Builders Thornycroft Lost 4 Length 160 ft (48.77 m) pp | Completed 4 Scrapped 4 | |
 | ||
Displacement 185 long tons (188 t) normal
199 long tons (202 t) deep load | ||
This is a list of torpedo boat classes of the Royal Navy of the United Kingdom, organised chronologically by entry into service.
Contents
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
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.