following the successful introduction of the small coastal 2. class torpedo boats in the 1880s, the royal norwegian navy decided to acquire a new class of larger torpedo boats, to carry out offensive operations at sea. the new warships, designated as 1. class torpedo boats, were introduced in 1896 with the purchase of three boats from the schichau-werke in germany. a further seven boats of the class were built in norway in 1898–1901, at the royal norwegian navy shipyard at karljohansvern in horten.