of

Giuseppe, and 2nd President of the refunded
Whitehead Torpedo Factory (Private
collection of Mrs Luciana Orlando Bonetti).
I. međunarodna konferencija u povodu 150. obljetnice
tvornice torpeda u Rijeci i očuvanja riječke industrijske baštine 231

On 19th December 1927 the long procedure of the bankruptcy settlement came to
an end and the Stabilimenti Whitehead – Societŕ di Esercizio succeeded in
winning the auction for the sale of the property of the old Whitehead Company
for the sum of 5.915.000 italian liras, thus getting the ownership of the buildings
and of the equipment of the Company. Subsequently, on the Company meeting of
10th May 1928 it was taken the decision to change the name of the Company from
Stabilimenti Whitehead – Societŕ di Esercizio in Silurificio Whitehead di Fiume. On
the same occasion, it was taken the decision to speed up the construction of the
new launching station (figs. 17, 18) which, entitled to Giuseppe Orlando, was then
officially inaugurated, at the presence of all the town authorities and of several
high level Italian Navy representatives, on 1st December 1928.

3) – THE NEW SUCCESS.

The good quality of the products and the positive commercial relationship
associated to the reputation and fame of the Whitehead’s name, took the
Company to a new period of success and expansion. The three drawings of figs.
19, 20, 21, show the configuration of the plant respectively in 1871 (when still
Stabilimento Tecnico Fiumano), in 1895 (under Robert Whitehead
management), and in 1925, (two years after the assumption of the management by
Giuseppe Orlando).
In 1927 the Turkish Navy, one of the very first customer of the original Whitehead
Torpedo Factory (first purchase in 1877) came back to the Company to acquire
seventeen 450 mm. torpedoes (tab. 18); the Dutch Navy, which between 1878 and
1914 had acquired 564 torpedoes of various types, in the years 1927-1930 ordered
to the new Whitehead twenty 450 mm. torpedoes followed by sixty weapons of
533,4 mm. of diameter (tab. 19); in 1928 the Argentinean Navy, another old and
constant customer, stipulated a contract for the acquisition of one hundred 533,4
mm. torpedoes, which were doubled in 1936 (tab. 20); still in 1928 Spain increased
by twelve units the 533,4 mm, 7,5 m long torpedo (tab. 21); in 1929 it was the
Finnish Navy to become the 31st customer of the Company, even if the quantity of
torpedoes purchased was limited to four 533,4 mm. samples.
In 1929 the Company took part, with its new name, to the “Fiera Campionaria di
Fiume”, a general products town exhibition, where were shown the new torpedoes
developed in the first years of its new identity (figs. 22, 23). At that time the
employees in the factory summed up to almost 800, of which 100 white collars and
700 workers.
In 1932 the U.R.S.S., the new giant empire born as a consequence of the russian
revolution, approached the Silurificio Whitehead di Fiume to stipulate a very
important contract for the purchase of seventyfive 533,4 mm. and forty 450 mm.
torpedoes, so becoming the 32nd customer of the Whitehead Company (tab. 22).
With the approval of the previously mentioned quinquennial naval plan, the
Italian Navy ordered large quantities of torpedoes of new types which were
232 B. Petrucci, The “italian period” of the Whitehead Torpedo...

Fig. 17: The launching station of the Whitehead Torpedo Factory how it appeared at the
end of the XIX century (WASS Historical Archive).

Fig. 18: The torpedo launching station entitled to Giuseppe Orlando (to the left).
To the right the old (modernised) Robert Whitehead station (WASS Historical Archive).
I. međunarodna konferencija u povodu 150. obljetnice
tvornice torpeda u Rijeci i očuvanja riječke industrijske baštine 233

Fig. 19: Map of the Stabilimento Tecnico Fiumano in 1871. It is visible the “casa rossa” in
the centre of the photo (WASS Historical Archive).

Fig. 20: Map of the Fabbrica Torpedini di Roberto Whitehead in 1895. The “casa rossa”
significantly enlarged, is surrounded by the buildings of the plant (WASS Historical Archive).

Fig.21: Map of the Stabilimenti Whitehead - Societa di Esercizio in 1925. Note the much
enlarged Port (WASS Historical Archive).
234 B. Petrucci, The “italian period” of the Whitehead Torpedo...

Fig. 22: The stand of the Silurificio Whitehead di Fiume at the “Fiera Campionaria di
Fiume” of 1929 (WASS Historical Archive).

Fig. 23: The Stand of the Silurificio Whitehead di Fiume at the Fiera Campionaria di
Fiume of 1929 (WASS Historical Archive).
I. međunarodna konferencija u povodu 150. obljetnice
tvornice torpeda u Rijeci i očuvanja riječke industrijske baštine 235

Tab. 18: Torpedo type W170

x 450/5,53. Supplied to
Turkey in 17 units. Period of
delivery 1927. 2 cylinders
motor (horizontally placed).
Speed: 44 knots for a dis-
tance of 2.000 m., 29 knots
for a distance of 6.000 m.
(WASS Historical Archive).
236 B. Petrucci, The “italian period” of the Whitehead Torpedo...

Tab.19: Torpedo type W300

x 533,4/6,840. Supplied to
Holland in 60 units. Period
of delivery 1930 - 1934. 2
cylinders motor (horizontal-
ly placed). Speed: 41 knots
for a distance of 4.000 m., 28
knots for a distance of
10.000 m. Letter "O" stands
for Olanda (Holland)
(WASS Historical Archive).
I. međunarodna konferencija u povodu 150. obljetnice
tvornice torpeda u Rijeci i očuvanja riječke industrijske baštine 237

submitted to an intensive cycle of operational evaluation with hundreds of sea

trials performed with submarines and ships of the fleet. Of significant importance
were series of launches performed with ships running at the maximum speed of
more than 30 knots (fig. 24).
A new type of “siluro veloce” (high speed torpedo), suitable to reach a speed of
more than 50 knots, was in the meanwhile developed and launched at sea for the
first time on 22nd August 1932 (fig. 25). The excellent results of the trials induced
the Italian Navy to congratulate the Company on the brilliant achievement with
the letter in fig. 26. The same sign of appreciation was shown by the U.S. Naval
Attaché who had attended the trials (fig. 27).
In 1933 the Company started to work in the field of air dropped torpedoes,
maintaining to this respect, contacts both with the Italian Navy and the Italian Air
Force. Three samples of torpedoes, specifically developed for the use on aircraft’s,
were manufactured at company’s expenses. Furthermore, due to the fact that the
availability of aeroplanes for the execution of experiments could not be
guaranteed with continuity, it was decided to finance also the fabrication and
installation of a special catapult, suitable to simulate the same forces,
accelerations and decelerations actually present in real launches from aeroplanes
(figs. 28, 29) The impressive structure was installed near the Giuseppe Orlando
launching station, thus forming, together with the old Robert Whitehead
launching facility, a group of constructions (fig. 30) which has characterised the
coast profile of Fiume for many years, and part of which even if with some
modifications, is still today part of the landscape.

4) – THE FOUNDATION IN LIVORNO OF “MOTO FIDES”.

In 1934 the Board of Directors of the Silurificio Whitehead di Fiume, after having
negotiated a licence agreement with the german producers of the “Zundapp”
motorcycles, decided to open in Livorno (Tuscany) a factory for the production of
such vehicle. The intention was to manufacture that motorbike, which in Germany
had gained an excellent reputation, mainly for the needs of the Italian Army (fig.
31). A new company, named “Moto Fides” (“Fides” is the latin for “Faith” and is
part of the motto of the City of Livorno), was therefore officially formed, in the
hope to initiate another successful type of industrial activity (fig. 32). The
expectations were however far too optimistic, and not even a single motorcycle was
manufactured. It was consequently necessary to find for the company a different
type of activity and, after few useless attempts in the field of general mechanics, it
was decided to use the plant, first, as a manufacturer of torpedo components, and,
after having obtained by the Navy the due clearance, as a manufacturer of
complete torpedoes. Between 1937 and 1939 the plant was transformed according
to the new necessities under the guidance of its young managing director, Eng.
Paolo Orlando (fig. 33), the younger son of Giuseppe Orlando, the founder of the
new Whitehead. In 1939, much before the formal opening ceremony, the firm
received an order of 100 torpedoes of 533,4 mm of diameter.
238 B. Petrucci, The “italian period” of the Whitehead Torpedo...

Fig. 24: Launch of a 533,4 Whitehead torpedo from R.C.T Nicotera, running at a speed of
more than 30 knots (WASS Historical Archive).

Fig. 25: Cut view of a 533,4 “high speed” Whitehead torpedo (more than 50 knots) (WASS
Historical Archive).
I. međunarodna konferencija u povodu 150. obljetnice
tvornice torpeda u Rijeci i očuvanja riječke industrijske baštine 239

Fig. 26: Letter of congratulation of the Italian Fig. 27: Letter of congratulation of the U.S.
Navy (25th September 1934) for the results Naval Attaché (17th September1934) for the
achieved with the high speed Whitehead results achieved with the high speed White-
torpedo (WASS Historical Archive). head torpedo (WASS Historical Archive).

Fig. 28: Catapult suitable to simulate stresses present in a torpedo launched from
aeroplanes. To the right the Giuseppe Orlando launching station (1933-1934) (WASS
Historical Archive).
240 B. Petrucci, The “italian period” of the Whitehead Torpedo...

Fig. 29: Torpedo ejected from the catapult to simulate the impact with the sea surface
during an air drop (1935) (WASS Historical Archive).

Fig. 30: Panoramic view of the three torpedo launching structures (1935-1936) (WASS
Historical Archive).
I. međunarodna konferencija u povodu 150. obljetnice
tvornice torpeda u Rijeci i očuvanja riječke industrijske baštine 241

Fig. 31: Photo of the Zundapp

motorcycle object of licence
agreement between the german
company and Moto Fides (1934-
1935). The licence agreement
never entered into force and the
only activity performed by Moto
Fides on the matter, was the
assembling of 8 prototypes whose
components were provided by
Zundapp (WASS Historical
Archive).

Fig. 32: The Moto Fides plant in Livorno (1937- Fig. 33: Paolo Orlando, the junior
1938). Failing the production of motorcycle, the son of Giuseppe, who was for
plant produced initially hand grenades. Later many years General Manager and
started to produce torpedo components for the Managing Director of Moto Fides
Fiume workshop and finally was cleared to and also of the Fiume plant (1938-
manufacture the complete torpedo (WASS 1939) (Private collection of Mrs.
Historical Archive). Luciana Orlando Bonetti).

5) – TOWARDS THE 2ND WORLD WAR.

The production activity started to be intensified in 1938. The previous years had
seen the escalation of technical and operational evaluation trials. Hundreds of
operational sea launches were performed from submarines and surface vessels and
lot of experiments were conducted with the use of several types of aeroplanes (figs.
34, 35). The german armed forces (both Navy and Air Force) were particularly
interested in the results of the tests on the airborne torpedo, and after having
witnessed a cycle of trials specifically organised for their benefit, on 1st April 1939
placed an order for 300 torpedoes type W 170 x 450 x 5,46 (fig. 36), even before the
Italian Navy and Air Force placed corresponding orders for their own use.
242 B. Petrucci, The “italian period” of the Whitehead Torpedo...

Requests of torpedoes were coming also from many other nations: Rumania,
Greece, Siam, URSS, Peru, China, Poland, Holland, Yugoslavia, Portugal,
Finland, Japan asked the Silurificio Whitehead di Fiume to present proposal of
supplies, but the worsening world political situation rendered the transactions
difficult if not impossible and only the negotiations with Finland, Holland,
Rumania and Japan were finalised.
All three italian torpedo factories, Silurificio Whitehead di Fiume, Silurificio
Italiano of Naples and Moto Fides of Livorno worked at fast rate to satisfy the
overwhelming requests of the italian and german armed forces, even if the
difficulties in the supply of raw materials and primary products compelled the
plants to heavily turn to autarchy (fig. 37).

6) – THE TRAGEDY OF THE 2ND WORLD WAR.

When Germany started the occupation of Poland (1st September 1939), causing
the reaction of France and Great Britain which led to the declaration of war on
3rd September, Italy declared its not belligerence and U.S.A., Japan and China
their neutrality. There were signs, however, that sooner or later also Italy would
have been one of the party; the instruction to camouflage the plant, to provide it
with antiaircraft’s weapons, to build anti air-raid shelter and to buy gas masks were
indirectly disclosing the will and the decision to be active participants in the
conflict.

6.1) – The Livorno plant.

Moto Fides, in its new structure of torpedo factory, was officially inaugurated on
10th March 1940, when it was already in full production, and few weeks later (10th
June) Italy entered the war. On 30th October 1940, when the magnitude of the
tragedy was not yet perceived in all its gravity, Vittorio Emanuele III, King of
Italy, paid a visit to the factory (figs. 38, 39). On 12th November 1941 the name of
the plant was changed from Moto Fides to Silurificio Moto Fides S.A.
To deserve the name of “silurificio” (torpedo factory), something was missing to
Moto Fides: a torpedo launching station, where to test torpedoes at sea. Initially,
all the produced weapons were sent to the Fiume plant where were tested in the
local facilities; however due both to the long distance to be covered and to the
overwork of the Fiume station, it was decided to build a specific launching station
in the proximity of the plant. After a very long, time-consuming research, a proper
location was found in Porto Santo Stefano, a village on the Tuscany coast,
approximately 100 km south of Livorno; the impressive construction (fig. 40)
revealed however to be useless, because it entered in full activity on 29th June 1943,
exactly one day after the bombardment of the Livorno plant which caused the
complete stop of the torpedoes production. The people employed in the base who
had not the chance to start their activity were 84 white collars and 156 workers.
I. međunarodna konferencija u povodu 150. obljetnice
tvornice torpeda u Rijeci i očuvanja riječke industrijske baštine 243

Fig. 34: Air drop from a SIAI Marchetti S55 (1935) (WASS Historical Archive).

Fig. 35: Air drop from a SM81 aeroplane (1935) (WASS Historical Archive).
244 B. Petrucci, The “italian period” of the Whitehead Torpedo...

Fig. 36: The famous W 170 x 450/5,46 Whitehead airborne torpedo, complete with air
stabiliser (1939) (WASS Historical Archive).

Fig. 37: Due to sanctions and to the lack of primary products, the italian torpedo producers
(Whitehead, Moto Fides and Silurificio Italiano) were compelled to make use of autarchy
materials (1938-1943) (WASS Historical Archive).

Fig. 38: The local press emphasises the visit of H. M. King Vittorio Emanuele III to Moto
Fides. When the visit occurred (30th October 1940), Italy had entered the war as of 5
months (WASS Historical Archive).
I. međunarodna konferencija u povodu 150. obljetnice
tvornice torpeda u Rijeci i očuvanja riječke industrijske baštine 245

Up to that moment, the Silurificio Moto Fides had fully performed its mission.
After the first 100 533,4 mm. torpedo, the Italian Navy ordered, in 1940, other 21
torpedoes of the same type plus 60 weapons of 533,4 mm of diameter and 6,84 m.
of length; in 1941 other 404 units type 450 x 5,75, plus 110 units type 533,4 x 6,84.
In 1942 there were other orders for 133 torpedoes type 533,4 x 6,84 plus 306
torpedoes type 450 x 5,75; during the same year the Rumanian Navy placed an
order of 14 + 20 torpedoes type 533,4 x 7,20. In March 1943 another order of 373
torpedoes type 450 x 5,46 for aeroplanes was placed by the Italian Armed Forces.
At the beginning of 1943 the total force of personnel in Silurificio Moto Fides was
of 274 white collars and 2.300 workers, all fully employed. But the beginning of
1943 was also the start of a tremendous period for the factory. The Allied Forces
had started to bomb italian towns quite intensively and therefore the management
had adopted a decentralisation plan which foresaw the transfer of the technical
offices and also of some of the production departments in surrounding areas. The
plan was under way when a first bombing took place on 28 May; the damage was
not much and the plant could proceed with the production. But the following
bombardment of 28 June was very severe (fig. 41), producing fear and panic in the
workers who practically, since then, deserted the plant causing the cease of all
activities, rendering also useless the Porto Santo Stefano launching station. Also
the station was however object of bombing and, after the 8th of September 1943,
date of the italian armistice, suffered other damages caused by the mining of the
structure by the german troops (fig. 42).
On 8th September the Silurificio of Livorno was occupied by the German Army
and all the machinery was requisitioned and transferred to Germany. The
buildings, additionally damaged by another severe bombardment on 24th
September, was completely abandoned by personnel with the only exception of
some guards; these were later deported to Germany and the plant remained for a
long period of time in the hands of vandals.
When the allied troops arrived in Livorno, the factory was requisitioned and part
of it utilised as car workshop for the occupation army. The plant was given back
to the Company only on 15th October 1945.

6.2) – The Fiume plant.

The “Silurificio Whitehead di Fiume” which was much bigger and which had a
much larger production capability than Moto Fides, was assigned several
important contracts for hundreds and hundreds of torpedoes of types 450 x 5,75,
533,4 x 6,84 and 450 x 5,46 both by the Italian Navy and Air Force. Of particular
importance was a contract with the Italian Navy for 950 torpedoes type 450 x 5,46
which the Navy transferred then to Germany for use on aeroplanes.
In the first days of April 1941, Italy and Germany started the invasion of
Yugoslavia. Considering the proximity to the border of the city of Fiume and the
potential danger to the factory which could have arisen in case of possible military
246 B. Petrucci, The “italian period” of the Whitehead Torpedo...

actions in the area, it was ordered the displacement of all the existing ready
torpedoes, main components, special materials, etc. to safer places like Trieste,
Venice and Livorno. The complete work, which implied the movements of more
than 2.500 tons of materials and the transfer of 1.300 workers, was completed in 7
days. The operation revealed to have been however unnecessary, and after few
weeks everything was taken back to the original position.
Due to the amount of torpedoes to be produced, it was estimated indispensable to
enlarge the factory which, in 1942 assumed the configuration of fig. 43 with almost
4.000 employees.
On 1st August 1941 the Company received an order for 2.000 torpedoes (840 of
which to be produced by Moto Fides) to be delivered to Germany; Germany was
supposed to provide the factory with a complete set of machine tools and all row
materials. Part of the machinery was in fact supplied, but subsequently logistical
difficulties caused the practical cancellation of the program.
Between 1942 and 1943 there was a specific request from the Luftwaffe to develop
a very short torpedo (3,38 m) (tab. 23, fig. 44) to be used on fighter planes; it was
also developed a radio-wireguided torpedo (Crocchi system) which was
operationally employed during the last part of the conflict.
On August 1943, when the “Silurificio Moto Fides” had already ceased every
activity, considering the negative development of the military operations, the
management of the Fiume factory started to study a decentralisation plan, taking
into consideration a series of places, even if, contrary to what had happened in
Livorno, Fiume had not yet been object of allied air raids.
On the italian armistice day (8th September 1943) the german troops took control
of the plant, which became thereafter an instrument in the hands of the germans.
As to the resort for the decentralisation, it was chosen a small village in the
province of Udine named “Fiume Veneto”, where it was located the “Cotonificio
Veneziano”, a textile not active industry, with a plant suitable to receive the
machines and instrument of the torpedo factory of “Fiume Carnaro”; in Fiume
Carnaro were supposed to remain only the activities relating to the torpedo sea
trials.
On 7th an 21st January 1944, during the transfer operations to Fiume Veneto, two
air raids, with heavy bombardments, caused severe damages to the Fiume Carnaro
plant (figs. 45, 46). The working conditions were severely deteriorating, both for
the damages caused by the bombardments and for the constant presence and
control of the german military personnel. In Fiume Veneto, in coincidence with
the presence in the country of the partisan activity, started to be actuated even a
moderate form of industrial sabotage. With the advance and the progress of the
allied forces in central and northern Italy the german troops started to abandon
the two factories, taking with them much of the tooling machines present both in
Fiume Carnaro and Fiume Veneto.
I. međunarodna konferencija u povodu 150. obljetnice
tvornice torpeda u Rijeci i očuvanja riječke industrijske baštine 247

Fig. 39: Paolo Orlando shows a torpedo war head to H.M. the King. Vittorio Emanuele III
will visit again Moto Fides on 11 June 1941 together with the King of Bulgaria, allied of
Germany and Italy (WASS Historical Archive). The title of the plant is still Moto Fides.
The new title of Silurificio Moto Fides will be adopted only on 12th November 1941.

Fig. 40: Torpedo launching station ad Porto Santo Stefano (Tuscany coast around 100 Km
south of Livorno) (1942-1943) (WASS Historical Archive).
248 B. Petrucci, The “italian period” of the Whitehead Torpedo...

Fig. 41: Silurificio Moto Fides. Effects of the 28th June 1943 bombardment (WASS
Historical Archive).

Fig. 42: Porto Santo Stefano. Effects of allied bombing and german mining on the torpedo
launching station (1943-1945) (WASS Historical Archive).
I. međunarodna konferencija u povodu 150. obljetnice
tvornice torpeda u Rijeci i očuvanja riječke industrijske baštine 249

Fig. 43: Map of the Silurificio Whitehead di Fiume in 1942 (WASS Historical Archive).

Fig. 44: Picture of the 3,38 m. short torpedo (“silurotto”) (1943) (WASS Historical
Archive).

On 25th April 1945 the war in Italy came to an end. The tragedy was over, even if
much time had still to pass before it could be possible to look at the future with
hope and serenity.

7) – THE POST-WAR PERIOD. BIRTH OF WHITEHEAD MOTO FIDES

On 3rd May 1945, the Yugoslavian Army took possession of the Fiume factory,
which, since then, started a new phase of its history.
The relations between Yugoslavia and Italy were naturally suffering from the
events of the war and some consequences did occur also in matters concerning the
torpedo factory. Eng. Arioldo Tuchtan, one of the managers of the plant, was
imprisoned for ten months and Eng. Umberto Panigatti, General Manager of the
factory, was prosecuted and condemned to ten years of detention, but then
released after less than five years.
250 B. Petrucci, The “italian period” of the Whitehead Torpedo...

Tab. 20: Torpedo type W250

x 533,4/7,5. Supplied to
Argentina in 200 units. Peri-
od of delivery 1929 - 1938. 2
cylinders motor (horizontal-
ly placed). Speed: 42 knots
for a distance of 4.000 m., 26
knots for a distance of
12.000 m. Letters "AR"
stands for Argentina (WASS
Historical Archive).
I. međunarodna konferencija u povodu 150. obljetnice
tvornice torpeda u Rijeci i očuvanja riječke industrijske baštine 251

Tab.21: Torpedo type W250

x 533,4/7,5. Supplied to
Spain in 12 units. Period of
delivery 1929. 2 cylinders
motor (horizontally placed).
Speed: 42 knots for a dis-
tance of 4.000 m., 24 knots
for a distance of 15.000 m.
(WASS Historical Archive).
252 B. Petrucci, The “italian period” of the Whitehead Torpedo...

Tab. 22: Torpedo

type W300 x
533,4/7,2. Supplied to
URSS in 75 units.
Period of delivery
1933 - 1936. 2 cylin-
ders motor (horizon-
tally placed). Speed:
42 knots for a dis-
tance of 4.000 m., 26
knots for a distance
of 15.000 m. (WASS
Historical Archive).
I. međunarodna konferencija u povodu 150. obljetnice
tvornice torpeda u Rijeci i očuvanja riječke industrijske baštine 253

Tab. 23: Torpedo type W200

x 450/3,38. Developed for the
German and italian Air
Force near the end of the
war (WASS Historical
Archive).
254 B. Petrucci, The “italian period” of the Whitehead Torpedo...

Fig. 45: Effects of the 7th and 27th January 1944 bombardments on the Fiume plant
(WASS Historical Archive).

Fig. 46: Effects of the 7th and 27ttf 1944 January bombardments on the Fiume plant
(WASS Historical Archive).
I. međunarodna konferencija u povodu 150. obljetnice
tvornice torpeda u Rijeci i očuvanja riječke industrijske baštine 255

Fig. 47: Notary act, dated 30th October

1945, stating the incorporation of
Silurificio Moto Fides in Silurificio
Whitehead of Fiume, giving origin to
Whitehead Moto Fides Stabilimenti
Meccanici Riuniti S.p.A. (WASS
Historical Archive).

Fig. 48: Livorno. Reconstruction of

the old Silurificio Moto Fides plant,
for the new company Whitehead
Moto Fides (1945 - 1946) (WASS
Historical Archive).
256 B. Petrucci, The “italian period” of the Whitehead Torpedo...

In force of the peace treaty stipulated on 10th February 1947 and of the
yugoslavian decree of 9th November 1947, the factory was considered nationalised
and confiscated as from the date of 3rd May 1945. Subsequent agreements
achieved by a “Mixed Commission” of the two nations, specified the amount of
the indemnity.
The Boards of Directors of the Silurificio Whitehead di Fiume (according to the
italian laws the company was still in force) and of the Silurificio Moto Fides, took
the immediate decision to create a new company formed by the incorporation of
the Silurificio Moto Fides in the Silurificio Whitehead di Fiume; to this new
company, officially formed on 30 October 1945, with registered office in Rome
and plant in Livorno, was given the name of “Whitehead Moto Fides. Stabilimenti
Meccanici Riuniti S.p.A.” (fig. 47).
The company, utilising part of the damaged buildings of the former Silurificio
Moto Fides and the tooling machines not taken away by the german troops in the
plant of Fiume Veneto, tried to start again any form of mechanical activity. After
a very difficult period, approximately one year long, the acquisition by FIAT, at
the end of 1946, of the majority of the Company shares capital, was facilitating the
restart of the work. The buildings were restored (figs. 48, 49) and equipped with
new machinery suitable to allow the manufacture of the three branches of
production chosen, represented by looms for stockings, air compressors and
mechanical components for FIAT (fig. 50)
A small group of technicians was however dedicated to the original activity in the
torpedo field, starting with the production of spare parts, and with repair and
revision of existing torpedoes.
In 1951, according to an initiative of the Italian Navy, it was created a “Group of
Study” (U.S.A.S. – Ufficio Studi Armi Subacquee) among the Italian Navy,
Whitehead Moto Fides and the “Industria Meccanica Napoletana”, a company
derived from the conversion of the “Silurificio Italiano” of Naples, the competitor
of the Silurificio Whitehead di Fiume since 1924. The most qualified success of
USAS, which was located in Baia, a locality near Naples, was the design and the
production of the “Lanciabas” a sort of antisubmarine gun, which fired
antisubmarine bombs against submarines (figs. 51, 52)

8) – TOWARDS A NEW SUCCESS.

But the important initial step relevant to the revival of the old Whitehead
expertise in torpedo technology, was represented by the restoring of the research
and development activity which started in 1950-51 with studies on a hydrogen
peroxide propulsion system and with the A.181 wireguided torpedo.
The renewed attentions to torpedo matters allowed the Company to positively
answer a request from the Israelian Navy for the supply of weapons of the type
I. međunarodna konferencija u povodu 150. obljetnice
tvornice torpeda u Rijeci i očuvanja riječke industrijske baštine 257

Fig.49: Livorno. The new Whitehead Moto Fides plant is completed (1946) (WASS
Historical Archive).

Fig.50: Livorno. Machining of mechanical components for FIAT (1960 - 1970) (WASS
Historical Archive).
258 B. Petrucci, The “italian period” of the Whitehead Torpedo...

Fig. 51: LanciaBAS (anti submarine bombs

thrower) (BAS = Bomba Anti Sommergibile)
(1955-1960) (WASS Historical Archive).

Fig. 52: LanciaBAS installed in an italian frigate (1960-1965) (WASS Historical Archive).
I. međunarodna konferencija u povodu 150. obljetnice
tvornice torpeda u Rijeci i očuvanja riječke industrijske baštine 259

Fig. 53: Livorno, 4th May 1957. Visit to Fig. 54: Livorno, 27th September 1963. Visit
Whitehead Moto Fides of Admiral Pecori- to Whitehead Moto Fides of Admiral
Giraldi, Chief of Staff of the Italian Navy Giuriati, Chief of Staff of the Italian Navy,
(third from right), accompanied by the accompanied by Eng. Di Stefano, WMF
President of WMF, Prof. Zamara (to his President (to his left) and Eng. Marolli,
left) (WASS Historical Archive). WMF General Manager (to his right)
(WASS Historical Archive).

Fig. 55: Launch of a Mk-44 torpedo manufactured by Whitehead Moto Fides (1966 - 1967)
(WASS Historical Archive).
260 B. Petrucci, The “italian period” of the Whitehead Torpedo...

Fig. 56: Test of the electronic panels

of a Mk-44 torpedo manufactured by
Whitehead Moto Fides (1966 - 1967)
(WASS Historical Archive).

Fig. 57: Schematic of the connections

of the electromechanical wire guidance
system of the A.182 torpedo (1961-
1962) (WASS Historical Archive).

Fig. 58: La Spezia (1967 - 1968). G6e self homing anti ship torpedo ready for a sea trial
(WASS Historical Archive).
I. međunarodna konferencija u povodu 150. obljetnice
tvornice torpeda u Rijeci i očuvanja riječke industrijske baštine 261

used during the 2nd world war, and Israel thus became the 33rd nations to have
bought Whitehead torpedoes.
In 1958 the USAS was dismissed and all activities (both studies and production)
on underwater weapons were concentrated in Livorno at Whitehead Moto Fides
(WMF). Gained again the confidence of the Italian Navy (the plant was frequently
visited by many Navy authorities), (figs. 53, 54) WMF was assigned the contract
for the production, under U.S. license, of the Mk-44 torpedo, the new anti-
submarine self-homing electronic weapon (figs. 55, 56), which WMF successfully
produced (1962-1969) together with other important italian companies as
subsuppliers (Selenia, USEA, other firms of the FIAT group.
Furthermore, on commission of the Italian Navy, the Company developed the
heavy weight wire guided torpedo A.182 (1960 – 1966) (fig. 57) derived from the
A.181 which, together with the other transition weapons G6e (fig. 58) and G62ef
(also known as Kangaroo) (fig. 59), prepared the Company to the development
(1967- 1978) of the much more sophisticated anti-surface-ship and anti-submarine
A.184 weapon system (fig. 60) which, mass produced, represents the torpedo
system still in use (with several improvements) in the Italian Navy.
In the period 1960-70, WMF was present also in the field of army weapons, having
produced, under licence of the german company Rheinmetall, the MG 42/59
machine gun (fig. 61).
With the development for the Italian Navy of the A.184 weapon system and with
the development, within a self-financed program, of the light weight, anti-
submarine torpedo A.244/S (figs. 62, 63), the Company achieved again a relevant
position and prestige in the underwater defence systems field, competitive with
the other U.S. and european companies of the same sector.
The success gained by the A.244/S torpedo in the export market (in total more
than 950 units produced for 15 different nations), allowed the Company to move
into the new plant of Salviano (also in Livorno) (fig. 64) so to render possible the
separation between the military activities and the civilians, although under the
responsibility of only one general manager (1977-1978). The plant was equipped
with the most advanced instruments and infrastructures adequate to the
technological level of the last generation of torpedoes (figs. 65, 66, 67).
As to the number of customers of the Company, considering the buyers of the
A.244/S torpedo not yet present in the list, the number of nations which have
acquired Whitehead torpedoes is increased to 44.
When the “Gilardini S.p.A.”, a company operating mainly in the automotive
components sector, joined the FIAT Group, WMF, considering the similarity
between its civilian production and that of Gilardini, was incorporated into
Gilardini S.p.A., so losing its identity of shareholding company (1st October 1979).
However, considering the ever improving success of the torpedo programs both in
Italy and abroad, in 1985 it was taken the decision to formally separate the military
262 B. Petrucci, The “italian period” of the Whitehead Torpedo...

Fig. 59: G62ef torpedo (Kangaroo) (1968-1978). Used on board submarines to attack other
submarines. The Kangaroo, controlled and guided by electronic wire guidance, was used to
transport at safety distance from the launching submarine, the Mk-44 torpedo contained in
it. At such distance, the cap of the Kangaroo could be opened by remote control, thus
permitting the Mk-44 to get out from its lodge and look for the target and attack it (WASS
Historical Archive).

Fig. 60: A.184 dual purpose torpedo (Anti surface ship and antisubmarine). Equipped with
electronic wire guidance and acoustic homing (in service since 1978 with several technical
improvements) (WASS Historical Archive).

Fig. 61: MG 42-59 machine gun. Fabricated by Whitehead Moto Fides under licence from
Rheinmetall (Germany), for the Italian Army and other foreign nations in the years 1964-
1980 (WASS Historical Archive).
I. međunarodna konferencija u povodu 150. obljetnice
tvornice torpeda u Rijeci i očuvanja riječke industrijske baštine 263

and civilian activities, and it was consequently created, within Gilardini, the
“Divisione Moto Fides” (civilian products) and the “Divisione Whitehead”
(Whitehead Division - military products) under separate management
responsibility (fig. 68).
It was under this society’s configuration that in october 1985 a contract for the
development of a new light weight torpedo system, namely the A.290, (figs. 69, 70)
was stipulated with the Italian Navy, and in 1987 a very important international
tender released by the U.S. Navy on an anti-surface-ship low cost weapon, was
awarded to Divisione Whitehead of Gilardini (fig. 71).
On 1st January 1990, with the acquisition of “Misar S.p.A.”, a company operating
in the underwater field of naval mines, “Whitehead Divisione della Gilardini”
acquired again the identity of shareholding company, being named “Whitehead
S.p.A.”, still remaining under the control of Gilardini S.p.A..
On 21st September 1990, to celebrate the 115th anniversary of the foundation of
the “Fabbrica Torpedini di Roberto Whitehead”, the Company invited in Livorno
representatives of all the Navies to which “Whitehead Co.”, under the different
titles assumed along the years, had supplied its torpedoes since its origin (1875)
(figs. 72, 73). Representatives of 22 different Navies (out of the total 42 invited)
were present at the ceremony. It was also present Mr. Peter Francis Whitehead,
great grandson of Robert Whitehead, together with his very young son Peter (fig.
74).
In 1991, on the basis of an agreement between the Italian and the French Navies,
the two national development programs of the new light weight torpedoes, namely
the french “Murene” and the italian “A.290”, were unified in one joint program,
common to the two Navies, named “MU-90” (figs. 75, 76) the program was
subdivided among “Whitehead S.p.A.” (50%) and, on the french part, “DCN St.
Tropez” (26%) and “Thomson Sintra ASM” (24%).

9) – BIRTH OF THE WHITEHEAD ALENIA SISTEMI SUBACQUEI (WASS).

The end of the cold war consequent to the fall of the Berlin wall, caused a strong
reduction of the military budgets in the whole world and a status of crisis of many
of the industries producing defence systems.
The FIAT Group, widely present in such sector, adopted the strategic decision to
withdraw from all the defence activities, other than those referring to military
vehicles, including the underwater field.
FINMECCANICA (IRI state controlled Group), already present in this field with
“Alenia Elsag Sistemi Navali” (radars, combat systems, sonars, mine disposal
systems, etc.), also considering the complementarity of the Whitehead products
and the synergy which would have derived by the simultaneous control of the
sensors and weapons field, negotiated with FIAT the acquisition of “Whitehead
264 B. Petrucci, The “italian period” of the Whitehead Torpedo...

Fig. 62: A.244/S light weight anti-submarine self homing torpedo, designed, developed and
manufactured by Whitehead Moto Fides for export. Adopted by 15 different nations
(WASS Historical Archive).

Fig. 63: A.244/S torpedo launched from a hovering helicopter (1977-1978) (WASS
Historical Archive).
I. međunarodna konferencija u povodu 150. obljetnice
tvornice torpeda u Rijeci i očuvanja riječke industrijske baštine 265

Fig. 64: Aerial view of the new plant of Salviano (Livorno) (1978 - 1979) (WASS Historical
Archive).

Fig. 65: Salviano (Livorno). Bridge-

crane used for torpedo tests in pool
(simulation of helicopter launches
and other) (Since 1984) (WASS
Historical Archive).
266 B. Petrucci, The “italian period” of the Whitehead Torpedo...

Fig. 66: Salviano (Livorno). Bunker protected torpedo batteries discharge station (Since
1984) ( WASS Historical Archive).

Fig. 67: Salviano (Livorno). Test station for A.184 torpedoes (Since 1983) (WASS
Historical Archive).
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tvornice torpeda u Rijeci i očuvanja riječke industrijske baštine 267

Fig. 68: Gilardini brochure pertinent to the Whitehead Division (1985-1986) (WASS
Historical Archive).
268 B. Petrucci, The “italian period” of the Whitehead Torpedo...

Fig. 69: Launch of an A.290 torpedo from surface vessel (mid 80ies) (WASS Historical
Archive).

Fig. 70: Launch of an A.290 torpedo from aeroplane (mid 80ies). The air stabiliser
(parachute) optimises the air trajectory and the impact of the torpedo on the sea surface.
At the impact, the parachute is automatically disconnected (WASS Historical Archive).
I. međunarodna konferencija u povodu 150. obljetnice
tvornice torpeda u Rijeci i očuvanja riječke industrijske baštine 269

Fig. 71: Sea trials performed in U.S. waters (Keyport - Puget Sound - Washington State) as
a consequence of the tender awarded by Divisione Whitehead of Gilardini (WASS
Historical Archive).

S.p.A.” and, after having obtained in 1995 50% of the company shares (with
management responsibility), completed the operation in 1997 with the acquisition
of the remaining 50%. The merging in Whitehead S.p.A. of the “Divisione
Subacquea di Alenia Elsag Sistemi Navali”, of the “USEA S.p.A.” of La Spezia
and of the “Consorzio WELSE” of Genova, gave origin to the “Whitehead Alenia
Sistemi Subacquei (WASS), which, in addition to the Livorno plant of the former
Whitehead S.p.A. (where the present top management is located) included also a
plant in Pozzuoli (Naples) (fig.77) and a plant in Genova.
The new structure given to the Company, together with the change of the top
management, allowed the overcoming of the difficult moment common to all the
defence industries of the world; the positive conclusion of the common french-
italien development program of the MU-90 torpedo system, which was followed
by the production contracts with the Italien, French, German, Danish, Australian
and Polish Navies, has permitted the Company to reach again positive economical
results and confidence in the future.
270 B. Petrucci, The “italian period” of the Whitehead Torpedo...

Fig. 72: Salviano (Livorno), 21st

September 1990. Celebration of the
115th anniversary of the foundation
of the Fabbrica Tiorpedini di
Roberto Whitehead. Speech of the
President and Managing Director
Eng. Petrucci. Adm. Papili
represents the Italian Navy Chief of
Staff Adm. Ruggiero (WASS
Historical Archive).

Fig. 73: Salviano (Livorno), 21st September 1990. Celebration of the 115th anniversary of
the foundation of the Fabbrica Torpedini di Roberto Whitehead. A sector of the
attendants (WASS Historical Archive).

Fig. 74: Salviano (Livorno), 21st

September 1990. Celebration of the
115th anniversary of the foundation
of the Fabbrica Torpedini di
Roberto Whitehead. Dr. Callieri of
FIAT, with Mr. Peter Francis
Whitehead, great grandson of
Robert Whitehead, and his young
son Peter (WASS Historical
Archive).
I. međunarodna konferencija u povodu 150. obljetnice
tvornice torpeda u Rijeci i očuvanja riječke industrijske baštine 271

Fig. 75: Salviano (Livorno). A MU-90 light weight anti-submarine torpedo on a vibration
test machine (mid 90ies) (WASS Historical Archive).

Fig. 76: La Spezia. Air drop of a MU-90 torpedo (mid 90ies) (WASS Historical Archive).

Fig. 77: Whitehead Alenia Sistemi Subacquei. The plant of Pozzuoli (Naples) (1998)
(WASS Historical Archive).
272 B. Petrucci, The “italian period” of the Whitehead Torpedo...

Fig. 78: WASS Salviano (Livorno). Element of the countermeasure system C-303.

Fig. 79: WASS Salviano (Livorno). Element of the countermeasure system C-303/S.

Fig. 80: WASS Salviano (Livorno). Black-Shark wire guided self homing torpedo (2002).
I. međunarodna konferencija u povodu 150. obljetnice
tvornice torpeda u Rijeci i očuvanja riječke industrijske baštine 273

Fig. 81: Whitehead Alenia Sistemi Subacquei. The Plant of Salviano (Livorno) (2002).

The success of the MU-90 program, is accompanied by the success of the

countermeasures systems C-303 and C-303/S (figs. 78, 79), the first already
supplied to an important non-NATO country and the second attently followed by
the U.S. Navy.
As a consequence of the decision of the Italian Navy to acquire U-212 submarines
of german origin (Howaldtswerke shipyards) which are supposed to be equipped
with the C-303 countermeasures system, WASS is co-operating as subsupplier of
“STN Co”. (Germany) for the sonar system and with “ Kongsberg Co.” (Norway)
for the combat system.
At present WASS is developing, on account of the Italian Navy, a new heavy
weight
torpedo system of very advanced characteristics, named “Black Shark” (fig. 80),
suitable to cover the operational needs of the near and more distant future.
With its simultaneous presence in the complex world of sonar equipment,
underwater weapon systems, underwater countermeasures and naval mines
neutralisations, WASS, which at present employs a total of 370 subordinates and
which is proud to maintain in its title the glourious and historical name of
Whitehead, is still keeping a leading position amongst the world industries
operating in the underwater defence field (fig. 81).
274 B. Petrucci, The “italian period” of the Whitehead Torpedo...

Sažetak
“TALIJANSKO RAZDOBLJE” WHITEHEADOVE TVORNICE TORPEDA U RIJECI I
OSNIVANJE WHITEHEADOVE KOMPANIJE MOTO FIDES (WMF – 1945.)
TE WHITEHEAD ALENIA SISTEMI SUBAQUEI (WASS – 1995.) U LIVORNU
Benito Petrucci

U predgovoru autor se prisjeća vremena u kojemu je kompanija, potekla od Fonderia Metalli,

ostala u vlasništvu talijanskog kapitala i poslovala u skladu s talijanskim zakonima. To se
vrijeme protegnulo na 21 godinu, čime se potvrđuje da je talijanski utjecaj rezultat prisutnosti
ljudi talijanskih korijena i široke uporabe talijanskog jezika, privrženosti talijanskoj tradiciji, pa
je sve to prožimalo karakter i srž kompanije puno jače nego što bi se očekivalo spominjući samo
da je to vrijeme kada je kompanija bila u “vlasništvu Italije”.
Autor potom opisuje stanje kompanije na kraju Prvoga svjetskog rata u sprezi živahnih
političkih zbivanja u gradu Rijeci (Fiume). Dijelom u vlasništvu (50%), ali pod punim
upravnim nadzorom britanske grupacije Vickers-Armstrong Whitworth, kompanija je bila u
procesu stečaja. Jednoj industrijskoj grupaciji iz Livorna na čelu koje je bio Giuseppe Orlando,
pošlo je za rukom preuzeti upravu nad tvornicom. Kako stečajna procedura još nije bila
potpuno definirana, Orlando je sastavio sporazum sa stečajnim upraviteljem koji ga je ovlastio
da rukovodi tvornicom počevši od siječnja 1924., na osnovi ugovora o najmu koji je formalno
provela kompanija pod nazivom Stabilimento Whitehead – Societáa di Esercisio Anonima.
Nakon sređivanja stečajnog postupka (19. prosinca 1927.) kompanija Stabilimento Whitehead
– Societáa di Esercisio Anonima dobila je vlasništvo nad kompanijom, i 10. svibnja 1928. ime
kompanije mijenja se u Silurificio Whitehead di Fiume. Pod novim nazivom kompanija razvija
nove modele torpeda, proširujući proizvodnju i dobivajući nove klijente.
Moto Fides, kompanija koju je 1934. u Livornu osnovao Silurificio Whitehead di Fiume s
namjerom da proizvodi motorkotače, brzo je doživjela preobrazbu u proizvođača torpeda pod
imenom Silurificio Moto Fides.
Referat opisuje aktivnosti dviju tvornica torpeda za vrijeme ratnog razdoblja, uključujući
postavljanje lansirne rampe za testiranje torpeda na moru uz Silurificio Moto Fides, što je
realizirano u Porto Santo Stefano. Postrojenje u Livornu teško je bombardirano 28. lipnja
1943., kada je proizvodna aktivnost praktično stala. Dana 17. srpnja 1944. savezničke trupe
ušle su u Livorno, a tvornica je bila rekvirirana.
Tvornica u Rijeci koja je nakon 8. rujna (dan kada je Italija potpisala primirje) pala pod
kontrolu njemačke vojske, mogla je neometano nastaviti s poslom do početka 1944., kada je
stupio na snagu plan decentralizacije prema kojemu se prilično reducirane aktivnosti tvornice
premještaju na novu lokaciju pod imenom Fiume Veneto, dok su na lokalitetu Kvarnera –
Fiume Carnaro ostale samo aktivnosti vezane uz pokuse na moru.
Tijekom bombardiranja Fiume Carnaro 7. i 27. siječnja 1944., struktura tvornice ozbiljno je
oštećena pa su se kao posljedica toga i sve aktivnosti obustavile. Zbog napredovanja savez-
ničkih snaga u srednjoj i sjevernoj Italiji, njemačke su trupe počele napuštati obje tvornice –
Fiume Carnaro i Fiume Veneto, uzimajući sa sobom sve strojeve i alate koje su tamo našli.
Autor se potom osvrće na događaje u poslijeratnom razdoblju kada je jugoslavenska vojska 3.
svibnja 1945. osvojila Fiume Carnaro, potom nacionalizirala i rekvirirala imovinu.
Dana 30. listopada 1945. dvije talijanske tvornice u Livornu i Rijeci spojile su se u jednu
kompaniju pod nazivom Whitehead Moto Fides – Stabilimento Meccanici Riuniti SpA, sa
sjedištem u Rimu i postrojenjem u Livornu.
Nova kompanija zadobila je povjerenje talijanske ratne mornarice i tako dobila ugovor za
proizvodnju protupodmorničkog torpeda Mk-44 po američkoj licenciji. To je bio početak
uspješnog razdoblja za vrijeme kojega je razvijeno nekoliko novih torpeda za talijansku ratnu
I. međunarodna konferencija u povodu 150. obljetnice
tvornice torpeda u Rijeci i očuvanja riječke industrijske baštine 275

mornaricu i za neke strane ratne mornarice. Za to vrijeme kompanija je nekoliko puta mije-
njala naziv, ali je naziv uvijek sadržavao Whiteheadovo ime.
Kada je privatna grupacija Fiat prodala kompaniju državnoj tvrtki Finnmeccanica između
1995. i 1997., kompanija je dobila ime Whitehead Alenia Sistemi Subacquei (WASS), a bila
je i dalje prisutna i aktivna u svim sustavima podvodne domene.

Abstract
THE “ITALIAN PERIOD” OF THE WHITEHEAD TORPEDO FACTORY OF FIUME
(RIJEKA)AND THE FOUNDATION IN LIVORNO OF WHITEHEAD MOTO FIDES
(WMF – 1945) AND OF WHITEHEAD ALENIA SISTEMI SUBACQUEI (WASS – 1995)
Benito Petrucci

In the foreword the author, remembering that the period of time during which the company
derived from Fonderia Metalli remained in the property of italian capitals and under the italian
laws was quite limited (21 years), asserts that the italian influence, as a result of presence of
people of italian origins, of widespread use of the italian language, of attachment to italian
traditions, had permeated the character and the attitude of the Company much more than it
could be deduced simply considering the “italian property time”.
The author then describes which were the conditions of the Company at the end of the 1st world
war, in the eventful political outline of the city of Fiume (Rijeka). Partially owned (50%) but
under full management control of the british group Vickers – Armstrong Whitworth, the
Company was under bankruptcy procedure. An industrial group of Livorno, headed by Mr.
Giuseppe Orlando, succeeded in getting the management of the factory. Because of the not yet
fully defined bankruptcy procedure, Orlando stipulated an agreement with the liquidator which
entitled him to operate the factory, starting from January 1924, on the basis of a lease contract
which was formally executed by a Company with the title of Stabilimento Whitehead – Societáa
di Esercizio Anonima.
After the settlement of the bankruptcy procedure (19th December 1927), the Stabilimento
Whitehead – Societáa di Esercizio Anonima got the ownership of the Company and on 10th
May 1928 its name was changed in Silurificio Whitehead di Fiume. Under the new title the
Company developed new models of torpedoes, expanding its production and capturing new
customers.
Moto Fides, a company founded in 1934 in Livorno by the Silurificio Whitehead di Fiume,
with the intent to produce motorcycles, was soon transformed in producer of torpedoes under
the name of Silurificio Moto Fides.
The paper describes the activities of the two torpedo factories performed during the period of
war, inclusive of the setting up of the launching station to test torpedoes at sea of the Silurificio
Moto Fides, realised in Porto Santo Stefano. The plant of Livorno was heavily bombed on 28th
June 1943 and, since then, the production activity was practically stopped. On 17 July 1944 the
allied troops entered in Livorno and the plant was requisitioned.
The Fiume factory, which after the 8th September (date of the italian armistice) passed under
the control of the German Army, could proceed undisturbed up to the beginning of 1944, when
it was put into action a decentralisation plan, by which the production activity of the plant
(strongly reduced), was transferred in a locality by the name of Fiume Veneto, whilst in the plant
of Fiume Carnaro remained only the activities relating to the sea trials.
The bombardments of Fiume Carnaro on 7th and 27th January 1944, severely damaged the
structures of the factory and the activity was consequently cut down. With the advance of the
allied forces in central and northern Italy the german troops started to abandon the two plants of
Fiume Carnaro and Fiume Veneto, taking with them almost all the existing tooling machines.
276 B. Petrucci, The “italian period” of the Whitehead Torpedo...

The author then refers on the events occurred in the post war period, when the Yugoslavian
Army, on 3rd May 1945, took possession of the Fiume Carnaro factory which was thereafter
nationalised and requisitioned.
On 30th October 1945 the two italian factories of Livorno and Fiume joined together to form
only one company by the name of Whitehead Moto Fides – Stabilimenti Meccanici Riuniti
S.p.A., with headquarters in Rome and plant in Livorno.
The new Company gained the confidence of the Italian Navy, thus obtaining a contract for the
production, under licence of the U.S.A., of the Mk-44 anti-submarine torpedo. This was the
start of a new successful period during which several new torpedoes were developed for the
benefit of the Italian Navy as well as many foreign Navies, and during which the Company
underwent several changes to its title, all of them, however, including the Whitehead’s name.
With the sale of the company from the FIAT private group to the state owned
FINMECCANICA, occurred between 1995 and 1997, the Company has assumed the name of
Whitehead Alenia Sistemi Subacquei (WASS), continuing to be present and active in all
systems of the underwater domain.