From Rap to HNoMS Skjold

The torpedo boat Rap

In 1873, the first Norwegian torpedo boat, Rap, was delivered from Thorneycroft Chiswick, UK and is recognised as the world's first torpedo boat commissioned. Rap was able to do 14,5 knots, an impressing speed for the 18 meter long vessel. The concept of operation for Rap was the same as today concept of operation, to bring the main weapons as close to the target as necessary and hit the target. Rap was equipped with self-propelled torpedoes in 1879. The torpedo was able to do 20 knots for 183 meter and further 9 knots for 1800 meters.

Rap, the first torpedo boat, built 1873.

Due to the experience with the first Rap as a relative cheap platform and the torpedoes as an efficient weapon, new designs of larger and faster torpedo boats were developed. These new designs were called the cigars due to the shape of the hull with integrated torpedo tubes fore and aft. In 1905 a number of 32 torpedo boats were under commission.

1914-1918: World War 1

During WW 1 Norway was neutral and the ageing fleet of 32 torpedo boats had a major role in maintaining the neutrality along the 2200 km. Norwegian coastline. The main task was to patrol the territorial water and escort merchant vessels. The duty onboard these small vessels was an extreme challenge for the crew.

Glimt built in 1883 was one of the first "cigars"

1919-1939: The inter-war years

In the years between WW1 and WW2 the RNoN suffered from small budgets. The old fleet of torpedo boats was supplied with three new larger torpedo boats with a displacement of 260 tons and a speed of 25 knots. During the inter-war years the main task for the torpedo boats was fishery protection.

Outbreak of World War 2

By the outbreak of WW2 the fleet of torpedo boats consisted of the three "newest" (20 years old) and 14 of the oldest vessels (30-45 years old). During the first year of WW2 Norway was neutral and the missions for the torpedo boats from WW1 by maintaining neutrality were the same.

The Norwegian Government decided in 1939 to procure eight modern fast patrol boats (FPBs) from the UK. They were not delivered before the outbreak of WW2 and the British War Ministry requisitioned six of the FPBs.

1939-1945: World War 2

In April 1940 WW2 reached Norwegian territorial waters. The outcome of the engagements between the modern invasion fleet with extensive capabilities and the old RNoN was predetermined. During the days of invasion, only two of the torpedo boats were able to launch their torpedoes, but without damaging the targets.

Norway became occupied for five long years but the Royal Family and the Government managed to escape to the UK and established a Norwegian government in exile. The remaining two of the eight FPBs were commissioned with a Norwegian crew as an integrated part of the Royal Navy with operation area in the British Channel. These two FPBs represented the start of a build-up of a new fleet of Norwegian FPBs in the UK. The FPBs were soon replaced by five larger FPBs and in 1942 a Norwegian flotilla was established.

MTB 6 - one of the first two real MTBs in the norwegian navy.

A Norwegian FPB flotilla with eight larger FPBs (Fairmile type D) was established on the Shetlands late 1942. Their mission was to attack enemy controlled vessels in Norwegian territorial waters 200 nautical miles on the other side of the North Sea.

D-class MTBs leaving Shetland heading for the occupied Norway.

The Norwegian FPBs operated mainly from the Shetlands during the rest of the war and the foundation of today’s concept of FPB operations were established. During WW2, the Norwegian FPBs had a confirmed damage of 27 ships including seven warships. 57 of the 97 torpedoes fired hit their targets. 20 men and eight FPBs were lost.

Two D-class MTBs camouflaged within the norwegian skerries during daytime.

Post World War 2

By the end of WW2 the RNoN had 10 FPBs of the D-class. In 1951 the RNoN received 10 Elco class from USA and in 1952 another six FPBs (Rapp-class) were built in Norway.

Rapp class FPB, the first FPBs built in Mandal, Norway 1952-1956.

A procurement plan was established in 1960 in order to replace the war materiel. The plan was based upon a decision to build a large number of smaller units in which the FPBs would play a major role.

The RNoN ordered 20 Tjeld-class FPBs in 1961-66. The Tjeld-class FPBs were equipped with four torpedoes and two AA guns. The speed was 45 knots. The USN bought several of this successful FPB class.

TJELD-class, also known as NASTY-class

The 20 Storm class FPBs were built in 1965-1970. They were equipped with six SSMs, one 76mm SS gun and one 40mm AA gun. A total of 62 FPBs were built based on the Storm-class hull shape.

Storm class

As a replacement of the ageing Rapp-class, another six FPBs of the Snøgg class were built in 1971-1972 equipped with four torpedoes, four SSMs and one 40 mm AA gun.

The 20 Tjeld-class FPBs were replaced by 14 Hauk-class in 1979-1981. The Hauk-class FPBs are equipped with six SSMs, two torpedoes, SAMs and one 40mm AA gun. The Hauk-class is currently subject to a modernisation programme.

HNoMS Ravn, a Hauk class MTB

After WW2, the FPBs as a defence structure element has consisted at the most of 42 vessels. Today, the FPB structure counts 14 vessels. The new Skjold class FPB would hopefully be a worthy inheritor for the accumulated experience from Rap to HNoMS Skjold.