The first submarines to be designed after the First World War. were the O Class - a post-war concept of an Overseas Patrol Submarine. With this class it appears that the Admiralty finally decided that the submarine deserved the dignity of a name: thus, the pioneer of the class was called Oberon.
The L50 Class submarines were chosen as a model for the Oberon design, but the new class had much greater endurance, increased diving depth, improved torpedo armament and increased wireless range. However, a 75 per cent increase in displacement led to a loss of speed, both surface and submerged.
During the building of Oberon, the unforeseen growth in topside fittings had a devastating effect on submerged speed and, although modifications were made after her completion in
