At Lissa, ramming inflicted the decisive damage while gunfire achieved little, but confusion and seamanship shaped each result. Reversing an 1860s steamship could not instantly produce sternway, so Re d'Italia's attempted escape became a slow and dangerous manoeuvre. Erzherzog Ferdinand Max opened an irregular hole about five to six metres across below the waterline. Re d'Italia apparently struck her colours and sank roughly two minutes later. Accounts of the captain's final actions differ. The loss points to inadequate time aboard and insufficient manoeuvring practice across the fleet.
Chapter · 36:57-41:21
Re d'Italia shows why drill matters
The loss of Re d'Italia exposed the limits of early steam manoeuvring and the danger of crews attempting unpractised responses under fire.