An item dealing with the Austrian naval budget for 1885 reported that at the British firm Armstrong a cruiser 2nd class or torpedo ship was under construction (1) and that approval was asked for a second ship of this kind.(2) A torpedo ship needed a huge maximum speed which asked for engines delivering much power despite the relative small weight of the engines. To be assured of a good outcome were ship and engines to be delivered by one firm which all ready had much experience in this topic. This torpedo ship or cruiser was to serve as a model for the navy and the home industry.
There were several reasons to ask for a budget to built a second torpedo ship. To operate successful were torpedo boats divided over flotillas. Each such flotilla needed one or two torpedo ships to act as éclaireurs [reconnaissance scouts], to protect their own torpedo boats against torpedo boats of the enemy, to hunt for destroyers of the enemy, to act as scout and to serve as connection centre between the flotillas. If necessary were the torpedo ships to hand over their own torpedoes, water, coal and crewmembers and get new stores from the torpedo boat depot ships anchored in safe harbours. To execute these tasks was a speed of 18-19 miles needed, seagoing qualities and a coal bunker capacity sufficient to stay for a considerable time at sea. The armament was to consist of 2 small guns, torpedo launchers, a ram bow and a large number of machineguns. Estimated building costs 1 million florines. The ship was to be built as soon as possible to add it in begin 1886 to the fleet.
Notes
1. Of the Panther-class consisting of the Panther and Leopard, preceded by the Zara-class and succeeded by the SMS Tiger. Torpedo ship similar to a torpedo cruisers, in 1903 reclassified as 3rd class cruisers and since 1909 called small cruisers. Laid down by Armstrong, Elswick on 29 October 1884, launched on 13 June 1885, completed on 31 December 1885 and broken up in 1920.
2. Of the Panther-class consisting of the Panther and Leopard, preceded by the Zara-class and succeeded by the SMS Tiger. Torpedo ship similar to a torpedo cruisers, in 1903 reclassified as 3rd class cruisers and since 1909 called small cruisers. Laid down by Armstrong, Elswick in January 1885, launched on 10 September 1885, completed on 31 March 1886 and broken up in 1920.
There were several reasons to ask for a budget to built a second torpedo ship. To operate successful were torpedo boats divided over flotillas. Each such flotilla needed one or two torpedo ships to act as éclaireurs [reconnaissance scouts], to protect their own torpedo boats against torpedo boats of the enemy, to hunt for destroyers of the enemy, to act as scout and to serve as connection centre between the flotillas. If necessary were the torpedo ships to hand over their own torpedoes, water, coal and crewmembers and get new stores from the torpedo boat depot ships anchored in safe harbours. To execute these tasks was a speed of 18-19 miles needed, seagoing qualities and a coal bunker capacity sufficient to stay for a considerable time at sea. The armament was to consist of 2 small guns, torpedo launchers, a ram bow and a large number of machineguns. Estimated building costs 1 million florines. The ship was to be built as soon as possible to add it in begin 1886 to the fleet.
Notes
1. Of the Panther-class consisting of the Panther and Leopard, preceded by the Zara-class and succeeded by the SMS Tiger. Torpedo ship similar to a torpedo cruisers, in 1903 reclassified as 3rd class cruisers and since 1909 called small cruisers. Laid down by Armstrong, Elswick on 29 October 1884, launched on 13 June 1885, completed on 31 December 1885 and broken up in 1920.
2. Of the Panther-class consisting of the Panther and Leopard, preceded by the Zara-class and succeeded by the SMS Tiger. Torpedo ship similar to a torpedo cruisers, in 1903 reclassified as 3rd class cruisers and since 1909 called small cruisers. Laid down by Armstrong, Elswick in January 1885, launched on 10 September 1885, completed on 31 March 1886 and broken up in 1920.
