The R-boat name literally points to clearing boats, but their work ranged from minesweeping to convoy escort, coastal patrol, minelaying, and rescue. The Kriegsmarine received 424, and 140 remained in post-war use. British "E-boat" could mean any enemy boat, so later accounts may turn an R-boat action into a Schnellboot action. Wartime aircraft claims had a similar problem when any British fighter became a "Spitfire" in later retellings. One Norwegian example instead points to a Fairey Swordfish from HMS Warspite as the available British aircraft.
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Räumboote: the German fast craft often misidentified
German Räumboote were primarily minesweepers and support craft, yet their wide service record means that not every wartime British report of an “E-boat” meant a Schnellboot.