Oliver,

could well be as you say (in fact it probably is, since you appear to have some detailed PRINTED information).

I find it quite interesting how information that is factually wrong sometimes proliferates on the net, because people no longer bother to check sources. I googled around a bit to find the source of the Wikipedia claim and I think I found it: there was in fact a US-built R-class in 1917/18 (some of which survived until well into WW2). One of those is credited with firing (and missing) 4 torpedoes at a German u-boat in 1942. Coincidence?

All the best

Dirk