alternatehistory.com

In 1930, the U.S. Navy's Bureau of Construction & Repair (later Bureau of Ships) saw their latest fleet sub, Dolphin, laid down at Portsmouth. About a third smaller than the previous design, Narwhal & Nautilus, she was also about a third bigger than the next, Cachalot & Cuttlefish. Cachalot & Cuttlefish proved too small, as would the next class, the Porpoises. It would be 1936 before BuShips hit on a fleet boat design truly suited to Pacific operations, & 1954 before Darter even approached Dolphin's size again.

So: what would it take for BuC&R to standardize on Dolphin in 1930? How much difference would it make to the Pacific War, if any? How much difference to USN sub design?
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