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Naval history of the Torpedo Boat
Destroyers including HMS Sturgeon, HMS Daring, HMS Ardent and the unique Torpedo Boat Depot Ship
HMS Vulcan.
Click below to view galleries:
[ Vulcan ] [ HMS Sturgeon ] [ HMS Polyphemus ]
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PL198 - A Royal Navy Motor Launch strangely numbered
PL198 and not the normal ML198.
A
reproduction of this original photo / photo-postcard size 10" x
7" approx available. Order photograph here © Walker
Archive. Order Code PHX296
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HMS Turbinia built by C A Parsons she was a prototype
of the torpedo boat destroyers. She is pictured on the Seine in front of
the building which was devoted to the the Land and Sea Armaments of the
Paris Exhibition c.1900. |
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A second-class torpedo boat such as was carried by
the large ships of the Royal Navy in the early 1900's. |

Crew of a Torpedo Boat A
reproduction of this original photo / photo-postcard size 10" x
7" approx available. Order photograph here © Walker
Archive. Order Code PHX297 |
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Torpedo Boats on the Thames. Sent
in by Alan Loose |
A torpedo boat destroyer in the early
1900's.
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Torpedo Boat c. 1904.
A
reproduction of this original photo / photo-postcard size 10" x
7" approx available. Order photograph here © Walker
Archive. Order Code PHX298 |
Torpedo Boat No 110
A
reproduction of this original photo / photo-postcard size 10" x
7" approx available. Order photograph here © Walker
Archive. Order Code PHX299 |
HMS Kestrel a torpedo boat in Vancouver
Harbour, British Columbia.
A
reproduction of this original photo / photo-postcard size 10" x
7" approx available. Order photograph here © Walker
Archive. Order Code PHX300
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HMS Albacore.
A
reproduction of this original photo / photo-postcard size 10" x
7" approx available. Order photograph here © Walker
Archive. Order Code PHX494 |
The wreck of the coastal
Motor Boat CMB33A, 13th April 1918. The Motor Torpedo Boat was damaged
by shore batteries at Eylau during an attack on Ostende. the crew were drowned
after abandoning the wreck. and it drifted ashore and fell into German
hands. (thanks to Fred Cory for the info) |
The Motor Launch ML481. Launched sometime in 1915/16.
Transferred to the French Navy.
A
reproduction of this original photo / photo-postcard size 10" x
7" approx available. Order photograph here © Walker
Archive. Order Code PHX301
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The Motor Launch ML473. Launched sometime in 1915/16.
Transferred to the French Navy.
A
reproduction of this original photo / photo-postcard size 10" x
7" approx available. Order photograph here © Walker
Archive. Order Code PHX302
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Torpedo Boat 6
A
reproduction of this original photo / photo-postcard size 10" x
7" approx available. Order photograph here © Walker
Archive. Order Code PHX303 |
| Many
of the Torpedo Boat destroyers listed below are also listed under
destroyers as the early years they were classed the same |
| Ships Name |
Launch Date |
Fate |
| HMS Havock |
12th August 1893 |
Sold 1911 and Broken up in 1912. |
| HMS Hornet |
23rd December 1893 |
Broken up in 1909. |
Daring Class.
Built by Thornycroft,
View Class |
| HMS Daring |
25th November 1893 |
Broken up in 1912. |
| HMS Decoy |
2nd February 1894 |
Collided with another vessel in 1904. |
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Ardent Class
Built by Thornycroft
View Class |
| HMS Ardent |
16th October 1894 |
Broken up in 1911. |
| HMS Boxer |
28th November 1894 |
Collided with another vessel in 1918. |
| HMS Bruiser |
27th February 1895 |
Broken up in 1914. |
|
Charger Class
View
Class
|
| HMS Charger |
15th September 1894 |
Broken up in 1912. |
| HMS Dasher |
28th November 1894 |
Broken up in 1912. |
| HMS Hasty |
16th June 1894 |
Broken up in 1912. |
Haughty Class
View Class |
| HMS Hardy |
16th December 1895 |
Broken up in 1911. |
| HMS Haughty |
18th September 1895 |
Broken up in 1911. |
|
Janus Class |
| HMS Janus |
12th March 1895 |
Broken up in 1914. |
| HMS Lightning |
10th April 1895 |
Mined in 1915. |
| HMS Porcupine |
19th September 1895 |
Broken up in 1920. |
| Snapper
Class |
| HMS Salmon |
15th January 1895 |
Broken up in 1912. |
| HMS Snapper |
30th January 1895 |
Broken up in 1912. |
| Banshee
Class
View Class |
| HMS Banshee |
17th November 1894 |
Broken up in 1912. |
| HMS Contest |
1st December 1894 |
Broken up in 1911. |
| HMS Dragon |
15th December 1894 |
Broken up in 1912. |
| HMS Ferret |
1893 |
Sold and Broken up 1911 |
| HMS Lynz |
1894 |
Sold and Broken up 1912 |
| Fervent
Class
View Class |
| HMS Fervent |
20th March 1895 |
Broken up in 1920. |
| HMS Zephyr |
10th May 1895 |
Broken up in 1920. |
| Conflict
Class
View Class |
| HMS Conflict |
13th December 1894 |
Broken up in 1920. |
| HMS Teazer |
9th February 1895 |
Broken up in 1912. |
| HMS Wizard |
26th February 1895 |
Broken up in 1920. |
| Cricket
Class Coastal Destroyers |
| HMS Cricket |
23rd January 1906 |
Sold for scrapping in 1920. |
| HMS Dragonfly |
11th March 1906 |
Sold for scrapping in 1920. |
| HMS Firefly |
1st September 1906 |
Sold for scrapping in 1920. |
| HMS Sandfly |
30th October 1906 |
Sold for scrapping in 1920. |
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Two photos of a beached torpedo boat, suspected to
be HMS Sandfly. |
| HMS Spider |
15th December 1906 |
Sold for scrapping in 1920. |
| HMS Gadfly |
24th June 1906 |
Sold for scrapping in 1920. |
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HMS Gadfly.
Contributed by Trevor
Piper. © Vosper Thornycroft |
| HMS Glowworm |
20th December 1906 |
Sold for scrapping in 1921. |
| HMS Gnat |
1st December 1906 |
Sold for scrapping in 1921. |
| HMS Grasshopper |
18th March 1907 |
Sunk in a collision with another vessel. |
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HMS
Grasshopper - Name History |
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The sixth “Grasshopper” was a turbine coastel
destroyer, launched at Thorneycroft’s Yard in 1907.
She was of 215 tons, 3750 horse- power, and 26 knots speed.
Her length, beam, and draught were 166ft., 17ft., and 6ft.
Before completion this vessel was given a number, and called
torpedo boat No.9. |
| HMS Greenfly |
15th February 1907 |
Mined and sunk on 10th June 1915. |
| HMS Mayfly |
29th January 1907 |
Mined and dunk on 7th March 19016. |
| HMS Moth |
15th March 1907 |
Mined and sunk on 10th June 1915. |
| TB13 |
10th July 1907 |
Sunk after colliding with another vessel on
26th January 1916. |
| TB14 |
26th September 1907 |
Sold for scrapping in 1920. |
| TB15 |
19th November 1907 |
Sold for scrapping in 1920. |
| TB16 |
23rd December 1907 |
Sold for scrapping in 1920. |
| TB17 |
21st December 1907 |
Sold for scrapping in 1919. |
| TB18 |
15th February 1908 |
Paid off in Gibraltar and sold in 1920. She
ended her days as a boat running eggs between Morocco and Gibraltar.
(Information from Mike Reeve) |
| My grandfather Arthur Reeve was
an Engine Room artificer on TB18 'sub hunting in the Adriatic'. I know
that she was at the fire in Salonica as my grandfather says the
engineers went ashore to help restore services. He was present when LZ85
was destroyed and had a piece of it as a souvenir. He claimed it had
been brought down by TB18's guns but that HMS Agammenon signalled to
hold back on the claim and effectively took the credit. I'd like to find
out more about this. After she was sold off, the crew got home on a
leaky tug which was in great danger of sinking. If you know about the
LZ85 story contact me at reeve.mjr@lineone.net
Thanks to Mike Reeve for this story. |
| TB19 |
7th December 1907 |
Sold for scrapping in 1921. |
| TB20 |
21st January 1908 |
Sold for scrapping in 1921. |
|

Torpedo Boat 20. Submitted
by email |
| TB21 |
20th December 1907 |
Sold for scrapping in 1920. |
| TB22 |
1st February 1908 |
Sold for scrapping in 1920. |
| TB23 |
5th December 1907 |
Sold for scrapping in 1921. |
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Torpedo boat No.23 in 1902. She measured 113 ft in length with a
displacement of 67 tons and a speed of 19 knots. |
| TB24 |
19th March 1908 |
Sunk after colliding with another vessel on
28th January 1917. |
| TB25 |
28th August 1908 |
Sold for scrapping in 1921. |
| TB26 |
28th August 1908 |
Sold for scrapping in 1921. |
| TB27 |
29th September 1908 |
Sold for scrapping in 1921. |
| TB28 |
29th October 1908 |
Sold for scrapping in 1921. |
| TB29 |
29th September 1908 |
Sold for scrapping in 1919. |
| TB30 |
29th September 1908 |
Sold for scrapping in 1919. |
| TB31 |
10th October 1908 |
Sold for scrapping in 1921. |
| TB32 |
23rd November 1908 |
Sold for scrapping in 1921. |
| TB33 |
22nd September 1909 |
Sold for scrapping in 1922. |
| TB34 |
22nd September 1909 |
Sold for scrapping in 1922. |
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Crew of Torpedo Boat TB34.
A
reproduction of this original photo / photo-postcard size 10" x
7" approx available. Order photograph here © Walker
Archive. Order Code PHX304 |
| TB35 |
19th April 1909 |
Sold for scrapping in 1922. |
| TB36 |
6th May 1909 |
Sold for scrapping in 1921. |
Torpedo Boat No.83 pictured pre 1896.
A
reproduction of this original photo / photo-postcard size 10" x
7" approx available. Order photograph here © Walker
Archive. Order Code PHX305 |
HMTB No.72
A
reproduction of this original photo / photo-postcard size 10" x
7" approx available. Order photograph here © Walker
Archive. Order Code PHX372 |
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Naval Historians, Crew & Family
Noticeboard
Notice
Board for naval enthusiasts and ex ships company and families of royal
naval torpedo boats listed above.
This website is not part of any governmental body or official websites of
the Royal Navy MTBs.
Photographs and information on historical events
about MTB's requested for this new website. If you have any information you
would like to send us including photographs of crew members
serving on these corvettes and also photographs of the ships pleaseUSE
OUR MESSAGE FORM
MESSAGES
HMS SPIDER
Looks like
my deceased uncle Leslie Tomlinson served on HMS Spider
. During
a tour of the far east he wrote letter to my mother (b. 5th May 1919 d.
2002.).
There
is a mismatch of some information in that Les's letter thanks Mum for hers
- - and she was very young even at the time HMS Spider was scrapped
- unless the scrap date was later?
As
I understand it is written on Japanese wood paper.
I
also have photos of my uncle during later service, he also served on HMS
Ajax, but I think this was before the Battle of the River Plate. He
left the navy after the war.
Barry Faith contact
here
HMT849.. I
am inquiring on someone to assist in getting any information on HMT 849.
My Great Uncle was a ship builder at Smith's Dock in Teeside, some years
ago in his retirement he built a museum quility scale replica of this
ship. However he has since past on this last year and I am in
possession of this replica and live just outside of Houston, Texas, USA.
We have no name, sevice history or anything on this ship and would like
to build a display of this ship with some history on it. If you
have any suggestions it would be appreciated. Kindest
regards, Simon
Wright Jmw2@sbcglobal.net
TB33.. I
am trying to find out some information about HM Torpedo Boat 33. I
recently bought a tea cup, saucer and plate [from a collectors fair] with
a picture of HMTB 33 and the flags of UK, Russia, France and Belgium
(?). Any info would be welcome.
Also,
I used to live on a Polish Torpedo Boat S-8 (ex- HMTB 427) as a
houseboat ('Whimsical Macgoffley') in Southampton. She was
originally on the River Hamble as 'Houseboat Hippocampus' - any info.
would be helpful. I have quite a lot of history of the boat but always welcome
anything else! Thanks.
email
here
MTB29.. Any information regarding
Lt. FELIX TATTERSFIELD,
C.O. HM MTB 29.(4th
MTB Flotilla, HMS Beehive -Felixstowe) Felix was KIA when MTB 29
sunk after a collision with an E-boat on the night of 6/7 October 1942.
Does anybody remember him???? or can anyone provide details of that
action. Family would appreciate any information.
Greg Firth Greg.firth@orica.com
MTB630.. we
are trying to find some photos and any
information on the royal navy motor torpedo boat 630
our grandfather was serving on
this boat in 1944 if
you can help please email ian.woodeson@ntlworld.com
MTB494.. CHARLES AUGUSTUS HOLLAND.. My
cousin Gus served on HMMTB494 during WW2. The following details are from
the Commonwealth War Graves Commission Debt of Honour Register. "In
memory of Charles Augustus Holland, Able Seaman P/JX 262015, HMMTB494,
Royal Navy who died on Saturday 7 April 1945 age 23." I would like
to hear from anyone who served on this boat. Contact Patrick at lambeth@it.net.au
MGB616 or MTB616. My father served on this
boat. If anyone can supply any info of MTB616 and any photos of the boat
and crew Please contact me at michelle@stones7428.fsnet.co.uk
TB18.. ARTHUR REEVE.. I would like to hear
from anyone who was related to any of the crew on TB18. I'd particularly
like to get any photographs of TB18 or the crew. Contact me at reeve.mjr@lineone.net
J H HELLIWELL...I am looking for
information on J H Helliwell who served on HMTB115. I am not related but
I have a 1914 Christmas presentation inscribed J H Helliwell MTB115. If
anyone has information please contact Ian at Ian@image-distribution.com
MTB647. CAN YOU HELP> I
am trying to find information on MTB647 and any photos of the Torpedo
Boat or its crew. Please contact Barbara Izzard at r_bm_izzard@compuserve.com
IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO LEAVE A MESSAGE USE
OUR MESSAGE FORM
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A Night Attack - Torpedo Boats at Work by Charles Dixon
Antique colour print plate from the Wonder Book of the Navy,
published by Ward Lock & Co. 1921.
Print image size 8" x 6". Paper size 9.5" x
7". Price £20. Order code ANT83.
To order naval prints from Cranston Fine Arts the naval art print
company use our secure order service  |
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The Fame in the Attack on Taku by Charles Dixon
Fame TBD, 275 tons. Launched at Chiswick April 15th 1896. Heaviest
gun, 12 pdr, quick firing.
Antique lithograph prints, published circa 1902 from the
series "Britannia's Bulwarks".
Print serial number ACD15. Paper size 14" x 10". Image
size 11" x 7" plus title. Price £65 ($115).
To order naval prints from Cranston Fine Arts the naval art print
company use our secure order service 
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Torpedo Boats in Action at the Naval Manoeuvres by
Charles Dixon
Torpedo Boats, 75 to 130 tons. Armament 3 to 5 torpedo tubes; 2 to 4
3 pdr quick firing guns.
Antique lithograph prints, published circa 1902 from the
series "Britannia's Bulwarks".
Print serial number ACD31. Paper size 14" x 10". Image
size 11" x 7" plus title. Price £65 ($115).
To order naval prints from Cranston Fine Arts the naval art print
company use our secure order service 
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