 Viscolul arriving in the port ofConstanța, 1940 | |
| History | |
|---|---|
 United Kingdom | |
| Name | MTB-23 |
| Builder | Vospers,Portsmouth |
| Laid down | 1939 |
| Launched | 1939 |
| Completed | 1939 |
| Commissioned | 1939 |
| Out of service | 1940 |
| Fate | Sold to Romania |
 Romania | |
| Name | Viscolul |
| Commissioned | 1940 |
| Out of service | 1944 |
| Fate | Captured by the Soviet Union |
 Soviet Union | |
| Name | TK-955 |
| Commissioned | 1944 |
| Out of service | 1945 |
| Fate | Returned to Romania, later scrapped |
| Service record | |
| Commanders: | Ion Zaharia |
| Operations: | |
| Victories: |
|
| General characteristics | |
| Class & type | Vospers type motor torpedo boat |
| Type | Motor torpedo boat/Escort vessel |
| Displacement | 32 tons |
| Length | 21.95 m (72 ft 0 in) |
| Beam | 5 m (16 ft 5 in) |
| Draft | 1.1 m (3 ft 7 in) |
| Propulsion | 3Isotta-Fraschini petrol engines, 2 shafts, 3,450 horse power |
| Speed | 40knots (74 km/h; 46 mph) |
| Complement | 12 |
| Armament |
|
NMSViscolul was the most successful and the longest-servingmotor torpedo boat of theRomanian Navy during theSecond World War. She supported theSiege of Odessa and took part in theaction of 9 July 1941.
Viscolul was aVospers-type motor torpedo boat, one of three purchased by Romania from theUnited Kingdom. The three boats were originally launched and completed in 1939 asMTB-20 (Viforul),MTB-21 (Vijelia) andMTB-23 (Viscolul). They were acquired by Romania in 1940. Along with her sister ships,Viscolul had a displacement of 32 tons, measuring 21.95 m (72.0 ft) in length, with a beam of 5 m (16 ft) and a draught of 1.1 m (3 ft 7 in). She was armed with two quadruple 7.7 mm machine guns, two torpedo tubes and could carry up to eight depth charges or four mines. Power plant consisted of threeIsotta Fraschini petrol engines powering two shafts, generating 3,450hp which gave her a top speed of 40 kn (74 km/h; 46 mph). She had a crew of up to 12.[1]
During World War II, she was commanded by Lieutenant-Commander Ion Zaharia, who would later command the motor torpedo boatVedenia and the entire Romanian MTB squadron, consisting of 7 boats.[2]
On 9 July 1941, one week after Romania launchedOperation München as part ofOperation Barbarossa,Viscolul andVijelia, together with the250t-class torpedo boatNăluca, engaged an enemy submarine nearMangalia.Năluca was the first to arrive at the scene and subsequently located and engaged the SovietShchuka-class submarineShch-206. In the first part of the battle,Năluca attacked the submarine with 20 mm rounds, but the latter submerged in order to escape. The Romanian torpedo boat subsequently used depth charges, being soon joined by the two motor torpedo boats. At 2:56 pm, the Soviet submarine was confirmed sunk byViscolul, none of her crew of 38 survived.[3][4][5][6]
On the night of 18 September, during theSiege of Odessa,Viscolul andVijelia attacked a Soviet convoy south ofOdessa, each boat launching her two torpedoes at the closest enemy destroyer. Three of the four torpedoes missed. The fourth torpedo struck and damaged the Soviet destroyer, but failed to detonate.[7][8]
On 9 November 1941, her sistersViforul andVijelia were sunk near Odessa by Soviet mines.[9]
Thus,Viscolul remained the sole MTB of the Romanian Navy for almost two years, until 7MAS boats were acquired in August 1943.[10] By 1944,Viscolul was fitted for escort service. In this capacity, she carried out multiple escort missions in May 1944.[11]
Viscolul was captured by Soviet forces in September 1944 and commissioned asTK-955. She was returned 1 year later, but never commissioned again due to her bad condition.