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NMS Viscolul: The Star of the Fleet
History:
Following World War 1, Romania Had one of the most substantial navies in the region, particularly in terms of riverine coverage. Despite this, motor torpedo boats were one area in which the nation lagged behind, and as they became more commonplace internationally, it became clear that modernization would be necessary. The older spar torpedo boats would not be capable of doing the job, and several, such as the Căpitan Romano Mihail-class, would have all torpedo equipment removed entirely and be converted to gunboats. To fill this gap in their capabilities, Romania turned to Great Britain for assistance. This partnership would result in a class of three Vospers MTBs being purchased, forming the vanguard of Romania’s torpedo boat group.
Construction began in 1939, with the three boats initially being named MTB-20, MTB-21, and, inexplicably, MTB-23. In January of 1940, the three boats were purchased by Romania, and on February 16, 1940, they began their journey to Romania through France on the SS Peles. They arrived in May of that year and were immediately put into service, each receiving their proper names. MTB-20 became Viforul, MTB-21 became Vijelia, and MTB-23 became Viscolul. They were immediately thrust into the Second World War, and each of them played a part. But it was NMS Viscolul which did the most and had the longest career.
Her commanding officer, Ion Zaharia, would become a decorated Romanian naval veteran as leader of the Romanian MTB squadron, later commanding the NMS Vedenia. The first major activity Viscolul engaged in was the sinking of the Soviet submarine Щ-206. On July 9, 1941, as part of Operation München, the Romanian component of Operation Barbarossa, she was on patrol with NMS Năluca and her two sister ships when the submarine was spotted. NMS Năluca was first to engage, followed by Viscolul and her sisters. While each ship did damage, it would be Viscolul that would land the killing blow using depth charges, sinking the submarine and earning her first kill.
On the night of September 18 of that same year, she and her sister Vijelia attacked a convoy of Soviet ships off the coast of Odessa. Launching their torpedoes at the closest destroyers, the attack proved unsuccessful, with both of Vijelia’s torpedoes missing completely, as well as one from Viscolul. Her other torpedo would impact one of the destroyers, but it failed to detonate. Still, the destroyer suffered some damage, but the overall impact was minimal.
By the end of 1941, Viscolul would find herself in a difficult position as Romania’s only motor torpedo boat. Her sisters were both sunk on November 14 by Soviet mines, leaving her to carry on alone until the Vedenia-class was introduced in 1943 along with seven Italian MAS torpedo boats. These boats outmoded Viscolul in all regards, and so she was refitted for escort duties in early 1944. Upon Romanian capitulation in August of 1944, she became part of the Soviet Navy as ТК-955, though this did not last long, as she was returned to Romania one year later. Her final fate was the scrapyard, as by now she had fallen into such disrepair so as to be unfit for duty.
Description:
NMS Viscolul follows the exact same construction standards of all the other Vosper motor torpedo boats of the time. She and her sisters are small, wooden-hulled boats designed for speed, weighing in at 32 tons standard, 37 tons maximum displacement and measuring 21.95 m (72 ft 0 in) by 5 m (16 ft 5 in) by 1.1 m (3 ft 7 in). She is powered by three 1150 hp Isotta-Fraschini gasoline engines from Italy which power two propeller shafts. This powerful trio of engines delivers a top speed of 40 kts (46 mph, 74 km/h). She carries a crew of 14.
There is no armor protection on NMS Viscolul nor her sisters. Speed is her only defense. As for offense, she carries several weapon options. She is equipped with two quadruple mounts of 7.7mm Vickers K machine guns in open rings. With an individual Vickers K capable of between 950-1,200 RPM, it is possible for a total fire rate of 9,600 RPM from all 8 guns. To attack larger vessels, two 533mm torpedo tubes are present, as well as the option to carry either 8 depth charges or 4 naval mines.
Specifications:
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General Characteristics:
Displacement: 32 tons
Length: 21.95m
Beam: 5m
Draft: 1.1m
Armor: None
Engines: 3x 1150 hp Isotta-Fraschini gasoline engines, 2 shafts
Speed: 40 kts (46 mph, 74 km/h)
Complement: 14
Armament:
Primary: 2x4 7.7mm Vickers K machine guns
Secondary: 2x 533mm torpedo tubes, Mounting points for EITHER 8x depth charges OR 4x mines
Gallery:
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