Hurja-class motor torpedo boat

The Hurja-class motor torpedo boats (English: Fierce) or H class was an Italian-designed class of Finnish motor torpedo boats, seeing service with the Finnish Navy during World War II. The five boats of the H class were built by Cantieri Baglietto in Genoa, Italy. The ships were converted into patrol boats in 1949, in accordance with the Paris peace treaty and their torpedo armament, forbidden by the treaty, was removed. The H class were stricken from the naval vessel register in 1963.

Design and description
The Hurja class were a class of Italian-designed motor torpedo boat. They measured 16.5 m long overall with a beam of 4.3 m and a draught of1.5 m. They had a displacement of 20 t. They were propelled by two Isotta Fraschini petrol engines creating 1600 bhp. This gave them a maximum speed of 36 kn. The Hurjas were armed with a single 20 mm Madsen gun, two 13 mm guns, two 450 mm torpedo tubes and two depth charge racks.

Construction and career
All four vessels were constructed at Cantieri Baglietto in Genoa, Italy. The Paris Peace Treaty of 1947 was signed following the end of World War II, and Finland was prohibited by the treaty from having torpedo-carrying vessels. The ships were converted into motor gunboats in 1949, in accordance with the treaty. They were rearmed with two 20 mm guns and two 13 mm guns. They were stricken in 1963.