This article includes a list of general references, but it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations. (November 2023) |
The Fairmile D motor torpedo boat was a type of British motor torpedo boat (MTB) and motor gunboat (MGB),[1] conceived by entrepreneur Noel Macklin of Fairmile Marine and designed by naval architect Bill Holt for the Royal Navy. Nicknamed "Dog Boats", they were designed to be assembled in kit form mass-produced by the Fairmile organisation and assembled at dozens of small boatbuilding yards around Britain, to combat the known advantages of the German E-boats over previous British coastal craft designs. At 115 feet in length, they were bigger than earlier MTB or motor gunboat (MGB) designs (which were typically around 70 feet) but slower, at 30 knots compared to 40 knots.
 The Fairmile D motor gun boat MGB 606
| |
| Class overview | |
|---|---|
| Name | Fairmile D motor gun boat |
| Preceded by | Fairmile C motor gun boat |
| Planned | 229 |
| Completed | 228 |
| Cancelled | 1 |
| General characteristics | |
| Displacement | |
| Length | 115 ft (35 m) |
| Beam | 20 ft 10 in (6.35 m) |
| Draft | 4 ft 9 in (1.45 m) to 4 ft 11 in (1.50 m) mean deep load |
| Propulsion | 4 × Packard 4M 2500 petrol engines, total 5,000 hp (3,728 kW) |
| Speed | 29 knots (54 km/h; 33 mph) at full load |
| Range |
|
| Complement | 21 |
| Armament |
|
| Notes | Armament for gunboat configuration as fitted to MGB 658 by the end of the war. Specifications from Conway's All the World's Fighting Ships 1922–1946. and Motor Gunboat 658 |
Boats
edit1941 Original Programme
editThe first twelve boats were ordered on 15 March 1941, becoming MGB 601 to MGB 612. Six weeks later, another 28 boats were ordered on 27 April 1941, as MGB 613 to MGB 616, and ML 617 to ML 640, although these MLs were quickly reclassed as MGBs. The prefix for all boats (except early losses 622, 631 and 639) was reclassed from "MGB" to "MTB" in September 1943.
Eight of these boats (nos. 618, 619, 620, 623, 625, 626, 627 and 631) were handed over to the Royal Norwegian Navy in 1942, manned by free Norwegian personnel and formed into the 30th MTB Flotilla under Lt. Ragnvald Tamber. After being worked up at HMS Bee shore base at Weymouth, they were based at Lerwick in the Shetland Islands, and deployed for numerous operations along the Norwegian coast.[2] MTB 631 was captured by the Germans in March 1943 and replaced by MTB 653.
The last eight of the programme (boats nos. 633 to 640) were chosen for Mediterranean operations; they were worked up at HMS Bee at Weymouth before proceeding to Milford Haven, where they were formed into a new 32nd MTB Flotilla under the command of Lt. P. E. Stewart Gould; they were fitted with extra temporary fuel tanks bolted to the upper deck (raising their fuel capacity by 3,000 gallons to 8,000 gallons of 100 octane petrol for the long passage to the Mediterranean), and proceeded in groups to Gibraltar in March/April 1943.
| Name | Ship Builder | Delivered | Fate |
|---|---|---|---|
| MGB 601 | Tough Bros, Teddington Wharf, Manor Road, Teddington | 9 March 1941 | Sunk in action on 24 July 1942 in the Dover Strait. |
| MGB 602 | Kris Cruisers (1934), Riverside Yard, Ferryll Road, Isleworth | August 1942 | To Sea Cadet Corps in October 1945; sold 21 February 1956. |
| MGB 603 | Tough Bros, Teddington Wharf, Manor Road, Teddington | 25 July 1942 | For disposal October 1945. |
| MGB 604 | A. M. Dickie & Sons, Bangor, Gwynedd | 24 July 1942 | For disposal October 1945. |
| MGB 605 | William Osbourne, Littlehampton | 16 June 1942 | Sunk 17 February 1945 in collision with a wreck off Ostend. |
| MGB 606 | Wallasea Bay Yacht Station, Wallasea Bay, near Rochford | 7 July 1942 | Sunk in action on 3/4 November 1943 off the Dutch coast. |
| MGB 607 | James A. Silver, Rosneath, Dumbartonshire | June 1942 | For disposal October 1945. |
| MGB 608 | James A. Silver, Rosneath, Dumbartonshire | August 1942 | For disposal in January 1946. |
| MGB 609 | William King, Burnham-on-Crouch | 9 June 1942 | To Sea Cadet Corps in October 1945; sold ca. 1952. |
| MGB 610 | Woodnutt & Co., St Helens, Isle of Wight | 30 June 1942 | To Sea Cadet Corps at Falmouth in April 1946; to Weymouth August 1950; for disposal in January 1964. |
| MGB 611' | Brooke Marine, Oulton Broad, Lowestoft | 15 September 1942 | Sold for disposal in 1946. |
| MGB 612 | S. B. Hall, Galmpton, Brixham | 10 July 1942 | To Sea Cadet Corps in December 1945; for disposal in July 1948. |
| MGB 613 | S. B. Hall, Galmpton, Brixham | 9 September 1942 | For disposal in October 1946. |
| MGB 614 | Woodnutt & Co., St Helens, Isle of Wight | 6 August 1942 | For disposal in November 1945. |
| MGB 615 | A. M. Dickie & Sons, Tarbert, Argyllshire | 24 July 1942 | For disposal October 1945. |
| MGB 616 | William Osbourne, Littlehampton | 19 August 1942 | To Sea Cadet Corps at Exeter in 1947; for disposal in 1955. |
| MGB 617 | William Osbourne, Littlehampton | 8 October 1942 | To Sea Scouts in 1946; sold 7 July 1953. |
| MGB 618 | P. K. Harris & Sons, New Quay Dry Docks, Appledore, Torridge | 27 June 1942 | To Royal Norwegian Navy June 1942 to 1944; for disposal in January 1946. |
| MGB 619 | Dorset Yacht Company, Lake Road, Hamworthy, Poole | 23 August 1942 | To Royal Norwegian Navy August 1942 to July 1944; for disposal in October 1945. |
| MGB 620 | A. M. Dickie & Sons, Bangor, Gwynedd | 6 September 1942 | To Royal Norwegian Navy November 1942 to August 1943; for disposal in March 1946. |
| MGB 621 | James A. Silver, Rosneath, Dumbartonshire | October 1942 | To Sea Cadet Corps in April 1946, sold on 10 February 1955. |
| MGB 622 | Brooke Marine, Oulton Broad, Lowestoft | 10 November 1942 | Sunk 10 March 1943 by German destroyers off Terschelling. |
| MGB 623 | Wallasea Bay Yacht Station, Wallasea Bay, near Rochford | 27 August 1942 | To Royal Norwegian Navy 1942 to 1944; for disposal in May 1947. |
| MGB 624 | Dorset Yacht Company, Lake Road, Hamworthy, Poole | 19 October 1942 | To Sea Cadet Corps at Aberystwyth in December 1945; for disposal in May 1964. |
| MGB 625 | Alex Robertson (Yachtbuilders) & Sons, Sandbank, Argyllshire | 4 September 1942 | To Royal Norwegian Navy 1942; lost 1944 in Scottish waters. |
| MGB 626 | Tough Bros, Teddington Wharf, Manor Road, Teddington | 24 July 1941 | To Royal Norwegian Navy in June 1942; lost 22 November 1943 by explosion off Lerwick. |
| MGB 627 | P. K. Harris & Sons, New Quay Dry Docks, Appledore, Torridge | 7 October 1942 | To Royal Norwegian Navy September 1942 to 1944; for disposal in April 1945. |
| MGB 628 | J. W. & A. Upham, Brixham, Devon | November 1942 | For disposal in October 1945. |
| MGB 629 | A. M. Dickie & Sons, Tarbert, Argyllshire | 1 December 1942 | For disposal in October 1945. |
| MGB 630 | Alex Robertson (Yachtbuilders) & Sons, Sandbank, Argyllshire | 5 November 1942 | To Sea Cadet Corps 1945; sold by 1949. |
| MGB 631 | William King, Burnham-on-Crouch | August 1942 | To Royal Norwegian Navy in 1942; stranded 14 March 1943 on Norwegian coast and captured by Germans. |
| MGB 632 | Kris Cruisers (1934), Riverside Yard, Ferryll Road, Isleworth | December 1942 | For disposal in October 1945. |
| MGB 633 | Dorset Yacht Company, Lake Road, Hamworthy, Poole | 23 November 1942 | Lost on 30 January 1946 on passage from Malta to Alexandria. |
| MGB 634 | William Osbourne, Littlehampton | 27 November 1942 | Lost on 30 January 1946 on passage from Malta to Alexandria. |
| MGB 635 | Boat Construction Co., Falmouth | November 1942 | Damaged in 1944 and reported in July 1945 as sunk as target off Malta. |
| MGB 636 | James A. Silver, Rosneath, Dumbartonshire | January 1943 | Sunk in error by MGB 658 in action off Elba. |
| MGB 637 | Alex Robertson (Yachtbuilders) & Sons, Sandbank, Argyllshire | January 1943 | Lost on 30 January 1946 on passage from Malta to Alexandria. |
| MGB 638 | A. M. Dickie & Sons, Bangor, Gwynedd | 14 December 1942 | Lost on 30 January 1946 on passage from Malta to Alexandria. |
| MGB 639 | Brooke Marine, Oulton Broad, Lowestoft | 9 March 1943 | Sunk 28 April 1943 by Italian torpedo boat Sagittario off Pantellaria. |
| MGB 640 | Wallasea Bay Yacht Station, Wallasea Bay, near Rochford | 1 November 1942 | Sunk by mines 26/27 June 1944 off Vada, Italy. |
1941 Supplemental Programme
editA further 60 boats were ordered in November 1941, numbered from 641 up to 700, of which 16 ordered on 18 November had the prefix of "MGB" (numbers 641 to 648, 657 to 663, and 674), and 44 ordered on 28 November originally had the prefix of "ML" (numbers 649 to 656, 664 to 673, and 675 to 700), although the MLs were quickly reclassed as MGBs. All of these (except early losses) were reclassed as "MTB" in September 1943. However, from No. 697 onwards, the boats were classified as combined "MTB"/"MGB"s.
As with the final eight boats of the preceding programme, 24 boats were chosen for Mediterranean operations; they were worked up at HMS Bee at Weymouth before proceeding to Milford Haven, where they were formed into three new flotillas as follows (with initial flotilla commanders in parentheses):
- 19th MGB Flotilla (under Lt E.M. ("Mickey") Thorpe): boats nos. 641 to 648 inclusive.
- 33rd MTB Flotilla (under Lt-Cmdr Ronald R. W. Ashby): boats nos. 649, 651, 654, 655, 656, 665, 667 and 670.
- 20th MGB Flotilla (under Lt-Cmdr Norman H. Hughes): boats nos. 657 to 663 inclusive, plus 674 (although 674 only joined later).
As before, they were fitted with extra temporary fuel tanks bolted to the upper deck (raising their fuel capacity by 3,000 gallons to 8,000 gallons of 100 octane petrol for the long passage to the Mediterranean), and proceeded in groups to Gibraltar in March/April 1943.
| Name | Ship builder | Delivered | Fate |
|---|---|---|---|
| MGB 641 | Thomson & Balfour, Victoria Saw Mills, Bo'ness | 29 December 1942 | Sunk in action on 14/15 July 1943 by shore batteries in the Strait of Messina. |
| MGB 642 | P. K. Harris & Sons, New Quay Dry Docks, Appledore, Torridge | 7 March 1943 | Lost on 30 January 1946 on passage from Malta to Alexandria. |
| MGB 643 | Woodnutt & Co., St Helens, Isle of Wight | 22 December 1942 | Lost on 30 January 1946 on passage from Malta to Alexandria. |
| MGB 644 | Tough Bros, Teddington Wharf, Manor Road, Teddington | December 1942 | Mined 26 June 1943 off Sicily and scuttled. |
| MGB 645 | S. B. Hall, Galmpton, Brixham | December 1942 | For disposal in August 1945. |
| MGB 646 | Risdon Beazley, Clausentum Yard, Northam Bridge, Southampton | 19 November 1942 | For disposal in August 1945. |
| MGB 647 | A. M. Dickie & Sons, Bangor, Gwynedd | 24 February 1943 | Scuttled in September 1946 off Malta. |
| MGB 648 | Dorset Yacht Company, Lake Road, Hamworthy, Poole | 10 January 1943 | Bombed 14 June 1943 in Central Mediterranean. |
| MGB 649 | Risdon Beazley, Clausentum Yard, Northam Bridge, Southampton | 7 January 1943 | For disposal in September 1945 in the Mediterranean. |
| MGB 650 | Boat Construction Co., Falmouth | January 1943 | To Royal Air Force in 1945 as Long Range Rescue Craft LRRC 020. |
| MGB 651 | Tough Bros, Teddington Wharf, Manor Road, Teddington | January 1943 | For disposal in September 1945 in the Mediterranean. |
| MGB 652 | S. B. Hall, Galmpton, Brixham | 25 January 1943 | For disposal in October 1945 in the Mediterranean. |
| MGB 653 | Alex Robertson (Yachtbuilders) & Sons, Sandbank, Argyllshire | March 1943 | To Royal Norwegian Navy 1943 to 1944; for disposal in December 1945. |
| MGB 654 | Lady Bee, Shoreham-by-Sea, Sussex | 19 February 1943 | Damaged 1944 and for disposal in January 1945. |
| MGB 655 | William Osbourne, Littlehampton | January 1943 | Mined on 22 March 1945 in the Mediterranean. |
| MGB 656 | Wallasea Bay Yacht Station, Wallasea Bay, near Rochford | 24 December 1942 | For disposal in September 1945 in the Mediterranean. |
| MGB 657 | Woodnutt & Co., St Helens, Isle of Wight | 9 February 1943 | Constructive total loss by mine 11/12 September 1943 in the Mediterranean; broken up in December 1944. |
| MGB 658 | J. W. & A. Upham, Brixham, Devon | April 1943 | Lost on 30 January 1946 on passage from Malta to Alexandria. |
| MGB 659 | Boat Construction Co., Falmouth | May 1943 | Lost on 30 January 1946 on passage from Malta to Alexandria. |
| MGB 660 | Brooke Marine, Oulton Broad, Lowestoft | 21 April 1943 | For disposal in February 1946. |
| MGB 661 | Alex Robertson (Yachtbuilders) & Sons, Sandbank, Argyllshire | May 1943 | For disposal in June 1946. |
| MGB 662 | Dorset Yacht Company, Lake Road, Hamworthy, Poole | 8 April 1943 | For disposal in February 1946. |
| MGB 663 | William Osbourne, Littlehampton | 8 March 1943 | Mined on 10 October 1944 in the Adriatic. |
| MGB 674 (a) | Tough Bros, Teddington Wharf, Manor Road, Teddington | 6 May 1943 | For disposal in June 1946. |
Note: (a) 674 was the final boat ordered as a MGB, and is thus shown out of numerical sequence.
| Name | Ship builder | Delivered | Fate |
|---|---|---|---|
| MTB 664 | A. M. Dickie & Sons, Tarbert, Argyllshire | 1 April 1943 | To Royal Air Force in 1944 as Long Range Rescue Craft, renumbered LRRC 021 in 1945. |
| MTB 665 | P. K. Harris & Sons, New Quay Dry Docks, Appledore, Torridge | 5 May 1943 | Sunk in action on 15 August 1943 by shore batteries in the Strait of Messina. |
| MTB 666 | Dorset Yacht Company, Lake Road, Hamworthy, Poole | 10 June 1943 | Sunk in action off Ijmuiden on 4/5 July 1944. |
| MTB 667 | William King, Burnham-on-Crouch | 28 December 1942 | For disposal in September 1945 to July 1946 in the Mediterranean. |
| MTB 668 | Thomson & Balfour, Victoria Saw Mills, Bo'ness | 26 March 1943 | To Sea Cadet Corps in December 1945. |
| MTB 669 | Lady Bee, Shoreham-by-Sea, Sussex | 29 April 1943 | Sunk 26 October 1943 in action off Norway. |
| MTB 670 | Wallasea Bay Yacht Station, Wallasea Bay, near Rochford | 7 March 1943 | Lost on 30 January 1946 on passage from Malta to Alexandria. |
| MTB 671 | A. M. Dickie & Sons, Bangor, Gwynedd | 16 May 1943 | Sunk in action on 24 April 1944 off Cape Barfleur. |
| MTB 672 | James A. Silver, Rosneath, Dumbartonshire | April 1943 | For disposal in October 1945. |
| MTB 673 | Tough Bros, Teddington Wharf, Manor Road, Teddington | June 1943 | To Royal Air Force in 1945 as Long Range Rescue Craft LRRC 022. |
| MTB 675 | Alex Robertson (Yachtbuilders) & Sons, Sandbank, Argyllshire | July 1943 | To Royal Air Force in May 1945 as Long Range Rescue Craft LRRC 023. |
| MTB 676 | Risdon Beazley, Clausentum Yard, Northam Bridge, Southampton | 13 May 1943 | To Royal Air Force in June 1945 as Long Range Rescue Craft LRRC 024. |
| MTB 677 | S. B. Hall, Galmpton, Brixham | May 1943 | To Royal Air Force in June 1945 as Long Range Rescue Craft LRRC 025. |
| MTB 678 | Boat Construction Co., Falmouth | July 1943 | To Royal Air Force in June 1945 as Long Range Rescue Craft LRRC 026. |
| MTB 679 | A. M. Dickie & Sons, Bangor, Gwynedd | July 1943 | To Royal Air Force in June 1945 as Long Range Rescue Craft LRRC 027. |
| MTB 680 | Risdon Beazley, Clausentum Yard, Northam Bridge, Southampton | April 1943 | To Royal Air Force in June 1945 as Long Range Rescue Craft LRRC 028. |
| MTB 681 | Brooke Marine, Oulton Broad, Lowestoft | 20 July 1943 | Sunk in action on 10 June 1944 off the Dutch coast. |
| MTB 682 | Wallasea Bay Yacht Station, Wallasea Bay, near Rochford | May 1943 | To Royal Air Force in 1945 as Long Range Rescue Craft LRRC 029. |
| MTB 683 | James A. Silver, Rosneath, Dumbartonshire | July 1943 | To Royal Air Force in May 1945 as Long Range Rescue Craft LRRC 030. |
| MTB 684 | Woodnutt & Co., St Helens, Isle of Wight | 28 April 1943 | To Royal Air Force in 1945 as Long Range Rescue Craft LRRC 031. |
| MTB 685 | Dorset Yacht Company, Lake Road, Hamworthy, Poole | July 1943 | For disposal in April 1949. |
| MTB 686 | William Osbourne, Littlehampton | 9 June 1943 | Lost on 22 November 1943 by fire at Lerwick. |
| MTB 687 | P. K. Harris & Sons, New Quay Dry Docks, Appledore, Torridge | 31 July 1943 | Paid off on 24 October 1944 for transfer to Royal Air Force as Long Range Rescue Craft LRRC 032. |
| MTB 688 | A. M. Dickie & Sons, Tarbert, Argyllshire | July 1943 | To Royal Norwegian Navy from August 1943 to 1944; to Royal Air Force in 1945 as Long Range Rescue Craft LRRC 034. |
| MTB 689 | S. B. Hall, Galmpton, Brixham | July 1943 | To Royal Air Force in June 1945 as Long Range Rescue Craft LRRC 033. |
| MTB 690 | Boat Construction Co., Falmouth | 15 September 1943 | Lost 18 January 1945 in collision with a wreck in the North Sea. |
| MTB 691 | Alex Robertson (Yachtbuilders) & Sons, Sandbank, Argyllshire | August 1943 | To Royal Air Force in May 1945 as Long Range Rescue Craft LRRC 035. |
| MTB 692 | Lady Bee, Shoreham-by-Sea, Sussex | July 1943 | To Royal Air Force in 1945 as Long Range Rescue Craft LRRC 036. |
| MTB 693 | William King, Burnham-on-Crouch | May 1943 | To Royal Air Force in May 1945 as Long Range Rescue Craft LRRC 037. |
| MTB 694 | Thomson & Balfour, Victoria Saw Mills, Bo'ness | 26 July 1943 | To Royal Air Force in May 1945 as Long Range Rescue Craft LRRC 038. |
| MTB 695 | Brooke Marine, Oulton Broad, Lowestoft | 30 October 1943 | To Royal Air Force in 1945 as Long Range Rescue Craft LRRC 039. |
| MTB 696 | Kris Cruisers (1934), Riverside Yard, Ferryll Road, Isleworth | 15 April 1943 | For disposal in October 1945. |
| MTB 697 | Woodnutt & Co., St Helens, Isle of Wight | July 1943 | Mined on 18 April 1945 in the Adriatic. |
| MTB 698 | Wallasea Bay Yacht Station, Wallasea Bay, near Rochford | July 1943 | Lost on 30 January 1946 on passage from Malta to Alexandria. |
| MTB 699 | Dorset Yacht Company, Lake Road, Hamworthy, Poole | October 1943 | For disposal October 1945 to July 1946 in the Mediterranean. |
| MTB 700 | William Osbourne, Littlehampton | July 1943 | Lost on 30 January 1946 on passage from Malta to Alexandria. |
1942 Original Programme
editAnother 23 boats were ordered on 7 April 1942 as MTB 701 to MTB 723.
| Name | Ship builder | Delivered | Fate |
|---|---|---|---|
| MTB 701 | J. W. & A. Upham, Brixham, Devon | October 1943 | To Sea Cadet Corps at Bideford in 1946. |
| MTB 702 | P. K. Harris & Sons, New Quay Dry Docks, Appledore, Torridge | 31 October 1943 | To Ship Target Trials in 1946. |
| MTB 703 | Tough Bros, Teddington Wharf, Manor Road, Teddington | 8 October 1943 | For disposal in September 1945 to July 1946 in the Mediterranean. |
| MTB 704 | William Osbourne, Littlehampton | November 1943 | To Royal Norwegian Navy in December 1944; for disposal in 1946. |
| MTB 705 | Risdon Beazley, Clausentum Yard, Northam Bridge, Southampton | 7 August 1943 | Mined on 23 March 1945 in the Adriatic. |
| MTB 706 | Risdon Beazley, Clausentum Yard, Northam Bridge, Southampton | October 1943 | For disposal in September 1945 to July 1946 in the Mediterranean. |
| MTB 707 | Boat Construction Co., Falmouth | November 1943 | Lost 18 April 1944 in collision with L'Escarmouche to north of Ireland. |
| MTB 708 | S. B. Hall, Galmpton, Brixham | November 1943 | Scuttled on 5 May 1944 after being bombed in error by Allied aircraft in the Channel. |
| MTB 709 | A. M. Dickie & Sons, Tarbert, Argyllshire | February 1944 | To Royal Norwegian Navy 1944 to 1945; for disposal in January 1947. |
| MTB 710 | William Osbourne, Littlehampton | 18 September 1943 | Mined on 10 April 1945 in the Adriatic. |
| MTB 711 | Brooke Marine, Oulton Broad, Lowestoft | 2 April 1944 | To Royal Norwegian Navy 1944 to 1946 as Hauk; for disposal in 1947. |
| MTB 712 | Wallasea Bay Yacht Station, Wallasea Bay, near Rochford | 10 February 1944 | To Royal Norwegian Navy 1944 to July 1945; constructive total loss by grounding in Scottish waters 25 January 1945; for disposal in July 1945. |
| MTB 713 | Dorset Yacht Company, Lake Road, Hamworthy, Poole | 10 December 1943 | To Royal Norwegian Navy 1944; sold in Norway in 1946. |
| MTB 714 | A. M. Dickie & Sons, Bangor, Gwynedd | October 1943 | To Sea Cadet Corps in April 1946; sold 18 November 1955. |
| MTB 715 | Woodnutt & Co., St Helens, Isle of Wight | 9 December 1943 | To Royal Norwegian Navy 1944; lost on 19 May 1`945 by explosion at Fosnavaag, Norway. |
| MTB 716 | James A. Silver, Rosneath, Dumbartonshire | April 1944 | To Royal Norwegian Navy 1944; sold in Norway in 1946. |
| MTB 717 | A. M. Dickie & Sons, Bangor, Gwynedd | 1 February 1944 | To Royal Norwegian Navy 1944; sold in Norway in 1946. |
| MTB 718 | Alex Robertson (Yachtbuilders) & Sons, Sandbank, Argyllshire | March 1944 | To Sea Cadet Corps on the Tyne in 1946. |
| MTB 719 | Lady Bee, Shoreham-by-Sea, Sussex | February 1944 | To Royal Norwegian Navy 1944; sold in Norway in 1946. |
| MTB 720 | William King, Burnham-on-Crouch | November 1943 | To Royal Norwegian Navy 1944; sold in Norway in 1946. |
| MTB 721 | Cardnell Brothers, Maylandsea, Althorne, near Chelmsford | 15 October 1943 | To Royal Norwegian Navy 1944; sold in Norway in 1946. |
| MTB 722 | Thomson & Balfour, Victoria Saw Mills, Bo'ness | March 1944 | To Royal Norwegian Navy 1944; sold in Norway in 1946. |
| MTB 723 | P. K. Harris & Sons, New Quay Dry Docks, Appledore, Torridge | 27 April 1944 | To Royal Norwegian Navy 1944; sold in Norway in 1946. |
1942 Supplemental Programme
editAnother 48 boats were ordered on 30 August 1942 as MTB 724 to MTB 771.
| Name | Ship Builder | Delivered | Fate |
|---|---|---|---|
| MTB 724 | Wallasea Bay Yacht Station, Wallasea Bay, near Rochford | 7 September 1943 | To Sea Cadet Corps at Norwich in December 1945; sold 24 July 1954. |
| MTB 725 | Boat Construction Co., Falmouth | March 1944 | To Sea Cadet Corps at Pwllheli in October 1945; sold 12 September 1951. |
| MTB 726 | A. M. Dickie & Sons, Bangor, Gwynedd | 2 March 1944 | To Royal Canadian Navy from March 1944 to May 1945; to Sea Cadet Corps at Wisbech in July 1946; sold by 1950. |
| MTB 727 | S. B. Hall, Galmpton, Brixham | 27 February 1944 | To Royal Canadian Navy from February 1944 to June 1945; to Sea Cadet Corps at Twickenham in 1946; sold 20 December 1951. |
| MTB 728 | William Osbourne, Littlehampton | 21 December 1943 | To Sea Cadet Corps at Cardigan in 1946; sold 1948. |
| MTB 729 | Brooke Marine, Oulton Broad, Lowestoft | July 1944 | Sold on 21 September 1947. |
| MTB 730 | Woodnutt & Co., St Helens, Isle of Wight | 28 April 1944 | To Sea Cadet Corps in April 1946; sold 27 May 1958. |
| MTB 731 | Alex Robertson (Yachtbuilders) & Sons, Sandbank, Argyllshire | July 1944 | Became MTB 3001 in 1949, then MASB 3001 in 1953; to Sea Cadet Corps at Birkenhead in October 1957. |
| MTB 732 | Dorset Yacht Company, Lake Road, Hamworthy, Poole | 17 April 1944 | Sunk in error on 28 May 1944 by La Combattante in action in the Channel. |
| MTB 733 | Lady Bee, Shoreham-by-Sea, Sussex | 8 June 1944 | To Sea Cadet Corps at Plymouth in March 1946. |
| MTB 734 | Thomson & Balfour, Victoria Saw Mills, Bo'ness | 30 May 1944 | Bombed in error on 26 June 1944 by Allied aircraft off Normandy and scuttled. |
| MTB 735 | Tough Bros, Teddington Wharf, Manor Road, Teddington | 26 February 1944 | To Royal Canadian Navy from February 1944 to May 1944; to Sea Cadet Corps at Ellesmere in January 1946; sold 14 June 1956. |
| MTB 736 | Tough Bros, Teddington Wharf, Manor Road, Teddington | April 1944 | To Royal Canadian Navy from April 1944 to May 1944; to Sea Cadet Corps at Fraserburgh in July 1946. |
| MTB 737 | J, S. Doig (Grimsby), Grimsby Docks | May 1944 | Lent to Brighton Nautical Training College in 1945. |
| MTB 738 | Risdon Beazley, Clausentum Yard, Northam Bridge, Southampton | 15 December 1943 | To Sea Cadet Corps at Ipswich in January 1946; sold 25 April 1958. |
| MTB 739 | Herbert Woods, Broads Haven, Potter Heigham, Great Yarmouth | 27 April 1944 | Became MTB 3039 in 1949; for disposal in April 1952. |
| MTB 740 | Collins Pleasurecraft Co., Oulton Broad, near Lowestoft | 8 August 1944 | To Sea Cadet Corps at Norwich in 1946. |
| MTB 741 | A. M. Dickie & Sons, Tarbert, Argyllshire | July 1944 | To Sea Cadet Corps at Goole in 1946; sold 26 November 1957. |
| MTB 742 | John Sadd & Sons, Maldon, Essex | April 1944 | To Sea Cadet Corps at Parkeston in February 1946. |
| MTB 743 | Aldous Successors, Brightlingsea, Essex | 13 April 1944 | To Royal Canadian Navy from March 1944 to May 1944; lent to Sea Scouts in 1946; sold 23 January 1957. |
| MTB 744 | Risdon Beazley, Clausentum Yard, Northam Bridge, Southampton | March 1944 | To Royal Canadian Navy from March 1944 to May 1944; to Royal Air Force in 1945 as Long Range Rescue Craft LRRC 040. |
| MTB 745 | Austins of East Ham, London E.6 | 29 January 1944 | To Royal Canadian Navy from January 1944 to May 1944; to Ship Target Trials 1946; for disposal in 1946. |
| MTB 746 | James A. Silver, Rosneath, Dumbartonshire | 19 May 1944 | To Royal Canadian Navy from May 1944 to May 1945; to Sea Cadet Corps at Gloucester in December 1946; sold 1953. |
| MTB 747 | Sussex Shipbuilding Co., Shoreham-by-Sea | June 1944 | To Sea Cadet Corps in March 1946; sold 19 February 1958. |
| MTB 748 | William Osbourne, Littlehampton | 19 February 1944 | To Royal Canadian Navy from February 1944 to May 1945; to Sea Cadet Corps at Barnes in March 1945; sold 20 May 1955. |
| MTB 749 | William Osbourne, Littlehampton | 4 April 1944 | To Ship Target Trials in 1946. |
| MTB 750 | A. M. Dickie & Sons, Bangor, Gwynedd | May 1944 | Became MTB 3002 in 1949, then MASB 3002 in 1953; to Sea Cadet Corps in 1956; sold 1967. |
| MTB 751 | Wallasea Bay Yacht Station, Wallasea Bay, near Rochford | 25 May 1944 | To Sea Cadet Corps at Poplar in October 1945; sold 23 January 1957. |
| MTB 752 | Dorset Yacht Company, Lake Road, Hamworthy, Poole | June 1944 | To Sea Cadet Corps in October 1945. |
| MTB 753 | Boat Construction Co., Falmouth | July 1944 | To Sea Cadet Corps at Bermondsey in November 1945; sold 22 October 1956. |
| MTB 754 | Solent Shipyards, Bursledon Bridge, Sarisbury Green, Hants | December 1944 | To Sea Cadet Corps at Connah's Quay in May 1946; sold 17 September 1954. |
| MTB 755 | J. W. & A. Upham, Brixham, Devon | September 1943 | To Sea Cadet Corps at Scarborough; sold 13 October 1955. |
| MTB 756 | Herbert Woods, Broads Haven, Potter Heigham, Great Yarmouth | 31 July 1944 | To Sea Cadet Corps at Kingston-upon-Hull in January 1946; sold 8 November 1954. |
| MTB 757 | P. K. Harris & Sons, New Quay Dry Docks, Appledore, Torridge | 29 June 1944 | To Sea Cadet Corps at Worcester in January 1946; sold 25 January 1952. |
| MTB 758 | Alex Robertson (Yachtbuilders) & Sons, Sandbank, Argyllshire | October 1944 | Became MTB 5031 in 1949, then sold 14 June 1956. |
| MTB 759 | Woodnutt & Co., St Helens, Isle of Wight | July 1944 | To Sea Cadet Corps at Barnstaple in April 1946; sold 25 November 1954. |
| MTB 760 | S. B. Hall, Galmpton, Brixham | September 1944 | To Sea Cadet Corps at Bristol in April 1946; sold 18 September 1958. |
| MTB 761 | Aldous Successors, Brightlingsea, Essex | 9 August 1944 | To Sea Cadet Corps at Chelmsford in January 1946; sold 25 March 1963. |
| MTB 762 | Brooke Marine, Oulton Broad, Lowestoft | 6 October 1944 | For disposal in October 1945. |
| MTB 763 | Cardnell Brothers, Maylandsea, Althorne, near Chelmsford | June 1944 | To Sea Cadet Corps at Stockton-on-Tees in January 1946; sold 17 May 1956. |
| MTB 764 | James A. Silver, Rosneath, Dumbartonshire | September 1944 | For disposal in May 1946. |
| MTB 765 | H. T. Percival, Yacht Station, Horning, Suffolk | 30 October 1944 | To Sea Cadet Corps at Sunbury-on-Thames in December 1945; sold 22 February 1955. |
| MTB 766 | Wallasea Bay Yacht Station, Wallasea Bay, near Rochford | 10 August 1944 | To Sea Cadet Corps at Clydebank in 1946; sold 10 February 1955. |
| MTB 767 | Boat Construction Co., Falmouth | 19 December 1944 | For disposal in January 1947. |
| MTB 768 | Thomson & Balfour, Victoria Saw Mills, Bo'ness | 26 August 1944 | To Sea Cadet Corps at Newark in December 1945; sold 30 November 1955. |
| MTB 769 | William King, Burnham-on-Crouch | June 1944 | To Sea Cadet Corps at Fareham in 1946; sold 24 April 1956. |
| MTB 770 | Leo A. Robinson, Oulton Broad, near Lowestoft | 11 December 1944 | To Sea Cadet Corps at Cleethorpes in April 1946; sold 26 November 1957. |
| MTB 771 | A. M. Dickie & Sons, Bangor, Gwynedd | 5 August 1944 | To Sea Cadet Corps at Southend-on-Sea in 1946; sold 25 November 1954. |
1943 Programme
editFinally, 58 more were ordered on 26 March 1943 as MTB 772 to MTB 800, and MTB 5001 to MTB 5029 (although MTB 5027 was cancelled, the only Fairmile order not to be built).
| Name | Ship Builder | Delivered | Fate |
|---|---|---|---|
| MTB 772 | Risdon Beazley, Clausentum Yard, Northam Bridge, Southampton | 12 July 1944 | To Sea Cadet Corps at Chelsea in January 1946; sold 29 April 1955. |
| MTB 773 | Austins of East Ham, London E.6 | 29 June 1944 | To Ship Target Trials 1946; for disposal in October 1947. |
| MTB 774 | Sussex Shipbuilding Co., Shoreham-by-Sea | November 1944 | Sold 1948. |
| MTB 775 | S. B. Hall, Galmpton, Brixham | August 1944 | To Sea Cadet Corps in December 1945; sold 17 September 1954. |
| MTB 776 | Lady Bee, Shoreham-by-Sea, Sussex | August 1944 | Lost by fire and explosion on 14 February 1945 at Ostend. |
| MTB 777 | A. M. Dickie & Sons, Bangor, Gwynedd | 21 October 1944 | To Sea Cadet Corps at Peterborough in 1946; sold 15 November 1951. |
| MTB 778 | Dorset Yacht Company, Lake Road, Hamworthy, Poole | November 1944 | To Sea Cadet Corps at Purfleet in 1946; sold 25 July 1955. |
| MTB 779 | Woodnutt & Co., St Helens, Isle of Wight | 16 October 1944 | Became MTB 5032 in 1949; sold 16 January 1955. |
| MTB 780 | Kris Cruisers (1934), Riverside Yard, Ferryll Road, Isleworth | 11 January 1945 | Became MTB 5001 in 1949; sold 16 January 23 October 1957. |
| MTB 781 | J, S. Doig (Grimsby), Grimsby Docks | November 1944 | To Sea Cadet Corps at Penarth in April 1946; sold 22 July 1952. |
| MTB 782 | Wallasea Bay Yacht Station, Wallasea Bay, near Rochford | 25 October 1944 | Mined 29 Decewmber 1944 off the Schelde |
| MTB 783 | Cardnell Brothers, Maylandsea, Althorne, near Chelmsford | July 1945 | Sold 1947. |
| MTB 784 | Tough Bros, Teddington Wharf, Manor Road, Teddington | 29 September 1944 | Sold 7 January 1948. |
| MTB 785 | Brooke Marine, Oulton Broad, Lowestoft | 13 March 1945 | Became MTB 5033 in 1949; sold 17 October 1955. |
| MTB 786 | Solent Shipyards, Bursledon Bridge, Sarisbury Green, Hants | 12 July 1945 | Sold 1949. |
| MTB 787 | William Osbourne, Littlehampton | June 1944 | Became MTB 5034 in 1949; sold 17 June 1949. |
| MTB 788 | P. K. Harris & Sons, New Quay Dry Docks, Appledore, Torridge | 17 February 1945 | Lent to Sea Scouts in 1946; sold 18 June 1955. |
| MTB 789 | Risdon Beazley, Clausentum Yard, Northam Bridge, Southampton | 17 October 1944 | Lost by fire and explosion on 14 February 1945 at Ostend. |
| MTB 790 | Boat Construction Co., Falmouth | July 1945 | Became MTB 5003 (2nd of that number) in 1949; sold 25 November 1953. |
| MTB 791 | Thomson & Balfour, Victoria Saw Mills, Bo'ness | 4 November 1944 | Lost by fire and explosion on 14 February 1945 at Ostend. |
| MTB 792 | Tough Bros, Teddington Wharf, Manor Road, Teddington | 1 March 1945 | Sold 7 January 1948. |
| MTB 793 | Alex Robertson (Yachtbuilders) & Sons, Sandbank, Argyllshire | 5 March 1945 | Became MTB 5035 in 1949, then sold 25 April 1958. |
| MTB 794 | Herbert Woods, Broads Haven, Potter Heigham, Great Yarmouth | 22 December 1944 | Became MTB 5036 in 1949, then sold 24 April 1958. |
| MTB 795 | William Osbourne, Littlehampton | August 1944 | Became MTB 5037 in 1949; for disposal in 1952. |
| MTB 796 | John Sadd & Sons, Maldon, Essex | 31 October 1944 | Lent to Sea Scouts in 1946; sold July 1954. |
| MTB 797 | A. M. Dickie & Sons, Tarbert, Argyllshire | January 1945 | To Royal Canadian Navy from December 1944 to May 1945; for disposal in 1947. |
| MTB 798 | Austins of East Ham, London E.6 | 16 October 1944 | Lost by fire and explosion on 14 February 1945 at Ostend. |
| MTB 799 | H. T. Percival, Yacht Station, Horning, Suffolk | June 1945 | To Royal Air Force in July 1945 as Long Range Rescue Craft LRRC 001. |
| MTB 800 | Dorset Yacht Company, Lake Road, Hamworthy, Poole | July 1945 | To Royal Air Force in July 1945 as Long Range Rescue Craft LRRC 002. |
| MTB 5001 | Woodnutt & Co., St Helens, Isle of Wight | 18 December 1944 | Sunk 6/7 April 1945 in action in the North Sea. |
| MTB 5002 | Wallasea Bay Yacht Station, Wallasea Bay, near Rochford | December 1944 | Sold 1957. |
| MTB 5003 | James A. Silver, Rosneath, Dumbartonshire | July 1945 | Sold on 8 March 1948. |
| MTB 5004 | James A. Silver, Rosneath, Dumbartonshire | September 1945 | To Royal Air Force in September 1945 as Long Range Rescue Craft LRRC 003; to Sea Cadet Corps at Sittingbourne in 1949; sold June 1956. |
| MTB 5005 | William Osbourne, Littlehampton | 7 November 1944 | Sold 28 February 1952. |
| MTB 5006 | Boat Construction Co., Falmouth | August 1945 | To Royal Air Force in August 1945 as Long Range Rescue Craft LRRC 004. |
| MTB 5007 | S. B. Hall, Galmpton, Brixham | March 1945 | Sold 17 November 1950. |
| MTB 5008 | William King, Burnham-on-Crouch | June 1945 | Sold 20 July 1956. |
| MTB 5009 | Lady Bee, Shoreham-by-Sea, Sussex | 5 April 1945 | Sold 17 March 1956. |
| MTB 5010 | A. M. Dickie & Sons, Bangor, Gwynedd | January 1945 | Became MTB 3050 in 1949, then MASB 3050 in 1953; sold 20 July 1955. |
| MTB 5011 | Thomson & Balfour, Victoria Saw Mills, Bo'ness | 28 March 1945 | To Royal Air Force in March 1945 as Long Range Rescue Craft LRRC 005. |
| MTB 5012 | Austins of East Ham, London E.6 | March 1945 | To Royal Air Force in March 1945 as Long Range Rescue Craft LRRC 006. |
| MTB 5013 | Risdon Beazley, Clausentum Yard, Northam Bridge, Southampton | March 1945 | Became MTB 3053 in 1949, then MASB 3053 in 1953; to Sea Cadet Corps in 1957; sold March 1969. |
| MTB 5014 | Woodnutt & Co., St Helens, Isle of Wight | March 1945 | To Royal Air Force in March 1945 as Long Range Rescue Craft LRRC 007. |
| MTB 5015 | Cardnell Brothers, Maylandsea, Althorne, near Chelmsford | March 1945 | Sold 23 October 1957. |
| MTB 5016 | Wallasea Bay Yacht Station, Wallasea Bay, near Rochford | March 1945 | To Royal Air Force in March 1945 as Long Range Rescue Craft LRRC 008. |
| MTB 5017 | A. M. Dickie & Sons, Tarbert, Argyllshire | July 1945 | To Royal Air Force in July 1945 as Long Range Rescue Craft LRRC 009. |
| MTB 5018 | Alex Robertson (Yachtbuilders) & Sons, Sandbank, Argyllshire | July 1945 | To Royal Air Force in July 1945 as Long Range Rescue Craft LRRC 010. |
| MTB 5019 | Risdon Beazley, Clausentum Yard, Northam Bridge, Southampton | 13 April 1945 | To Royal Air Force in April 1945 as Long Range Rescue Craft LRRC 011. |
| MTB 5020 | John Sadd & Sons, Maldon, Essex | December 1944 | For disposal in December 1956; sold 18 September 1958. |
| MTB 5021 | P. K. Harris & Sons, New Quay Dry Docks, Appledore, Torridge | 9 July 1945 | To Royal Air Force in July 1945 as Long Range Rescue Craft LRRC 012. |
| MTB 5022 | Tough Bros, Teddington Wharf, Manor Road, Teddington | 19 April 1945 | To Royal Air Force in April 1945 as Long Range Rescue Craft LRRC 013. |
| MTB 5023 | S. B. Hall, Galmpton, Brixham | 14 July 1945 | To Royal Air Force in July 1945 as Long Range Rescue Craft LRRC 014; to Sea Cadet Corps in 1948; sold 18 September 1958. |
| MTB 5024 | A. M. Dickie & Sons, Bangor, Gwynedd | 5 May 1945 | To Royal Air Force in May 1945 as Long Range Rescue Craft LRRC 015. |
| MTB 5025 | Wallasea Bay Yacht Station, Wallasea Bay, near Rochford | August 1945 | To Royal Air Force in August 1945 as Long Range Rescue Craft LRRC 016. |
| MTB 5026 | John Sadd & Sons, Maldon, Essex | 17 March 1945 | To Royal Air Force in March 1945 as Long Range Rescue Craft LRRC 017. |
| MTB 5027 | Risdon Beazley, Clausentum Yard, Northam Bridge, Southampton | not built | Cancelled in December 1944. |
| MTB 5028 | Woodnutt & Co., St Helens, Isle of Wight | May 1945 | To Royal Air Force in May 1945 as Long Range Rescue Craft LRRC 018. |
| MTB 5029 | Thomson & Balfour, Victoria Saw Mills, Bo'ness | 12 July 1945 | To Royal Air Force in July 1945 as Long Range Rescue Craft LRRC 019. |
History
edit
.
Unlike the Fairmile B designs (many of which were built overseas), the "Dog Boats" were only produced in component form in Britain. Some were built for the RAF Marine Branch for use in the long range air-sea rescue role for downed airmen. Altogether, 229 boats were ordered (and 228 built) between 1942 and 1945.
Many versions were produced or converted from existing boats; MGB, MTB, MA/SB, LRRC and post-war FPB.
Since the Fairmile D could be fitted out with a mix of armament that gave it the capabilities of both a motor gunboat and a motor torpedo boat, later-war examples were all completed with a heavy combined armament and universally classified as MTBs. By 1944, the MGB designation was largely dropped by the RN and most of the mid-war (earlier model) Type Ds which had survived were reclassified as MTBs even if they lacked torpedo armament. Mediterranean-based MGBs, however, seem to have retained their MGB pennant numbers to the end of the war. [disputed – discuss]
Two captured boats were put into Kriegsmarine service.
Today the D-type is a popular choice among boat modelers.[citation needed]
There are no known survivors, other than two abandoned wrecks, one in Chatham, England and the other in Ellingsøy, Norway.
See also
editNotes
edit- ^ Reynolds, Leonard C. Dog Boats at War: Royal Navy D Class MTBs and MGBs, 1939–1945. 2000. ISBN 978-0-7509-1443-7
- ^ Svensholt, Hans K. "The Norwegian Navy in the Second World War". RESDAL. Red de Seguridad y Defensa de America Latina. Retrieved 3 November 2023.
References
edit- Friedman, Norman, British Coastal Forces: Two World Wars and After. 2023, Seaforth Publishing ISBN 978-1-3990-1858-6
- Lambert, John. Fairmile D Motor Torpedo Boat. (Anatomy of the Ship series) 1985 ISBN 978-1-84486-006-7
- Lambert, John and Ross, Al. Allied Coastal Forces of World War Two, Volume I : Fairmile designs and US Submarine Chasers. 1990. ISBN 978-0-85177-519-7
- Konstam, Angus (2003). British Motor Torpedo Boat 1939–45. New Vanguard No. 74. Osprey Publishing. ISBN 978-1-84176-500-6.
- Konstam, Angus (2010). British Motor Gun Boat 1939-45. New Vanguard No. 166. Osprey Publishing. ISBN 978-1-84908-077-4.
- Gardiner, Robert; Chesneau, Roger, eds. (1980). Conway's All The World's Fighting Ships 1922–1946. London: Conway Maritime Press. ISBN 0-85177-146-7.
- North, A. J. D. Royal Naval Coastal Forces 1939-1945. 1972, Almark Publishing Co. ISBN 978-0-85524-068-4
- Reynolds, Leonard C. (2002) [1955]. Motor Gunboat 658: The Small Boat War in the Mediterranean. Cassell Military. ISBN 0-304-36183-6.
External links
edit
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