Profile drawing for Torpedoboot 1892

Design and service

The class

Like the other small torpedo boats designed in the late 19th century, the boats of the Kleine Torpedoboot 1892 were too old and too lightly armed to be used in front line operations during World War I. Being very similar to their predecessors, all boats of this class were reclassified as mine hunters at the outbreak of the war - due to the fact that there were no special build mine hunters available at this time to counter the threat of large mine fields.

Therefore, all boats were rebuilt in 1914, removing all torpedo tubes, adding a second funnel and installing mine hunting equipment. Their names then changed form "S" + number to "T" + number.

Besides the four boats that were lost because of mine hits, all other ships survived the war and were used as tenders or auxiliary ships by the Reichsmarine until they were sold and scrapped in 1921.

Construction records

Boats of the class

16 boats and their recorded construction details and fates.

16 boats
Construction and fate of the boats in this class
NameConstructionLaunchedCommissionedFate
S66Schichau Elbing, 189227.04.189330.07.1893Sunk after mine hit on 18.10.1917 near Riga.
S67Schichau Elbing, 189314.02.189320.05.1893Sunk after mine hit on 13.08.1918 in the North Sea.
S68Schichau Elbing, 189309.03.189301.07.1893Sunk after mine hit on 04.06.1918 in the North Sea.
S69Schichau Elbing, 189320.04.189315.08.1893Sold and scrapped in 1920.
S70Schichau Elbing, 189306.06.189309.09.1893Sold and scrapped in 1921.
S71Schichau Elbing, 189302.08.189306.10.1893Sold and scrapped in 1921.
S72Schichau Elbing, 189320.06.189323.11.1893Sold and scrapped in 1921.
S73Schichau Elbing, 189323.06.189309.01.1894Sold and scrapped in 1921.
S74Schichau Elbing, 189407.11.189425.10.1895Sold and scrapped in 1921.
S75Schichau Elbing, 189422.01.189526.04.1895Sold and scrapped in 1921.
S76Schichau Elbing, 189413.03.189529.05.1895Sold and scrapped in 1921.
S77Schichau Elbing, 189406.05.189510.07.1895Sold and scrapped in 1921.
S78Schichau Elbing, 189409.04.189501.07.1895Sunk after mine hit on 16.05.1918 in the North Sea.
S79Schichau Elbing, 189406.07.189501.09.1895Sold and scrapped in 1921.
S80Schichau Elbing, 189414.06.189511.08.1895Sold and scrapped in 1921.
S81Schichau Elbing, 189430.09.189528.03.1896Sold and scrapped in 1921.

At a glance

Technical profile

Principal dimensions, armament, machinery and performance.

Dimensions

Size (Max)
168 - 187 t
Length (Total)
46,18 m
Length (Waterline)
47,94 - 49,85 m
Beam
5,30 - 5,50 m
Draft
1,64 m
Crew
21-24

Armament

5 cm L/30
1
45 cm torpedo tubes
3

Machinery

Shafts
1
Engines
1
Type
3-cyl triple expansion

Performance

Total Performance
1600 - 2496 shp
Speed
21,9 - 23,6 kn
Range
1700 miles at 12 kn