Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 2:04:52-2:06:17

Why the heavily armed Dog Boat stayed stable

A stability question explains how the Fairmile D’s broad beam and low machinery allowed crews to add substantial armament without making the boat dangerously top-heavy.

Centre of GravityFairmile D Motor Gun and Torpedo BoatsMotor Gun BoatsShip DesignShip Stability
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Question

Did the Fairmile D’s added guns create serious stability problems?

Short answer

Not generally; its broad beam and low machinery kept the centre of gravity low enough to support the heavy armament.

Notes

The heavily armed Fairmile D did not generally suffer the stability problem a reader might expect. Its 6.35-metre beam was unusually broad for a motor torpedo boat. The engines and other heavy equipment sat as low as practicable, keeping the centre of gravity down. Those proportions made the Dog Boat a stable gun platform as well as a seaworthy hull.