1/35 HMS RenownBIL 01 00 0604 Billing Boats 1 35 HMS Renown (Beginner) In the mid 1800's, the Royal Navy began to equip its larger men of war with so called steam barges or steam pinnaces. After experiments with a number of different types, 30, 40, 50 and 56 ft boats became most widely used. By the end of the century, the first motor pinnaces were ready for duty. When the First World War broke our, however, steam boats returned to the scene. The 50 ft pinnace for