List of torpedo boat classes of the Royal Navy

This is a list of torpedo boat classes of the Royal Navy of the United Kingdom, organised chronologically by entry into service.

Torpedo boats

Ever since the first spar-torpedoes in the American Civil War and the Russian Turkish War, the world's sea powers continued to refine the small torpedo craft concept to employ the new automobile torpedoes so they could continue the legacy as small and cheap vessels able to challenge much larger vessels. The Royal Navy purchased 1st and 2nd class torpedo boats for offensive and defensive combat roles, respectively.

Later – especially against the French automobile defense – the British primarily ordered torpedo boat catchers and torpedo gun boats, in the final torpedo boat destroyers (TBD) or destroyers.

1st class torpedo boats

First class torpedo boats were designed for independent inshore operations. They were small, but large enough to patrol coastal waters and enjoy some limited endurance beyond their supporting port or tender.

Lightning-design

113-Footers

125-Footers

Larger boats and purchases

140-Footers

160-Footers

TB.98 class
Class overview
Builders: Thornycroft
Completed: 4
Lost: 4
Scrapped: 4
General characteristics [1]
Displacement:
  • 185 long tons (188 t) normal
  • 199 long tons (202 t) deep load
Length: 160 ft (48.77 m) pp
Beam: 17 ft 0 in (5.18 m)
Draught: 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)
Propulsion: 3,000 ihp (2,200 kW)
Speed: 25 kn (46 km/h; 29 mph)
Armament:
Number Builder Launched[2] Notes[2]
TB.98Thornycroft22 January 1901Sold for scrap 30 June 1920
TB.99Thornycroft1901Sank 1907 but salvaged and returned to service[3]
Sold for scrap 29 July 1920
TB.107Thornycroft1901Sold for scrap 29 July 1920
TB.108Thornycroft30 August 1901Sold for scrap 29 July 1920
Number Builder[4] Launched[4] Notes[4]
TB.109Thornycroft22 July 1902Sold for scrap 27 March 1920
TB.110Thornycroft5 September 1902Sold for scrap 27 March 1920
TB.111Thornycroft31 October 1902Sold for scrap 10 February 1920
TB.112Thornycroft15 January 1903Sold for scrap 10 February 1920
TB.113Thornycroft12 February 1903Sold for scrap 19 December 1919
TB.114 class
Class overview
Builders: J S White
Completed: 4
Lost: 1
Scrapped: 3
General characteristics [1]
Displacement: 205 long tons (208 t)
Length: 165 ft (50.29 m) pp
Beam: 17 ft 6 in (5.33 m)
Draught: 7 ft 0 in (2.13 m)
Propulsion: 2,900 ihp (2,200 kW)
Speed: 25 kn (46 km/h; 29 mph)
Armament:
Number Builder[4] Launched[4] Notes[4]
TB.114J S White8 June 1903Sold for scrap 1919
TB.115J S White19 November 1903Sold for scrap 1919
TB.116J S White21 December 1903Sold for scrap 22 October 1921
TB.117J S White18 February 1904Sunk following collision with merchant vessel Kamourska in English Channel 10 June 1917
3 killed[5]

2nd class torpedo boats

The first 50 small torpedo boats were to be carried on larger ships or given to dedicated torpedo boat carriers, such as HMS Vulcan and HMS Hecla. The later boats were designed as harbour defence ships and coastal boats, but their small size meant their endurance and seakeeping abilities would be quite modest.

See also

References

  1. 1 2 Friedman 2009, p. 289.
  2. 1 2 Dittmar and Colledge 1972, p. 79.
  3. ↑ Chesneau and Kolesnik 1979, p. 104.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Dittmar and Colledge 1972, p. 80.
  5. ↑ Kindell, Don. "1st - 30th JUNE 1917: in date, ship/unit & name order". World War 1 - Casualty Lists of the Royal Navy and Dominion Navies. naval-history.net. Retrieved 22 April 2014.
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