The naval ship HNoMS Rap is commonly acknowledged to have been the first torpedo boat in use in any navy in the world. Its original Norwegian name is KNM Rap (KNM, which denotes 'Kongelige Norske Marine', is the correct term in Norwegian). HNoMS for 'His Norwegian Majesty's Ship' is the term used in English.

The name Rap (Rapp in modern spelling) means Quick - a fitting name for a fast attack boat.

The 18 meter (59 feet) long boat was ordered from Thorneycroft , England, in 1873. Managing a speed of 14.5 knots, she was one of the fastest boats afloat when first launched. First planned for use of a spar torpedo, Rap was briefly used for experiments with a towed torpedo before finally being outfitted with launchracks for self propelled torpedoes in 1879. Rap was finally striken from the fleet in 1920, long after she had become obsolete.

Today, the Rap is exhibited at the Naval Museum in Horten, Norway.

Rap also gave name to a class of six MTBs built for the Royal Norwegian Navy in the 1950s.

External Link

• Picture of KNM Rap