With the advent of first the spar torpedo and later, automotive fish torpedo it was theoretically possible for even weak maritime navies to cheaply take on capitol ships. Both the USN and Confederate Navies demonstrated this in combat during the 1860's with some of the earliest versions. Europe watched, learned, and further devoloped these systems for both large ships and small. Later as technologies evolved, the submarine was born.
The Steam Torpedo Boats evolved over time in size, to enhance range, seakeeping, and armament. The first Steam torpedo boats were designed for coastal and harbor defence. Others were designed for deployment from larger ships as a force multiplier. To counter Torpedo Boats, Torpedo Boat Chasers and Destroyers were needed. As the Torpedo Boats increased in size, they evolved into the early "modern" Destroyers (1890's).
This thread will hopefully evolve into a place to deposit and consolidate the pre-WW1 Torpedo Boats, Torpedo Boat Catchers, and Torpedo Boat Destroyers from the 1860's through roughly the end of WW1. The end of the period is defined for torpedo boats with the maturing of the internal combustion engine and the replacement of the steam torpedo boats with Destroyers.
This thread is open to anyone to participate. If anyone feels the urge, add links or repost older artwork.
I'll start with latecomers to the torpedo boat race with the USN.
![[ img ]](http://www.cizadlo.us/CraigH/SB_Scale/Completed%20SB%20SCale%20TB%27s.png)
Craig H
