Peter Scott pressed for the numbered SGBs to receive Grey animal names, and Grey Goose later became an important postwar gas-turbine experiment. Her Rolls-Royce installation produced more power while weighing less and occupying less space than the original steam plant, although the machinery was judged too complex for wider use at the time. In wartime form the class carried a three-inch gun, six-pounders, 20 mm weapons, and torpedoes to hunt German S-boats or E-boats at up to 35 knots. Only seven were built from a much larger plan because their size, cost, and prominent silhouette limited the design, even though the boats proved useful and later excelled as fast minelayers.
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Steam Gun Boats built to hunt E-boats
The Grey-class Steam Gun Boats combine destroyer-like firepower and 35-knot speed in a costly attempt to hunt German Schnellboote without tying down destroyers.