Hurja-class motor torpedo boat

The Hurja-class motor torpedo boats (English: Fierce) or H class was an Italian-designed class of Finnish motor torpedo boats, seeing service with the Finnish Navy during World War II. The five boats of the H class were built by Cantieri Baglietto in Genoa, Italy. The ships were converted into patrol boats in 1949, in accordance with the Paris peace treaty and their torpedo armament, forbidden by the treaty, was removed. The H class were stricken from the naval vessel register in 1963.

Class overview
Name	Hurja
Builders	Cantieri Baglietto, Genoa, Italy
Operators	Finnish Navy
Built	1941
Completed	5
Retired	5
General characteristics
Type	Motor torpedo boat
Displacement	20 t (20 long tons)
Length	16.5 m (54 ft 2 in)
Beam	4.3 m (14 ft 1 in)
Draught	1.5 m (4 ft 11 in)
Propulsion	2 × Isotta Fraschini petrol engines; 1,200 kW (1,600 bhp)
Speed	36 knots (67 km/h; 41 mph)
Armament	1 × 20 mm (0.79 in) Madsen gun 2 × 13 mm (0.51 in) guns 2 × 450 mm (18 in) torpedo tubes 2 × depth charge racks

Design and description

The Hurja class were a class of Italian-designed motor torpedo boat. They measured 16.5 metres (54 ft 2 in) long overall with a beam of 4.3 m (14 ft 1 in) and a draught of1.5 m (4 ft 11 in). They had a displacement of 20 tonnes (20 long tons). They were propelled by two Isotta Fraschini petrol engines creating 1,200 kilowatts (1,600 bhp). This gave them a maximum speed of 36 knots (67 km/h; 41 mph). The Hurjas were armed with a single 20-millimetre (0.79 in) Madsen gun, two 13 mm (0.51 in) guns, two 450 mm (18 in) torpedo tubes and two depth charge racks.

Vessels of the class

Hurja class construction data
Number	Ship	Builder	Launched	Fate
H 1	Hyöky	Cantieri Baglietto, Genoa, Italy	1941	Stricken 1963
H 2	Hirmu
H 3	Hurja
H 4	Hyrsky
H 5	Häijy

Construction and career

All four vessels were constructed at Cantieri Baglietto in Genoa, Italy. The Paris Peace Treaty of 1947 was signed following the end of World War II, and Finland was prohibited by the treaty from having torpedo-carrying vessels. The ships were converted into motor gunboats in 1949, in accordance with the treaty. They were rearmed with two 20 mm guns and two 13 mm guns. They were stricken in 1963.

References

• Blackman, Raymond V. B., ed. (1953). Jane's Fighting Ships 1953–54. London: Sampson, Low and Marston. OCLC 913556389.
• Westerlund, Karl-Erik (1980). "Finland". In Chesneau, Roger (ed.). Conway's All the World's Fighting Ships 1922–1946. Greenwich, UK: Conway Maritime Press. pp. 363–367. ISBN 0-85177-146-7.