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Registration number
434
Status
Registered
a12admin
Details
Function
Fighting Vessel
Subfunction
Torpedo Boat
Location
Chatham
Vessel type
Motor Torpedo Boat
Current use
Museum based
Available to hire
No
Available for excursions
No
Web address
www.iwm.org.uk
Construction
Builder
Camper & Nicholsons Ltd, Gosport
Built in
1921
Hull material
Wood
Rig
None
Number of decks
1
Propulsion
Motor
Number of engines
1
Primary engine type
Inboard
Boiler type
None
Boilermaker
None
Dimensions
Breadth: Beam
14.00 feet
(4.27m)
Length: Overall
72.46 feet
(22.10m)
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.
Sources
Earle, Jim, Defence Lines Osea Island & their Intervention, Defence of Britain Project, pp5-8, 10 May, Edition 10, 1998
Brouwer, Norman J, International Register of Historic Ships, Anthony Nelson, pp144, Edition 2, 1993
Sullivan, Dick, Old Ships, Boats and Maritime Museums, Coracle Books, 1978
Own this vessel?
If you are the owner of this vessel and would like to provide more details or updated information, please contact info@nationalhistoricships.org.uk
