Warasdin had been ordered by China as Lung Tuan before Austria-Hungary seized it. Its six 66 mm guns shared a calibre but differed in barrel length: two were 45-calibre Skoda weapons and four were 30-calibre guns. Four 450 mm torpedo tubes and a 30-knot top speed completed a more capable raiding vessel. Its coastal targets included Monopoli, southeast of Bari, and during a 1915 raid it sank the already grounded French submarine Fresnel. In August 1916, Warasdin and Wildfang bombarded Molfetta before French destroyers Bisson and Commandant Bory and Italian destroyers Ardito and Impavido pursued them. The Austro-Hungarian ships kept ahead until the cruiser Aspern and torpedo boats waiting near Cattaro discouraged further pursuit. Their speed was useful for disengagement, but the bombardment assessment favours a larger shell with more explosive power than a 66 mm gun could provide.
Notable Point · 9:03-12:25
Warasdin used speed to raid and escape in the Adriatic
Warasdin combined six 66 mm guns and 30-knot speed for coastal raids and escapes, though its guns drew criticism for their limited explosive power.