Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 1:43:38-1:43:57

How treaty-era sloops stayed under the 20-knot line

Sloops were officially designed below the treaty's 20-knot ceiling, leaving a distinction between the declared design figure and possible real-world performance.

Bittern Class SloopsNaval TreatiesShip SpeedSloopsWarship Design
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Question

Could treaty-era sloops actually exceed the nominal 20-knot limit?

Short answer

They were officially designed below it, with the Bittern class rated at 18.75 knots, although the stated figure left room for knowing humour.

Notes

Treaty compliance attached to the ship's declared design limit. The sloops were designed for no more than 20 knots, with the Bittern class officially rated at 18.75 knots. The joking emphasis on that number hints at performance margin without claiming a formal treaty breach. Official classification figures and what a completed hull might achieve in favourable conditions were not necessarily identical.