British submarine cruiser HMS X-1
French submarine cruiser Surcouf
All submarines built before the First World War were outdated since the war lessons were afterwards incorporated in new building and designing. There were now 5 different types; the tonnages/displacement were somehow arbitrary.
1. Submarine cruisers of 2.000-3.000 ton of which the artillery was their man armament (1)
2. Fleet submarines of 1.500-2.000 tons which were operate with the battle fleet. Their sized was needed to able to make the necessary speed to follow the battle fleet even with some swell.
3. Ocean going submarines of 800-2.000 ton to act offensively from ever desired position.
4. Coastal defence submarines smaller than 800 ton.
5. Submarine minelayers, usually also armed with torpedo tubes.(2)
Notes
1. Like the French Surcouf (displacement 3.250/4.304 tons, 2-20,3cm/8” guns) or British HMS X-1 (displacement 2.780/3.600 tons, 4-13cm/15.2” guns).
2. The Dutch Hr.Ms. O 19 and O 20 armed with 8-53,3cm/6” torpedo tubes, 20 mine tubes and an artillery armament of 1-8,8cm guns and 2x1-4cm machineguns.
Source
Archive Dutch Naval Staff (National Arhcive, The Hague, Netherlands) inv. no. 291. Lecture dated 28 March 1930 for aspirant officers of the Royal Navy Reserve in the Dutch East Indies.
