HMS Lightning (1876)

HMS Lightning was a torpedo boat that was built by John Thornycroft for the Royal Navy. It was put into service in 1876 and was the first ocean-going vessel that was equipped with the Whitehead torpedo self-propelled. Later she was in Torpedo Boat No. 1 renamed.

In the original state, the Lightning had two torpedo starter; this was in 1879 replaced by a single torpedo tube in the bow. These two torpedoes were to reload, which were kept amidships.

The Lightning spent her period of service as a tender, the torpedo school HMS Vernon in Portsmouth and was used there for experimental purposes. In 1896 she was scrapped.