TonyH.
Recived this form Liza Verity National Maratrime Mesuim
Hope this will help in some small way
Jimmy
Freebooter
From: Bob Todd
Sent: 22 June 2009 12:02
To: Liza Verity
Subject: RE: Bow sprits on WW1 torpedo boats
Liza
For the French boats I think he will have to try French sources. From about 1888 to 1906 some 500 French torpedo boats of various classes had this small wooden spar stuck over the bow but I have no idea what its intended purpose was or how useful it was.
Some British torpedo gunboats were temporarily fitted with a running bowsprit to take a jib or staysail when they were undertaking long voyages but this was not a permanent fitting. Only the SPANKER retained one for any length of time and hers was removed c.1901. Later on, from about 1909, ten of the torpedo gunboats were fitted with minesweeping gear aft but in 1913 two of these ships, SEAGULL and SPEEDWELL, were fitted with a steel frame projecting over the bow for various types of experimental minesweeping gear to be tried out. These frames were removed in 1914-1915.
Bob
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From: Liza Verity
Sent: 22 June 2009 11:16
To: Bob Todd
Subject: FW: Bow sprits on WW1 torpedo boats
Bob
Can you help?
Liza Verity FRSA, Information Specialist
National Maritime Museum
Greenwich
London
SE10 9NF
T 020 8312 6712
www.nmm.ac.uk