Italian ship Ramb I

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Built by Ansaldo in 1937 as the first of four sister ships for the Regia Azienda Monopolio Banane, for transporting refrigerated bananas from Somaliland and Eritrea. Ramb I was designed to become an "auxiliary cruiser" for commerce raiding in the event of war. She was 3,667 tons displacement, oil powered and capable of 18½ knots.

Following Italy's declaration of war, Ramb I was armed with 4.7 in. (120mm) guns and 8 anti aircraft guns in a refit at Massawa.

After an unsuccessful foray into the Red Sea, on 20 February 1941 Ramb I slipped through a British blockade off Perim into the Indian Ocean, aiming to raid shipping off the Dutch East Indies. Following reports of commerce raiders, the New Zealand cruiser HMNZS Leander was patrolling the area.

On 27 February Leander found Ramb I off the Maldives and challenged her. Ramb I attempted to bluff with signals, but was ordered to stop. The Italian flag was raised simultaneously with Ramb I opening fire from 3,000 yards, splinters from her first salvo hitting the Leander. Leander replied with 5 salvoes within the next minute, leaving Ramb I seriously damaged and on fire. Ramb I struck her colours and Leander ceased firing.

Ramb I had been badly damaged and as Leander closed the order to abandon ship was given. Ramb I was destroyed by an explosion after the majority of the crew had abandoned her. 113 men, including her captain, were rescued by the Leander, (one of whom later died from burns). The crew of Ramb I were dropped at Addu Atoll from where the tanker Pearleaf ferried them to prisoner of war camps in Colombo.