CMB 103

Motor Torpedo Boat built 1921 by Camper & Nicholsons Ltd, Gosport

Designated ensign Designated house flag

434

Registered


Fighting Vessel

Torpedo Boat


Motor Torpedo Boat

Chatham


Museum: indoors

Museum: indoors


No

No


06/06/1996

07/04/2009


Web site

hmsbelfast.iwm.org.uk

Gallery


Propulsion

Engine

Inboard


None

None


Dimensions

To be confirmed

14.00 feet (4.27 metres)


72.46 feet (22.10 metres)

To be confirmed


To be confirmed


History

Built in 1921 by Camper & Nicholsons, at Gosport, for the Royal Navy, CMB 103 is a fast motor torpedo boat. Her wooden hull is formed into a stepped hydroplane and she originally had twin Thornycroft engines linked to twin screws.

The idea for these boats originated with three naval officers who suggested a fast hit and run torpedo carrier that could skim over enemy minefields and attack German surface shipping in the Heligoland Bight. Thornycrofts developed the theme with a series of hydroplanes all called MIRANDA. These were probably the world’s first planing craft and were the prototypes CMBs. Altogether 117 were built.

Bibliography

  1. 1978 Old Ships, Boats and Maritime Museums - Sullivan, Dick
  2. 1993 International Register of Historic Ships - Brouwer, Norman J
  3. 1998 Defence Lines Osea Island & their Intervention
If you are the owner of the vessel and would like to provide more details or updated information please contact info@nationalhistoricships.org.uk

parrel:

a rope, chain or iron collar which attaches the yard to the mast but which allows vertical movement