 This was found to be inadequate in combat, and the result was a "fleet torpedo boat" class ("Flottentorpedoboot"), which were significantly larger, up to 1,700 tons, comparable to small destroyers.This class of German boats could be highly effective, as in the action in which the British cruiser was sunk off Brittany by a torpedo salvo launched by the s T23 and T27.Before World War I steam torpedo boats which were larger and more heavily armed than hitherto were being used.