The S-boat
With what little research I have done on these boats, I come to this preliminary conclusion.
The S-boat to most extents is an inferior version of the German type VII. The similarities being, they are both boats with exposed pressure hulls, partially covered by a streamlined outer shell. They have four forward tubes, and a deck gun. Their towers are almost identical at the front, though the S- boat's is longer. But both towers are of the open chariot style. Both are fairly narrow, and have a very narrow upper deck, excepting the area of the deck gun mount. Both are pretty much the same length, and width, and the crew compliment is almost the same.
The type VII was actually a bit faster both above and under water, and had more range
All german subs, it would seem could safetly dive deeper than most of the american and british subs. (safety depth for the VII is 90 meters, or 295 feet, several tens of feet more than the point allied subs were taking really bad pressure damage.
The Type VII had a stern tube, which the S-boat lacks.
The German boats, from the outset had AA armament. S-boats got a very flimsy and improvised add on "cigarette deck" added on late in their long existance.
Considering the boat I am currently driving was historically built in the 1920s, I'd say the S-boat is actually quite an amazing little boat, and very venerable, most of the ones in training lasted almost to the early fities.
You all should check out the info on these little known boats.
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