'' Regina Elena '' was laid down at the La Spezia shipyard on 27 March 1901 , and was launched on 19 June 1904 . After fitting-out work was completed , she was commissioned into the Italian fleet on 11 September 1907 . She thereafter served in the Mediterranean Squadron , and was ready for the annual maneuvers in late September and early October , under the command of Vice Admiral Alfonso di Brocchetti . In April 1908 , '' Regina Elena '' participated in a naval demonstration off Asia Minor in protest of the Ottoman decision to prohibit Italian post offices in Ottoman territory . The ship was at that time commanded by Prince Luigi Amedeo , Duke of the Abruzzi . The ship went to Messina in the aftermath of the 1908 Messina earthquake . '' Regina Elena '' remained in the active duty squadron through 1910 , by which time her three sisters had been completed , bringing the total number of front-line battleships to six , including the two s
1908 Messina earthquake
1908 Messina earthquake
Italian battleship Regina Elena