Fiume was the second of the Zara-class heavy cruisers built for the Italian Regia Marina (along with her sisters Zara, Pola and Gorizia). She was launched on 27 April 1930 and commissioned on 23 November 1931.
During the Second World War, Fiume was engaged with convoy escort and intercepting British convoys. She participated in the Battle of Calabria (July 1940) and the Battle of Cape Spartivento (November 1940). During the Battle of Cape Matapan, Fiume, Zara and four destroyers were ordered to protect Pola which had been disabled by a torpedo. During the night, they were surprised by a force of three British battleships (HMS Warspite, Valiant and Barham). All three heavy cruisers and two of the destroyers were sunk.
Fiume, under constructionFiume under constructionFiume in drydock 1930sFiume undergoing speed trialsFiume shortly after her entry into service in 1931Fiume in Taranto 1933Fiume launching a seaplane in 1935Cierva C.30A autogyro from a flight deck built on the stern of the Italian heavy cruiser RN Fiume (then making 16 knots), 6 January 1935Fiume in Venice 1937-39Gorizia and Fiume in Venice, 1937Fiume 5 May 1938Fiume 5 May 1938Fiume 5 May 1938Fiume, Zara, and Pola moored at Naples, May 1938Heavy cruisers Fiume, Gorizia, Zara and Pola in the battle near Punta Stilo, July 9, 1940Conte di Cavour, left, and the heavy cruiser Fiume, right, sometime between 1937 and 1940Fiume prepares to launch her IMAM Ro.43 floatplane with battleship Conte di Cavour in the backgroundFiumeFiumeFiumeFiume in the gulf of NaplesFiumeFiumeFiumeFiumeFiume, before her loss at Matapan, and the only one that shows her camouflage scheme
