Cricket Class Torpedo Boat (1906): Difference between revisions

From The Dreadnought Project
Jump to navigationJump to search
No edit summary
 
(14 intermediate revisions by 2 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
The thirty-six '''''Cricket'' Class Torpedo Boats''' were originally dubbed "coastal destroyers", but were reclassified as first-class torpedo boats before 1907.
The thirty-six '''''Cricket'' Class Torpedo Boats''' were originally dubbed "coastal destroyers", but were reclassified as first-class torpedo boats before 1907.  They were often referred to as "the oily wads" due to their oil-burning nature.


The first twelve ordered were given names but were re-numbered - confusingly - as T.B. 1-12 as part of the denigration to torpedo boats.
The first twelve ordered were given names but were re-numbered - confusingly - as T.B. 1-12 as part of the denigration to torpedo boats.


Two additional orders of twelve boats each followed, and these boats never had names, but only numbers T.B. 13-36.{{Conways1906|pp. 72-3}}
Two additional orders of twelve boats each followed, and these boats never had names, but only numbers T.B. 13-36.{{Conways1906|pp. 72-3}}
The "Crickets" were unusual in being Britain's concerted final step into delivering torpedo boats.  Destroyers would take over from here, with the torpedo boat idea eventually collapsing into the truly minute [[Coastal Motor Boat]] concept.


<div name=fredbot:ships>
<div name=fredbot:ships>
Line 20: Line 22:
|- align=left
|- align=left
| {{Template:UK-TB1}}
| {{Template:UK-TB1}}
|[[J. S. White]]
|[[J. Samuel White]]
|
|
|23 Jan, 1906
|23 Jan, 1906
Line 27: Line 29:
|- align=left
|- align=left
| {{Template:UK-TB2}}
| {{Template:UK-TB2}}
|[[J. S. White]]
|[[J. Samuel White]]
|
|
|11 Mar, 1906
|11 Mar, 1906
Line 34: Line 36:
|- align=left
|- align=left
| {{Template:UK-TB3}}
| {{Template:UK-TB3}}
|[[J. S. White]]
|[[J. Samuel White]]
|
|
|1 Sep, 1906
|1 Sep, 1906
Line 41: Line 43:
|- align=left
|- align=left
| {{Template:UK-TB4}}
| {{Template:UK-TB4}}
|[[J. S. White]]
|[[J. Samuel White]]
|
|
|30 Oct, 1906
|30 Oct, 1906
Line 48: Line 50:
|- align=left
|- align=left
| {{Template:UK-TB5}}
| {{Template:UK-TB5}}
|[[J. S. White]]
|[[J. Samuel White]]
|
|
|15 Dec, 1906
|15 Dec, 1906
Line 55: Line 57:
|- align=left
|- align=left
| {{Template:UK-TB6}}
| {{Template:UK-TB6}}
|[[Thornycroft]]
|[[John I. Thornycroft & Company]]
|
|
|24 Jun, 1906
|24 Jun, 1906
Line 62: Line 64:
|- align=left
|- align=left
| {{Template:UK-TB7}}
| {{Template:UK-TB7}}
|[[Thornycroft]]
|[[John I. Thornycroft & Company]]
|
|
|20 Dec, 1906
|20 Dec, 1906
Line 69: Line 71:
|- align=left
|- align=left
| {{Template:UK-TB8}}
| {{Template:UK-TB8}}
|[[Thornycroft]]
|[[John I. Thornycroft & Company]]
|
|
|1 Dec, 1906
|1 Dec, 1906
Line 76: Line 78:
|- align=left
|- align=left
| {{Template:UK-TB9}}
| {{Template:UK-TB9}}
|[[Thornycroft]]
|[[John I. Thornycroft & Company]]
|
|
|18 Mar, 1907
|18 Mar, 1907
Line 83: Line 85:
|- align=left
|- align=left
| {{Template:UK-TB10}}
| {{Template:UK-TB10}}
|[[Thornycroft]]
|[[John I. Thornycroft & Company]]
|
|
|15 Feb, 1907
|15 Feb, 1907
Line 90: Line 92:
|- align=left
|- align=left
| {{Template:UK-TB11}}
| {{Template:UK-TB11}}
|[[Yarrow]]
|[[Yarrow & Company]]
|
|
|29 Jan, 1907
|29 Jan, 1907
Line 97: Line 99:
|- align=left
|- align=left
| {{Template:UK-TB12}}
| {{Template:UK-TB12}}
|[[Yarrow]]
|[[Yarrow & Company]]
|
|
|15 Mar, 1907
|15 Mar, 1907
Line 104: Line 106:
|- align=left
|- align=left
| {{Template:UK-TB13}}
| {{Template:UK-TB13}}
|[[J. S. White]]
|[[J. Samuel White]]
|
|
|10 Jul, 1907
|10 Jul, 1907
Line 111: Line 113:
|- align=left
|- align=left
| {{Template:UK-TB14}}
| {{Template:UK-TB14}}
|[[J. S. White]]
|[[J. Samuel White]]
|
|
|26 Sep, 1907
|26 Sep, 1907
Line 118: Line 120:
|- align=left
|- align=left
| {{Template:UK-TB15}}
| {{Template:UK-TB15}}
|[[J. S. White]]
|[[J. Samuel White]]
|
|
|19 Nov, 1907
|19 Nov, 1907
Line 125: Line 127:
|- align=left
|- align=left
| {{Template:UK-TB16}}
| {{Template:UK-TB16}}
|[[J. S. White]]
|[[J. Samuel White]]
|
|
|23 Dec, 1907
|23 Dec, 1907
Line 132: Line 134:
|- align=left
|- align=left
| {{Template:UK-TB17}}
| {{Template:UK-TB17}}
|[[Denny]]
|[[William Denny & Brothers]]
|
|
|21 Dec, 1907
|21 Dec, 1907
Line 139: Line 141:
|- align=left
|- align=left
| {{Template:UK-TB18}}
| {{Template:UK-TB18}}
|[[Denny]]
|[[William Denny & Brothers]]
|
|
|15 Feb, 1908
|15 Feb, 1908
Line 146: Line 148:
|- align=left
|- align=left
| {{Template:UK-TB19}}
| {{Template:UK-TB19}}
|[[Thornycroft]]
|[[John I. Thornycroft & Company]]
|
|
|7 Dec, 1907
|7 Dec, 1907
Line 153: Line 155:
|- align=left
|- align=left
| {{Template:UK-TB20}}
| {{Template:UK-TB20}}
|[[Thornycroft]]
|[[John I. Thornycroft & Company]]
|
|
|21 Jan, 1908
|21 Jan, 1908
Line 160: Line 162:
|- align=left
|- align=left
| {{Template:UK-TB21}}
| {{Template:UK-TB21}}
|[[Hawthorn Leslie]]
|[[Hawthorn Leslie & Company]]
|
|
|20 Dec, 1907
|20 Dec, 1907
Line 167: Line 169:
|- align=left
|- align=left
| {{Template:UK-TB22}}
| {{Template:UK-TB22}}
|[[Hawthorn Leslie]]
|[[Hawthorn Leslie & Company]]
|
|
|1 Feb, 1908
|1 Feb, 1908
Line 174: Line 176:
|- align=left
|- align=left
| {{Template:UK-TB23}}
| {{Template:UK-TB23}}
|[[Yarrow]]
|[[Yarrow & Company]]
|
|
|5 Dec, 1907
|5 Dec, 1907
Line 181: Line 183:
|- align=left
|- align=left
| {{Template:UK-TB24}}
| {{Template:UK-TB24}}
|[[Palmer]]
|[[Palmer Shipbuilding and Iron Company]]
|
|
|19 Mar, 1908
|19 Mar, 1908
Line 188: Line 190:
|- align=left
|- align=left
| {{Template:UK-TB25}}
| {{Template:UK-TB25}}
|[[J. S. White]]
|[[J. Samuel White]]
|
|
|28 Aug, 1908
|28 Aug, 1908
Line 195: Line 197:
|- align=left
|- align=left
| {{Template:UK-TB26}}
| {{Template:UK-TB26}}
|[[J. S. White]]
|[[J. Samuel White]]
|
|
|28 Aug, 1908
|28 Aug, 1908
Line 202: Line 204:
|- align=left
|- align=left
| {{Template:UK-TB27}}
| {{Template:UK-TB27}}
|[[J. S. White]]
|[[J. Samuel White]]
|
|
|28 Sep, 1908
|28 Sep, 1908
Line 209: Line 211:
|- align=left
|- align=left
| {{Template:UK-TB28}}
| {{Template:UK-TB28}}
|[[J. S. White]]
|[[J. Samuel White]]
|
|
|29 Oct, 1908
|29 Oct, 1908
Line 216: Line 218:
|- align=left
|- align=left
| {{Template:UK-TB29}}
| {{Template:UK-TB29}}
|[[Denny]]
|[[William Denny & Brothers]]
|
|
|29 Sep, 1908
|29 Sep, 1908
Line 223: Line 225:
|- align=left
|- align=left
| {{Template:UK-TB30}}
| {{Template:UK-TB30}}
|[[Denny]]
|[[William Denny & Brothers]]
|
|
|29 Sep, 1908
|29 Sep, 1908
Line 230: Line 232:
|- align=left
|- align=left
| {{Template:UK-TB31}}
| {{Template:UK-TB31}}
|[[Thornycroft]]
|[[John I. Thornycroft & Company]]
|
|
|10 Oct, 1908
|10 Oct, 1908
Line 237: Line 239:
|- align=left
|- align=left
| {{Template:UK-TB32}}
| {{Template:UK-TB32}}
|[[Thornycroft]]
|[[John I. Thornycroft & Company]]
|
|
|23 Nov, 1908
|23 Nov, 1908
Line 244: Line 246:
|- align=left
|- align=left
| {{Template:UK-TB33}}
| {{Template:UK-TB33}}
|[[Hawthorn Leslie]]
|[[Hawthorn Leslie & Company]]
|
|
|22 Feb, 1909
|22 Feb, 1909
Line 251: Line 253:
|- align=left
|- align=left
| {{Template:UK-TB34}}
| {{Template:UK-TB34}}
|[[Hawthorn Leslie]]
|[[Hawthorn Leslie & Company]]
|
|
|22 Feb, 1909
|22 Feb, 1909
Line 258: Line 260:
|- align=left
|- align=left
| {{Template:UK-TB35}}
| {{Template:UK-TB35}}
|[[Palmer]]
|[[Palmer Shipbuilding and Iron Company]]
|
|
|19 Apr, 1909
|19 Apr, 1909
Line 265: Line 267:
|- align=left
|- align=left
| {{Template:UK-TB36}}
| {{Template:UK-TB36}}
|[[Palmer]]
|[[Palmer Shipbuilding and Iron Company]]
|
|
|6 May, 1909
|6 May, 1909
Line 273: Line 275:
</div name=fredbot:ships>
</div name=fredbot:ships>


==Career==
==Design and Construction==
It was decided in June 1914 that these ships were not to be fitted with searchlight control.{{AWO1914|43 of 19 June, 1914}}
The small vessels had three screws and were oil-fired.  One commander regarded these as a great step up from the 27- and 30-knotters he'd served in previously.
 
The middle shaft had a smaller propellor, and this was the only one which could be reversed, offering deficient backing power and denying them the enhanced manoeuvrability achievable in other ships by backing down an outer engine.
 
A large wardroom was provided for the captain and his two officers.  In most ships, this was partitioned by private expenditures to offer the captain his own room, entered by an overhead ammunition hatch.
 
The last twelve ships boasted a steam capstan in place of the meager hand-worked ones in the other units.{{DawsonFlotillas|p. 105}}
 
Tests performed in {{UK-TB33}} in 1909 determined that [[18-in Mark VI* H. Torpedo (UK)|Mark VI* H.]] torpedoes fitted with pioneers (a type of net-penetrating head apputenance) would not clear obstructions such as the funnel casing on firing from the foremost or the midship tubes.  Tests were called for to see if the same were true in other units.{{ARTS1909|p. 33}}


==Armament==
==Armament==
The tiny 3-pdr weaponry of the "160 Footers" was replaced by a much more powerful 12-pdr weapon.
* Two 12-pdr guns, seemingly on P. I mountings.{{INF}}
* Two 12-pdr guns, seemingly on P. I mountings.{{INF}}
* Three 18-in single tubes on the centreline, one right aft.
* Three [[18-in Light Pattern A.W. Torpedo Tube (UK)|18-in Light Pattern A.W. Torpedo Tubes]]{{UKTorpM1909III|pp. 233}} on the centreline, one right aft.


In late-1913, the 12-pdr mountings were equipped with percussion firing gear.{{AWO1913|430 of 1 Aug, 1913}}
In late-1913, the 12-pdr mountings were equipped with percussion firing gear.{{AWO1913|430 of 1 Aug, 1913}}
==Career==
It was decided in June 1914 that these ships were not to be fitted with searchlight control.{{AWO1914|43 of 19 June, 1914}}


==See Also==
==See Also==
{{refbegin}}
{{WP|https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cricket-class_coastal_destroyer}}
{{refend}}


==Footnotes==
==Footnotes==
Line 313: Line 331:
name=T.B. 1
name=T.B. 1
pend=
pend=
builder=[[J. S. White]]{{Conways1906|p. 72}}
builder=[[J. Samuel White]]{{Conways1906|p. 72}}
order=late 1905{{Conways1906|p. 72}}
order=late 1905{{Conways1906|p. 72}}
laid=
laid=
Line 376: Line 394:
name=T.B. 6
name=T.B. 6
pend=
pend=
builder=[[Thornycroft]]{{Conways1906|p. 72}}
builder=[[John I. Thornycroft & Company]]{{Conways1906|p. 72}}
order="
order="
laid=
laid=
Line 389: Line 407:
name=T.B. 7
name=T.B. 7
pend=
pend=
builder=[[Thornycroft]]{{Conways1906|p. 72}}
builder=[[John I. Thornycroft & Company]]{{Conways1906|p. 72}}
order="
order="
laid=
laid=
Line 401: Line 419:
name=T.B. 8
name=T.B. 8
pend=
pend=
builder=[[Thornycroft]]{{Conways1906|p. 72}}
builder=[[John I. Thornycroft & Company]]{{Conways1906|p. 72}}
order="
order="
laid=
laid=
Line 413: Line 431:
name=T.B. 9
name=T.B. 9
pend=
pend=
builder=[[Thornycroft]]{{Conways1906|p. 72}}
builder=[[John I. Thornycroft & Company]]{{Conways1906|p. 72}}
order="
order="
laid=
laid=
Line 426: Line 444:
name=T.B. 10
name=T.B. 10
pend=
pend=
builder=[[Thornycroft]]{{Conways1906|p. 72}}
builder=[[John I. Thornycroft & Company]]{{Conways1906|p. 72}}
order="
order="
laid=
laid=
Line 440: Line 458:
name=T.B. 11
name=T.B. 11
pend=
pend=
builder=[[Yarrow]]{{Conways1906|p. 72}}
builder=[[Yarrow & Company]]{{Conways1906|p. 72}}
order="
order="
laid=
laid=
Line 472: Line 490:
name=T.B. 13
name=T.B. 13
pend=
pend=
builder=[[J. S. White]]{{Conways1906|p. 72}}
builder=[[J. Samuel White]]{{Conways1906|p. 72}}
order=November 1906{{Conways1906|p. 72}}
order=November 1906{{Conways1906|p. 72}}
laid=
laid=
Line 525: Line 543:
name=T.B. 17
name=T.B. 17
pend=
pend=
builder=[[Denny]]{{Conways1906|p. 72}}
builder=[[William Denny & Brothers]]{{Conways1906|p. 72}}
order=November 1906{{Conways1906|p. 72}}
order=November 1906{{Conways1906|p. 72}}
laid=
laid=
Line 551: Line 569:
name=T.B. 19
name=T.B. 19
pend=
pend=
builder=[[Thornycroft]]{{Conways1906|p. 72}}
builder=[[John I. Thornycroft & Company]]{{Conways1906|p. 72}}
order=November 1906{{Conways1906|p. 72}}
order=November 1906{{Conways1906|p. 72}}
laid=
laid=
Line 577: Line 595:
name=T.B. 21
name=T.B. 21
pend=
pend=
builder=[[Hawthorn Leslie]]{{Conways1906|p. 72}}
builder=[[Hawthorn Leslie & Company]]{{Conways1906|p. 72}}
order=November 1906{{Conways1906|p. 72}}
order=November 1906{{Conways1906|p. 72}}
laid=
laid=
Line 603: Line 621:
name=T.B. 23
name=T.B. 23
pend=
pend=
builder=[[Yarrow]]{{Conways1906|p. 72}}
builder=[[Yarrow & Company]]{{Conways1906|p. 72}}
order=November 1906{{Conways1906|p. 72}}
order=November 1906{{Conways1906|p. 72}}
laid=
laid=
Line 616: Line 634:
name=T.B. 24
name=T.B. 24
pend=
pend=
builder=[[Palmer]]{{Conways1906|p. 72}}
builder=[[Palmer Shipbuilding and Iron Company]]{{Conways1906|p. 72}}
order=November 1906{{Conways1906|p. 72}}
order=November 1906{{Conways1906|p. 72}}
laid=
laid=
Line 634: Line 652:
name=T.B. 25
name=T.B. 25
pend=
pend=
builder=[[J. S. White]]{{Conways1906|p. 72}}
builder=[[J. Samuel White]]{{Conways1906|p. 72}}
order=September 1907{{Conways1906|p. 72}}
order=September 1907{{Conways1906|p. 72}}
laid=
laid=
Line 686: Line 704:
name=T.B. 29
name=T.B. 29
pend=
pend=
builder=[[Denny]]{{Conways1906|p. 72}}
builder=[[William Denny & Brothers]]{{Conways1906|p. 72}}
order=September 1907{{Conways1906|p. 72}}
order=September 1907{{Conways1906|p. 72}}
laid=
laid=
Line 712: Line 730:
name=T.B. 31
name=T.B. 31
pend=
pend=
builder=[[Thornycroft]]{{Conways1906|p. 72}}
builder=[[John I. Thornycroft & Company]]{{Conways1906|p. 72}}
order=September 1907{{Conways1906|p. 72}}
order=September 1907{{Conways1906|p. 72}}
laid=
laid=
Line 738: Line 756:
name=T.B. 33
name=T.B. 33
pend=
pend=
builder=[[Hawthorn Leslie]]{{Conways1906|p. 72}}
builder=[[Hawthorn Leslie & Company]]{{Conways1906|p. 72}}
order=September 1907{{Conways1906|p. 72}}
order=September 1907{{Conways1906|p. 72}}
laid=
laid=
Line 764: Line 782:
name=T.B. 35
name=T.B. 35
pend=
pend=
builder=[[Palmer]]{{Conways1906|p. 72}}
builder=[[Palmer Shipbuilding and Iron Company]]{{Conways1906|p. 72}}
order=September 1907{{Conways1906|p. 72}}
order=September 1907{{Conways1906|p. 72}}
laid=
laid=

Latest revision as of 23:23, 6 April 2024

The thirty-six Cricket Class Torpedo Boats were originally dubbed "coastal destroyers", but were reclassified as first-class torpedo boats before 1907. They were often referred to as "the oily wads" due to their oil-burning nature.

The first twelve ordered were given names but were re-numbered - confusingly - as T.B. 1-12 as part of the denigration to torpedo boats.

Two additional orders of twelve boats each followed, and these boats never had names, but only numbers T.B. 13-36.[1]

The "Crickets" were unusual in being Britain's concerted final step into delivering torpedo boats. Destroyers would take over from here, with the torpedo boat idea eventually collapsing into the truly minute Coastal Motor Boat concept.

Design and Construction

The small vessels had three screws and were oil-fired. One commander regarded these as a great step up from the 27- and 30-knotters he'd served in previously.

The middle shaft had a smaller propellor, and this was the only one which could be reversed, offering deficient backing power and denying them the enhanced manoeuvrability achievable in other ships by backing down an outer engine.

A large wardroom was provided for the captain and his two officers. In most ships, this was partitioned by private expenditures to offer the captain his own room, entered by an overhead ammunition hatch.

The last twelve ships boasted a steam capstan in place of the meager hand-worked ones in the other units.[2]

Tests performed in T.B. 33 in 1909 determined that Mark VI* H. torpedoes fitted with pioneers (a type of net-penetrating head apputenance) would not clear obstructions such as the funnel casing on firing from the foremost or the midship tubes. Tests were called for to see if the same were true in other units.[3]

Armament

The tiny 3-pdr weaponry of the "160 Footers" was replaced by a much more powerful 12-pdr weapon.

In late-1913, the 12-pdr mountings were equipped with percussion firing gear.[5]

Career

It was decided in June 1914 that these ships were not to be fitted with searchlight control.[6]

See Also

Footnotes

  1. Conway's All the World's Fighting Ships 1906–1921. pp. 72-3.
  2. Dawson. Flotillas. p. 105.
  3. Annual Report of the Torpedo School, 1909. p. 33.
  4. Torpedo Manual, Vol. III, 1909. pp. 233.
  5. Admiralty Weekly Order No. 430 of 1 Aug, 1913.
  6. Admiralty Weekly Order No. 43 of 19 June, 1914.

Bibliography


Cricket Class First-class Torpedo Boat
1905 Order
T.B. 1 T.B. 2 T.B. 3 T.B. 4 T.B. 5
T.B. 6 T.B. 7 T.B. 8 T.B. 9 T.B. 10
  T.B. 11 T.B. 12  
November 1906 Order
T.B. 13 T.B. 14 T.B. 15 T.B. 16 T.B. 17
T.B. 18 T.B. 19 T.B. 20 T.B. 21 T.B. 22
  T.B. 23 T.B. 24  
September 1907 Order
T.B. 25 T.B. 26 T.B. 27 T.B. 28 T.B. 29
T.B. 30 T.B. 31 T.B. 32 T.B. 33 T.B. 34
  T.B. 35 T.B. 36  
<– T.B. 114 Class Torpedo Boats (UK)  
<– T.B. 114 Class First-class Torpedo Boats (UK)