Difference between revisions of "T.B. 1 Class Torpedo Boat (1876)"

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(Created page with "'''H.M.S. ''Lightning''''', later redesignated '''H.M. T.B. 1''', was the Royal Navy's first torpedo boat. <div name=fredbot:ships> </div name=fredbot:ships> ==Armament== Two d...")
 
(replace "[[Rennie" with "[[J. & G. Rennie")
 
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'''H.M.S. ''Lightning''''', later redesignated '''H.M. T.B. 1''', was the Royal Navy's first torpedo boat.
+
The [[Royal Navy]]'s first first-class torpedo boat, '''H.M.S. ''Lightning''''' (later re-designated '''T.B. 1''', not to be confused with either the [[T.B. 1 Class Torpedo Boat (1883)|second-class torpedo boats of 1883]] or the numeric designation of the [[Cricket Class Torpedo Boat (1906)|''Cricket'' class coastal destroyers of 1906]]) was constructed by [[John I. Thornycroft & Company]].  It was armed with 14-in Whitehead torpedoes, displaced 32.5 tons and was 87 feet in overall length and could make 19 knots.
 +
 
 +
The success of this prototype prompted orders for 18 more boats to a similar specification from Thornycroft and other builders.  None of the boats carried guns, only torpedoes being fired from a variety of means:  fixed bow tubes, drop collars, and deck mounted tubes.  There was some variety to their particulars, but we treat them as a common class with sub-types.
  
 
<div name=fredbot:ships>
 
<div name=fredbot:ships>
 +
{| class="wikitable collapsible collapsed" border=2 cellpadding=2 cellspacing=0 style="margin: 0 0 1em 0.5em; background: #f9f9f9; border: 1px #aaa solid; border-collapse: collapse;" align=center;
 +
|-
 +
! colspan=6 align=left|Overview of 19 vessels
 +
|-
 +
| colspan=6 align=left|<small>Citations for this data available on individual ship pages</small>
 +
|-
 +
! align=center | Name
 +
! align=center | Builder
 +
! align=center | Laid Down
 +
! align=center | Launched
 +
! align=center | Completed
 +
! align=center | Fate
 +
|- align=left
 +
| {{Template:UK-2TB1}}
 +
|[[John I. Thornycroft & Company]]
 +
|1876
 +
|1876
 +
|1877
 +
|Broken up 1896
 +
|- align=left
 +
| {{Template:UK-2TB2}}
 +
|[[John I. Thornycroft & Company]]
 +
|
 +
|1878
 +
|1878
 +
|Broken up 1897
 +
|- align=left
 +
| {{Template:UK-2TB3}}
 +
|[[John I. Thornycroft & Company]]
 +
|
 +
|1878
 +
|1878
 +
|Sold by 1906
 +
|- align=left
 +
| {{Template:UK-2TB4}}
 +
|[[John I. Thornycroft & Company]]
 +
|
 +
|1879
 +
|1879
 +
|Sold 1905
 +
|- align=left
 +
| {{Template:UK-2TB5}}
 +
|[[John I. Thornycroft & Company]]
 +
|
 +
|1879
 +
|1879
 +
|Broken up 1897
 +
|- align=left
 +
| {{Template:UK-2TB6}}
 +
|[[John I. Thornycroft & Company]]
 +
|
 +
|1879
 +
|1879
 +
|Sold 1906
 +
|- align=left
 +
| {{Template:UK-2TB7}}
 +
|[[John I. Thornycroft & Company]]
 +
|
 +
|1879
 +
|1879
 +
|Sold 1904
 +
|- align=left
 +
| {{Template:UK-2TB8}}
 +
|[[John I. Thornycroft & Company]]
 +
|
 +
|1879
 +
|1879
 +
|Broken up 1903
 +
|- align=left
 +
| {{Template:UK-2TB9}}
 +
|[[John I. Thornycroft & Company]]
 +
|
 +
|1879
 +
|1879
 +
|Broken up 1900
 +
|- align=left
 +
| {{Template:UK-2TB10}}
 +
|[[John I. Thornycroft & Company]]
 +
|
 +
|1879
 +
|1880
 +
|Broken up 1904
 +
|- align=left
 +
| {{Template:UK-2TB11}}
 +
|[[John I. Thornycroft & Company]]
 +
|
 +
|1880
 +
|1880
 +
|Broken up 1904
 +
|- align=left
 +
| {{Template:UK-2TB12}}
 +
|[[John I. Thornycroft & Company]]
 +
|
 +
|1880
 +
|1880
 +
|Broken up 1904
 +
|- align=left
 +
| {{Template:UK-1TB13}}
 +
|[[Maudslay, Sons and Field]]
 +
|
 +
|1879
 +
|
 +
|Broken up 1897
 +
|- align=left
 +
| {{Template:UK-1TB14}}
 +
|[[Yarrow & Company]]
 +
|
 +
|1879
 +
|
 +
|Broken up 1904
 +
|- align=left
 +
| {{Template:UK-1TB15}}
 +
|[[Hanna, Donald & Wilson]]
 +
|
 +
|1879
 +
|
 +
|Repurposed 1903
 +
|- align=left
 +
| {{Template:UK-1TB17}}
 +
|[[Yarrow & Company]]
 +
|
 +
|1878
 +
|
 +
|Sold 1907
 +
|- align=left
 +
| {{Template:UK-1TB18}}
 +
|[[Yarrow & Company]]
 +
|
 +
|1878
 +
|
 +
|Sold 1902
 +
|- align=left
 +
| {{Template:UK-1TB19}}
 +
|[[J. Samuel White]]
 +
|
 +
|1880
 +
|
 +
|Broken up 1899
 +
|- align=left
 +
| {{Template:UK-1TB20}}
 +
|[[J. & G. Rennie]]
 +
|
 +
|1880
 +
|1880
 +
|Broken up 1903
 +
|}
 
</div name=fredbot:ships>
 
</div name=fredbot:ships>
  
==Armament==
+
==Service==
Two drop collars for 14-in Whitehead torpedoesLater, these were deleted in favour of a single bow torpedo tube firing ahead.
+
It was soon recognized that their small size limited their seaworthiness severely.<ref>"Naval and Military Intelligence"''The Times''.  Monday, 2 February, 1880.  Issue '''29793''', col B, p. 10.</ref>  When the Admiralty decided to deploy two boats to the Mediterranean bases in 1880, they were ferried out as deck cargo aboard the troopship ''[[H.M.S. Tamar (1863)|Tamar]]''.<ref>"Naval and Military Intelligence".  ''The Times''.  Friday, 20 August, 1880.  Issue '''29965''', col A, p. 8.</ref>
  
The boat mounted no gun.
+
===T.B. 1===
 +
Originally named '''H.M.S. ''Lightning''''', and often referred to as such in contemporary accounts.
 +
 
 +
===T.B. 2 Type===
 +
Eleven additional boats, ''T.B. 2'' through ''T.B. 12'', were built by Thornycroft.  They were almost identical to ''Lightning'', but lacked her coach roof (a legacy of being based off a civilian steam launch design).
 +
 
 +
As ''Lightning'' had been altered to land her drop collars for a bow-mounted tube, these ships had just a single bow-mounted tube for their 14-in Whitehead torpedoes.
 +
 
 +
However, oddly, two drop collars for 14-in Whitehead torpedoes were later added, though it is not clear whether this meant the torpedo tubes were removed.{{Conways1860|p. 101}}
 +
 
 +
===T.B. 13===
 +
T.B. 13 was [[Maudslay, Sons and Field]]'s try to surpass the successful example of Thornycroft's torpedo boat {{UK-1Lightning|f=p}}.
 +
It had a brass hull, which was unusual.  She was a poor sea boat and slow, despite an engine that seemed strong.
 +
 
 +
===T.B. 14===
 +
T.B. 14 was [[Yarrow & Company]]'s try.  It was regarded as the best effort at creating an effective vessel on the ''Lightning'' archetype.{{Conways1860|p. 102}}
 +
 
 +
===T.B. 15===
 +
[[Hanna, Donald & Wilson]]'s boat.
 +
 
 +
It was sent to the Cape of Africa soon after completion, and eventually wound up with her hull being made into a retaining wall.{{Conways1860|p. 102}}
 +
 
 +
===T.B. 16===
 +
Built by Lewin at Poole, ''T.B. 16'' was never accepted into service owing to the slow pace of construction.{{Conways1860|p. 102}}  The cause of these delays was the decision to employ a hydraulic jet propulsion system instead of a conventional power plant.{{LyonWinfieldSteamList|p. 309}}
 +
 
 +
===T.B. 17 Type===
 +
''T.B. 17'' and ''T.B. 18'' were [[Yarrow & Company]]-built boats intended for Russia that were purchased by the [[Royal Navy]] during the war scare.
 +
 
 +
A single bow-mounted tube for 14-in Whitehead torpedoes.  Later, their tube and spare torpedo were replaced with dropping gear for two torpedoes.{{Conways1860|p. 102}}
 +
 
 +
===T.B. 19===
 +
[[J. Samuel White]]-built version of Thornycroft's torpedo boat {{UK-1Lightning|f=p}}.
 +
 
 +
Though the aspiring competitors were apparently provided some level of detail of ''Lightning'''s design, the amount of copying and the terms of its provision are unknown.
 +
 
 +
The ship did not prove very long in service and was considered unfit in 1886.{{Conways1860|p. 102}}
 +
 
 +
A single bow-mounted tube for 14-in Whitehead torpedoes.  Later, their tube and spare torpedo were replaced with dropping gear for two torpedoes.{{Conways1860|p. 102}}
 +
 
 +
===T.B. 20===
 +
''T.B. 20'' was the second attempt by [[J. & G. Rennie]] to fulfill their contract for a torpedo boat, the first having been rejected by the Admiralty and sold aboard.  ''T.B. 20'' turned poorly and was so slow that she only could sprint 11 knots in 1894.  She spent most of her service in Hong Kong.{{Conways1860|p. 102}}{{LyonWinfieldSteamList|p. 309}}
 +
 
 +
A single bow-mounted tube for a 14-in Whitehead torpedo with a spare.  Later, the tube and spare torpedo were replaced with dropping gear for two torpedoes.{{Conways1860|p. 102}}
  
 
==See Also==
 
==See Also==
Line 19: Line 209:
 
{{refend}}
 
{{refend}}
  
{{Footer Lightning Class Torpedo Boat (1876)}}
+
{{Footer T.B. 1 Class Torpedo Boat (1876)}}
  
{{DEFAULTSORT:Lightning}}
+
{{DEFAULTSORT:1}}
  
{{CatClassTorpedoBoat|UK}}
+
{{CatClassFirstClassTorpedoBoat|UK}}
{{CatShipTorpedoBoat|UK}}
+
  
  
Line 30: Line 219:
  
 
nat=UK
 
nat=UK
cat=TorpedoBoat
+
cat=FirstClassTorpedoBoat
 
type=first-class torpedo boat
 
type=first-class torpedo boat
 +
prefix=H.M.
  
chain=Destroyers
+
chain=Torpedo Boats,First-class Torpedo Boats
 +
 
 +
{group
 +
name=''Lightning''
 +
}
  
 
{ship
 
{ship
name=Lightning
+
name=T.B. 1
 
pend=
 
pend=
builder=[[Thornycroft]]{{Conways1860|p. 101}}
+
builder=[[John I. Thornycroft & Company]]{{Conways1860|p. 101}}
 
order=
 
order=
 
laid=
 
laid=
Line 45: Line 239:
 
fate=Broken up
 
fate=Broken up
 
fatedate=1896{{Conways1860|p. 101}}
 
fatedate=1896{{Conways1860|p. 101}}
 +
}
 +
 +
{group
 +
name=Thornycroft Repeat ''Lightnings''
 +
}
 +
 +
{ship
 +
name=T.B. 2
 +
pend=
 +
builder=[[John I. Thornycroft & Company]]{{Conways1860|p. 101}}
 +
order=
 +
laid=
 +
launch=1878{{Conways1860|p. 101.  The date of launch is imprecise}}
 +
comm=
 +
fate=Broken up
 +
fatedate=
 +
}
 +
 +
 +
{ship
 +
name=T.B. 3
 +
builder="
 +
launch="
 +
fate="
 +
}
 +
 +
 +
{ship
 +
name=T.B. 4
 +
builder="
 +
launch="
 +
fate="
 +
}
 +
 +
{ship
 +
name=T.B. 5
 +
builder="
 +
launch="
 +
fate="
 +
}
 +
 +
{ship
 +
name=T.B. 6
 +
builder="
 +
launch="
 +
fate="
 +
}
 +
 +
{ship
 +
name=T.B. 7
 +
builder="
 +
launch="
 +
fate="
 +
}
 +
 +
{ship
 +
name=T.B. 8
 +
builder="
 +
launch="
 +
fate="
 +
}
 +
 +
{ship
 +
name=T.B. 9
 +
builder="
 +
launch="
 +
fate="
 +
}
 +
 +
{ship
 +
name=T.B. 10
 +
builder="
 +
launch="
 +
fate="
 +
}
 +
 +
{ship
 +
name=T.B. 11
 +
builder="
 +
launch="
 +
fate="
 +
}
 +
 +
{ship
 +
name=T.B. 12
 +
builder="
 +
launch="
 +
fate="
 +
}
 +
 +
{group
 +
name=Other Builders
 +
}
 +
 +
{ship
 +
name=T.B. 13
 +
pend=
 +
builder=[[Maudslay, Sons and Field]]{{Conways1860|p. 102}}
 +
order=
 +
laid=
 +
launch=1879{{LyonWinfieldSteamList|p. 309}}
 +
comm=
 +
fate=Broken up
 +
fatedate=1896{{Conways1860|p. 102}}
 +
}
 +
 +
 +
{ship
 +
name=T.B. 14
 +
pend=
 +
builder=[[Yarrow & Company]]{{Conways1860|p. 102}}
 +
order=
 +
laid=
 +
launch=1878{{Conways1860|p. 102.  The date of launch is imprecise}}
 +
comm=
 +
fate=Broken up
 +
fatedate=1904{{Conways1860|p. 102}}
 +
}
 +
 +
 +
{ship
 +
name=T.B. 15
 +
pend=
 +
builder=[[Hanna, Donald & Wilson]]{{Conways1860|p. 102}}
 +
order=
 +
laid=
 +
launch=1879{{Conways1860|p. 102.  The date of launch is imprecise}}
 +
comm=
 +
fate=Repurposed
 +
fatedate=1903{{Conways1860|p. 102}}
 +
}
 +
 +
 +
{ship
 +
name=T.B. 17
 +
pend=
 +
builder=[[Yarrow & Company]]{{Conways1860|p. 102}}
 +
order=
 +
laid=
 +
launch=1878{{Conways1860|p. 102.  The date of launch is imprecise}}
 +
comm=
 +
fate=Sold
 +
fatedate=1907{{Conways1860|p. 102}}
 +
}
 +
 +
 +
{ship
 +
name=T.B. 18
 +
pend=
 +
builder=[[Yarrow & Company]]{{Conways1860|p. 102}}
 +
order=
 +
laid=
 +
launch=1878{{Conways1860|p. 102.  The date of launch is imprecise}}
 +
comm=
 +
fate=Sold
 +
fatedate=1902{{Conways1860|p. 102}}
 +
}
 +
 +
 +
 +
{ship
 +
name=T.B. 19
 +
pend=
 +
builder=[[J. Samuel White]]{{Conways1860|p. 102}}
 +
order=
 +
laid=
 +
launch=1880{{LyonWinfieldSteamList|p. 309}}
 +
comm=
 +
fate=Broken up
 +
fatedate=1899{{Conways1860|p. 102}}
 +
}
 +
 +
 +
{ship
 +
name=T.B. 20
 +
pend=
 +
builder=[[J. & G. Rennie]]{{Conways1860|p. 102}}
 +
order=
 +
laid=
 +
launch=1880{{Conways1860|p. 102.  The date of launch is imprecise}}
 +
comm=
 +
fate=Broken up
 +
fatedate=1903{{Conways1860|p. 102}}
 
}
 
}
  
  
 
data -->
 
data -->

Latest revision as of 12:11, 25 April 2018

The Royal Navy's first first-class torpedo boat, H.M.S. Lightning (later re-designated T.B. 1, not to be confused with either the second-class torpedo boats of 1883 or the numeric designation of the Cricket class coastal destroyers of 1906) was constructed by John I. Thornycroft & Company. It was armed with 14-in Whitehead torpedoes, displaced 32.5 tons and was 87 feet in overall length and could make 19 knots.

The success of this prototype prompted orders for 18 more boats to a similar specification from Thornycroft and other builders. None of the boats carried guns, only torpedoes being fired from a variety of means: fixed bow tubes, drop collars, and deck mounted tubes. There was some variety to their particulars, but we treat them as a common class with sub-types.

Service

It was soon recognized that their small size limited their seaworthiness severely.[1] When the Admiralty decided to deploy two boats to the Mediterranean bases in 1880, they were ferried out as deck cargo aboard the troopship Tamar.[2]

T.B. 1

Originally named H.M.S. Lightning, and often referred to as such in contemporary accounts.

T.B. 2 Type

Eleven additional boats, T.B. 2 through T.B. 12, were built by Thornycroft. They were almost identical to Lightning, but lacked her coach roof (a legacy of being based off a civilian steam launch design).

As Lightning had been altered to land her drop collars for a bow-mounted tube, these ships had just a single bow-mounted tube for their 14-in Whitehead torpedoes.

However, oddly, two drop collars for 14-in Whitehead torpedoes were later added, though it is not clear whether this meant the torpedo tubes were removed.[3]

T.B. 13

T.B. 13 was Maudslay, Sons and Field's try to surpass the successful example of Thornycroft's torpedo boat H.M.S. Lightning. It had a brass hull, which was unusual. She was a poor sea boat and slow, despite an engine that seemed strong.

T.B. 14

T.B. 14 was Yarrow & Company's try. It was regarded as the best effort at creating an effective vessel on the Lightning archetype.[4]

T.B. 15

Hanna, Donald & Wilson's boat.

It was sent to the Cape of Africa soon after completion, and eventually wound up with her hull being made into a retaining wall.[5]

T.B. 16

Built by Lewin at Poole, T.B. 16 was never accepted into service owing to the slow pace of construction.[6] The cause of these delays was the decision to employ a hydraulic jet propulsion system instead of a conventional power plant.[7]

T.B. 17 Type

T.B. 17 and T.B. 18 were Yarrow & Company-built boats intended for Russia that were purchased by the Royal Navy during the war scare.

A single bow-mounted tube for 14-in Whitehead torpedoes. Later, their tube and spare torpedo were replaced with dropping gear for two torpedoes.[8]

T.B. 19

J. Samuel White-built version of Thornycroft's torpedo boat H.M.S. Lightning.

Though the aspiring competitors were apparently provided some level of detail of Lightning's design, the amount of copying and the terms of its provision are unknown.

The ship did not prove very long in service and was considered unfit in 1886.[9]

A single bow-mounted tube for 14-in Whitehead torpedoes. Later, their tube and spare torpedo were replaced with dropping gear for two torpedoes.[10]

T.B. 20

T.B. 20 was the second attempt by J. & G. Rennie to fulfill their contract for a torpedo boat, the first having been rejected by the Admiralty and sold aboard. T.B. 20 turned poorly and was so slow that she only could sprint 11 knots in 1894. She spent most of her service in Hong Kong.[11][12]

A single bow-mounted tube for a 14-in Whitehead torpedo with a spare. Later, the tube and spare torpedo were replaced with dropping gear for two torpedoes.[13]

See Also

Footnotes

  1. "Naval and Military Intelligence". The Times. Monday, 2 February, 1880. Issue 29793, col B, p. 10.
  2. "Naval and Military Intelligence". The Times. Friday, 20 August, 1880. Issue 29965, col A, p. 8.
  3. Conway's All the World's Fighting Ships 1860–1905. p. 101.
  4. Conway's All the World's Fighting Ships 1860–1905. p. 102.
  5. Conway's All the World's Fighting Ships 1860–1905. p. 102.
  6. Conway's All the World's Fighting Ships 1860–1905. p. 102.
  7. Lyon; Winfield. The Steam & Sail List. p. 309.
  8. Conway's All the World's Fighting Ships 1860–1905. p. 102.
  9. Conway's All the World's Fighting Ships 1860–1905. p. 102.
  10. Conway's All the World's Fighting Ships 1860–1905. p. 102.
  11. Conway's All the World's Fighting Ships 1860–1905. p. 102.
  12. Lyon; Winfield. The Steam & Sail List. p. 309.
  13. Conway's All the World's Fighting Ships 1860–1905. p. 102.

Bibliography


T.B. 1 Class First-class Torpedo Boat
Lightning
  T.B. 1  
Thornycroft Repeat Lightnings
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  
Other Builders
T.B. 13 T.B. 14 T.B. 15 T.B. 17 T.B. 18
  T.B. 19 T.B. 20  
  Torpedo Boats (UK) H.M. T.B. 63 –>
  First-class Torpedo Boats (UK) T.B. 39 Class –>