sonar tests were actually pretty good, Albatros was able to identify targets at 3,000–3,500 m, and sometimes even at 7,000 meters in early 1940. The maximum speed of the ship in these experiments was restricted to 12 knots. With the outbreak of hostilities, Albatros was assigned to patrol duty in the Strait of Messina, and these experiments were halted. Strong currents present in the Strait of Messina significantly interfered with the sonar equipment, and its use was severely limited during her active duty. During her short career she was used for patrol and anti-submarine hunting missions, mainly in the Strait of Messina, and along the eastern coast of Sicily and overall performed 57 various missions. Albatros also escorted the great transatlantic liner SS Rex on her last voyage on June 6, 1940 from Genoa to Trieste and from there on August 15, to Pula. On June 22, 1940 she was fired upon by an enemy submarine, but was not hit. On July 16, 1940 Albatros while patrolling off Augusta was spotted and attacked with two torpedoes by the British submarine . After being able to successfully maneuver and avoid torpedoes, Albatros went on a depth charge attack sinking Phoenix with all hands in the position . At 6:40 on September 27, 1941 Albatross under command of captain Alessandro Mazzetti left Messina to meet up with the German submarine U-371 and to escort her through the Strait of Messina. At 8:20 British submarine spotted Albatros off Milazzo and decided to attack. Albatros detected the submarine and started closing in trying to ping the submarine's position. At 8:55, when the Italian ship came in for the second pass, Upright launched two torpedoes from approximately 2,750 meters away. One torpedo hit Albatros while the British submarine rapidly dove down. Albatros sank in the position eight miles northwest of Milazzo. 36 men died, and there were 47 survivors. Notes References External links Historical Ships Marina Militare website World War II torpedo boats of Italy Maritime incidents in September 1941 Ships built in Palermo 1934 ships Ships built by Cantieri Navali del Tirreno e Riuniti Ships sunk by British submarines