Falmouth - Armed Steam Cutter

Armed Steam Cutter 26 was one of a batch of seventy 35ft. steam cutters, built between 1910 and 1912.  She was assigned new to Town-class Light Cruiser HMS Falmouth, on the cruiser’s completion in September 1911.

On 28 August 1914, HMS Falmouth took part in the Battle of Heligoland Bight, and on 24 January 1915 she took part in the Battle of Dogger Bank.  She was still part of the squadron when on 31 May to 1 June 1916 she took part in the Battle of Jutland.


On 19 August 1916, Falmouth was lured into a trap and hit by torpedoes from German U-Boats.  Badly damaged, she was able continue steaming under low power, but was struck again, the next day.  Following this second attack, she was abandoned by the crew, who took to the lifeboats and were towed to safety by SC 26.  Falmouth sank on 20 August 1916.

Following the war, SC 26 was stationed in Gosport, until being sold off in 1928.  She was then converted into a private yacht.

The cutter was salvaged in 1972 and underwent some restoration at Rochester in Kent and then at Falmouth.  She has been here since 2016 and is undergoing full restoration to her original and working condition.  ASC 26’s restoration is a project funded by the Chancellor using LIBOR funds.

Boat Stats

Length Overall

35ft

Beam

7ft 8in

Draft

2ft 6in

Displacement

7 tons

Engine

Compound steam engine, coal fired; 32hp at 130psi at 485 rpm

Construction

Double skin teak; diagonal inner, carvel outer.

Date Built

1910

Boat Yard

Rowhedge Ironworks Co., Wivenhoe, near Colchester. Fitted out at William Beardmore and Co., Glasgow.

Supported by:

Supported by Regional Growth Fund