A submarine around the streets of Milan
The Enrico Toti submarine: the journey from Sicily to the National Museum of Science and Technology in Milan.
Preparations and journey from Sicily to Cremona
The Toti in Augusta. The vessel being donated by the Italian Navy to the Museum is no longer operational. The time is approaching to face the long journey to Milan. We find ourselves between 2000 and 2001. The rust, together with the seawater and its salt, has left the submarine almost unrecognizable. It needs a makeover before it sets off. The Toti will be partially disassembled, cleared of rust, painted, and reassembled.
It begins. Towed by the tugboat Polifemo, the S-506 submarine sets a course for the Adriatic. Departure from the naval base in Augusta, Syracuse is scheduled for April 4, 2001.
Overall, the journey from Sicily to the Po Delta will be a good 600 miles (over 1,100 kilometers).
Arrival in Chioggia
On April 20, 2001, the Toti arrives in Chioggia, where it will remain for a few days until April 29. This is its final goodbye to saltwater. From now on, the boat will journey through fresh river water.
Il sottomarino Enrico Toti a CremonaNational Museum of Science and Technology Leonardo Da Vinci
On May 6, 2001, the citizens of Cremona celebrate its arrival. From the very next day, thousands will flock to see it.
Il sottomarino Enrico Toti nell'area cantiere del porto di CremonaNational Museum of Science and Technology Leonardo Da Vinci
It is the summer of 2005. In a few days, on June 30, the Enrico Toti will continue on its way after a 4-year break. With the help of a motor vessel, it will be transferred to the shipyard to be lightened.
Lo svuotamento della zavorra del sottomarino Enrico Toti è in fase avanzataNational Museum of Science and Technology Leonardo Da Vinci
Early July, shipyard. During its operational life as a submarine, the Toti weighed 593 tons. Since it was decommissioned in Sicily, some components have been stripped out. Still, 408.5 tons is too much to tow and transport by road.
Il distacco della vela del sottomarino Enrico Toti nel cantiere del porto di CremonaNational Museum of Science and Technology Leonardo Da Vinci
The Toti needs to "slim down" to a weight of around 375 tons. Two teams are put to work in the water and on board. The first job is to detach the sail, or tower, labeled number "506". It weighs 4.6 tons.
On July 21, the Toti is transferred from the shipyard to the dock ready to be towed in two days' time.
I marinai del Gruppo Operativo Subacqueo della Marina Militare e il Toti a CremonaNational Museum of Science and Technology Leonardo Da Vinci
"A front row seat": after toiling on the seabed in the port of Cremona, the sailors of the Italian Navy's Submarine Operations Group enjoy the show and give a knowing wink to the Toti's propeller.
Il sottomarino Enrico Toti sollevato dall'acqua nel porto canale di CremonaNational Museum of Science and Technology Leonardo Da Vinci
Goodbye to water. The Enrico Toti says its final farewell to the element that it called home for roughly 30 years, traveling 137,000 miles. Its entry into the Museum signals the beginning of a new life, one spent with visitors.
June-August 2005: the Museum prepares
Meanwhile, the museum is preparing to welcome a guest that weighs 340 tons and is almost four times the size of a bus. The Toti will be located in this area. The aircraft need to be moved!
Lo smontamento della torre sonde Massarenti al MuseoNational Museum of Science and Technology Leonardo Da Vinci
The Massarenti R9 drill turret that once extracted oil and gas from the subsoil. 38.5 meters of steel waiting to be dismantled.
La realizzazione delle fondamenta che reggeranno il TotiNational Museum of Science and Technology Leonardo Da Vinci
Once the area is cleared, the team will start building a base to support the Toti.
Vengono posizionati i ponti che serviranno per adagiare il Toti sul terreno.National Museum of Science and Technology Leonardo Da Vinci
Bridges are installed for the Toti to rest on. The Museum is ready. All that remains is to await the guest's arrival.
Transportation technology: the convoy
The convoy that traveled from Cremona to Milan was 62 meters long, 5 meters wide, and 7.50 meters high in total. It consisted of 2 motorized trucks (mirror images of one another) and the Toti.
Gli assi indipendenti e sterzanti del convoglio che ha trasportato il TotiNational Museum of Science and Technology Leonardo Da Vinci
In total, there were 30 axles (15 per truck, with the first 6 motorized), each one independent and steered. Transmission was hydraulic and the trucks had 240 wheels in total (8 per axle).
I ponti mobili di acciaio montati dal Genio PontieriNational Museum of Science and Technology Leonardo Da Vinci
The underground canals and sewers along the route were protected by steel plates and, in four cases, by actual "mobile bridges" designed by the engineer Maurizio Acito. They were assembled with assistance from the army's Bridge Engineering Corps.
Toti submarine - the reportage of the journeyNational Museum of Science and Technology Leonardo Da Vinci
The journey from Cremona to Milan
Il convoglio del Toti in partenza da CremonaNational Museum of Science and Technology Leonardo Da Vinci
The sun has set on the port of Cremona. A fantastic adventure begins.
Il convoglio che trasporta il Toti sulle strade da Cremona verso MilanoNational Museum of Science and Technology Leonardo Da Vinci
A state highway, a provincial road, and then back onto the state highway. The northwest wind isn't blowing tonight.
Il convoglio che trasporta il Toti verso CremaNational Museum of Science and Technology Leonardo Da Vinci
The night is long at six kilometers an hour, but a sign sparks joy.
Il convoglio che trasporta il Toti verso MilanoNational Museum of Science and Technology Leonardo Da Vinci
Dreams of a midsummer sunset. People call it the alien, the airship, the rocket.
Il convoglio che trasporta il Toti verso MilanoNational Museum of Science and Technology Leonardo Da Vinci
This night, too, is coming to an end, and Milan draws ever closer.
Il convoglio del Toti fa il suo ingresso a MilanoNational Museum of Science and Technology Leonardo Da Vinci
A sigh of relief, but there's still a way to go.
Il convoglio del Toti passa da porta Romana a MilanoNational Museum of Science and Technology Leonardo Da Vinci
Milan, Porta Romana | 2:22 am
Il convoglio del Toti passa da porta Ticinese a MilanoNational Museum of Science and Technology Leonardo Da Vinci
Porta Ticinese | 4:40 am
Il sottomarino Enrico Toti entra al Museo per la prima voltaNational Museum of Science and Technology Leonardo Da Vinci
Entrance to the Museum | 6:00 am
Il sottomarino Enrico Toti al MuseoNational Museum of Science and Technology Leonardo Da Vinci
The procession comes to a halt. The Enrico Toti, which set off on April 5, 2001 from Augusta, a seaside town in the province of Syracuse, and journeyed through the Ionian and Adriatic Seas, Veneto, and Lombardy, has finally dropped anchor. It lives again at the Museum of Science and Technology in Milan.
Exhibition by
Museo Nazionale della Scienza e della Tecnologia
Leonardo da Vinci
Via San Vittore 21
Milano
Italy
www.museoscienza.org/english/
Interested in Natural history?
Get updates with your personalized Culture Weekly
You are all set!
Your first Culture Weekly will arrive this week.