View source for H.M. T.B. 81 (1885)

<div name=fredbot:career>{{ShipCareer|fullname=H.M. T.B. 81 (1885)|cat=FirstClassTorpedoBoat
|fatedate=22 October, 1921{{LyonWinfieldSteamList|p. 312}}
|order=
|chain=Torpedo Boats,First-class Torpedo Boats
|name=T.B. 81
|prefix=H.M.  
|builder=[[J. Samuel White]]{{Conways1860|p. 103}}
|launch=1885{{Brasseys1896|p. 318}}
|comp=1885{{LyonWinfieldSteamList|p. 312}}
|nat=UK
|type=first-class torpedo boat
|fate=Sold
|pend=
|fg=white|bg=crimson}}</div name=fredbot:career>'''H.M. T.B. 81''' was built by [[J. Samuel White]] as a private venture and was subsequently purchased by the Royal Navy.

==Construction==
Her design featured White's trademark cut-up stern for improved maneuverability and a ram bow.

Laid down in 1884 at [[J. Samuel White]] and named ''Swift'' by her builders, there appear to be multiple stories regarding ''T.B. 81'''s origin.  [[Lionel George Dawson|Lionel Dawson]], who briefly commanded her in late 1909, wrote that:
<blockquote>
She had been built many years before as a destroyer for the Brazilian Navy, and her officers' accommodation was excellent, including a captain's cabin.  She was much larger than the remainder [of the British torpedo boats] and handled admirably.
<br>A curious-looking craft, with a flush and "turtle-backed" upper-deck, she was manœuvred from the top of a conning-tower that rose like a Martello tower from the fo'c'sle.  Her men's accommodation, though, was deplorable.  But I do not suppose they gave much thought to that in Brazil!{{DawsonFlotillas|p. 78}}</blockquote>
The relevant volume of ''Conway's All the World's Fighting Ships'' describes her as being built "as a private venture, with an eye to Admiralty purchase".{{Conways1860|p. 103}}  Norman Friedman's ''British Destroyers'' says much the same, as does D.K. Brown in an article on British torpedo boats.{{FriedmanBritishDestroyers|p. 8}}{{BrownSteamTBs|p. 83}}  None of these modern works mention a Brazilian connection, although this does not rule out that such an origin story was believed by her officers and men.

==Service==
When ''Swift'' was purchased by the Royal Navy she received the next available number in the first-class torpedo boat sequence, becoming ''T.B. 81''.

After reboilering in 1888, she had two small funnels instead of the single one she was completed with.{{Conways1860|p. 103}}

She commissioned on 18 July to participate in the [[Annual Manoeuvres of 1894]] as leader of the the Queenstown Division (three T.Bs.) of the Blue Side.{{ToL|The Naval Manoeuvres of 1894|July 18, 1894, Issue 34319, p.13}}

In 1895, she was one of twenty-three first class torpedo boats of at least 125 feet in length stationed in Portsmouth along with four smaller boats.{{ARTS1895|p. 62}}

Ran aground off Alderney in 1901 but salvaged and returned to service.  Reboilered in 1905.{{Conways1860|p. 103}}

In 1906, she collided with {{UK-TB108}}.  A Court of Enquiry concluded that her captain, [[Herbert Reginald Lloyd Edwards|Edwards]] had demonstrated a "grave want of seamanship & common sense" and the Admiralty commanded that he be relieved as soon as convenient, that date being 3 July, 1906.<ref>Edwards Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/48/95.|D7603999}} f. ?.</ref>

Following her reboilering she was seldom out of commission, and her greater size than the majority of the other first-class torpedo boats meant she was often used as the senior flotilla officer's boat.  When [[Lionel George Dawson|Lionel Dawson]] took her over while still a junior {{LieutRN}}, he considered himself very fortunate.{{DawsonFlotillas|p. 78}}

Sold, along with {{UK-TB80}}, to J. E. Thomas on 22 October, 1921.{{LyonWinfieldSteamList|p. 312}}

==Captains==
Dates of appointment are provided when known.
<div name=fredbot:officeCapt otitle="Captain of H.M. T.B. 81">
{{Tenure|rank={{CommRN}}|name=George Le Clerc Egerton|nick=George Le C. Egerton|appt=28 April, 1887<ref>Egerton Service Record. {{TNA|ADM 196/19/9}}</ref>|end=14 May, 1887<ref>Egerton Service Record. {{TNA|ADM 196/19/9}}</ref>|note=for Jubilee Review{{NMI|Saturday, 30 April, 1887.  Issue '''32060''', col E, p. 9}}}}
{{Tenure|rank={{LaCRN}}|name=Aubrey William Howe|nick=Aubrey W. Howe|appt=7 July, 1887{{NMI|Saturday, 2 July, 1887.  Issue '''32114''', col C, p. 12}}|end=18 August, 1887<ref>Howe Service Record. {{TNA|ADM 196/20/311|D7590556}}</ref>|note=lent for [[Annual Manoeuvres of 1887]]}}
{{Tenure|rank={{LaCRN}}|name=Henry Bradwardine Jackson|nick=Henry B. Jackson|appt=4 July, 1888<ref>"Naval and Military Intelligence".  ''The Times''.  Tuesday, 3 July, 1888.  Issue '''32428''', col A, p. 10.</ref><ref>Jackson Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/38.}} f. 685.</ref>|end=30 August, 1888<ref>Jackson Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/38.}} f. 685.</ref>|note=lent for [[Annual Manoeuvres of 1888]] and for torpedo duties}}
{{Tenure|rank={{LaCRN}}|name=Henry Bradwardine Jackson|nick=Henry B. Jackson|appt=18 July, 1889<ref>"The Naval Manœuvres".  ''The Times''.  Monday, 15 July, 1889.  Issue '''32751''', col A, p. 4.</ref>|end=6 September, 1889<ref>Jackson Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/38.}} f. 685.</ref>|note=lent for [[Annual Manoeuvres of 1889]]}}
{{Tenure|rank={{LaCRN}}|name=Frederick Charles Doveton Sturdee, First Baronet|nick=Frederick C. D. Sturdee|appt=22 July, 1890<ref>Sturdee Service Record. {{TNA|ADM 196/39/411}}</ref>|end=25 August, 1890<ref>Sturdee Service Record. {{TNA|ADM 196/39/411}}</ref>|note=for [[Annual Manoeuvres of 1890]]}}
{{Tenure|rank={{LaCRN}} ('''T''')|name=Frederick Charles Doveton Sturdee, First Baronet|nick=Frederick C. D. Sturdee|appt=21 July, 1892<ref>Sturdee Service Record. {{TNA|ADM 196/39/411}}</ref>|end=31 August, 1892<ref>Sturdee Service Record. {{TNA|ADM 196/20/79}}</ref>|note=lent for [[Annual Manoeuvres of 1892]]}}
{{Tenure|rank={{LaCRN}} ('''T''')|name=Reginald Hugh Spencer Bacon|nick=Reginald H. S. Bacon|appt=11 July, 1893<ref>"The Naval Manœuvres".  ''The Times''.  Monday, 10 July, 1893.  Issue '''33999''', col D, p. 10.</ref>|end=17 August, 1893<ref>Bacon Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/42.}}  f. 262.</ref>|note=lent for [[Annual Manoeuvres of 1893]]}}
{{Tenure|rank={{LaCRN}} ('''T''')|name=Reginald Hugh Spencer Bacon|nick=Reginald H. S. Bacon|appt=18 July, 1894{{ToL|The Naval Manoeuvres|July 12, 1894, Issue 34314, p.10}}|end=|note=lent for [[Annual Manoeuvres of 1894]]}}
{{Tenure|rank={{LaCRN}} ('''T''')|name=Dudley Rawson Stratford de Chair|nick=Dudley R. S. de Chair|appt=15 June, 1897<ref>"The Naval Review at Spithead".  ''The Times''.  Wednesday, 9 June, 1897.  Issue '''35225''', col D, p. 10.</ref>|note=for [[Annual Manoeuvres of 1897]]}}
{{Tenure|rank={{LaCRN}}|name=Frederick Charles Ulick Vernon Wentworth|nick=Frederick C. U. V. Wentworth|appt=11 July, 1899<ref>"The Naval Mobilization".  ''The Times''.  Monday, 10 July, 1899.  Issue '''35877''', col C, p. 10.</ref>|note=for [[Annual Manoeuvres of 1899]] and [[Annual Manoeuvres of 1900|1900]], and in command of Chatham Torpedo Boat Flotilla}}
{{Tenure|rank={{LaCRN}}|name=Sydney Stewart Hall|nick=Sydney S. Hall|appt=16 July, 1901<ref>"The Naval Manœuvres".  ''The Times''.  Thursday, 11 July, 1901.  Issue '''36504''', col C, p. 8.</ref>|end=August 1901<ref>Hall Service Record. {{TNA|ADM 196/43/236}}</ref>|note=lent for [[Annual Manoeuvres of 1901]], also for torpedo duties, and in command of Portsmouth Flotilla}}
{{Tenure|rank={{LiCRN}}|name=Joseph Armand Shuter|nick=Joseph A. Shuter|appt=early 1904<ref>Shuter Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/44/283.|D7603068}} f. 318.</ref>|end=|note=for Spring Cruise}}
{{Tenure|rank={{BosunRN}} ('''T''') in Command|name=Joseph Charles Davies|nick=Joseph C. Davies|appt=3 January, 1905{{NMI|Saturday, December 24, 1904, Issue 37586, p.4}}{{NLDec05|p. 400}}|end=10 February, 1906}}
{{Tenure|rank={{LaCRN}}|name=Herbert Reginald Lloyd Edwards|nick=Herbert R. L. Edwards|appt=12 January, 1906<ref>Edwards Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/48/95.|D7603999}} f. ?.</ref><ref>"Naval and Military Intelligence".  ''The Times''.  Wednesday, 10 January, 1906.  Issue '''37913''', col F, p. 9.</ref>|end=3 July, 1906<ref>Edwards Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/48/95.|D7603999}} f. ?.</ref>|note=relieved after a collision with {{UK-TB108}}}}
{{Tenure|rank={{LaCRN}}|name=Charles Rumney Samson|nick=Charles R. Samson|appt=3 July, 1906{{NLMar07|p. 400}}|end=18 February, 1908}}
{{Tenure|rank={{LaCRN}}|name=Arthur Gerald Harris|nick=Arthur G. Harris|appt=18 February, 1908<ref>"Naval & Military Intelligence".  ''The Times''.  Saturday, 15 February, 1908.  Issue '''38570''', col B, p. 12.</ref>|end=7 April, 1908}}
{{Tenure|rank={{CommRN}}|name=Lionel George Preston|nick=Lionel G. Preston|appt=7 April, 1908<ref>Preston Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/44/79}}</ref>{{NLJul09|p. 401}}|end=December 1909<ref>Preston Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/44/79}}</ref>|note=and for command of Devonport T.B. Flotilla}}
{{Tenure|rank={{LaCRN}}|name=Lionel George Dawson|nick=Lionel G. Dawson|appt=December 1909<ref>Dawson Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/50/77|D7576679}}</ref>|end=14 January, 1910<ref>Dawson Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/50/77|D7576679}}</ref>}}
{{Tenure|rank={{LaCRN}}|name=Robert Gerald Hamond|nick=Robert G. Hamond|appt=14 January, 1910<ref>Hamond Service Record {{TNA|ADM 196/45/170.|D7603422}} f. 174.</ref>|end=24 February, 1910<ref>Hamond Service Record {{TNA|ADM 196/45/170.|D7603422}} f. 174.</ref>}}
{{Tenure|rank={{LCommRN}}|name=Leveson Granville Byron Alexander Campbell|nick=Leveson G. B. A. Campbell|appt=24 February, 1910<ref>Campbell Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/46/101.|D7603608}}  f. 101.</ref>{{NLJan12|p. 401}}|end=28 June, 1912<ref>Campbell Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/46/101.|D7603608}}  f. 101.</ref>}}
{{Tenure|rank={{LaCRN}}|name=Stephen Phillimore|nick=Stephen Phillimore|appt=28 August, 1912<ref>Phillimore Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/50/208|D7604620}} f. 278.</ref>{{NLDec13|p. 401''a'}}|end=16 December, 1913<ref>Phillimore Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/50/208|D7604620}} f. 278.</ref>|note=and for command of Portland Flotilla}}
{{Tenure|rank={{LCommRN}}|name=Astley Dundas Cooper Cooper-Key|nick=Astley D. C. Cooper-Key|appt=16 December, 1913<ref>Cooper-Key Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/49/29.|D7604128}}  f. 15.</ref>{{NLOct15|p. 401}}|end=16 March, 1916<ref>Cooper-Key Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/49/29.|D7604128}}  f. 15.</ref>}}
{{Tenure|rank={{LiCRN}}|name=Martin John Coucher de Meric|nick=Martin J. C. de Meric|appt=16 March, 1916<ref>de Meric Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/51/284.|D7605039}} f. 299.</ref>|end=16 August, 1916<ref>de Meric Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/51/284.|D7605039}} f. 299.</ref>}}
{{Tenure|rank={{LCommRN}}|name=Thomas Gilbert Carter|nick=Thomas G. Carter|appt=16 August, 1916{{NLDec16|p. 401}}|end=15 June 1917}}
{{Tenure|rank={{LiCRNR}}|name=Arthur Frederic Platt|nick=Arthur F. Platt|appt=15 June, 1917<ref>Platt Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 240/56/80.|}}  f. 80.</ref>|end=2 July, 1917<ref>Platt Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 240/56/80.|}}  f. 80.</ref>}}
{{Tenure|rank={{LiCRN}}|name=Leon Stopford Acheson|nick=Leon S. Acheson|appt=2 July, 1917{{NLDec18|p. 956}}|end=4 February, 1919{{NLMar19|p. 741}}{{INF}}}}
</div name=fredbot:officeCapt>

==Armament==
===As Commissioned===
One fixed bow 14 inch torpedo tube and two deck 14 inch torpedo tubes.

Four 3-pounder quick-firing guns.

===World War One===
One fixed bow 14 inch torpedo tube and two deck 14 inch torpedo tubes.

Three 3-pounder quick-firing guns.

Depth charges.{{Conways1860|p. 103}}

==See Also==
{{refbegin}}
{{refend}}

==Footnotes==
{{reflist}}

==Bibliography==
{{refbegin}}
* {{BrownSteamTBs}}
* {{Conways1860}}
* {{DawsonFlotillas}}
* {{FriedmanBritishDestroyers}}
* {{LyonWinfieldSteamList}}
{{refend}}

{{Footer H.M. T.B. 81 (1885)}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:T.B. 81}}

{{CatClassFirstClassTorpedoBoat|UK}}
{{CatShipFirstClassTorpedoBoat|UK}}



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nat=UK
cat=FirstClassTorpedoBoat
type=first-class torpedo boat
prefix=H.M.

chain=Torpedo Boats,First-class Torpedo Boats

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pend=
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launch=1885{{Brasseys1896|p. 318}}
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fate=Broken up
fatedate=1921{{Conways1860|p. 103}}
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