Pola was the forth and last of the Zara-class cruisers built for the Italian Regia Marina. Unlike her three sisters (Zara, Gorizia and Fiume), she was completed as a flag ship, with a larger conning tower for the admiral and his staff. Launched on 5 December 1931, she was commissioned into the Italian Navy on 31 December 1932.
During The Second World War, she participated in the battles of Calabria (July 1940) and Cape Spartivento (November 1940). During the Battle of Cape Matapan (27-29 March 1941), Pola was disabled by an aerial torpedo. Zara and Fiume were sent to help and escort her to port. During the night, the cruisers were surprised by the British Royal Navy fleet, centred on the battleships HMS Warspite, Valiant and Barham. The battleships overwhelmed Zara, Fiume and two destroyers. The British considered towing Pola to Alexandria, but the proximity to Italian airfields and the approaching dawn prevented this. Instead, she was sunk by torpedoes from the destroyers HMS Jervis and Nubian.
Pola on the building ways at Odero-Terni-Orlando, LeghornLaunch of the Italian heavy cruiser Pola, Odero-Terni-Orlando shipyard, Leghorn, 5 December 1931Launch of Pola in Livorno 1931Pola on sea trialsPola and Zara in Venice 1933Pola 203 mm turrets of the heavy cruiser PolaPolaHeavy cruisers Fiume, Gorizia, Zara and Pola in the battle near Punta Stilo, July 9, 1940Italian heavy cruiser PolaItalian heavy cruiser PolaItalian heavy cruisers, likely on 30 July or 1 August 1940 during an escort mission, as seen from the flagship Pola 203 mm turrets of the heavy cruiser Pola 203 mm turrets of the heavy cruiser PolaTwo Italian admirals under the aft 203 mm turrets of the heavy cruiser Pola the engraving of her motto I dare any deed 203 mm turrets of the heavy cruiser PolaGrand Admiral Paolo Thaon di Revel on the deck of the Italian heavy cruiser Pola, before a ceremony onboard on 6 July 1933100mm guns on the Italian heavy cruiser PolaIMAM Ro.43 on the bow’s catapult of Italian Navy’s heavy cruiser Pola
The lead ship of her class of dreadnought battleships for the US Navy, USS South Carolina (BB-26) was launched on 11 July 1908 and commissioned on 1 March 1910. The first dreadnought battleship built for the US Navy, she incorporated several revolutionary aspects, primarily the superfiring guns of her main battery.
USS South Carolina spent much of her career patrolling the east coast of the USA. During the Mexican Revolution, she took part in the United States occupation of Veracruz.
She was mostly used as a training ship after the US entered World War One, while also performing convoy escort duty. Post war she repatriated US Servicemen from Europe.
Along with her sister ship USS Michigan, she was scrapped under the terms of the Washington Treaty. Before being scrapped, the hulk was used to test the effectiveness of anti-torpedo bulges. South Carolina was decommissioned on 15 December 1922 and sold for scrap in 1924.
Touchup work on the stern of the soon to be USS South Carolina BB-26 at the Philadelphia Navy Yard on 1 July, 1909USS South Carolina (BB-26) on 5 March 1910, probably at the Philadelphia Navy YardUSS South Carolina (BB-26). Off New York City, probably in early October 1911USS South Carolina (BB-26), 2 November 1911USS South Carolina (BB-26), 2 November 1911USS South Carolina (BB-26) drydocked at the Brooklyn Navy yard, September 1912USS South Carolina (BB 26). Bow decoration, photographed by the Philadelphia Navy Yard, 18 November 1909USS South Carolina (BB-26) circa 1918USS South Carolina (BB-26) in Gaillard Cut, just South of Cucaracha Slide, Panama Canal 13 June 1920USS South Carolina BB-26. Crew manning the rails and firing salutes, 28 April 1921USS South Carolina BB-26USS South Carolina BB-26 at the New York Navy YardUSS South Carolina (BB-26)USS South Carolina BB-26USS South Carolina BB-26USS South Carolina BB-26Main Armament of USS South Carolina BB-26Main Armament of USS South Carolina BB-26USS South Carolina BB-26 being dismantled in Philadelphia Navy Yard in December 1923South Carolina (BB-26) being used as a test hulk for anti-torpedo bulges on 26 May 1924
The lead ship of her class of four heavy cruisers for the Italian navy, Zara was launched on 27 April 1930. Commissioned into the Regia Marina on 20 October 1931, she took an active part in naval operations in the Mediterranean along with her sisters Fiume, Pola and Gorizia.
During the Battle of Cape Matapan, Zara and Fiume were sent to protect Pola which had been hit by an aerial torpedo. During the night, the three cruisers were surprized by a force of three British battleships (HMS Warspite, Valiant and Barham). All three heavy cruisers were lost.
Zara, likely in the mid 1930’sZara In port in 1935, possibly at NaplesZara on May 5, 1938Zara. Photographed in 1938 while conducting gunnery firing to portZara. Photographed in 1938 while conducting gunnery firing to portIMAM Ro.43 reconnaissance seaplane in the catapult of the heavy cruiser Zara, January 1940Zara in Battle of Punta Stilo, July 9, 1940Zara during the Battle of Point StriloHeavy cruisers Fiume, Gorizia, Zara and Pola in the battle near Punta Stilo, July 9, 1940Zara at Messina, March 23, 1942 after the 2nd Battle of SirteZara and FiumeZaraZara37mm AA on a Zara class cruiserZaraZaraZaraZara firing her 8 gunsThe bow 203 mm (8 inch) turrets of the Italian heavy cruiser Zara with the guns at maximum elevationTwin 100mm AA on a Zara class cruiserThe crew of a twin 100 mm DP mount at work, aboard the heavy cruiser Zara, January 1941The muzzle of a 203 mm (8 inch) Modello 1927 of the Italian heavy cruiser Zara
