Negotiators disputed submarine displacement because the United States and Britain wanted to preserve different large-boat capabilities, including long-range and minelaying designs. The final 2,000-ton and 5.1-inch individual limits were nevertheless simpler than the unexplained 52,700-ton fleet allowance. In this assessment, the sloop question is more contentious because Britain was free to build specialist escorts but did not exploit that opportunity at sufficient scale. A large force of ASW sloops and destroyers could have answered the permitted submarine tonnage more convincingly than repeated ban proposals. The historical outcome left capable submarine navies and too little escort investment as war approached. Dutch submarines are singled out as very good boats that saw less action than their quality deserved. The 2,000-ton and 5.1-inch specification is sparse, yet still workable as a submarine design envelope.
Chapter · 30:00-32:36
Submarine limits without an ASW counterweight
The conclusion criticizes the arbitrary fleet total and weak ASW counterforce, then closes by noting how little action capable Dutch submarines received.