Motorboats brought petrol fire risk aboard warships

When did warships begin carrying gasoline- or diesel-powered boats?

Motorboats appeared aboard warships as soon as compact engines became practical in the early twentieth century, with boat engines also contributing to early aircraft-engine development.

Warships began experimenting with petrol and diesel motorboats in the 1900s and 1910s rather than waiting until the 1920s. Their arrival added useful powered craft but also placed volatile fuel and compact engines aboard ships designed around older boat-handling practices.