The Sella-class destroyers were enlarged and improved versions of the preceding Palestro and Curtatone classes.

[4] The ships carried enough fuel oil to give them a range of 1,800 nautical miles (3,300 km; 2,100 mi) at a speed of 14 knots (26 km/h; 16 mph).

[5] In December 1939, a Swedish commission to Italy departed to investigate the possibility for Sweden to buy warships.

[7] The journey was dramatic including the ships being captured by United Kingdom, the Psilander affair.

[8] Over time, the ship was found to be to weakly built and rolled heavily in heavy seas, which meant that reinforcements had to be made and bilge keel had to be mounted on the hull.