H.M. T.B. 79 (1886)

H.M. T.B. 79 (1886)
Builder:	Yarrow & Company
Yard Number:	733
Launched:	1886
Completed:	December 1886
Sold:	19 November, 1919

H.M. T.B. 79 was one of 53 first-class torpedo boats of the 125 Footer class.

Construction & Service

T.B. 79 was a modified version of Yarrow's other 125 footer torpedo boats. Her hull form was changed to improve her steering qualities and she was fitted with a triple-expansion engine instead of the compound expansion engines used in the other 125 footers. She could be steered from either of two conning towers, fore and aft.

Despite her modified design she was completed ahead of the final standard 125 footer T.B. 78.

On 3 December 1886, she surpassed all previous speed records for T.Bs., delivering 22.292 knots over a two hour run, with some runs exceeding 23 knots. She turned in a mean diameter of 85 yards in 58 seconds. Going astern, a circle of 65 yards could be completed in 65 seconds. Observers were excited to note that the boat had very little heel when turning, which would help her fire torpedos while manoeuvring. Finally, so little vibration was experienced that a glass filled to the brim sat unspilt on a table.

Her qualities were so remarkable that on 20 December, she was taken out to demonstrate for a number of notable dignitaries: First Lord of the Admiralty Lord George Hamilton, Director of Naval Ordnance Captain Fisher, and Lieutenant Egerton. This trip also proved a great success.

She was the first command of the future King, Lieutenant Prince George of Wales, who commissioned her in July 1889 to participate in the Annual Manoeuvres of 1889.

She commissioned on 18 July to participate in the Annual Manoeuvres of 1894 as leader of the Kingstown Division (three T.Bs.) of the Blue Side.

In 1895, she was one of twenty-three torpedo boats of at least 125 feet in length stationed in Portsmouth along with four smaller ones.

She was commissioned on 8 July 1896 in order to participate in the Annual Manoeuvres of 1896.

T.B. 79 was reboilered in 1901.

In commission at Portsmouth, December 1905.

Around 1906-1907, with the issuance of torpedo boat numbers to the first of the Cricket class torpedo boats, the existing Torpedo Boats numbered 25 to 79 had a "0" prepended to their number. This vessel, therefore, became T.B. 079.

In commission at Chatham, December 1906.

In commission with a nucleus crew at Sheerness, April 1910.

Captains

Dates of appointment are provided when known.

• Lieutenant & Commander Henry B. Jackson, 7 July, 1887  (lent for Annual Manoeuvres of 1887 and Jubilee Review)
• Lieutenant & Commander Stuart Nicholson, 4 July, 1888 – 30 August, 1888  (lent for Annual Manoeuvres of 1888)
• Lieutenant & Commander Prince George of Wales, 18 July, 1889 – 6 September, 1889  (lent for Annual Manoeuvres of 1889)
• Lieutenant & Commander Arthur C. Leveson, 22 July 1890 – 25 August, 1890  (for Annual Manoeuvres of 1890)
• Lieutenant & Commander Gordon C. Fraser, 11 July, 1893 – 16 August, 1893  (lent for Annual Manoeuvres of 1893)
• Lieutenant & Commander Cole C. Fowler, 18 July, 1894  (lent for Annual Manoeuvres of 1894)
• Sub-Lieutenant in Command Vernon H. S. Haggard, 24 July, 1895 – 22 August, 1895  (lent for Annual Manoeuvres of 1895)
• Acting Sub-Lieutenant in Command Frank Larken, 8 July, 1896  (lent for Annual Manoeuvres of 1896)
• Sub-Lieutenant in Command Arthur Pringle, 15 June, 1897 – 10 July, 1897  (for Annual Manoeuvres of 1897)
• Acting Sub-Lieutenant in Command Arthur E. F. Bedford, 16 July, 1901  (for Annual Manoeuvres of 1901)
• Lieutenant & Commander Norton A. Sulivan, 21 July, 1903  (for Annual Manoeuvres of 1903)
• Lieutenant in Command William R. Napier, 14 July, 1904  (and for command of Milford T.B. Flotilla for Annual Manoeuvres of 1904)
• Sub-Lieutenant in Command Charles L. Fox, 3 January, 1905 – 12 March, 1906
• Sub-Lieutenant in Command Douglas Faviell, 12 March, 1906 – 18 March, 1906
• Lieutenant & Commander Aylmer N. G. Firebrace, 18 October, 1906 – 13 January, 1908
• Lieutenant & Commander Hector R. Monro, 13 January, 1908 – 3 May, 1910
• Lieutenant & Commander Ambrose T. N. Abbay, 3 May, 1910 – 6 June, 1911
• Lieutenant & Commander Edward J. Forsyth-Forrest, 6 June, 1911 – December, 1911
• Lieutenant & Commander Edward S. Graham, December, 1911 – 18 April, 1912
• Chief Gunner in Command Robert W. Garnham, 22 April, 1912 – May, 1912  (temporary)
• Chief Gunner in Command George B. Hazell, May, 1912 – 13 March, 1913  (temporary)
• Gunner in Command Edward J. Trillo, 13 March, 1913 – 4 May, 1915
• Lieutenant R.N.R. in Command Frederick T. Groome, 4 May, 1915 – 22 October, 1915
• Lieutenant R.N.R. in Command Arthur H. Notley, 22 October, 1915 – 28 October, 1915  (cancelled)
• Lieutenant R.N.R. in Command George B. Bray, 26 April, 1916 – 26 July, 1916
• Acting Lieutenant R.N.R. in Command Edwin A. Stuart, 26 July, 1916 – 6 May, 1917
• Lieutenant R.N.R. in Command Douglas H. Richardson, 6 May, 1917 – 6 April, 1918
• Lieutenant R.N.R. in Command Archibald J. Moss, 6 April, 1918 – 1919^{[Fact Check]}

See Also

• Wikipedia