The divisional torpedo boats launched between 1886 and 1898 tested ideas that led to larger German torpedo craft. Their development overlapped with Britain's early Daring, Havoc, and Ferret destroyers. Fleet commanders began to want torpedo boats alongside their larger ships, which placed new demands on endurance and seakeeping. A boat defending a port could wait for an attacker, while a vessel accompanying the fleet had to reach the area where enemy torpedo craft operated. Fleet service therefore pushed hull size beyond what local defence alone required.
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Fleet service forced torpedo boats to grow
Divisional boats exposed a basic design pressure: craft expected to accompany a fleet needed enough size, endurance, and seaworthiness to stay with it.