Hello
During the 1st war of Italian Independence (1848-1849) the Lake of Garda was the theater of some naval activity relevant to the Austro-Hungarian fortress of Peschiera del Garda which was sieged by the Army of Piedmont and surrendered on May, 31st, 1848.
Being the northern shore of the Lake in Austrian hands, in order to impede the supply on the water routes, a flotilla was established, with two small armed steamers and the “scorridora” (difficult to translate in English, maybe “cutter”) “Lampo”, 414 tons: the crew were taken from the Reggimento Real Navi (the equivalent of Marines) of the King of Piedmont’s Navy. The “Lampo” was shipped to the lake through train, dismounted in some sections.
Unfortunately I’m not able to find out any characteristics of neither the “Lampo” nor the armed steamers and any data about their activities (apart a generic reference on shore bombardment carried out against the fortress).
Any info about ? Thanks in advance
Regards
Fabrizio