 Shortly before the action began , Persano decided to leave Re d 'Italia and transfer to Affondatore , though none of his subordinates on the other ships were aware of the change . They were thus left to fight as individuals without direction . More dangerously , by stopping Re d 'Italia , he allowed a significant gap to open up between Vacca 's three ships and the rest of the fleet . Tegetthoff took his fleet through the gap between Vacca 's and Persano 's ships , though he failed to ram any Italian vessels on the first pass . The Austrians then turned back toward Persano 's ships , and took Re d 'Italia , San Martino , and Palestro under heavy fire . The Austrian ships concentrated their fire on Re d 'Italia , paying particular attention to her stern . In their attempts to ram her , one of the Austrian ships destroyed Re d 'Italia 's rudder , leaving her unmaneuverable . 
