H.M.S. Grey Goose was built in 1942 and was one of a series of "Denny" type steam gunboats. Planned as miniature destroyers, their steel hulls with steam turbines were intended to provide a superior type of all weather motor torpedo gunboat. However, their vulnerability to small calibre gunfire and their poor acceleration meant that the intended programme for more vessels was cut back: of the planned sixty, only seven "grey" boats were built.