LEGACY

INSPIRATION AND RESPONSIBILITY

Having drawn inspiration from WW2 Motor Torpedo Boats in creating the K5 KRAKEN, Kraken Technology Group set up Kraken Heritage CIC to secure and restore a last-of-its-kind Vosper MTB and to preserve their story for future generations.

These remarkable wooden boats were built for speed and survivability, and their crews embraced a ‘no gun too big’ approach to equipping them for swarm and skirmish attacks, often successfully defeating much larger enemy vessels through superior numbers and firepower.

The Motor Torpedo Boat, operated by Royal Navy Coastal Forces, became known as the ‘Spitfire of the Seas’ in recognition of its defence of British shores in WW2, whilst the similar US PT Boats caused havoc in the Pacific campaigns.

As the makers of the MTB’s spiritual successor, Kraken Heritage CIC has been founded from a profound sense of responsibility to both honour and preserve this priceless maritime heritage, and to ensure that the contribution made by these ‘Iron Men in Wooden Boats’ is recognised and preserved for future generations.

MTB-219

  • LOA
    70 ft

    Beam
    16 ft

    Original Displacement
    38 tons

    Type
    Planning fast response powerboat

    Top Speed
    38 knots

    Propulsion
    Originally powered by triple Packard V12 petrol engines and shaft drives

    Structure
    Biaxial wooden planking, with integral ‘membrane’ and internal wooden skin

    Weapons
    Twin .50” machine guns, twin .303” machine guns, 
2x 21” Torpedo tubes and depth charge capability.

  • Kraken Heritage CIC acquired MTB-219 in 2021. She is the last of her kind Vosper-built 1941 Motor Torpedo Boat in need of complete restoration. Kraken Heritage CIC will be undertaking, documenting and sharing that journey with the public.

    MTB-219 is unique. A last-of-its-kind 70ft Vosper MTB with significant WW2 battle honours and involvement in numerous Allied Coastal Forces campaigns, including the notorious ‘Channel Dashes’ in February 1942. It is a privilege to be her custodian, and an honour to restore her to her former glory.

  • Launched in 1941 as part of the Royal Navy Coastal Forces out of Dover, 219 went on to make many attacks on enemy shipping in the English Channel, first sustaining damage on 11 September 1941.

    On 12 February 1942, she was one of five MTBs that attacked the German battlecruisers Scharnhorst, Gneisenau and Prinz Eugen as they performed a ‘Channel Dash’ through the English Channel protected by destroyers, E-Boats and the Luftwaffe.

    She sank the Seeadler on 13 May 1942 and continued to attack enemy shipping until she was finally retired on 19 December 1943.

  • MTB-219 is the only surviving vessel of her class and still bears the signs of war damage from her many sorties. She was also instrumental in the rescue of a number of downed Fairey Swordfish crews during WW2.

  • Since retirement, MTB-219 has had a colourful life in a number of roles including use by the Sea Scouts, as a film set, and finally more recently as a houseboat in Chelsea before being acquired for restoration, which is a process Kraken Heritage CIC will undertake through to completion.