Fairmile D motor torpedo boat explained

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.

Boats

1941 Original Programme

The 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.

NameShip BuilderDeliveredFate
MGB 601Tough Bros, Teddington Wharf, Manor Road, Teddington9 March 1941Sunk in action on 24 July 1942 in the Dover Strait.
MGB 602Kris Cruisers (1934), Riverside Yard, Ferryll Road, IsleworthAugust 1942To Sea Cadet Corps in October 1945; sold 21 February 1956.
MGB 603Tough Bros, Teddington Wharf, Manor Road, Teddington25 July 1942For disposal October 1945.
MGB 604A. M. Dickie & Sons, Bangor, Gwynedd24 July 1942For disposal October 1945.
MGB 605William Osbourne, Littlehampton16 June 1942Sunk 17 February 1945 in collision with a wreck off Ostend.
MGB 606Wallasea Bay Yacht Station, Wallasea Bay, near Rochford7 July 1942Sunk in action on 3/4 November 1943 off the Dutch coast.
MGB 607James A. Silver, Rosneath, DumbartonshireJune 1942For disposal October 1945.
MGB 608James A. Silver, Rosneath, DumbartonshireAugust 1942For disposal in January 1946.
MGB 609William King, Burnham-on-Crouch9 June 1942To Sea Cadet Corps in October 1945; sold ca. 1952.
MGB 610Woodnutt & Co., St Helens, Isle of Wight30 June 1942To Sea Cadet Corps at Falmouth in April 1946; to Weymouth August 1950;
for disposal in January 1964.
MGB 611'Brooke Marine, Oulton Broad, Lowestoft15 September 1942Sold for disposal in 1946.
MGB 612S. B. Hall, Galmpton, Brixham10 July 1942To Sea Cadet Corps in December 1945; for disposal in July 1948.
MGB 613S. B. Hall, Galmpton, Brixham9 September 1942For disposal in October 1946.
MGB 614Woodnutt & Co., St Helens, Isle of Wight6 August 1942For disposal in November 1945.
MGB 615A. M. Dickie & Sons, Tarbert, Argyllshire24 July 1942For disposal October 1945.
MGB 616William Osbourne, Littlehampton19 August 1942To Sea Cadet Corps at Exeter in 1947; for disposal in 1955.
MGB 617William Osbourne, Littlehampton8 October 1942To Sea Scouts in 1946; sold 7 July 1953.
MGB 618P. K. Harris & Sons, New Quay Dry Docks, Appledore, Torridge27 June 1942To Royal Norwegian Navy June 1942 to 1944; for disposal in January 1946.
MGB 619Dorset Yacht Company, Lake Road, Hamworthy, Poole23 August 1942To Royal Norwegian Navy August 1942 to July 1944; for disposal in October 1945.
MGB 620A. M. Dickie & Sons, Bangor, Gwynedd6 September 1942To Royal Norwegian Navy November 1942 to August 1943;
for disposal in March 1946.
MGB 621James A. Silver, Rosneath, DumbartonshireOctober 1942To Sea Cadet Corps in April 1946, sold on 10 February 1955.
MGB 622Brooke Marine, Oulton Broad, Lowestoft10 November 1942Sunk 10 March 1943 by German destroyers off Terschelling.
MGB 623Wallasea Bay Yacht Station, Wallasea Bay, near Rochford27 August 1942To Royal Norwegian Navy 1942 to 1944; for disposal in May 1947.
MGB 624Dorset Yacht Company, Lake Road, Hamworthy, Poole19 October 1942To Sea Cadet Corps at Aberystwyth in December 1945; for disposal in May 1964.
MGB 625Alex Robertson (Yachtbuilders) & Sons, Sandbank, Argyllshire4 September 1942To Royal Norwegian Navy 1942; lost 1944 in Scottish waters.
MGB 626Tough Bros, Teddington Wharf, Manor Road, Teddington24 July 1941To Royal Norwegian Navy in June 1942;
lost 22 November 1943 by explosion off Lerwick.
MGB 627P. K. Harris & Sons, New Quay Dry Docks, Appledore, Torridge7 October 1942To Royal Norwegian Navy September 1942 to 1944; for disposal in April 1945.
MGB 628J. W. & A. Upham, Brixham, DevonNovember 1942For disposal in October 1945.
MGB 629A. M. Dickie & Sons, Tarbert, Argyllshire1 December 1942For disposal in October 1945.
MGB 630Alex Robertson (Yachtbuilders) & Sons, Sandbank, Argyllshire5 November 1942To Sea Cadet Corps 1945; sold by 1949.
MGB 631William King, Burnham-on-CrouchAugust 1942To Royal Norwegian Navy in 1942;
stranded 14 March 1943 on Norwegian coast and captured by Germans.
MGB 632Kris Cruisers (1934), Riverside Yard, Ferryll Road, IsleworthDecember 1942For disposal in October 1945.
MGB 633Dorset Yacht Company, Lake Road, Hamworthy, Poole23 November 1942Lost on 30 January 1946 on passage from Malta to Alexandria.
MGB 634William Osbourne, Littlehampton27 November 1942Lost on 30 January 1946 on passage from Malta to Alexandria.
MGB 635Boat Construction Co., FalmouthNovember 1942Damaged in 1944 and reported in July 1945 as sunk as target off Malta.
MGB 636James A. Silver, Rosneath, DumbartonshireJanuary 1943Sunk in error by MGB 658 in action off Elba.
MGB 637Alex Robertson (Yachtbuilders) & Sons, Sandbank, ArgyllshireJanuary 1943Lost on 30 January 1946 on passage from Malta to Alexandria.
MGB 638A. M. Dickie & Sons, Bangor, Gwynedd14 December 1942Lost on 30 January 1946 on passage from Malta to Alexandria.
MGB 639Brooke Marine, Oulton Broad, Lowestoft9 March 1943Sunk 28 April 1943 by Italian torpedo boat Sagittario off Pantellaria.
MGB 640Wallasea Bay Yacht Station, Wallasea Bay, near Rochford1 November 1942Sunk by mines 26/27 June 1944 off Vada, Italy.

1941 Supplemental Programme

A 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):

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.

Ship builderDeliveredFate
Thomson & Balfour, Victoria Saw Mills, Bo'ness29 December 1942Sunk in action on 14/15 July 1943 by shore batteries in the Strait of Messina.
MGB 642P. K. Harris & Sons, New Quay Dry Docks, Appledore, Torridge7 March 1943Lost on 30 January 1946 on passage from Malta to Alexandria.
MGB 643Woodnutt & Co., St Helens, Isle of Wight22 December 1942Lost on 30 January 1946 on passage from Malta to Alexandria.
MGB 644Tough Bros, Teddington Wharf, Manor Road, TeddingtonDecember 1942Mined 26 June 1943 off Sicily and scuttled.
MGB 645S. B. Hall, Galmpton, BrixhamDecember 1942For disposal in August 1945.
MGB 646Risdon Beazley, Clausentum Yard, Northam Bridge, Southampton19 November 1942For disposal in August 1945.
MGB 647A. M. Dickie & Sons, Bangor, Gwynedd24 February 1943Scuttled in September 1946 off Malta.
MGB 648Dorset Yacht Company, Lake Road, Hamworthy, Poole10 January 1943Bombed 14 June 1943 in Central Mediterranean.
MGB 649Risdon Beazley, Clausentum Yard, Northam Bridge, Southampton7 January 1943For disposal in September 1945 in the Mediterranean.
MGB 650Boat Construction Co., FalmouthJanuary 1943To Royal Air Force in 1945 as Long Range Rescue Craft LRRC 020.
MGB 651Tough Bros, Teddington Wharf, Manor Road, TeddingtonJanuary 1943For disposal in September 1945 in the Mediterranean.
MGB 652S. B. Hall, Galmpton, Brixham25 January 1943For disposal in October 1945 in the Mediterranean.
MGB 653Alex Robertson (Yachtbuilders) & Sons, Sandbank, ArgyllshireMarch 1943To Royal Norwegian Navy 1943 to 1944; for disposal in December 1945.
MGB 654Lady Bee, Shoreham-by-Sea, Sussex19 February 1943Damaged 1944 and for disposal in January 1945.
MGB 655William Osbourne, LittlehamptonJanuary 1943Mined on 22 March 1945 in the Mediterranean.
MGB 656Wallasea Bay Yacht Station, Wallasea Bay, near Rochford24 December 1942For disposal in September 1945 in the Mediterranean.
MGB 657Woodnutt & Co., St Helens, Isle of Wight9 February 1943Constructive total loss by mine 11/12 September 1943 in the Mediterranean;
broken up in December 1944.
MGB 658J. W. & A. Upham, Brixham, DevonApril 1943Lost on 30 January 1946 on passage from Malta to Alexandria.
MGB 659Boat Construction Co., FalmouthMay 1943Lost on 30 January 1946 on passage from Malta to Alexandria.
MGB 660Brooke Marine, Oulton Broad, Lowestoft21 April 1943For disposal in February 1946.
MGB 661Alex Robertson (Yachtbuilders) & Sons, Sandbank, ArgyllshireMay 1943For disposal in June 1946.
MGB 662Dorset Yacht Company, Lake Road, Hamworthy, Poole8 April 1943For disposal in February 1946.
MGB 663William Osbourne, Littlehampton8 March 1943Mined on 10 October 1944 in the Adriatic.
MGB 674 (a) Tough Bros, Teddington Wharf, Manor Road, Teddington6 May 1943For disposal in June 1946.
Note: (a) 674 was the final boat ordered as a MGB, and is thus shown out of numerical sequence.
NameShip builderDeliveredFate
MTB 664A. M. Dickie & Sons, Tarbert, Argyllshire1 April 1943To Royal Air Force in 1944 as Long Range Rescue Craft,
renumbered LRRC 021 in 1945.
MTB 665P. K. Harris & Sons, New Quay Dry Docks, Appledore, Torridge5 May 1943Sunk in action on 15 August 1943 by shore batteries in the Strait of Messina.
MTB 666Dorset Yacht Company, Lake Road, Hamworthy, Poole10 June 1943Sunk in action off Ijmuiden on 4/5 July 1944.
MTB 667William King, Burnham-on-Crouch28 December 1942For disposal in September 1945 to July 1946 in the Mediterranean.
MTB 668Thomson & Balfour, Victoria Saw Mills, Bo'ness26 March 1943To Sea Cadet Corps in December 1945.
MTB 669Lady Bee, Shoreham-by-Sea, Sussex29 April 1943Sunk 26 October 1943 in action off Norway.
MTB 670Wallasea Bay Yacht Station, Wallasea Bay, near Rochford7 March 1943Lost on 30 January 1946 on passage from Malta to Alexandria.
MTB 671A. M. Dickie & Sons, Bangor, Gwynedd16 May 1943Sunk in action on 24 April 1944 off Cape Barfleur.
MTB 672James A. Silver, Rosneath, DumbartonshireApril 1943For disposal in October 1945.
MTB 673Tough Bros, Teddington Wharf, Manor Road, TeddingtonJune 1943To Royal Air Force in 1945 as Long Range Rescue Craft LRRC 022.
MTB 675Alex Robertson (Yachtbuilders) & Sons, Sandbank, ArgyllshireJuly 1943To Royal Air Force in May 1945 as Long Range Rescue Craft LRRC 023.
MTB 676Risdon Beazley, Clausentum Yard, Northam Bridge, Southampton13 May 1943To Royal Air Force in June 1945 as Long Range Rescue Craft LRRC 024.
MTB 677S. B. Hall, Galmpton, BrixhamMay 1943To Royal Air Force in June 1945 as Long Range Rescue Craft LRRC 025.
MTB 678Boat Construction Co., FalmouthJuly 1943To Royal Air Force in June 1945 as Long Range Rescue Craft LRRC 026.
MTB 679A. M. Dickie & Sons, Bangor, GwyneddJuly 1943To Royal Air Force in June 1945 as Long Range Rescue Craft LRRC 027.
MTB 680Risdon Beazley, Clausentum Yard, Northam Bridge, SouthamptonApril 1943To Royal Air Force in June 1945 as Long Range Rescue Craft LRRC 028.
MTB 681Brooke Marine, Oulton Broad, Lowestoft20 July 1943Sunk in action on 10 June 1944 off the Dutch coast.
MTB 682Wallasea Bay Yacht Station, Wallasea Bay, near RochfordMay 1943To Royal Air Force in 1945 as Long Range Rescue Craft LRRC 029.
MTB 683James A. Silver, Rosneath, DumbartonshireJuly 1943To Royal Air Force in May 1945 as Long Range Rescue Craft LRRC 030.
MTB 684Woodnutt & Co., St Helens, Isle of Wight28 April 1943To Royal Air Force in 1945 as Long Range Rescue Craft LRRC 031.
MTB 685Dorset Yacht Company, Lake Road, Hamworthy, PooleJuly 1943For disposal in April 1949.
MTB 686William Osbourne, Littlehampton9 June 1943Lost on 22 November 1943 by fire at Lerwick.
MTB 687P. K. Harris & Sons, New Quay Dry Docks, Appledore, Torridge31 July 1943Paid off on 24 October 1944 for transfer to Royal Air Force
as Long Range Rescue Craft LRRC 032.
MTB 688A. M. Dickie & Sons, Tarbert, ArgyllshireJuly 1943To Royal Norwegian Navy from August 1943 to 1944;
to Royal Air Force in 1945 as Long Range Rescue Craft LRRC 034.
MTB 689S. B. Hall, Galmpton, BrixhamJuly 1943To Royal Air Force in June 1945 as Long Range Rescue Craft LRRC 033.
MTB 690Boat Construction Co., Falmouth15 September 1943Lost 18 January 1945 in collision with a wreck in the North Sea.
MTB 691Alex Robertson (Yachtbuilders) & Sons, Sandbank, ArgyllshireAugust 1943To Royal Air Force in May 1945 as Long Range Rescue Craft LRRC 035.
MTB 692Lady Bee, Shoreham-by-Sea, SussexJuly 1943To Royal Air Force in 1945 as Long Range Rescue Craft LRRC 036.
MTB 693William King, Burnham-on-CrouchMay 1943To Royal Air Force in May 1945 as Long Range Rescue Craft LRRC 037.
MTB 694Thomson & Balfour, Victoria Saw Mills, Bo'ness26 July 1943To Royal Air Force in May 1945 as Long Range Rescue Craft LRRC 038.
MTB 695Brooke Marine, Oulton Broad, Lowestoft30 October 1943To Royal Air Force in 1945 as Long Range Rescue Craft LRRC 039.
MTB 696Kris Cruisers (1934), Riverside Yard, Ferryll Road, Isleworth15 April 1943For disposal in October 1945.
MTB 697Woodnutt & Co., St Helens, Isle of WightJuly 1943Mined on 18 April 1945 in the Adriatic.
MTB 698Wallasea Bay Yacht Station, Wallasea Bay, near RochfordJuly 1943Lost on 30 January 1946 on passage from Malta to Alexandria.
MTB 699Dorset Yacht Company, Lake Road, Hamworthy, PooleOctober 1943For disposal October 1945 to July 1946 in the Mediterranean.
MTB 700William Osbourne, LittlehamptonJuly 1943Lost on 30 January 1946 on passage from Malta to Alexandria.

1942 Original Programme

Another 23 boats were ordered on 7 April 1942 as MTB 701 to MTB 723.

Ship builderDeliveredFate
MTB 701J. W. & A. Upham, Brixham, DevonOctober 1943To Sea Cadet Corps at Bideford in 1946.
MTB 702P. K. Harris & Sons, New Quay Dry Docks, Appledore, Torridge31 October 1943To Ship Target Trials in 1946.
MTB 703Tough Bros, Teddington Wharf, Manor Road, Teddington8 October 1943For disposal in September 1945 to July 1946 in the Mediterranean.
MTB 704William Osbourne, LittlehamptonNovember 1943To Royal Norwegian Navy in December 1944; for disposal in 1946.
MTB 705Risdon Beazley, Clausentum Yard, Northam Bridge, Southampton7 August 1943Mined on 23 March 1945 in the Adriatic.
MTB 706Risdon Beazley, Clausentum Yard, Northam Bridge, SouthamptonOctober 1943For disposal in September 1945 to July 1946 in the Mediterranean.
MTB 707Boat Construction Co., FalmouthNovember 1943Lost 18 April 1944 in collision with L'Escarmouche to north of Ireland.
MTB 708S. B. Hall, Galmpton, BrixhamNovember 1943Scuttled on 5 May 1944 after being bombed in error by Allied aircraft in the Channel.
MTB 709A. M. Dickie & Sons, Tarbert, ArgyllshireFebruary 1944To Royal Norwegian Navy 1944 to 1945; for disposal in January 1947.
MTB 710William Osbourne, Littlehampton18 September 1943Mined on 10 April 1945 in the Adriatic.
MTB 711Brooke Marine, Oulton Broad, Lowestoft2 April 1944To Royal Norwegian Navy 1944 to 1946 as Hauk; for disposal in 1947.
MTB 712Wallasea Bay Yacht Station, Wallasea Bay, near Rochford10 February 1944To Royal Norwegian Navy 1944 to July 1945; constructive total loss
by grounding in Scottish waters 25 January 1945; for disposal in July 1945.
MTB 713Dorset Yacht Company, Lake Road, Hamworthy, Poole10 December 1943To Royal Norwegian Navy 1944; sold in Norway in 1946.
MTB 714A. M. Dickie & Sons, Bangor, GwyneddOctober 1943To Sea Cadet Corps in April 1946; sold 18 November 1955.
MTB 715Woodnutt & Co., St Helens, Isle of Wight9 December 1943To Royal Norwegian Navy 1944; lost on 19 May 1`945 by explosion at Fosnavaag, Norway.
MTB 716James A. Silver, Rosneath, DumbartonshireApril 1944To Royal Norwegian Navy 1944; sold in Norway in 1946.
MTB 717A. M. Dickie & Sons, Bangor, Gwynedd1 February 1944To Royal Norwegian Navy 1944; sold in Norway in 1946.
MTB 718Alex Robertson (Yachtbuilders) & Sons, Sandbank, ArgyllshireMarch 1944To Sea Cadet Corps on the Tyne in 1946.
MTB 719Lady Bee, Shoreham-by-Sea, SussexFebruary 1944To Royal Norwegian Navy 1944; sold in Norway in 1946.
MTB 720William King, Burnham-on-CrouchNovember 1943To Royal Norwegian Navy 1944; sold in Norway in 1946.
MTB 721Cardnell Brothers, Maylandsea, Althorne, near Chelmsford15 October 1943To Royal Norwegian Navy 1944; sold in Norway in 1946.
MTB 722Thomson & Balfour, Victoria Saw Mills, Bo'nessMarch 1944To Royal Norwegian Navy 1944; sold in Norway in 1946.
MTB 723P. K. Harris & Sons, New Quay Dry Docks, Appledore, Torridge27 April 1944To Royal Norwegian Navy 1944; sold in Norway in 1946.

1942 Supplemental Programme

Another 48 boats were ordered on 30 August 1942 as MTB 724 to MTB 771.

NameShip BuilderDeliveredFate
MTB 724Wallasea Bay Yacht Station, Wallasea Bay, near Rochford7 September 1943To Sea Cadet Corps at Norwich in December 1945; sold 24 July 1954.
MTB 725Boat Construction Co., FalmouthMarch 1944To Sea Cadet Corps at Pwllheli in October 1945; sold 12 September 1951.
MTB 726A. M. Dickie & Sons, Bangor, Gwynedd2 March 1944To Royal Canadian Navy from March 1944 to May 1945;
to Sea Cadet Corps at Wisbech in July 1946; sold by 1950.
MTB 727S. B. Hall, Galmpton, Brixham27 February 1944To Royal Canadian Navy from February 1944 to June 1945;
to Sea Cadet Corps at Twickenham in 1946; sold 20 December 1951.
MTB 728William Osbourne, Littlehampton21 December 1943To Sea Cadet Corps at Cardigan in 1946; sold 1948.
MTB 729Brooke Marine, Oulton Broad, LowestoftJuly 1944Sold on 21 September 1947.
MTB 730Woodnutt & Co., St Helens, Isle of Wight28 April 1944To Sea Cadet Corps in April 1946; sold 27 May 1958.
MTB 731Alex Robertson (Yachtbuilders) & Sons, Sandbank, ArgyllshireJuly 1944Became MTB 3001 in 1949, then MASB 3001 in 1953;
to Sea Cadet Corps at Birkenhead in October 1957.
MTB 732Dorset Yacht Company, Lake Road, Hamworthy, Poole17 April 1944Sunk in error on 28 May 1944 by La Combattante in action in the Channel.
MTB 733Lady Bee, Shoreham-by-Sea, Sussex8 June 1944To Sea Cadet Corps at Plymouth in March 1946.
MTB 734Thomson & Balfour, Victoria Saw Mills, Bo'ness30 May 1944Bombed in error on 26 June 1944 by Allied aircraft off Normandy and scuttled.
MTB 735Tough Bros, Teddington Wharf, Manor Road, Teddington26 February 1944To Royal Canadian Navy from February 1944 to May 1944;
to Sea Cadet Corps at Ellesmere in January 1946; sold 14 June 1956.
MTB 736Tough Bros, Teddington Wharf, Manor Road, TeddingtonApril 1944To Royal Canadian Navy from April 1944 to May 1944;
to Sea Cadet Corps at Fraserburgh in July 1946.
MTB 737J, S. Doig (Grimsby), Grimsby DocksMay 1944Lent to Brighton Nautical Training College in 1945.
MTB 738Risdon Beazley, Clausentum Yard, Northam Bridge, Southampton15 December 1943To Sea Cadet Corps at Ipswich in January 1946; sold 25 April 1958.
MTB 739Herbert Woods, Broads Haven, Potter Heigham, Great Yarmouth27 April 1944Became MTB 3039 in 1949; for disposal in April 1952.
MTB 740Collins Pleasurecraft Co., Oulton Broad, near Lowestoft8 August 1944To Sea Cadet Corps at Norwich in 1946.
MTB 741A. M. Dickie & Sons, Tarbert, ArgyllshireJuly 1944To Sea Cadet Corps at Goole in 1946; sold 26 November 1957.
MTB 742John Sadd & Sons, Maldon, EssexApril 1944To Sea Cadet Corps at Parkeston in February 1946.
MTB 743Aldous Successors, Brightlingsea, Essex13 April 1944To Royal Canadian Navy from March 1944 to May 1944;
lent to Sea Scouts in 1946; sold 23 January 1957.
MTB 744Risdon Beazley, Clausentum Yard, Northam Bridge, SouthamptonMarch 1944To Royal Canadian Navy from March 1944 to May 1944;
to Royal Air Force in 1945 as Long Range Rescue Craft LRRC 040.
MTB 745Austins of East Ham, London E.629 January 1944To Royal Canadian Navy from January 1944 to May 1944;
to Ship Target Trials 1946; for disposal in 1946.
MTB 746James A. Silver, Rosneath, Dumbartonshire19 May 1944To Royal Canadian Navy from May 1944 to May 1945;
to Sea Cadet Corps at Gloucester in December 1946; sold 1953.
MTB 747Sussex Shipbuilding Co., Shoreham-by-SeaJune 1944To Sea Cadet Corps in March 1946; sold 19 February 1958.
MTB 748William Osbourne, Littlehampton19 February 1944To Royal Canadian Navy from February 1944 to May 1945;
to Sea Cadet Corps at Barnes in March 1945; sold 20 May 1955.
MTB 749William Osbourne, Littlehampton4 April 1944To Ship Target Trials in 1946.
MTB 750A. M. Dickie & Sons, Bangor, GwyneddMay 1944Became MTB 3002 in 1949, then MASB 3002 in 1953;
to Sea Cadet Corps in 1956; sold 1967.
MTB 751Wallasea Bay Yacht Station, Wallasea Bay, near Rochford25 May 1944To Sea Cadet Corps at Poplar in October 1945; sold 23 January 1957.
MTB 752Dorset Yacht Company, Lake Road, Hamworthy, PooleJune 1944To Sea Cadet Corps in October 1945.
MTB 753Boat Construction Co., FalmouthJuly 1944To Sea Cadet Corps at Bermondsey in November 1945; sold 22 October 1956.
MTB 754Solent Shipyards, Bursledon Bridge, Sarisbury Green, HantsDecember 1944To Sea Cadet Corps at Connah's Quay in May 1946; sold 17 September 1954.
MTB 755J. W. & A. Upham, Brixham, DevonSeptember 1943To Sea Cadet Corps at Scarborough; sold 13 October 1955.
MTB 756Herbert Woods, Broads Haven, Potter Heigham, Great Yarmouth31 July 1944To Sea Cadet Corps at Kingston-upon-Hull in January 1946; sold 8 November 1954.
MTB 757P. K. Harris & Sons, New Quay Dry Docks, Appledore, Torridge29 June 1944To Sea Cadet Corps at Worcester in January 1946; sold 25 January 1952.
MTB 758Alex Robertson (Yachtbuilders) & Sons, Sandbank, ArgyllshireOctober 1944Became MTB 5031 in 1949, then sold 14 June 1956.
MTB 759Woodnutt & Co., St Helens, Isle of WightJuly 1944To Sea Cadet Corps at Barnstaple in April 1946; sold 25 November 1954.
MTB 760S. B. Hall, Galmpton, BrixhamSeptember 1944To Sea Cadet Corps at Bristol in April 1946; sold 18 September 1958.
MTB 761Aldous Successors, Brightlingsea, Essex9 August 1944To Sea Cadet Corps at Chelmsford in January 1946; sold 25 March 1963.
MTB 762Brooke Marine, Oulton Broad, Lowestoft6 October 1944For disposal in October 1945.
MTB 763Cardnell Brothers, Maylandsea, Althorne, near ChelmsfordJune 1944To Sea Cadet Corps at Stockton-on-Tees in January 1946; sold 17 May 1956.
MTB 764James A. Silver, Rosneath, DumbartonshireSeptember 1944For disposal in May 1946.
MTB 765H. T. Percival, Yacht Station, Horning, Suffolk30 October 1944To Sea Cadet Corps at Sunbury-on-Thames in December 1945; sold 22 February 1955.
MTB 766Wallasea Bay Yacht Station, Wallasea Bay, near Rochford10 August 1944To Sea Cadet Corps at Clydebank in 1946; sold 10 February 1955.
MTB 767Boat Construction Co., Falmouth19 December 1944For disposal in January 1947.
MTB 768Thomson & Balfour, Victoria Saw Mills, Bo'ness26 August 1944To Sea Cadet Corps at Newark in December 1945; sold 30 November 1955.
MTB 769William King, Burnham-on-CrouchJune 1944To Sea Cadet Corps at Fareham in 1946; sold 24 April 1956.
MTB 770Leo A. Robinson, Oulton Broad, near Lowestoft11 December 1944To Sea Cadet Corps at Cleethorpes in April 1946; sold 26 November 1957.
MTB 771A. M. Dickie & Sons, Bangor, Gwynedd5 August 1944To Sea Cadet Corps at Southend-on-Sea in 1946; sold 25 November 1954.

1943 Programme

Finally, 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).

NameShip BuilderDeliveredFate
MTB 772Risdon Beazley, Clausentum Yard, Northam Bridge, Southampton12 July 1944To Sea Cadet Corps at Chelsea in January 1946; sold 29 April 1955.
MTB 773Austins of East Ham, London E.629 June 1944To Ship Target Trials 1946; for disposal in October 1947.
MTB 774Sussex Shipbuilding Co., Shoreham-by-SeaNovember 1944Sold 1948.
MTB 775S. B. Hall, Galmpton, BrixhamAugust 1944To Sea Cadet Corps in December 1945; sold 17 September 1954.
MTB 776Lady Bee, Shoreham-by-Sea, SussexAugust 1944Lost by fire and explosion on 14 February 1945 at Ostend.
MTB 777A. M. Dickie & Sons, Bangor, Gwynedd21 October 1944To Sea Cadet Corps at Peterborough in 1946; sold 15 November 1951.
MTB 778Dorset Yacht Company, Lake Road, Hamworthy, PooleNovember 1944To Sea Cadet Corps at Purfleet in 1946; sold 25 July 1955.
MTB 779Woodnutt & Co., St Helens, Isle of Wight16 October 1944Became MTB 5032 in 1949; sold 16 January 1955.
MTB 780Kris Cruisers (1934), Riverside Yard, Ferryll Road, Isleworth11 January 1945Became MTB 5001 in 1949; sold 16 January 23 October 1957.
MTB 781J, S. Doig (Grimsby), Grimsby DocksNovember 1944To Sea Cadet Corps at Penarth in April 1946; sold 22 July 1952.
MTB 782Wallasea Bay Yacht Station, Wallasea Bay, near Rochford25 October 1944Mined 29 Decewmber 1944 off the Schelde
MTB 783Cardnell Brothers, Maylandsea, Althorne, near ChelmsfordJuly 1945Sold 1947.
MTB 784Tough Bros, Teddington Wharf, Manor Road, Teddington29 September 1944Sold 7 January 1948.
MTB 785Brooke Marine, Oulton Broad, Lowestoft13 March 1945Became MTB 5033 in 1949; sold 17 October 1955.
MTB 786Solent Shipyards, Bursledon Bridge, Sarisbury Green, Hants12 July 1945Sold 1949.
MTB 787William Osbourne, LittlehamptonJune 1944Became MTB 5034 in 1949; sold 17 June 1949.
MTB 788P. K. Harris & Sons, New Quay Dry Docks, Appledore, Torridge17 February 1945Lent to Sea Scouts in 1946; sold 18 June 1955.
MTB 789Risdon Beazley, Clausentum Yard, Northam Bridge, Southampton17 October 1944Lost by fire and explosion on 14 February 1945 at Ostend.
MTB 790Boat Construction Co., FalmouthJuly 1945Became MTB 5003 (2nd of that number) in 1949; sold 25 November 1953.
MTB 791Thomson & Balfour, Victoria Saw Mills, Bo'ness4 November 1944Lost by fire and explosion on 14 February 1945 at Ostend.
MTB 792Tough Bros, Teddington Wharf, Manor Road, Teddington1 March 1945Sold 7 January 1948.
MTB 793Alex Robertson (Yachtbuilders) & Sons, Sandbank, Argyllshire5 March 1945Became MTB 5035 in 1949, then sold 25 April 1958.
MTB 794Herbert Woods, Broads Haven, Potter Heigham, Great Yarmouth22 December 1944Became MTB 5036 in 1949, then sold 24 April 1958.
MTB 795William Osbourne, LittlehamptonAugust 1944Became MTB 5037 in 1949; for disposal in 1952.
MTB 796John Sadd & Sons, Maldon, Essex31 October 1944Lent to Sea Scouts in 1946; sold July 1954.
MTB 797A. M. Dickie & Sons, Tarbert, ArgyllshireJanuary 1945To Royal Canadian Navy from December 1944 to May 1945;
for disposal in 1947.
MTB 798Austins of East Ham, London E.616 October 1944Lost by fire and explosion on 14 February 1945 at Ostend.
MTB 799H. T. Percival, Yacht Station, Horning, SuffolkJune 1945To Royal Air Force in July 1945 as Long Range Rescue Craft LRRC 001.
MTB 800Dorset Yacht Company, Lake Road, Hamworthy, PooleJuly 1945To Royal Air Force in July 1945 as Long Range Rescue Craft LRRC 002.
MTB 5001Woodnutt & Co., St Helens, Isle of Wight18 December 1944Sunk 6/7 April 1945 in action in the North Sea.
MTB 5002Wallasea Bay Yacht Station, Wallasea Bay, near RochfordDecember 1944Sold 1957.
MTB 5003James A. Silver, Rosneath, DumbartonshireJuly 1945Sold on 8 March 1948.
MTB 5004James A. Silver, Rosneath, DumbartonshireSeptember 1945To 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 5005William Osbourne, Littlehampton7 November 1944Sold 28 February 1952.
MTB 5006Boat Construction Co., FalmouthAugust 1945To Royal Air Force in August 1945 as Long Range Rescue Craft LRRC 004.
MTB 5007S. B. Hall, Galmpton, BrixhamMarch 1945Sold 17 November 1950.
MTB 5008William King, Burnham-on-CrouchJune 1945Sold 20 July 1956.
MTB 5009Lady Bee, Shoreham-by-Sea, Sussex5 April 1945Sold 17 March 1956.
MTB 5010A. M. Dickie & Sons, Bangor, GwyneddJanuary 1945Became MTB 3050 in 1949, then MASB 3050 in 1953; sold 20 July 1955.
MTB 5011Thomson & Balfour, Victoria Saw Mills, Bo'ness28 March 1945To Royal Air Force in March 1945 as Long Range Rescue Craft LRRC 005.
MTB 5012Austins of East Ham, London E.6March 1945To Royal Air Force in March 1945 as Long Range Rescue Craft LRRC 006.
MTB 5013Risdon Beazley, Clausentum Yard, Northam Bridge, SouthamptonMarch 1945Became MTB 3053 in 1949, then MASB 3053 in 1953;
to Sea Cadet Corps in 1957; sold March 1969.
MTB 5014Woodnutt & Co., St Helens, Isle of WightMarch 1945To Royal Air Force in March 1945 as Long Range Rescue Craft LRRC 007.
MTB 5015Cardnell Brothers, Maylandsea, Althorne, near ChelmsfordMarch 1945Sold 23 October 1957.
MTB 5016Wallasea Bay Yacht Station, Wallasea Bay, near RochfordMarch 1945To Royal Air Force in March 1945 as Long Range Rescue Craft LRRC 008.
MTB 5017A. M. Dickie & Sons, Tarbert, ArgyllshireJuly 1945To Royal Air Force in July 1945 as Long Range Rescue Craft LRRC 009.
MTB 5018Alex Robertson (Yachtbuilders) & Sons, Sandbank, ArgyllshireJuly 1945To Royal Air Force in July 1945 as Long Range Rescue Craft LRRC 010.
MTB 5019Risdon Beazley, Clausentum Yard, Northam Bridge, Southampton13 April 1945To Royal Air Force in April 1945 as Long Range Rescue Craft LRRC 011.
MTB 5020John Sadd & Sons, Maldon, EssexDecember 1944For disposal in December 1956; sold 18 September 1958.
MTB 5021P. K. Harris & Sons, New Quay Dry Docks, Appledore, Torridge9 July 1945To Royal Air Force in July 1945 as Long Range Rescue Craft LRRC 012.
MTB 5022Tough Bros, Teddington Wharf, Manor Road, Teddington19 April 1945To Royal Air Force in April 1945 as Long Range Rescue Craft LRRC 013.
MTB 5023S. B. Hall, Galmpton, Brixham14 July 1945To Royal Air Force in July 1945 as Long Range Rescue Craft LRRC 014;
to Sea Cadet Corps in 1948; sold 18 September 1958.
MTB 5024A. M. Dickie & Sons, Bangor, Gwynedd5 May 1945To Royal Air Force in May 1945 as Long Range Rescue Craft LRRC 015.
MTB 5025Wallasea Bay Yacht Station, Wallasea Bay, near RochfordAugust 1945To Royal Air Force in August 1945 as Long Range Rescue Craft LRRC 016.
MTB 5026John Sadd & Sons, Maldon, Essex17 March 1945To Royal Air Force in March 1945 as Long Range Rescue Craft LRRC 017.
MTB 5027Risdon Beazley, Clausentum Yard, Northam Bridge, Southamptonnot builtCancelled in December 1944.
MTB 5028Woodnutt & Co., St Helens, Isle of WightMay 1945To Royal Air Force in May 1945 as Long Range Rescue Craft LRRC 018.
MTB 5029Thomson & Balfour, Victoria Saw Mills, Bo'ness12 July 1945To Royal Air Force in July 1945 as Long Range Rescue Craft LRRC 019.

History

.

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.

Two captured boats were put into Kriegsmarine service.

Today the D-type is a popular choice among boat modelers.

There are no known survivors, other than two abandoned wrecks, one in Chatham, England and the other in Ellingsøy, Norway.

See also

References

External links

Notes and References

  1. Reynolds, Leonard C. Dog Boats at War: Royal Navy D Class MTBs and MGBs, 1939–1945. 2000.
  2. Web site: Svensholt . Hans K . The Norwegian Navy in the Second World War . RESDAL . Red de Seguridad y Defensa de America Latina . 3 November 2023.