The Porpoise class emerged from a desire for submarines able to keep pace with the U.S. battle fleet. A 20- or 21-knot boat could theoretically accompany Standard-type battleships and help ambush an opposing fleet in a Pacific battle. Its greater legacy, however, was the design line leading through Salmon, Sargo, Tambor, Gato, Balao, and Tench. Range growth from roughly 6,000 to 11,000 nautical miles at ten knots made long patrols in Japanese home waters practical, even though submerged speed remained limited.
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American fleet submarines and the range needed for the Pacific
The U.S. Navy's prewar fleet-submarine lineage traded the dream of battle-fleet speed for the range needed to reach Japanese waters.
21-inch TorpedoesBalao Class SubmarinesBattle FleetFleet Submarine DoctrineFleet SubmarinesGato Class SubmarinesJapanese Home WatersPacific WarSalmon Class SubmarinesSargo Class SubmarinesStandard Type BattleshipsSubmarine ProcurementSubmarine RangeSubmarine SpeedTambor Class SubmarinesTench Class SubmarinesUS NavyUS Porpoise Class Submarines (1935)