Armed Steam Cutter 26

Armed Steam Cutter (ASC) 26 was one of a batch of seventy 35 foot 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, the Battle of Dogger Bank. She was at sea when on 31 May to 1 June 1916 she engaged in the Battle of Jutland.

ASC 26 then is a survivor of the Battle of Jutland, one of only three vessels believed to be so.

On 19 August 1916, HMS Falmouth was torpedoed by 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 ASC 26. Falmouth sank on 20 August 1916.

Following the war, ASC 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 in our care 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.