NAVYPEDIA

Ships

Names	Builders	Completed	Losses	Transfers	Discarded
TB39 - 48	Yarrow, Poplar: TB39-48	1889: TB39 - 48	none	none	1907: TB39 - 44 1912: TB45 - 48

Technical data

Displacement normal, t	16.5
Displacement full, t
Length, m	18.3 pp
Breadth, m	2.82
Draught, m
No of shafts	1
Machinery	1 VTE, 1 locomotive boiler
Power, h. p.	240
Max speed, kts	16.5
Fuel, t	coal
Endurance, nm(kts)
Armament	1 x 1 - 25/60 Nordenfelt Mk I, 2 - 356 TC
Complement	9

Project history

The concept of purpose-built small TBs capable of being lifted by the davits of large ships seems to have originated with the Royal Navy; certainly more were built for that service than for any other. One TB carrier, Vulcan, was specially built to carry them, and for some years numbers of this type of boat were built. However, in the long run experience showed it was better to use the slower but much sturdier and more seaworthy steam pinnaces for this purpose, rather than the frail specially built Second Class boats.

Armament comprised 2 torpedoes in dropping gear, 1 MG. Two last classes (TB39 and TB49) were the swan-song of the purpose-built Second Class TB. The last class was built on the lines of the aluminium boat Yarrow had built for the French Navy. Larger than their predecessors, six were intended to be carried on the 'torpedo boat carrier' Vulcan.

Modernizations

None.

Naval service

No significant events.