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MTB 102
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MTB 102
MTB 102 taking part in the Thames Diamond Jubilee Pageant for Queen Elizabeth II's diamond jubilee
History
RN EnsignUnited Kingdom
BuilderVosper Ltd, Portsmouth
Laid down1936
Launched1937
Identification
StatusHeritage vessel
General characteristics
TypeMotor Torpedo Boat
Length68 ft (21 m)
Beam14 ft 9 in (4.50 m)
Draught3 ft 9 in (1.14 m)
Propulsion3 1,150hp Isotta Fraschini IF 183 57-litre petrol W18 engines: 3,450 hp (2.57 MW)
Speed48 knots (89 km/h) unloaded, 43 knots (80 km/h) loaded and armed
Complement2 officers, 10 men
Armament2 × 21 inch (530 mm) torpedo tubes

MTB 102 is one of the few surviving motor torpedo boats that served with the Coastal Forces of the Royal Navy in the Second World War. She was built as a prototype but was purchased and taken into service by the Admiralty.

She was the smallest vessel to ever serve as a flagship for the Royal Navy.[1]

Construction

[edit]

Designed by Commander Peter Du Cane, the managing director of Vosper Ltd, in 1936. She was launched and completed at Portsmouth in 1937, bought by the Admiralty, and taken into service with the Royal Navy as MTB 102, the 100 series denoting a prototype vessel. She had an all-wood hull, described as "double diagonal Honduras mahogany on Canadian rock elm".

Besides the torpedo tubes she was built with, depth charges, machine guns, and the Swiss Oerlikon 20 mm anti-aircraft cannon were all tested on her.

MTB 102 was the fastest wartime British naval vessel in service at 48 knots.

Wartime service

[edit]

From 1939 to 1940, she was stationed in the English Channel. During Operation Dynamo (the evacuation from Dunkirk, May–June 1940), she crossed the channel eight times. She acted as flagship for Rear Admiral Wake-Walker when his flagship, destroyer HMS Keith, was disabled.

In 1943, she was transferred to the Army's 615 Water Transport Company, RASC, and renamed Vimy.

In 1944, she carried Winston Churchill and General Dwight D. Eisenhower to review the fleet for Operation Overlord, the invasion of Normandy.

Postwar service

[edit]

MTB 102 was sold off after the war and converted to a private motor cruiser on the North Sea.

In April 1966, in an unseaworthy condition and partially converted into a houseboat, Derek Brown bought her from Robinson's boatyard Oulton Broad. Brown single-handedly completed extensive work and eventually relaunched MTB 102.

In 1973, she was acquired by the 1st Blofield and Brundall Sea Scouts of Norfolk, whose care she remained until 1995, when ownership passed to the MTB102 Trust. The vessel came with the purchase of the plot of land used as the group's water base at Brundall Marina on Hobros Dyke.

In 1976, she was refurbished by a film company for use in the film The Eagle Has Landed and in the Dutch film Soldier of Orange the following year.[2][3]

In 1977, she appeared in Queen Elizabeth II's Silver Jubilee pageant on the River Thames.

In 1983 and 1990, extensive structural repair was carried out on the hull and decks, totalling around £70,000.[4]

Since 1979, she has appeared several times at Navy Days and is now listed as part of the National Historic Fleet.

The MTB 102 Trust was established in 1996 to fund the operation and maintenance of MTB 102; it is a registered charity under English law.[5]

Several changes in engines have occurred over her life. The original Italian Isotta Fraschini engines became difficult to maintain during the early part of the war as Italy allied with Germany. However, they lasted until replaced after the war when MTB 102 was converted to civilian use. In 1985, Perkins Ltd donated two turbocharged diesel engines, and in 1996 and 2002, Cummins Marine provided new engines.[4]

102 appeared as herself in the 2017 war film Dunkirk.

See also

[edit]

Citations

[edit]
  1. ^ CBC Newsworld; Queen Elizabeth II, Diamond Jubilee, River Pageant, televised coverage; airdate: 2012 June 3
  2. ^ "MTB 102". The Association of Dunkirk Little Ships. Archived from the original on 9 September 2022. Retrieved 23 March 2023.
  3. ^ Association of Dunkirk Little Ships page
  4. ^ a b "MTB 102". MTB 102 Charity. 26 May 2016. Retrieved 25 August 2016.
  5. ^ "MTB 102 TRUST, registered charity no. 1114950". Charity Commission for England and Wales.

References

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[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

MTB 102

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from Grokipedia
MTB 102 is a historic built in 1937 by Vosper Limited as a prototype private venture, representing the first of the of such vessels in the Royal Navy. It served with the Coastal Forces during , primarily in the , where it participated in the by making eight crossings to rescue Allied troops in 1940. As the smallest and fastest in the Royal at the time of its commissioning, MTB 102 measured approximately 68 feet in length and achieved speeds up to 48 knots (unloaded), powered by three engines. Originally armed with two 21-inch tubes, two machine guns, and depth charges, it was designed for high-speed coastal attacks against enemy shipping. During its wartime service, it also functioned briefly as a for a , underscoring its versatility despite its compact size. Post-war, MTB 102 faced scrapping but was preserved through efforts by enthusiasts, including the formation of the MTB 102 Trust in 1996 to fund its restoration and maintenance. As of 2025, it is recognized as part of the in the and operates as a , offering tours and sea trips to educate the public on its role in naval history. One of only a handful of surviving motor torpedo boats from , it remains a symbol of innovative British warship design and wartime resilience.

Design and development

Origins and prototype role

In the of the 1930s, the Royal Navy sought to develop fast coastal attack craft capable of engaging enemy submarines and warships in littoral waters, driven by evolving threats from rearming European powers and lessons from coastal operations. These vessels were envisioned as agile alternatives to larger destroyers, prioritizing high speed and torpedo armament for while being easier and cheaper to produce in numbers. MTB 102 originated as a private venture by Vosper Ltd., designed in 1936 by Commander Peter Du Cane, the company's managing director, to demonstrate advanced concepts. Building on Vosper's prior experimental designs and the legacy of Coastal Motor Boats, the project emphasized lightweight construction and powerful propulsion to achieve superior speeds over conventional warships. The Admiralty recognized the potential and formally ordered the vessel on 7 December 1936, designating it as the prototype for the 100-series motor torpedo boats to evaluate innovative tactics and engineering for coastal forces. Following successful sea trials on in 1937, the Admiralty purchased MTB 102, commissioning it into service in 1938 as the Royal Navy's first purpose-built . This acquisition validated the private venture's approach, influencing subsequent designs and establishing MTB 102's role in proving the viability of small, high-speed craft.

Key design features

The hull of MTB 102 was constructed using double diagonal Honduras planking over Canadian rock elm frames, providing a yet robust structure optimized for high-speed planing and delivery in coastal environments. This all-wood design contributed to the boat's agility and reduced weight, essential for rapid maneuvers during nighttime attacks. Key innovative elements included a shallow draft enabling operations in near-shore waters, an enclosed wheelhouse for protected command during rough conditions, and modular side deck platforms adapted for flexible weapon mounting and testing. These features allowed MTB 102, as a , to serve as a versatile testbed while maintaining operational effectiveness in confined littoral zones. The propulsion system featured three Italian petrol engines arranged in a triple layout, driving the boat to planing speeds with enhanced stability through its hard-chine hull form. This configuration minimized hydrodynamic drag and wake signature, critical for stealthy approaches in torpedo missions. Armament integration centered on two 21-inch torpedo tubes mounted on scalloped side decks, angled for optimal launch, with built-in provisions for evaluating additional systems such as depth charges, machine guns, and anti-submarine equipment like the . This modular approach facilitated rapid reconfiguration during trials, underscoring MTB 102's role in advancing coastal strike capabilities.

Construction and specifications

Building process

MTB 102 was laid down in late 1936 at Vosper Ltd in , , as a private venture prototype designed to demonstrate advanced coastal strike capabilities. Designed by Peter Du Cane of Vosper Ltd. The vessel was launched and completed in , prior to its acquisition by the Admiralty. Construction involved hand-crafting a wooden hull with double diagonal planking over a frame of Canadian rock , a method that emphasized lightweight strength suitable for high-speed operations. Three Italian 57-litre petrol engines, each rated at 1,100 horsepower, were installed in the engine room to provide the necessary propulsion for the prototype's performance goals. Electrical systems for power distribution and basic navigational equipment, including compasses, were integrated during assembly to support operational testing. For its role as a prototype, MTB 102 was outfitted with temporary weapon mounts, initially featuring a single bow that was later adapted to twin 21-inch side-firing tubes, along with instrumentation such as speed logs and data recorders for conducting trials on . Following early sea trials that revealed issues with engine reliability and handling, modifications including adjustments to the propulsion setup were made at the yard. The boat was formally handed over to the Royal Navy and commissioned on 26 May 1938.

Technical specifications

MTB 102 measured 68 feet (21 m) in overall length, with a beam of 14 feet 9 inches (4.50 m) and a draught of 3 feet 9 inches (1.14 m). These dimensions reflected its compact design optimized for high-speed coastal operations, constructed with a double-diagonal hull on rock frames for lightweight strength. The boat was powered by three 57-litre petrol W18 engines, each rated at 1,100 horsepower, providing a total output of 3,300 horsepower. This propulsion system enabled maximum speeds of 48 knots when unloaded and 43 knots when fully loaded and armed, making it the fastest British naval vessel in wartime service. Fuel capacity consisted of three Admiralty brass tanks, each holding 330 imperial gallons, for a total of 990 imperial gallons; at full throttle, consumption was approximately 230 imperial gallons per hour. This yielded a range of about 240 nautical miles. The standard complement was two officers and eight enlisted men. Armament comprised two 21-inch (533 mm) torpedo tubes positioned amidships, angled slightly outward; as an experimental vessel, it carried no fixed secondary weapons such as machine guns at commissioning. The hard-chine hull form facilitated planing at speed, offering adequate seaworthiness for inshore duties but limiting performance in heavy weather due to the emphasis on velocity over stability.

Wartime service

Early operations (1939–1940)

Acquired by the Admiralty in October 1937, MTB 102 underwent further fitting out and was commissioned into the Royal Navy's Coastal Forces in May 1938 as an experimental , initially undergoing trials at HMS Vernon in . Based there through 1938 and into 1939, the vessel participated in evaluations of its high-speed capabilities and armament, including two 21-inch torpedo tubes and a twin mounting, which allowed for rapid anti-shipping strikes. Early operations highlighted reliability concerns with its three petrol engines, prompting a refit in 1938 that replaced the original units to improve performance in varied sea conditions. As commenced in September 1939, MTB 102 shifted to operational duties in the , serving with the 5th for anti-shipping patrols and missions against emerging German naval activity. Crewed by two officers and eight ratings, she conducted escort duties for coastal convoys and monitored potential threats from U-boats and surface raiders, contributing to the Royal Navy's pre-invasion defenses along the southern coast. These patrols, often in challenging winter weather, underscored ongoing engine vulnerabilities in rough seas, where the units occasionally suffered from overheating and maintenance demands, necessitating minor adjustments at . By early 1940, MTB 102 relocated to Dover under the command of Dreyer, intensifying its role in Channel patrols amid rising tensions with German incursions. Minor skirmishes occurred during these missions, including brief encounters with enemy , though no major engagements were recorded before the fall of . Her speed of up to 48 knots proved invaluable for evasion and interception, bolstering British efforts to secure the Channel approaches against invasion threats.

Dunkirk evacuation

MTB 102 was ordered to the Dunkirk area on 27 May 1940, arriving on 28 May, as part of , the Allied evacuation effort to rescue trapped British Expeditionary Force and French troops from the beaches and harbor under threat from advancing German forces. Over the following eight days, the vessel completed eight crossings of the between Dover and , ferrying troops back to safety despite the hazardous conditions. During these missions, MTB 102 contributed to the rescue of several hundred soldiers, leveraging its shallow draft to approach the beaches closely and embark troops directly from the sand. A pivotal incident occurred on 1 June when MTB 102 was present during a air attack that sank the destroyer , Frederic Wake-Walker's , with a bomb from a Stuka . Wake-Walker and his staff transferred to MTB 102, which then served as his temporary for the final two nights of the evacuation, directing operations from the harbor with a makeshift admiral's flag fashioned from a naval dishcloth and red paint by the crew. The boat endured near-misses from bombing runs throughout its sorties, including evasive maneuvers to avoid strafing and explosive impacts in the crowded evacuation zone. MTB 102 navigated perilous waters cluttered with minefields, submerged wrecks, and screens intended to protect the evacuation but also complicating shallow-water access. Its high speed, exceeding 40 knots, provided a critical advantage in making rapid runs to the beaches under fire and evading threats, allowing it to operate effectively where larger warships could not. As one of the third-to-last warships to depart harbor before its final blocking, MTB 102 sustained minor damage from near-hits and debris but underwent quick repairs upon return to Dover, enabling its prompt recommissioning for further service.

Later roles (1940–1945)

Following the , where MTB 102 demonstrated reliability as a command vessel, it underwent refits to enhance its operational capabilities for continued service in the . These modifications addressed wear from intensive early-war duties, allowing the boat to resume patrols against enemy coastal traffic and threats from 1940 through 1942, primarily based at HMS Hornet in . In 1943, MTB 102 was transferred to the Royal Army Service Corps' 615 Water Transport Company and renamed , serving in a training capacity on as a high-speed utility craft for personnel transport and exercises. Despite this shift, it retained its naval armament, including twin .50-inch machine guns and tubes, with minor upgrades to depth charges for anti-submarine roles. By 1944, (MTB 102) was selected for its speed and seaworthiness to act as a flagship for high-profile operations, carrying Prime Minister and General on June 4 to review the assembled Allied fleet in prior to . This inspection underscored the vessel's trusted status for sensitive command duties. During the on June 6, 1944, MTB 102 supported the invasion by conducting anti-submarine screening patrols and maintaining torpedo standby readiness off the invasion beaches, crossing the Channel multiple times to escort and protect the assault convoys from threats. Wartime service concluded in early 1945, with MTB 102 decommissioned after accumulating extensive operational mileage in coastal and cross-Channel missions, having received only incremental weaponry enhancements like improved mounts to sustain its versatility.

Postwar service

Transfer to Army and final military use

In 1943, following her naval service in coastal operations, MTB 102 was transferred to the British Army's 615 Transport Company of the Royal Army Service Corps (RASC) and renamed . Under Army control, she was repurposed from her original configuration for non-combat utility roles, including high-speed personnel transport as a "staff car" on estuary and target towing duties to support gunnery training for tank crews practicing against seaborne targets. Her armament, including torpedo tubes that had been partially modified earlier in the war, was further demilitarized to suit these safer training and transport functions, emphasizing speed and reliability over offensive capabilities. In , notably served as an inspection vessel, ferrying Prime Minister and General to review the D-Day invasion fleet assembled in . As the war in concluded, was returned to custody in March 1945, where she was stripped of engines and remaining military equipment in preparation for surplus disposal. She was decommissioned and sold on 2 for civilian use.

Initial civilian conversions

Following the end of , MTB 102 was sold by the Admiralty in 1945 to Nigel Parkinson, who stripped the vessel of its military armament and converted it into a private motor . The torpedo tubes and 20 mm Oerlikon cannon were removed, and the original three petrol engines were replaced with two more economical Perkins P6 diesel engines to suit civilian leisure use. In 1948, the boat was acquired by John Van der Ould and used extensively by his family as a private yacht for cruises around the North Sea during the 1950s and early 1960s. These voyages highlighted its adaptation from a high-speed war vessel to a reliable gentleman's cruiser, with internal spaces repurposed for comfortable passenger accommodations. By the mid-1960s, neglect had led to significant deterioration, prompting its sale in 1966 to Derek Brown, who intended a brief phase as a houseboat before the vessel required salvage. Early restoration efforts began around this time as attempts were made to address the decay and preserve its structure.

Preservation and legacy

Restoration history

In 1966, MTB 102 was purchased by Derek Brown from Robinson's boatyard at Oulton Broad, where it had been laid up in a derelict condition following civilian use. Brown undertook significant restoration efforts single-handedly, including hull repairs and engine overhauls, to return the vessel to a seaworthy state, though initially intended for use as a . By 1973, the Blofield and Brundall acquired MTB 102 along with a plot of land on the Norfolk Broads, converting it into a floating for activities. During this period from 1973 to 1995, the vessel underwent further modifications to suit educational programs, such as adaptations for safe operation by young trainees, and was refurbished in 1976 by Kelso Films for use in the film The Eagle Has Landed, which enhanced its structural integrity and operational capability before its return to Scout use. In 1983, extensive repairs to the decks and hull were carried out by Fred Newson at Oulton Broad to address ongoing wear. The MTB 102 Trust was formed in as a registered charity (number 1114950) to oversee the vessel's preservation, maintenance, and operational funding, taking ownership in April of that year following the ' tenure. Key refurbishments in the 1990s included engine upgrades, with turbo-charged V8 diesels installed in 1985 by Perkins Engines Ltd. of , followed by the replacement of the seized port engine in June and the starboard engine in 1997, both sourced from Marine's Diamond Series. Woodwork restoration efforts complemented these mechanical works, ensuring the hull and deck planking were reinforced, as exemplified by a £50,000 in 1990 for structural improvements. These efforts culminated in MTB 102's certification as part of the by National Historic Ships , recognizing its status as one of the few surviving WWII Royal Navy coastal vessels still afloat.

Modern operations and cultural impact

MTB 102 is currently berthed at Newson’s Yard in , , where it operates as a fully seaworthy heritage vessel under the stewardship of the MTB 102 Trust. Equipped with twin L10 600hp diesel engines installed in 2002, the boat achieves speeds up to 27 knots and undergoes annual winter refits from to at Oulton Broad, , to maintain its operational condition through volunteer labor and targeted sponsorships. It offers charters, guided tours during refit periods, and participation in maritime events, including regular crossings for the Association of Dunkirk Little Ships' annual commemorative returns, such as the 2020 voyage from 21-25 May. The vessel has made notable cultural appearances, including a starring role in the 1976 film The Eagle Has Landed, where it was refurbished for authenticity, and in television documentaries like ’s Classic Ships, ITV’s Vintage and Veteran, and ’s War Walks. It participated in royal pageants on the River Thames, serving as a during Queen Elizabeth II's in 1977 and leading the Association of Dunkirk Little Ships flotilla at the 2012 Pageant in the presence of the Queen. Additional high-profile events include the 2005 International sail-past at and the 2020 400 celebrations on 15-16 August. As a symbol of Coastal Forces innovation during , MTB 102 holds significant legacy value as one of the few surviving motor torpedo boats from the era and the only known vessel from the still in operation. Listed on the UK's , it plays an educational role in promoting awareness of WWII maritime history through public demonstrations and historical reenactments. The MTB 102 Trust, established as a registered charity (No. 1114950), funds its upkeep via donations and events, channeling proceeds toward preservation efforts and broader heritage initiatives. Recent developments underscore its active role in commemorations, including a visit to in September 2012 for public displays. As of 2024, the MTB 102 Trust continues to maintain and operate the vessel, with the charity remaining active. Future plans involve potential exhibits within a powerboat collection at Newson’s Yard, enhancing its accessibility for educational and charitable purposes.
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