Vale-class gunboat

Vale-class gunboat
Note shield protecting RLM gun, and small overall size.
Class overview
BuildersKarljohansverns Verft Naval Yard, Horten
Operators Royal Norwegian Navy
Succeeded byGor-class gunboat
Built1874–1878
In commission1884–1947
Completed5
Lost1
Scrapped4
General characteristics
TypeGunboat, later rebuilt as minelayer
Displacement260 long tons (264 t)
Length28 m (91 ft 10 in)
PropulsionCoal-fired reciprocating steam engines, 220 shp (164 kW)
Speed8.5 knots (9.8 mph; 15.7 km/h)
Complement44 (31 after rebuild)
Armament
  • As built :
  • 1 × 26.67 cm (10.50 in) RML gun
  • 1 × 1-pdr 37 mm (1.5 in) automatic gun [1]
  • 2 × 1-pdr 37 mm (1.5 in) revolver light automatic gun[2]
  • After rebuild :
  • 1 × 12 cm (4.7 in) gun
  • 3 × 37 mm (1.5 in) guns
  • or
  • 1 × 47 mm (1.9 in) & 2 × 37 mm (1.5 in) guns
  • Mines

The Vale class was a class of five Rendel (or "flat-iron") gunboats built for the Royal Norwegian Navy between 1874 and 1878. Small, nimble vessels, they were armed with a single large calibre muzzle-loading gun for offensive purposes and several small, quick firing guns for self-defence.